Ospreys team to play Newport Gwent Dragons

15 Dan Evans
14 Jeff Hassler
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Lloyd Peers (Capt)
5 Rynier Bernardo
6 Joe Bearman
7 James King
8 Dan Baker

REPLACEMENTS

16 Sam Parry
17 Duncan Jones
18 Daniel Suter
19 Tyler Ardron
20 Morgan Allen
21 Martin Roberts
22 Sam Davies
23 Hanno Dirksen

Dan Biggar makes his 150th Ospreys appearance

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

"It was a pretty pleasing start to the season with the Treviso win, but that's all it was, pretty pleasing. It's great to score a few tries and to pick up a bonus point win but we're under no illusions about where we are.

"Nobody is getting carried away on the back of one win just like we weren't getting carried away about a couple of losses in pre-season. It's important that we keep our feet firmly on the ground and that's very much the message that we've been getting through to the boys this week. While there was a lot to be pleased about last Friday there are a lot of work ons as well, and we've been focussing on the finer detail, to make sure that the boys are up to speed, know their roles and are clinical in everything we do, paying attention to detail from first whistle to the last.

"Going to Rodney Parade is always a real test of character and that will be even more so this week with the young group of players that we have. The Dragons have recruited heavily over the summer and brought in some real quality in the shape of Lions and Wales internationals, and off the back of a good pre-season will be expecting to make a real impact this season.

"That's the challenge for us as a group, to step up against an older and more experienced squad of players. It's not going to be easy but we have to go there and front up. It's a good test, one that we are looking forward to, underdogs or not."


The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

Dmitri Arhip - Foot
Ashley Beck - Hip
Ryan Bevington - Groin
Sam Lewis - Knee
Tom Smith - Knee
Justin Tipuric - Shoulder

Forthcoming Fixtures

Sun 21 Sep - 4.00pm KO - Ospreys v Edinburgh - Liberty Stadium - PRO12
Sat 27 Sep - 6.30pm KO - Munster v Ospreys - Thomond Park - PRO12
Fri 03 Oct - 7.35pm KO - Zebre v Ospreys - Stadio XXV Aprile - PRO12
Sun 12 Oct - 4.00pm KO - Ospreys v Cardiff Blues - Liberty Stadium - PRO12
Sun 18 Oct - 1.00pm KO - Ospreys v Treviso - Liberty Stadium - ERCC
Sat 25 Oct - 5.15pm KO - Northampton Saints - Franklin's Gardens - ERCC