Ospreys Team To Face Munster

8th January
Rugby

The Ospreys team to face Munster in the Magners League on Friday 9th January 2009 at Liberty Stadium, kick off at 7.05pm, will be as follows:-

 15 Lee Byrne14 Jonny Vaughton13 Sonny Parker12 Andrew Bishop11 Shane Williams10 James Hook9 Mike Phillips 8 Filo Tiatia7 Steve Tandy6 Tom Smith5 Jonathan Thomas4 Alun-wyn Jones3 Cai Griffiths2 Richard Hibbard1 Paul James ©

Replacements:

16 Huw Bennett17 Ryan Bevington18 Lyndon Bateman19 Marty Holah20 Rhys Webb21 Dan Biggar22 Kristian Phillips

Ospreys Coach Sean Holley commented:

"Friday night is another big game and another big occasion that we are looking forward to. It is first v second in the Magners League, the European Champions at the Liberty Stadium, and it doesn't get any bigger than that. Munster's pedigree speaks for itself and we are well aware of the threat that they will pose. Given their disappointing results over Christmas they will no doubt be looking to put the record straight.

"We have a good record against Munster, and we want to keep that record intact this weekend. It is about building on the momentum we have generated during recent weeks, improving in certain areas to take performance levels to where we want them to be.

"With lots of rugby still to be played this season we are mindful that some players have already, and still have to come, a lot of action, and are in need of some rest. In the case of Shane, Huw Bennett and Lyndon Bateman, we are delighted to be able to welcome them back from injury, increasing the selection options available to us.

"I'm sure that it's going to be another great Liberty Stadium occasion and we're looking forward to seeing a good crowd getting behind us as we know they can."

The following players were not considered because of injury:

  • Jamie Nutbrown has suffered minor damage to his previous pectoral muscle injury and will not be risked ahead of next week's trip to Perpignan
  • Nikki Walker has undergone surgery to repair a partial tear of his hamstring muscle origin on his left leg suffered during the home game against Treviso. He will require a lengthy period of rehabilitation before returning to action and faces a lay-off in the region of 5-6 months
  • Ben Lewis has undergone repeat ACL reconstruction surgery to his right knee having encountered further problems, and is unlikely to feature again this season
  • Duncan Jones is recovering from surgery to fix a chronic stress fracture in his right foot, and will be in plaster for up to 12 weeks. At this stage it looks unlikely to feature again this season
  • Ian Evans had undergone ACL reconstruction surgery after damaging his right knee in the Wales V New Zealand fixture and faces a 6-month rehabilitation period, ruling him out until next season
  • Andy Lloyd ruptured elbow ligaments playing in an 'A' team fixture at the end of October and needed surgery to fix the underlying instability. He is targeting a comeback mid April 09
  • Gareth Owen is recovering well from surgery to repair ankle ligament damage, and is expected to return in 2/3 weeks

    • Forthcoming fixtures are as follows:

    Saturday 17th January USA Perpignan V Ospreys Heineken Cup Stade Aime-Giral 4.35pm
    Saturday 24th January Ospreys V Leicester Tigers Heineken Cup Liberty Stadium 5.35pm
    Sunday 22nd February Ospreys V Connacht Magners League Liberty Stadium 3.00pm
    Friday 6th March Ospreys V Leinster Magners League Liberty Stadium 7.05pm
    All fixtures are subject to change