The Ospreys team to face the Scarlets at Liberty Stadium, on Tuesday September 11th at 7.35pm, will be as follows: -
15 Lee Byrne14 Stefan Terblanche13 Mark Taylor12 Andrew Bishop11 Jonathan Vaughton10 Shaun Connor9 Justin Marshall
8 Filo Tiatia7 Ben Lewis6 Tom Smith5 Mike Powell4 Brent Cockbain (Capt)3 Andrew Millward
2 Richard Hibbard1 Paul James 16 Barry Williams17 Cai Griffiths18 Andy Lloyd/ Mike Collins19 Richard Pugh20 Martin Roberts21 Gareth Owen22 Gavin Henson
Andy Lloyd (knee injury) will have a late fitness test on Tuesday afternoon
Commenting on the fixture, Head Coach, Lyn Jones:
"â¬ÅLocal derbies are always tough engagements but Tuesdays will be particularly so with both sides looking to bounce back from opening match defeats. Both the Scarlets and ourselves enjoyed success last season, but both regions are looking to better last seasons achievements this year and getting one over your nearest neighbours would be a welcome result for both camps. Phil and his new coaching staff have made great progress at Stradey Park and Tuesdays match will be a big test for our squad as the Scarlets will be out to gain revenge for last years defeats."
"â¬ÅThe Scarlets always play a positive brand of rugby and last seasons encounters were two epics. Things went particularly well for us at the Liberty Stadium, when we were also bouncing back from a defeat at the hands of the Blues, whereas the match at Stradey Park was a tighter affair in more difficult conditions. What both fixtures had in common was the level of passion, intensity and physicality that you would expect from a Welsh derby and I am sure this will again be in evidence on Tuesday evening in front of a packed Liberty Stadium crowd."â¬Â
Lyn commenting on the welcome return to the field of Gavin Henson:
"â¬ÅWe expect that Gavin will have some game time on Tuesday, but there is no more pressure on him to perform than there is on any other player. It will be just another step in his rehabilitation, although it will be great for our supporters to see him back on the field of play and in an Ospreys shirt."â¬Â
Injury and squad availability news
Nikki Walker is representing Scotland and our eleven Wales 2007 Rugby World Cup squad players are unavailable for this match. Our Wales RWC 2007 squad members are Shane Williams, Sonny Parker, James Hook, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Thomas, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett and Duncan Jones.
The following players are unavailable for selection due to injury:
Lyndon Bateman (knee/ shoulder injuries) will be available for selection against Glasgow at the end of the month
Steve Tandy (shoulder) will be available on 1st October
David Bishop (knee) will return in November
Ryan Jones (shoulder) is progressing in line with expectation and our medical team is pleased with his rehabilitation. An exact date for his return has still not been finalised
Fixture News
September 2007 fixtures are as follows:
Tuesday September 11th "â¬" Ospreys v Scarlets "â¬" Liberty Stadium "â¬" 7.35pm
Friday 21st September "â¬" Ulster v Ospreys "â¬" Ravenhill "â¬" 6.30pm
Sunday 30th September "â¬" Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors "â¬" Liberty Stadium "â¬" 3.00pm