The Ospreys team to face Benetton Treviso in the Heineken Cup on Saturday 6th December 2008 at the Liberty Stadium, kick off at 3.00pm, will be as follows:-
15 Lee Byrne 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Sonny Parker 12 Andrew Bishop 11 Nikki Walker 10 James Hook 9 Rhodri Wells 8 Filo Tiatia 7 Marty Holah 6 Jonathan Thomas 5 Lyndon Bateman 4 Ian Gough 3 Adam Jones 2 Richard Hibbard 1 Paul James © Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington 17 Cai Griffiths18 Alun-wyn Jones 19 Steve Tandy 20 Rhys Webb 21 Dan Biggar 22 Shane Williams
Jonathan Thomas and Adam Jones both make their 100th appearance for the Ospreys
The following players were not considered due to injury:
Ryan Jones is suffering from an inflammatory problem in his right forefoot, causing him significant pain when bearing weight. The injury, which was not a pre-existing condition, flared up during the New Zealand match and after causing him some discomfort the following week, he was injected by the WRU medical team to enable him to play against Australia. Having had the opportunity to take a good look at him this week, we feel that it is opportune to get him off his feet to allow the problem to settle down, and are optimistic that he will respond well to the current course of treatment
Duncan Jones had surgery to fix a chronic stress fracture in his right foot a week ago, and will be in plaster for up to 12 weeks. At this stage it looks unlikely to feature again this season
Ian Evans ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing against New Zealand recently and will undergo surgical reconstruction next week. He will then face a 6-month rehabilitation period, which rules him out till 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 targetinga comeback mid April 09
Huw Bennett has been sidelined with ankle ligament damage following the EDF Energy Cup fixture against London Irish. He is responding well to treatment and we remain optimistic that he will be available for the Christmas fixtures, although we will continue to assess his condition on a week-to-week basis
Ben Lewis has encountered further difficulties with his right knee, preventing his comeback as anticipated. We are currently considering specialist opinion and a decision will be made next week on the best course of treatment
Mike Phillips' knee has stepped up his rehab following a second, more minor operation in early October, with a view to a Christmas return
Jamie Nutbrown tore his Pectoralis Major tendon in the recent 'A' game against Leinster, and is recovering well. He is targeting a return in time for the Christmas fixtures
Gareth Owen is recovering well from surgery to repair ankle ligament damage, and hopes to start intensifying his rehab this week with a view to getting back on the field mid January
Gavin Henson will return to full training with the squad next week following treatment for a chronic Achilles tendon problem, and subject to his response will be available for selection for the secondTreviso fixture
Jonathan Spratt has been sidelined with disc trouble in his lower back, he's doing well and has stepped up his training with a view to making a comeback around Christmas
Forthcoming fixtures are as follows:
Saturday 13th December - Benetton Treviso V Ospreys - Heineken Cup - Stadio Comunale di Monigo - 2.35pm
Friday 19th December - Newport Gwent Dragons V Ospreys - Magners League - Rodney Parade - 7.05pm
Saturday 27th December - Ospreys V Scarlets - Magners League - Liberty Stadium - 5.30pm
Wednesday 31st December - Cardiff Blues V Ospreys - Magners League - Cardiff Arms Park - 2.05pm
All fixtures are subject to change