The Ospreys team to play Newport Gwent Dragons at Liberty Stadium on Friday 22nd March, KO 19.05, is as follows:
15 Richard Fussell
14 Tom Habberfield
13 Jonathan Spratt
12 Ashley Beck
11 Tom Isaacs
10 Dan Biggar
9 Kahn Fotuali’i
1 Ryan Bevington
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 James King
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Jonathan Thomas
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Duncan Jones
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Lloyd Peers
20 George Stowers
21 Rhys Webb
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Ben John
Joe Bearman was unavailable for selection due to suspension
The following players were not considered because of injury:
Ryan Jones – Shoulder
Ian Gough – Back
Eli Walker - Back
Morgan Allen - Shoulder
Andrew Bishop – Back
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Tom Smith – Groin
Joe Rees - Neck
Aaron Jarvis - Knee
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“It’s great to be back at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night, for a big Welsh derby, and to welcome home our international boys after they did so well in the Six Nations. Last season, they came back to us off the back of a Grand Slam and provided the impetus to build on the work done by the core group while they were away that allowed us to kick on and win the league. Having won the Six Nations again thanks to a great victory against England on Saturday we’ll be looking for the boys to have a similar impact this time.
“We’ve got a lot of work still to do if we are going to secure a place in the top four but what is really pleasing is the attitude of the boys coming back. I spoke to them all after Saturday and everyone of them wanted to be involved in this game, they couldn’t wait to get back to their region, with their team-mates, and roll their sleeves up for the cause.
“It’s going to be tough, on Friday night and over the next five games. We aren’t going to worry about who else does what over the coming weeks, we’ll just focus on our own game, control what we can, and make sure that everybody gives what they can. If we are well prepared, focused on the job in hand and get the performance level where it needs to be then we believe in ourselves to get the job done.
“With only two home games left we’re hoping for a good crowd at both games. It’s a great opportunity for supporters to get behind the cause and really make a difference to the play-off chase.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 30 Mar – 17.15KO – Cardiff Blues v Ospreys – RaboDirect PRO12
Sat 13 Apr – 18.30KO – Ospreys v Benetton Treviso – RaboDirect PRO12
Fri 19 Apr – 19.35KO – Glasgow v Ospreys – RaboDirect PRO12
Fri 3 May – 19.45KO – Leinster v Ospreys – RaboDirect PRO12