The Ospreys team to face the Scarlets in the Magners League on Saturday 27th December 2008 at Liberty Stadium, kick off at 5.30pm, will be as follows:-
15 Lee Byrne 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Sonny Parker 12 Gavin Henson 11 Jonny Vaughton 10 James Hook 9 Mike Phillips 8 Filo Tiatia 7 Steve Tandy 6 Ryan Jones © 5 Jonathan Thomas 4 Alun-wyn Jones 3 Adam Jones 2 Richard Hibbard 1 Paul James
Replacements:
16 Ed Shervington 17 Cai Griffiths 18 Ian Gough 19 Marty Holah 20 Jamie Nutbrown 21 Dan Biggar 22 Andrew Bishop
The following players were not considered:
Shane Williams suffered a shoulder impingement problem that he reported to the medical team following the second Treviso match, and which has failed to settle with rest. The problem is affecting one of the rotator cuff tendons in his right shoulder and after being reviewed by a shoulder specialist has had treatment to try and help settle his symptoms in the short term. Unfortunately this rules him out of action for the next two weeks, but if he responds well to the treatment he should be available for consideration for either the Munster or Perpignan fixture in early January
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.
Tom Smith suffered an impact injury to the shoulder/chest against the Dragons recently and is currently being monitored with a view to identifying the best course of treatment
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
Huw Bennett has been sidelined with ankle ligament damage since the EDF Energy Cup fixture against London Irish. This fixture has come just too soon for him and he will now target the Cardiff Blues match on New Year's Eve
Gareth Owen is recovering well from surgery to repair ankle ligament damage, and is targeting a mid January return to action
Jonathan Spratt has been sidelined with disc trouble in his lower back, but is now working hard on his fitness with a view to getting back on to the field over the next two weeks
Lyndon Bateman has suffered ankle ligament damage and is facing a 4-6 week lay-off
Forthcoming fixtures are as follows:
Wednesday 31st December - Cardiff Blues V Ospreys - Magners League - Cardiff Arms Park - 2.05pm
Friday 9th January - Ospreys V Munster - Magners League - Liberty Stadium - 7.05pm
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