The Ospreys team to play Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday 20th January 2018, 4.15pm KO (Local), is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Ashley Beck
12 Owen Watkin
11 Jeff Hassler
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Bradley Davies
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Olly Cracknell
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Rob McCusker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Otten
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Adam Beard
20 Will Jones
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Kieron Fonotia
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury
Cory Allen - Pectoral
Dan Baker – Knee
Keelan Giles – Knee
Paul James - Shoulder
Ben John – HIA
James King – Shoulder
Dan Lydiate - Bicep
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Sam Parry – Ankle
Ifan Phillips - Shoulder
Rory Thornton – Shoulder
Eli Walker – Back
Kieran Williams – Ankle
Tom Williams - Forearm
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“It’s set up to be a huge game and a fantastic opportunity for the boys to go out and show what they are about on a big stage, against the French champions, at their place.
“The European Cup provides any team with a real challenge and when you kick off the campaign all you can aim for is to be still involved in Round 6 and that’s where we are at. We’ve seen plenty of character and spirit throughout the pool stage but it’s been about more than just that, we’ve played with adventure, scored some great tries, and really taken the game to some very good teams. Our reward is going to Clermont with our destiny in our own hands. We know that we’ve got a real tough challenge in front of us but we’ve got to enjoy the experience.
“This is what Champions Cup rugby is all about. We’ve enjoyed the competition and we want to keep that going. Prep has been good this week, the attitude is spot on, now we need everyone to be on the money on Saturday. We are playing the French champions, regular Champions Cup finalists and they need the right result for qualification themselves. It’s going to be a battle but there’ll be a fantastic atmosphere and we have to be up for it from the first whistle.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 26 Jan – 7.45pm KO – Gloucester v Ospreys – Kingsholm – AW Cup
Fri 2 Feb – 7.30pm KO – Ospreys v Bath – Liberty Stadium – AW Cup
Fri 9 Feb – 7.30pm KO – Connacht v Ospreys – Sportsground – PRO14
16/17/18 Feb TBC – Ospreys v Southern Kings – Liberty Stadium – PRO14
