The Ospreys team to play Bristol at Bridgend Ford Brewery Field on Saturday 28th January 2017, KO 3.00pm, is as follows:
15 Dafydd Howells
14 Jay Baker
13 Joe Thomas
12 Jonathan Spratt
11 Ben John
10 Luke Price
9 Rhys Webb (Captain)
1 Gareth Thomas
2 Scott Otten
3 Rhodri Jones
4 James Ratti
5 Adam Beard
6 Joe Bearman
7 Sam Underhill
8 Rob McCusker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Ifan Phillips
17 Rowan Jenkins
18 Daniel Suter
19 Tyler Ardron
20 Will Jones
21 Matthew Aubrey
22 Phil Jones
23 Tom O’Flaherty
Jay Baker makes his first Ospreys start
Ifan Phillips and Will Jones will make their Ospreys debuts if they come off the bench
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“This is another competition, different players involved, but the focus and preparation has to be exactly the same this week as it has been over the last couple of months in the PRO12 and Europe.
“We had a good two weeks in this competition back in November that has put us top of the pool but we mustn’t lose sight of the plan we had in place for the Anglo-Welsh at the start of the season. That was to blood some young talent on the field and get some valuable experience into these boys, and to allow young coaches like Tom Smith and Richard Fussell to step up.
“Our British and Irish Cup campaign was a positive one and it’s been good for everybody involved to spend some time working together as a unit. We have to use that momentum, the positivity from what was an excellent performance against a strong London Irish side last weekend, along with the boys who were involved up in Newcastle in the European competition, and keep it going.
“There are opportunities coming up for boys in this group to play a part in the PRO12 over the next two months, helping us to keep that campaign going in the right direction, so it’s important that they show us over the next two weeks that they have the potential to step up.
“Going back to Bridgend on Saturday afternoon to play a famous old English club with their traveling support, I’ve no doubt it’s going to be a cracking afternoon for everybody. We want the boys going out there on Saturday and enjoying the experience, but with an eye on the bigger picture and understanding this is a great stage for them. We may be missing the bulk of our internationals, but what someone like Rhys Webb will do is lead by example out there, showing the younger boys that they are going to be judged by the same standards and expectations as the senior Ospreys once they pull the shirt on and take to the field.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sun 5 Feb – 3.00pm – Wasps v Ospreys – Ricoh Arena – AW Cup
Fri 10 Feb – 8.00pm (Local) - Zebre v Ospreys - Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi – PRO12
Sat 18 Feb – 5.15pm – Ospreys v Munster – Liberty Stadium – PRO12
Sun 26 Feb – 1.05pm – Ospreys v Glasgow – Liberty Stadium – PRO12