Ospreys team to play Northampton Saints

The Ospreys team to face Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens, on Saturday 25th October 2014, KO 5.15pm, is as follows:

 

15 Dan Evans

14 Jeff Hassler

13 Andrew Bishop

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Hanno Dirksen

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

 

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Lloyd Peers

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 James King

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Joe Bearman

 

REPLACEMENTS

 

16 Sam Parry

17 Duncan Jones

18 Aaron Jarvis

19 Rynier Bernardo

20 Morgan Allen

21 Sam Lewis

22 Martin Roberts

23 Sam Davies

 

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

 

Tyler Ardron Ankle

Dan Baker - Head

Ashley Beck - Hip

Ryan Bevington Groin

Olly Cracknell Ankle

Ben John - Hamstring

Ross Jones Ligaments

Tom Smith Knee

Jonsthan Spratt - Knee

De Kock Steenkamp Achilles

Eli Walker - Ankle

 

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

The European Cup is all about testing yourself against the very best, and thats what we are up against this weekend. Were talking about English champions and current Premiership leaders, with quality and experience right throughout the team, so we know that we are in for a tough 80 minutes.

We played them twice last season and came off second best so we know what we are going into. If we arent at our best, in terms of preparation in the days leading into matchday, and then from the first whistle, make no mistake, we could find ourselves in for a rough ride. This is a young group of players and for some of them this will be a whole new experience, so weve got to make sure that they treat it like any other game and are 100 per cent focused on the job in hand and dont get carried away with the occasion and the atmosphere.

With any young group theres going to be ups and downs over the course of a season, and at the moment its been mostly ups. We arent getting carried away and realise therell be hiccups, maybe some big ones, and the key is to make sure when we come across them we react in a positive, consistent way and dont kneejerk.

This group of players will fight for the jersey and fight for each other, to the very last whistle, you can guarantee that. There is a quiet confidence in the team at the moment, which is understandable with the way theyve been growing together on and off the field, and theyll go to Northampton believing that if they put together their very best game then we are in with a chance. That is the key, it will have to be their very best.

We are going to have be disciplined, relentless and accurate in everything we do, from the very first whistle. Its going to be a rough ride but were looking forward to it.

Forthcoming Fixtures

Fri 31 Oct - 7.35pm KO - Ospreys v Connacht - Liberty Stadium - PRO12

Fri 7 Nov 7.35pm KO Ospreys v Saracens The Gnoll LV= Cup

Fri 14 Nov 7.35pm KO Ospreys v NG Dragons Brewery Field LV= Cup

Fri 21 Nov 7.35pm KO Ulster v Ospreys Kingspan Stadium PRO12

Sat 29 Nov 5.15pm KO Leinster v Ospreys RDS PRO12

Sat 6 Dec -  3.15pm KO Ospreys v Racing Metro Liberty Stadium - ERCC