The Ospreys team to play Connacht

The Ospreys team to play Connacht at the Sportsground on Friday 9th February 2018, 7.35pm KO is as follows:

15 Dan Evans

14 Hanno Dirksen

13 Kieron Fonotia

12 Ashley Beck

11 Dafydd Howells

10 Sam Davies

9 Tom Habberfield

 

1 Rhodri Jones

2 Scott Otten

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Lloyd Ashley

5 James King

6 Olly Cracknell

7 Will Jones

8 Rob McCusker (Capt)

 

REPLACEMENTS 

16 Sam Parry

17 Nicky Smith

18 Maafu Fia

19 Guy Mercer

20 Sam Cross

21 Reuben Morgan-Williams

22 Luke Price

23 Joe Thomas

 

 

Rob McCusker makes his 100th Championship appearance

 

The following players are unavailable for selection due to international duty

Adam Beard, Dan Biggar, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Owen Watkin (Wales)

 

Callum Carson, Cai Evans, Rhys Henry, Dewi Lake, Harri Morgan and Morgan Morris (Wales U20)

 

The following players are unavailable for selection due to injury

Cory Allen Pectoral

Scott Baldwin - Foot

Dan Baker Knee

Keelan Giles Knee

Jeff Hassler Facial fracture

James Hook - Chest

Paul James - Shoulder

Ben John HIA

Dan Lydiate - Bicep

Brian Mujati Shoulder

James Ratti - Stinger

Rory Thornton Shoulder

Eli Walker Back

Rhys Webb - Knee

Kieran Williams Ankle

Tom Williams - Forearm

 

Interim Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said: 

We know what we need to do over the next four weeks if we want to achieve our goal of qualification for the Champions Cup next season. We have to continue the improvement in performances that we saw in December and we have to win games, its as simple as that. 

The qualification spot is definitely still up for grabs, its very tight between Cardiff, Connacht and ourselves, but its true that we are running out of games saw its important that we get the results we need.

Connacht is always a tough place to go and they will be looking to knock us over on Friday night, making the most of home advantage, so its important that this group makes a statement of intent."  

Forthcoming Fixtures

Fri16 Feb 7.35pm KO Ospreys v Southern Kings Liberty Stadium PRO14

Sat 24 Feb 5.30pm KO Ospreys v Cheetahs Liberty Stadium PRO14

Sat 3 Mar 6.30pm KO (Local) Zebre v Ospreys Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi PRO14