The Ospreys team to face the Scarlets

The Ospreys team to play the Scarlets on Boxing Day at The Liberty Stadium, kick off at 4.10pm, will be as follows:

15 Barry Davies

14 Nikki Walker

13 Tommy Bowe

12 James Hook

11 Richard Fussell

10 Dan Biggar

9 Mike Phillips

 

1 Duncan Jones

2 Richard Hibbard

3 Adam Jones

4 Ryan Jones

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 Jerry Collins

7 Marty Holah

8 Jonathan Thomas

 

Replacements

16 Huw Bennett

17 Paul James

18 Craig Mitchell

19 Ian Evans

20 Justin Tipuric

21 Jamie Nutbrown

22 Andrew Bishop

23 Sonny Parker

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Jonathan Spratt - ACL

Ben Lewis - Neck

Ben John - Wrist

Shane Williams - Shoulder

Conor McInerney - Knee

Lee Byrne - Thumb

Ospreys Head Coach, Sean Holley, added:

"We're looking forward to it. These games are always great occasions. They are intense on and off the field, the crowd really seem to lift themselves for it the big game against their local rivals and the game has tended to be really tight in recent seasons.

"We've played two really tough back to back Heineken Cup games against Munster and when you play that level of competition it allows you to reach some level of consistency in your game, which will benefit us over the next month or so. Our selection will take a similar tone over the next couple of weeks as we work towards getting the players fully up and running in the Ospreys way and we build towards the next stage of our season.

"These Christmas games are very important, not just in terms of the top four and qualification for the play-offs, but on other levels too. For our fans, obviously it's about local pride, and for the players there's a lot at stake in terms of the international stage with match-ups right across the pitch.

"It's a good time of year, it's great to be at home for this fixture. We know we've got great support behind us with it a complete sell-out, and I'm sure it's going to be a great occasion."

Forthcoming fixtures

Fri 31 Dec - Cardiff Blues V Ospreys - Cardiff City Stadium - Magners League - 2.05pm

Fri 7 Jan - Leinster V Ospreys - RDS Showground - Magners League - 7.35pm

Sun 16 Jan - London Irish V Ospreys - Madejski Stadium - Heineken Cup - 3.00pm

Sat 22 Jan - Ospreys V Toulon - Liberty Stadium - Heineken Cup - 3.30pm