The Ospreys team to play Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday 9th December 2017, KO 5.30pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 Owen Watkin
11 Jeff Hassler
10 Sam Davies
9 Tom Habberfield
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Bradley Davies
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Olly Cracknell
8 James King
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Otten
17 Rowan Jenkins
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Adam Beard
20 Rob McCusker
21 Reuben Morgan-Williams
22 James Hook
23 Ben John
Dan Evans makes his 100th Ospreys appearance
Olly Cracknell makes his 50th Ospreys appearance
Rowan Jenkins and Reuben Morgan-Williams will make their Champions Cup debuts if they come off the bench
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury
Cory Allen – Knee
Dan Baker – Knee
Ashley Beck – Groin
Dan Biggar – HIA
Sam Cross - Ribs
Keelan Giles – Knee
Dafydd Howells - Shoulder
Paul James – Calf
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Sam Parry – Ankle
Gareth Thomas – Calf
Rory Thornton – Shoulder
Justin Tipuric - Thigh
Eli Walker – Back
Rhys Webb - Knee
Kieran Williams – Ankle
Tom Williams - Forearm
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“The back-to-back games are always a key part of the season and can have a big say in how the European pools play out. We produced two excellent performances in the first two rounds, home to Clermont and away to Saracens and deserved more out of the games than the three match points we collected.
“With those two playing and taking points off each other over the next couple of weeks it does leave the door ajar for us or the Saints to put ourselves into the mix. If we are going to take that opportunity we’ve got to exceed the standard we set in those first two rounds and make sure we finish the job off this time.
“We know it will be tough and that Northampton will be looking to knock us over but that’s the challenge and we have to be up for it. Franklin’s Gardens is a tough place to go and Northampton have a squad packed with talent, and with a point to prove at the moment. It should be a cracking contest and our aim will be to ensure we go into Round 4 at the Liberty the following weekend very much alive in this pool.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sun 17 Dec – 3.15pm KO – Ospreys v Northampton Saints – Liberty Stadium – ERCC
Tues 26 Dec – 5.35pm KO – Scarlets v Ospreys – Parc y Scarlets – PRO14
Sun 31 Dec – 5.35pm KO – Dragons v Ospreys – Rodney Parade – PRO14
Sat 6 Jan – 3.15pm KO – Ospreys v Cardiff Blues – Liberty Stadium – PRO14