15 Richard Fussell
14 Tom Habberfield
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Jonathan Spratt
11 Ben John
10 Dan Biggar
9 Kahn Fotuali'i
1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 James King
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Marc Thomas
18 Cai Griffiths
19 Jonathan Thomas
20 Sam Lewis
21 Rhys Webb
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Ross Jones
The following players were not considered because of injury:
Dmitri Arhip - Thigh strain
Ryan Bevington - Concussion
Ashley Beck - Muscle strain
Ryan Jones - Shoulder
Eli Walker - Back
Morgan Allen - Shoulder
Andrew Bishop - Back
Hanno Dirksen - Knee
Tom Smith - Groin
Joe Rees - Neck
Aaron Jarvis - Knee
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
"We know exactly what is needed from us if we want to stay in the play-off places. There are two tough games left, away to Glasgow and Leinster, and yes that's a tough run-in, but that's what we're about as Ospreys. If we are going to successfully defend our title then we've got to front up like proper champions, starting this Friday night in Scotland.
"We don't want to stumble over the line relying on others to slip up, if we are going into the play-offs we want to do it on merit while building some real momentum for the knock-out games.
"If you look at the PRO12 table this season you will see how the competition really is growing in stature year on year. There are great sides in the mix for the play-offs including last season's two European finalists and a Glasgow team that is really building something, while you've got a team like Munster who won't feature in this year's play-offs yet only a couple of weeks ago went to the Aviva Premiership champions and rolled them over in the Heineken Cup. To make the PRO12 play-offs will be an achievement for anyone, particularly when having to overcome the disadvantage of starting with three straight defeats which left us playing catch-up ever since.
"The boys have responded fantastically though and the form in the 17 games since means we are going into these last two matches with a very real chance of progressing. Have no doubt about it, this group has the attitude, spirit and desire to finish the job off. If we apply ourselves diligently and have the right attention to details then who knows what we can achieve?"
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 3 May - 19.45KO - Leinster v Ospreys - RaboDirect PRO12
Guinness PRO12
Suite 208, Alexandra House,
The Sweepstakes
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland