Ospreys legend, Shane Williams, has called on “true Welsh rugby fans” to support the Ospreys’ European cause when they face off against French giants Stade Francais at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final is scheduled for Sunday 2nd April at 5.45pm, the Ospreys flying through the pool stages with six wins from six games, scoring 42 tries and conceding just seven.
Now, they face the Parisians in the last eight and Ospreys’ original Shane says that Steve Tandy’s men deserve the support of the nation at their big game.
Writing in his Rugby Paper column at the weekend, Williams said:
“I’m sure it’s going to be a great event.
“They’ve had great crowds at the Liberty Stadium and I’m sure they’d have loved to play the game there. One thing they can’t control is the European scheduling, and if they can’t play in Swansea then I think moving the game to Cardiff is the next best thing.
“I really think it could be some occasion. I’m not sure whether supporters from Llanelli, Cardiff or Newport will come down but it would be nice if they did. In the past there have been some great European games at the Millennium Stadium – Cardiff Blues against Gloucester a few years ago springs to mind – and this could be something similar.”
The former Wales and Lions winger faced Stade twice at the Liberty Stadium in Ospreys colours during a distinguished playing career, winning one and drawing one, and he said that the support of the nation could inspire the region to European success:
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see how many fans go along but those who know Welsh rugby will be aware the Ospreys are playing a brilliant brand of rugby right now. They’re still in contention for the double and, at the end of the day, it’s a Welsh region doing well in Europe so they deserve our support.
“Hopefully they can go on to win the thing. Having true Welsh rugby fans with their bums on seats on supporting the team in the capital will go a long way to helping them do just that.”
Tickets for the Challenge Cup quarter-final against Stade Francais are available to purchase now at www.ospreysrugby.com/buytickets, priced at just £10 adults, £5 kids.