Ospreys team to play Glasgow

Dirksen and King come into starting XV for Friday night as injury rules out Beck and Ryan

 

 

The Ospreys team to play Glasgow at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday 28th March 2014, KO 7.35pm, is as follows:

 

15 Sam Davies

14 Jeff Hassler

13 Hanno Dirksen

12 Jonathan Spratt

11 Aisea Natoga

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

 

1 Duncan Jones

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Aaron Jarvis

4 James King

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 Sam Lewis

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Dan Baker

 

 

REPLACEMENTS

 

16 Scott Otten

17 Nicky Smith

18 Adam Jones

19 Tyler Ardron

20 Morgan Allen

21 Joe Bearman

22 Tom Habberfield

23 Richard Fusell

 

Sam Lewis makes his 50th appearance for the Ospreys

 

Head Coach Steve Tandy said:

 

“This is a massive game for us and the group are under no illusions of the size of the task ahead over next couple of months. We are in fourth place at the moment but Glasgow are breathing down our necks with a couple of games in hand, which makes it more important than ever that we go there on Friday night and are on top of our game in all areas. Every player will need to know their role, pay attention to detail and be clinical in everything they do. There is absolutely no margin for error if we want to keep hold of a play-off spot so we know what we’ve got to do.

 

“It’s all building up to be a real exciting end of season and we want to be involved right til the end. We realise that there is a lot of expectation on our shoulders being the only team from Wales in the mix again but that comes with being an Osprey and the boys have to stand up when the pressure is on.

 

“This is a young group of players and that makes this all the more exciting. We have a back line with an average age of 23, and it’s only 25 in the forwards. They may be young, but there is considerable experience despite the age, and what is really exciting is that their best days are ahead of them.

 

“We know what this group can do. We are trying to develop a style of rugby that will excite fans and there have been a few glimpses in recent weeks of how that is coming along. It’s important now that they back it up on Friday night with a winning performance when it really matters. Looking further ahead, there’s a lot to be positive about with this group of players, in terms how they will serve the region and develop together as a team. For now though, it’s all about Glasgow.”

 

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

 

Dmitri Arhip – Achilles

Ashley Beck - Hip

Ryan Bevington - Groin

Andrew Bishop – Back

Matthew Dwyer - Groin

Richard Hibbard - Shoulder

Dafydd Howells - Knee

Tom Isaacs – Ankle

Ben John - Shoulder

Ryan Jones - Back

Lloyd Peers - Shoulder

Tom Smith - Knee

Eli Walker - Hamstring

Sam Williams - Shoulder

 

Forthcoming Fixtures

 

Fri 11 April 7.05pm KO - Ospreys v Leinster - PRO12

Sun 20 April - 4.45pm KO - NG Dragons v Ospreys - PRO12

2/3/4 May TBC - Zebre v Ospreys - PRO12

Sat 10 May - 6.30pm KO Ospreys v Connacht - PRO12