Ospreys team to play Cardiff Blues

The Ospreys team to play Cardiff Blues at Principality Stadium on Saturday 30th April 2016, KO 2.30pm, is as follows:


15 Dan Evans

14 Hanno Dirksen

13 Jonathan Spratt

12 Owen Watkin

11 Ben John

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb (Capt)

 

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Adam Beard

5 Rynier Bernardo

6 Olly Cracknell

7 James King

8 Dan Lydiate

 

REPLACEMENTS

16 Sam Parry 

17 Gareth Thomas

18 Aaron Jarvis

19 Rory Thornton

20 Sam Underhill

21 Brendon Leonard

22 Sam Davies

23 Josh Matavesi

 

Josh Matavesi will make his 50th Ospreys appearance if he comes off the bench

 

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury: 

Tyler Ardron - Knee

Lloyd Ashley Knee

Dan Baker - Shoulder

Ashley Beck Knee

Gareth Delve Ankle

JJ Engelbrecht Ankle

Maafu Fia Toe

Jeff Hassler - Shoulder

Dafydd Howells Hamstring

Paul James - Eye

Alun Wyn Jones - Foot

Marc Thomas - Knee

Justin Tipuric Concussion

 

Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:

“Nothing has changed for us this week, our task is the same as it has been the last couple of weeks; win these remaining games and see what happens elsewhere. We can’t simply look at the table and throw the towel in, as we learnt painfully at Exeter back in January, anything can happen even when the odds seem to be against you.

“The results in the last round have thrown the top six wide open, particularly when all the teams involved are playing against each other this weekend and next. A winning performance on Saturday will see us moving up a couple of places and really setting up a huge afternoon at the Liberty a week later.

“There’s no doubt that it’s going to be a great occasion for regional rugby on Saturday. It’s fantastic to see a record crowd coming out to watch the four regions in action and it will no doubt be a great atmosphere.

“However, it’s important that we don’t get distracted by the occasion and everything that comes with it. We have to be 100% focussed as a team on the job in hand and while it's a special occasion for the supporters, we have to remember that we have a job to do. It won’t be enjoyable or memorable if we don’t get the right performance.

“The hope is that with such a large crowd in Cardiff on Saturday, with many who clearly aren’t season ticket holders at a region, they’ll be impressed by what they see and want more. If we get the performance right on Saturday, Ulster a week later is a massive game and we would love some of them to come to the Liberty and be part of another great occasion.”

 

Forthcoming Fixtures

Sat 7 May 3.00pm KO Ospreys v Ulster PRO12