The Ospreys team to play Saracens in the second round of the Heineken Champions Cup at the Allianz Park, on Saturday 23rd November K.O 1pm has been named:
The Ospreys travel to London to take on defending champions Saracens on Saturday afternoon, and we welcome back five of our Welsh internationals into the mix.
Owen Watkin returns in the centre, alongside young Kieran Williams who impressed off the bench against Munster last weekend. An unchanged back three sees Cai Evans wear the fullback jersey with Hanno Dirksen and Tom Williams on each wing. A new half-back partnership of Aled Davies and James Hook complete the starting backs. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Shaun Venter and Luke Price provide the cover off the bench.
Up front, Nicky Smith packs down with Scott Otten and Ma’afu Fia, with Bradley Davies and returning Adam Beard partnering in the second row. In the back row, Olly Cracknell is handed the skipper role with Marvin Orie named as flanker and young Morgan Morris at number 8. Ifan Phillips, Gareth Thomas and Tom Botha are named as replacements, with Lloyd Ashley and Sam Cross completing the Ospreys line-up.
Starting XV
15. Cai Evans
14. Hanno Dirksen
13. Owen Watkin
12. Kieran Williams
11. Tom Williams
10. James Hook
9. Aled Davies
1.Nicky Smith
2.Scott Otten
3. Ma’afu Fia
4.Adam Beard
5. Bradley Davies
6. Marvin Orie
7.Olly Cracknell ©
8. Morgan Morris
Replacements
16. Ifan Phillips
17. Gareth Thomas
18. Tom Botha
19. Lloyd Ashley
20. Sam Cross
21.Shaun Venter
22. Luke Price
23. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
The following players were unavailable for selection:
Alun Wyn Jones, George North and Justin Tipuric.
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Gareth Anscombe
Harri Morgan
Cory Allen
Dan Evans
James King
Rhys Henry
Ben Glynn
Luke Morgan
Keelan Giles
Sam Parry
Gareth Evans
Dan Lydiate
Forthcoming Fixtures:
Saturday 30th November – 7:35pm – Ospreys v Cheetahs, The Gnoll.
Saturday 7th December – 5:30pm – Ospreys v Racing 92, The Liberty Stadium.
Friday 13th December – 8:45pm (Local time) Racing 92 v Ospreys, Paris La Défense Arena.
Saturday 21st December – 7:35pm – Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, The Liberty Stadium.