Ospreys team to play Ulster

OSPREYS

15 Dan Evans
14 Tom Grabham
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Aisea Natoga
10 Sam Davies
9 Martin Roberts

1 Duncan Jones
2 Sam Parry
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Lloyd Peers (Capt)
5 Rynier Bernardo
6 James King
7 Sam Lewis
8 Dan Baker

REPLACEMENTS

16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Marc Thomas
18 Cai Griffiths
19 Rory Thornton
20 Ifereimi Boladau
21 Ieuan Jones
22 Tom Habberfield
23 Hanno Dirksen

Rory Thornton and Ifereimi Boladau will make their PRO12 debuts if they come off the bench

The following players were unavailable due to international commitments:

Tyler Ardron, Scott Baldwin, Dan Biggar. Jeff Hassler, Aaron Jarvis, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Matavesi, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb.

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

Morgan Allen - Ankle
Joe Bearman - Groin
Ryan Bevington - Groin
Olly Cracknell - Ankle
Richard Fussell - Abductor strain
Ben John - Hamstring
Ross Jones - Ligaments
Scott Otten - Ankle
Tom Smith - Knee
Jonathan Spratt - Knee
De Kock Steenkamp - Achilles
Eli Walker - Ankle


Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

"There's no doubt about it, the next two weeks are going to be a real challenge for this group but like any Ospreys team, they won't shirk it and will give everything.

"We've got back to back away games at two of the toughest places to go in European rug-by, and you've got to be excited by that, whoever you are. It's a crucial period of the sea-son, one that we didn't do well in last season, and we all know how important a good result or two during the international period can be come the end of the year.

"We know that going there missing more than 20 players will make a difficult task even harder, but we've got to look beyond that. These boys have to take responsibility for what we are trying to achieve, and have to realise that this is a fantastic opportunity for them to really make a positive impression in the shirt.

"We've got some big games coming up, this is the start of a massive period of rugby run-ning through to the end of January, and everyone in the squad will have a part to play if we are going to achieve our aims, starting over these next two weekends in Belfast and Dub-lin. It's important that our preparation is spot on and that everybody involved knows their roles and responsibilities, you can't go to places like Ulster and Leinster if you aren't 100 per cent."


Forthcoming Fixtures

Sat 29 Nov - 5.15pm KO - Leinster v Ospreys - RDS - PRO12
Sat 6 Dec - 3.15pm KO - Ospreys v Racing Metro - Liberty Stadium - ERCC
Sat 13 Dec - 5.15pm KO Racing Metro v Ospreys - MM Arena - ERCC
Sat 20 Dec - 5.15pm KO Ospreys v Ulster - Liberty Stadium - PRO12
Sat 27 Dec - 5.15pm KO - Ospreys v Scarlets - Liberty Stadium - PRO12
Sat 3 Jan - 5.05pm KO - Scarlets v Ospreys - Parc y Scarlets - PRO12