Line-up confirmed for Saturday's Heineken Cup opener...
The Ospreys team to play Leinster at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 12th October, KO 6.00pm, is as follows:
15 Richard Fussell
14 Ben John
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Tito Tebaldi
1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 James King
6 Ryan Jones
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 Tyler Ardron
20 Sam Lewis
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Jeff Hassler
Tyler Ardron and Jeff Hassler will make their Heineken Cup debuts if they come off the bench
Head Coach Steve Tandy said:
“It’s been a good preparation week for us and we’re all really looking forward to Saturday as a group. It’s an exciting time for anybody involved with rugby, as a player, coach or supporter, as the Heineken Cup always brings with it great contests, excitement and drama, and we are itching to get started.
“We know what Leinster will bring to us as familiar foes from the PRO12 but you can’t underestimate what they have achieved in Europe over the last five years. They’ve got a fantastic record and have quality right through the squad, including five 2013 Lions. It really doesn’t get much tougher.
“After disappointing a big crowd last weekend, we have to move up several levels on Saturday night. We’ve got big game players in the group who I know will respond to the challenge, and it’s important that they’ve got another big crowd behind them to feed off.
“It’s going to be the biggest crowd of the season which is fantastic news. We need them to generate a special Liberty atmosphere. We’ve had some great European nights there over the years and this can be right up there on the list if we get it together, on and off the field. It should be a pretty special occasion.”
The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:
Dmitri Arhip – Achilles
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Ross Jones - Ankle
Tom Smith - Knee
Rhys Webb - Knee
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sun 20 Oct 12.45 KO – Northampton Saints v Ospreys – Heineken Cup
Fri 25 Oct 19.05 KO – Ospreys v Newport Gwent Dragons – RaboDirect PRO12
Sat 02 Nov 19.15 KO – Munster v Ospreys – RaboDirect PRO12
Fri 08 Nov 19.45 KO – Leicester Tigers v Ospreys – LV= Cup