Ospreys team to play Cardiff Blues

The Ospreys team for the PRO12 game against Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium, on Saturday 25th April 2015, KO 2.30pm, is as follows:

 

15 Dan Evans

14 Tom Grabham

13 Ben John

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

 

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Aaron Jarvis

4 Lloyd Peers

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 Dan Lydiate

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Dan Baker

 

REPLACEMENTS

 

16 Sam Parry

17 Marc Thomas

18 Dmitri Arhip

19 Tyler Ardron

20 James King

21 Tom Habberfield

22 Sam Davies

23 Jonathan Spratt

 

 

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

 

Ashley Beck - Ankle

Rynier Bernardo – Knee

Ryan Bevington - Groin

Andrew Bishop – Back

Cai Griffiths - Bicep

Jeff Hassler – Knee ligaments

Ross Jones – Ankle

Aisea Natoga – Knee ligaments

De Kock Steenkamp – Achilles

 

 

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

 

Its going to be a great occasion for regional rugby with over 50,000 supporters present at the Millennium Stadium but its absolutely essential that we dont allow ourselves to be distracted by the sideshow. We have to be 100 per cent focused on ourselves and on controlling all the factors we can around the match to ensure we can work towards the outcome we need on the day. Its a derby match and theres a lot of focus on the rivalry and everything but in reality its just another game, no more or less important than any of the others we still have to play.

 

Weve got three more games in the regular season and we are the only Welsh side still in play-off contention, having secured our Champions Cup slot for next season already, and we can be pretty pleased about that. However, we mustnt settle for that, we have to keep on going, pursuing excellence, and looking to take our season through to the end of May.

 

Were in control of our own fate and thats pretty much what we would have asked for last August before a ball was kicked. Our preparation has to be spot on in everything we do between now and the end of the season now, to make sure that the hard work and the effort doesnt go to waste. Preparation has to be spot on now, the boys have to be diligent and make sure they know their roles, and we have to be clinical in everything that we do. Its not just about 2.30pm on Saturday. If we are sloppy in training, if we arent certain about what we are doing, or if we dont focus properly on the job, then it feeds through into game day.

 

That cant be allowed to happen as if we are just one or two per cent off then itll show on the pitch. Its going to be a good test of where we are at the moment as a team.

 

Forthcoming Fixtures

 

Fri 8 May 7.35pm KO Ospreys v Glasgow PRO12

Sat 16 May 3.00pm KO Connacht v Ospreys PRO12