Ospreys team to play Newport Gwent Dragons

Tandy goes for same again as Ospreys travel to Rodney Parade this Friday night.

 

The Ospreys team to face Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday 12th September 2014, KO 7.35pm, is as follows:

 

 

15 Dan Evans

14 Jeff Hassler

13 Andrew Bishop

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

 

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Aaron Jarvis

4 Lloyd Peers (Capt)

5 Rynier Bernardo

6 Joe Bearman

7 James King

8 Dan Baker

 

REPLACEMENTS

 

16 Sam Parry

17 Duncan Jones

18 Daniel Suter

19 Tyler Ardron

20 Morgan Allen

21 Martin Roberts

22 Sam Davies

23 Hanno Dirksen

 

Dan Biggar makes his 150th Ospreys appearance 

 

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

 

“It was a pretty pleasing start to the season with the Treviso win, but that’s all it was, pretty pleasing. It’s great to score a few tries and to pick up a bonus point win but we’re under no illusions about where we are. 

 

“Nobody is getting carried away on the back of one win just like we weren't getting carried away about a couple of losses in pre-season. It’s important that we keep our feet firmly on the ground and that’s very much the message that we’ve been getting through to the boys this week. While there was a lot to be pleased about last Friday there are a lot of work ons as well, and we’ve been focussing on the finer detail, to make sure that the boys are up to speed, know their roles and are clinical in everything we do, paying attention to detail from first whistle to the last.

 

“Going to Rodney Parade is always a real test of character and that will be even more so this week with the young group of players that we have. The Dragons have recruited heavily over the summer and brought in some real quality in the shape of Lions and Wales internationals, and off the back of a good pre-season will be expecting to make a real impact this season.

 

“That’s the challenge for us as a group, to step up against an older and more experienced squad of players. It’s not going to be easy but we have to go there and front up. It’s a good test, one that we are looking forward to, underdogs or not.”

 

 

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

 

Dmitri Arhip – Foot

Ashley Beck - Hip

Ryan Bevington - Groin

Sam Lewis - Knee

Tom Smith - Knee

Justin Tipuric - Shoulder

 

Forthcoming Fixtures

 

Sun 21 Sep - 4.00pm KO - Ospreys v Edinburgh - Liberty Stadium - PRO12

Sat 27 Sep - 6.30pm KO - Munster v Ospreys - Thomond Park - PRO12

Fri 03 Oct - 7.35pm KO - Zebre v Ospreys - Stadio XXV Aprile - PRO12

Sun 12 Oct - 4.00pm KO - Ospreys v Cardiff Blues - Liberty Stadium - PRO12

Sun 18 Oct - 1.00pm KO - Ospreys v Treviso - Liberty Stadium - ERCC

Sat 25 Oct - 5.15pm KO - Northampton Saints - Franklin’s Gardens - ERCC