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:
“It’s going to be a great occasion for regional rugby with over 50,000 supporters present at the Millennium Stadium but it’s absolutely essential that we don’t 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. It’s a derby match and there’s a lot of focus on the rivalry and everything but in reality it’s just another game, no more or less important than any of the others we still have to play.
“We’ve 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 mustn’t settle for that, we have to keep on going, pursuing excellence, and looking to take our season through to the end of May.
“We’re in control of our own fate and that’s 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 doesn’t 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. It’s not just about 2.30pm on Saturday. If we are sloppy in training, if we aren’t certain about what we are doing, or if we don’t focus properly on the job, then it feeds through into game day.
“That can’t be allowed to happen as if we are just one or two per cent off then it’ll show on the pitch. It’s 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