Ospreys team to play Cardiff Blues

The Ospreys team to play Cardiff Blues at Principality Stadium, on Saturday 15th April 2017, KO 2.45pm is as follows:

15 Dan Evans

14 Keelan Giles

13 Ashley Beck

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Dafydd Howells

10 Sam Davies

9 Rhys Webb (Capt)

 

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Brian Mujati

4 Bradley Davies

5 Rory Thornton

6 James King

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Dan Baker

 

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Otten

17 Paul James

18 Rhodri Jones

19 Lloyd Ashley

20 Tyler Ardron

21 Tom Habberfield

22 Luke Price

23 Kieron Fonotia

 

 

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:

Dmitri Arhip Shoulder

Adam Beard Elbow

Dan Biggar - HIA

Hanno Dirksen Knee

Maafu Fia - Knee

Jeff Hassler Achilles

Ben John HIA

Alun Wyn Jones - Shoulder

Dan Lydiate Knee

Rob McCusker Ankle

Sam Parry - Neck

James Ratti Shoulder

Sam Underhill - HIA

Eli Walker Back

Owen Watkin Knee

 

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

Its the business end of the season now and we know whats at stake over the next few weeks. Weve got three big games, three tough challenges ahead, starting with the Blues at Principality Stadium and we know what weve got to do.

We are in third place so we can take comfort that its very much about us in the run-in, if we put together three winning performances then theres nothing anyone else can do to stop us reaching the play-offs. Things havent gone as planned the last few and, where we had a bit of a gap, some room for comfort, Ulster and the Scarlets are breathing down our neck and will both be desperate to put one over us in the final two rounds.

Therell be a lot of fuss around Saturdays game, a derby match at the Principality Stadium in front of a big crowd, but we cant allow ourselves to get wrapped up in the occasion. Its important that we are professional around the build up and the 80 minutes itself. That has to be the focus for us, to build a performance of the level required from first to last minute and make sure we can keep ourselves ahead of the chasers for the last two rounds.

The Blues are a dangerous side, they have threats across the field, and can score tries from anywhere on the field so weve got to be at our best. The last two weekends have been frustrating for us, both games that we could have won, we dont want the same story this week and its only the players out there who can control that by their actions and decision making when they step over the line on Saturday.

 

Forthcoming Fixtures

Sat 29 Apr 3.00pm Ospreys v Ulster Liberty Stadium PRO12

Sat 6 May 5.15pm Scarlets v Ospreys Parc y Scarlets PRO12