The Ospreys team to play Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday 2nd March, KO 18.30, is as follows:
15 Richard Fussell
14 Tom Habberfield
13 Jonathan Spratt
12 Ashley Beck
11 Tom Isaacs
10 Matthew Morgan
9 Kahn Fotuali’i
1 Duncan Jones
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Lloyd Peers
6 James King
7 Sam Lewis
8 Jonathan Thomas
REPLACEMENTS
16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Marc Thomas
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Ian Gough
20 Dan Baker
21 Arthur Ellis/Sam Davies
22 Rhys Webb
23 Tom Grabham
Sam Davies will make his PRO12 debut if he is used off the bench
Eight players were unavailable for selection because of international duty with Wales senior squad.
Joe Bearman and Ross Jones were unavailable for selection due to suspension
The following players were not considered because of injury:
Morgan Allen - Shoulder
Ben John – Ribs
Andrew Bishop – Back
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Tom Smith – Groin
Joe Rees - Neck
Aaron Jarvis - Knee
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“It’s important that we put in a big performance on Saturday night. Having suffered two defeats on the road, Munster will be happy to be back at Thomond Park where they have an enviable record and will want to secure the win that will cut the gap between us going into the final five rounds.
“We know that we’re going to have to tough it out, it’s always a difficult place to play. We’ve got some reinforcements back from Wales and from injury, but we’ll need these boys to get straight back up to speed and be at their best. We know that Munster will have a passionate, noisy crowd getting behind them so we’ll have to be mentally right going there as well if we are going to get anything from the game.
“With four of the last six games away from home we understand the size of the task in front of us but we believe in ability of this squad to rise to the challenge. It’s not going to be easy but they’ve shown throughout the season that they won’t take a backward step and never know when they’re beaten. We’ll need to see that spirit in every game between now and the end of the season, they’ll need to give everything for the cause, and if we see that from them then we’ve got a real chance of reaching the last four once again.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 22 Mar – 19.05KO – Ospreys v NG Dragons – RaboDirect PRO12
Sat 30 Mar – 17.15KO – Cardiff Blues v Ospreys – RaboDirect PRO12