The Ospreys team for the ERCC game against Northampton Saints at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday 18th January 2015, KO 5.30pm (UK), is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Aisea Natoga
13 Ashley Beck
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Marc Thomas
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Rynier Bernardo
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 James King
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Tyler Ardron
REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Morgan Allen
20 Sam Lewis
21 Martin Roberts
22 Sam Davies
23 Hanno Dirksen
The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:
Dan Baker – Shoulder
Joe Bearman - Groin
Ryan Bevington – Groin
Andrew Bishop - Neck
Jeff Hassler – Ligaments
Duncan Jones - Knee
Lloyd Peers - Ligaments
Nicky Smith – Pectoral muscle
Jonathan Spratt - Knee
De Kock Steenkamp – Achilles
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“When you have the Aviva Premiership champions and current leaders coming to town, then you know it’s going to be a big occasion. It’s do or die for us this weekend as far as Europe is concerned so we know that we’ve got to go out there and give it everything. If we can get the performance right, then who knows what can happen? All we can do is look after the areas that we can control and hopefully take it down to the final weekend out in Treviso.
“One thing we have seen with this group is that they will never give up on anything. There’s a real determination in the squad, a feeling of ‘lets get back to basics’ and do what we’ve done effectively all season until recent weeks. It’s a young group that has responded well to the challenges they’ve faced this season, it’s learning the hard way at the coal -face, and is determined to represent the jersey in the right way.
“It’s going to be a great contest between two good teams, something to get excited about. It’s the kind of game where the crowd can make a massive difference if they get behind their team. We saw in the first game what passionate support can do, with a 13,000 crowd generating a fantastic atmosphere at Franklin’s Gardens, and we need our supporters to get behind a young team and play their part on the night.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 24 Jan – 4.15pm KO – Benetton Treviso v Ospreys - ERCC
Sat 31 Jan – 3.00pm KO – Gloucester v Ospreys – LV= Cup
Sat 07 Feb – 3.00pm KO – Bath v Ospreys – LV= Cup