The Ospreys team to play Clermont Auvergne at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday 15th October 2017, KO 5.30pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Keelan Giles
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 Owen Watkin
11 Cory Allen
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Otten
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Bradley Davies
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Dan Baker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Paul James
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Lloyd Ashley
20 Olly Cracknell
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 James Hook
Keelan Giles and Kieron Fonotia make their Champions Cup debuts
Scott Otten and Owen Watkin make their first Champions Cup starts
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury
Scott Baldwin - Hand
Ashley Beck – Shoulder
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Jeff Hassler - HIA
Ben John - HIA
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Rory Thornton – Shoulder
Eli Walker – Back
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“Anyone involved in professional sport wants to test themselves up against the very best and that’s definitely what is in store for us over the next two weeks. Clermont and Saracens were the top two teams in Europe last season. That’s the size of the challenge we are up against but it’s an exciting prospect and we are really looking forward to Sunday’s game and then heading to Allianz Park next week.
“We’ve got a good record at the Liberty against French sides. We’ve gone up against some outstanding teams here over the years and beaten some top sides including Clermont. It’s important that we go into this game believing in ourselves, we want to make sure that we kick-off the campaign positively.
“There have been some fantastic European occasions at the Liberty, none more than the last time we played Clermont last year when we had a famous win, to make it three from three in that season’s competition. Hopefully we’ll have another great occasion, one to remember, and the team and supporters can feed off each other to help to create the kind of special atmosphere that European nights are all about.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 21 Oct – 7.45pm KO – Saracens v Ospreys – Allianz Park – ERCC
Fri 27 Oct – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Dragons – Liberty Stadium – PRO14
Sat 4 Nov – 5.30pm KO – Edinburgh v Ospreys – Myreside – PRO14
Fri 10 Nov – 7.30pm KO – Ospreys v Wasps – Liberty Stadium - AW
