The Ospreys team to face London Irish in the EDF Energy Cup on Sunday 2nd November 2008 at the Madejski Stadium, kick off at 3.00pm, will be as follows:-
15 Jonny Vaughton14 Nikki Walker13 Tommy Bowe12 Gavin Henson11 Shane Williams10 James Hook9 Jamie Nutbrown8 Filo Tiatia7 Marty Holah6 Tom Smith5 Ian Evans4 Ian Gough3 Adam Jones2 Huw Bennett1 Paul James © Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard17 Craig Mitchell18 Lyndon Bateman19 Ryan Jones20 Rhys Webb21 Dan Biggar22 Andrew Bishop
The following players were not considered due to injury:
Jonathan Spratt is currently being treated for a disc problem in his lower back and will be out of action up to two months
Andy Lloyd is sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering an injury to his left elbow
Jonathan Thomas is recuperating after surgery on a groin injury and will be out of action for up to six weeks
Rhodri Wells is continuing his recovery from a shoulder injury suffered against Leicester Tigers
Sonny Parker misses out after suffering a reaction to contact on his chest injury in training this week. He will be available for the Magners League fixture against Edinburgh in November
Kristian Phillips is responding well to rehab following a shoulder injury and is likely to return to action during November
Cai Griffiths is continuing his rehab following an ankle ligament injury with a view to returning to action mid-November
Gareth Owen is sidelined for up to four months following ankle ligament surgery
Mike Phillips is continuing his rehab and is looking to return to action in December
Ben Lewis is hopeful of returning to competitive rugby following his ACL reconstruction during November
Ospreys Coach Sean Holley commented:
"London Irish are a strong side with a very good home record so we realise the size of the challenge ahead of us. We have the utmost respect for Toby Booth and his players. Full of pace and power throughout the team, they play some of the most attack minded rugby in the Guinness Premiership and have a well-drilled, effective set piece. They go into Sunday's game on the back of three straight wins, and with the incentive of knowing that they can still qualify for the semi-final so they certainly won't make it easy for us.
"We were pleased with our overall performance last weekend, and the bonus point puts us in a strong position as we know that the outcome of the group is in our own hands. We've been able to select a 22 that is fresh and confident, with many of the players having points to prove, be it in terms of Ospreys selection or international selection. The players are all firmly focused on the task at hand and certainly do not intend to surrender the trophy lightly. We are proud of our record in this tournament, having lost just once in 13 games, and are certainly targeting a third successive trip to Twickenham.
"The Madejski Stadium is a fine venue and we're looking forward to playing there, in front of what is expected to be good traveling support from Ospreylia for what I'm sure will be a cracking encounter."