Ospreys team to play Edinburgh

The Ospreys team to play Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium on Friday 31st August 2018, KO 7.35pm, is as follows:

15 Dan Evans

14 George North

13 Scott Williams

12 Owen Watkin

11 Hanno Dirksen

10 Luke Price

9 Aled Davies

 

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Otten

3 Tom Botha

4 Bradley Davies

5 Alun Wyn Jones

6 Dan Lydiate

7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)

8 James King

 

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Baldwin

17 Rhodri Jones

18 Alex Jeffries

19 Adam Beard

20 Sam Cross

21 Tom Habberfield

22 Sam Davies

23 Joe Thomas

 

Tom Botha (Osprey No. 229), Aled Davies (230), Scott Williams (231) and George North (232) make their Ospreys debuts

 

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:

Dan Baker - Knee

Olly Cracknell - Shoulder

Maafu Fia Achilles

Gheorghe Gajion Hamstring

Keelan Giles - Knee

Paul James - Shoulder

Lesley Klim - Hamstring

Rob McCusker Calf

Sam Parry - Bicep

Gareth Thomas - Shoulder

 

Ospreys Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:

Pre-season has been enjoyable but demanding preparing us for competitive business with our first league test on Friday night. In truth it has been our focus since day one after we reported back from the summer break." 

To achieve our aims this season we need genuine competition for places and in turn growth in our squad depth. Quality teams have depth in every position which creates healthy selection dilemmas." 

Selection has been based on performance throughout pre-season training & the two games against Saints & Saracens. Across the squad there are players whove impressed, who've put their hands up for selection resulting in some tight calls. For those selected the challenge is to embrace the opportunity, while others will channel their disappointment positively."

“For the Ospreys to be successful, it’s not just about the starting fifteen on Friday, or the matchday 23. It’s a long season and everyone has a huge part to play in achieving our team goals".

 

Forthcoming Fixtures

Sat 8 Sep 5.30pm KO Ospreys v Cheetahs Liberty Stadium

Fri 14 Sep 7.35pm KO Munster v Ospreys Irish Independent Park

Sat 22 Sep 7.35pm KO - Ospreys v Benetton Rugby Liberty Stadium

Sat 29 Sep 4.00pm (Local) Zebre v Ospreys - Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi