The Ospreys team to play Munster at Irish Independent Park on Friday 4th November 2016, KO 7.35pm UK, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Keelan Giles
13 Ben John
12 Ashley Beck
11 Eli Walker
10 Josh Matavesi
9 Tom Habberfield (Capt)
1 Paul James
2 Sam Parry
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Lloyd Ashley
5 Adam Beard
6 Rob McCusker
7 Olly Cracknell
8 Joe Bearman
REPLACEMENTS
16 Hugh Gustafson
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Rhodri Jones
20 Scott Otten
21 Brendon Leonard
22 Jonathan Spratt
23 Dafydd Howells
Rob McCusker makes his first Ospreys start
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Tyler Ardron – Thumb
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Jeff Hassler – Achilles
Owen Watkin – Knee
The following players were unavailable for selection due to international call-up:
Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Rory Thornton, Dan Baker, James King, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Sam Davies
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“Going away to Munster is always one of the most difficult challenges in the PRO12. Going there minus 12 boys with Wales makes it even tougher. In fairness to this group of players, they haven’t shirked anything, they’ve risen to all the challenges presented to them this season, and they are going to have to go again on Friday night.
“There’s a good vibe in the squad. They understand what they are walking into and are ready to go. We’ve seen time after time how they thrive in adversity and that spirit will have to be there again if we are going to get something out of this game.
“We’ve made a good start to the season but international windows go a long way to shaping how the season pans out. The bonus point win last weekend against the Dragons gives us some momentum for the two away games coming up in the PRO12, against Munster and Glagow, but we realise that we can lose that momentum quickly if we aren’t on the ball.
“You look at any year where we’ve done well in this competition and you’ll see that we’ve picked up points in these periods. That’s the challenge that we face and, whatever players are pulling on the shirt, they know what standards are expected of them, regardless of any outside factors.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 11 Nov – 7.35pm – Ospreys v Harlequins – St Helens – Anglo-Welsh Cup
Fri 18 Nov – 7.15pm – Cardiff Blues v Ospreys – BT Sport CAP – Anglo-Welsh Cup
Fri 25 Nov – 7.35pm – Glasgow v Ospreys – Scotstoun – PRO12
Fri 2 Dec – 7.35pm – Ospreys v Edinburgh – Liberty Stadium – PRO12
