Ospreys team to face Leinster

The Ospreys team to play Leinster on Sunday 28th November 2010 at The Liberty Stadium, kick off at 5.00pm, will be as follows:

 

15 Barry Davies

14 Gareth Owen

13 Sonny Parker

12 Ashley Beck

11 Richard Fussell

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

 

1 Duncan Jones

2 Richard Hibbard

3 Craig Mitchell

4 Ian Gough

5 Ian Evans

6 Justin Tipuric

7 Marty Holah

8 Jerry Collins (Capt)

 

Replacements

16 Mefin Davies

17 Joe Rees

18 Cai Griffiths

19 James Goode

20 Tom Smith

21 Jamie Nutbrown

22 Matthew Morgan

23 Tom Isaacs

 

If he comes off the bench, Joes Rees will make his Magners League debut

 

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Jonathan Spratt – ACL

Ben Lewis – Neck

Morgan Allen – Ankle

Eli Walker – Ribs

Ryan Bevington – Finger

Ben John – Wrist

Dai Flanagan - Back

Shane Williams – Shoulder

Kristian Phillips – Ankle

Twelve players were unavailable for selection because of international commitments

 

Ospreys Director of Coaching, Scott Johnson, commented:

“After a tough challenge in Connacht last weekend, it doesn’t get any easier on Sunday. We’ve got a few more options available to us with Dan, Richard and Ian coming back from Wales duty, but by and large, we are looking at the same group of players who’ve served us well over the last month.

“Players, combinations and teams need time on the paddock together and this group have really grown over the last few games, it’s been good to see them coming together as a team.

We've planned for this period, knowing that we would need to utilise our squad fully when the international boys are away. Of course we take great pride in developing players for the national team, but the success we’ve had brings with it challenges and what can at times be difficult circumstances.

“We believe that we are doing things the right way when it comes to developing players. This group has worked hard over the last month with performances improving week on week, and in Connacht they coped with the step up in intensity from the Tigers game.

“What I’ve found really pleasing in this period has been the attitude of the senior players in the group who’ve shown the younger players stepping up what is expected, showing good leadership and providing guidance on and off the pitch.

“It’s going to be difficult again on Sunday against a Leinster side that has been on a very good run recently. Like us they will be without a lot of players, but they’ve also worked hard to build their squad and the result against the Dragons last weekend is a clear indication of the quality they have available. It’ll be a real benchmark for this group of players, to see where they are at the moment and we’re all really looking forward to it.”

Forthcoming Fixtures

Sat 4 Dec – Ospreys V Edinburgh – Liberty Stadium – Magners League – 6.30pm

Sun 12 Dec – Munster V Ospreys – Thomond Park – Heineken Cup – 1.00pm

Sat 18 Dec – Ospreys V Munster – Liberty Stadium – Heineken Cup – 3.45pm

Sun 26 Dec – Ospreys V Scarlets – Liberty Stadium – Magners League – 4.10pm

Fri 31 Dec – Cardiff Blues V Ospreys – CC Stadium – Magners League – 2.05pm