The Ospreys team to play Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday 1st April 2016, KO 7.05pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Owen Watkin
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb (Capt)
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Adam Beard
5 Rynier Bernardo
6 Olly Cracknell
7 Sam Underhill
8 James King
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Otten
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 Dan Lydiate
20 Joe Bearman
21 Brendon Leonard
22 Sam Davies
23 Jeff Hassler
Adam Beard makes his first Ospreys start
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Tyler Ardron - Knee
Lloyd Ashley – Knee
Dan Baker - Illness
Ashley Beck – Knee
Gareth Delve – Ankle
Matthew Dwyer – Ankle
JJ Engelbrecht – Ankle
Ma’afu Fia – Toe
Dafydd Howells – Hamstring
Paul James - Eye
Ben John - Concussion
Alun Wyn Jones - Foot
Daniel Suter – Knee
Justin Tipuric - Concussion
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“It’s another derby match for us on Friday, another tough evening in store. There are four games left and we want to end the season positively, it’s important that we don’t go quietly. While there is still a chance of finishing top six we must keep going, must target winning performances, and take what comes with that. We can’t be left wondering ‘what if’ at the end of the season.
“Last weekend was a difficult one for us and the review process has made for uncomfortable viewing, but we have to learn from it and move on. It’s not a time for making small talk, when you have a setback like that it’s about actions and how you react to adversity.
“Everybody knows the feeling of disappointment that we shared last Saturday, we have to take that and ensure we don’t feel it again on Friday night. The Dragons will be up for it, their supporters will want to make life difficult for us, so it’s important that we are up for the challenge and show what we are made of as a collective, regardless of youth, or who’s in the team or unavailable. It’s only as a collective that we can achieve what we want, this weekend and the rest of the season.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 15 Apr – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Benetton Treviso – PRO12
Sat 30 Apr – 2.30pm KO – Cardiff Blues v Ospreys – PRO12
Sat 7 May – 3.00pm KO – Ospreys v Ulster – PRO12