Ospreys team to play the Dragons

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

Maafu 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