Ospreys team to play Leinster

OSPREYS

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

1 Marc Thomas
2 Sam Parry
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Lloyd Peers (Capt)
5 Tyler Ardron
6 Joe Bearman
7 Sam Lewis
8 Dan Baker

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Otten
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Cai Griffiths
19 Rynier Bernardo
20 Ieuan Jones
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Josh Matavesi
23 Dafydd Howells

Gareth Thomas and Dafydd Howells will make their PRO12 debuts if they come off the bench

The following players were unavailable due to international commitments:

Scott Baldwin, Dan Biggar. Aaron Jarvis, Alun Wyn Jones, James King, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb.

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

Morgan Allen - Ankle

Ashley Beck - Soft tissue

Ryan Bevington - Groin

Ifereimi Boladau - Knee

Jeff Hassler - Ligaments

Duncan Jones -Ligaments

Ross Jones - Ligaments

Nicky Smith - Pectoral tear

Tom Smith - Knee

Jonathan Spratt - Knee

De Kock Steenkamp - Achilles

Eli Walker - Ankle


Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

"As frustrating as it was against Ulster there were plenty of positives to take from the game, not least the endeavour and spirit that we showed in bucketloads in the second half.

"To have worked our way back into it from the position we were in at half-time, to be in with a real chance of not just taking a bonus point but actually winning it, showed that we are developing a group that has real character. They won't throw the towel in and will keep going, they are relentless in what they are doing. Ultimately though, we left ourselves too much to do and weren't clinical enough at the end, which was possibly the most disappointing thing about the entire match.

"We'll definitely need to see that character and resolve again on Saturday, from the very first whistle right to the end. We're up against it, circumstances with the fourth international mean that we have to go to one of the toughest places in European rugby without some key figures while they could have all their Ireland contingent available on the back of a great autumn for them. Throw in some injuries, with more boys ruled out of action this week, and you can see the size of the challenge we're facing.

"We're up for it though. It's the nature of the sport that players will always be missing with injury and it opens up opportunities for others to come in and show what they can do. We know it's going to be a hard night at the office but the boys are all up for it and have prepared really well this week.

"This is a huge period for us, with some massive games coming up that will shape our season and we all need to pull together, on and off the field. We'll welcome back the internationals for Racing Metro and hopefully we'll be able to bring back some boys fresh from injury over the coming weeks. With Ulster and the Scarlets at the Liberty as well next month, we'll need everyone to be at their best, and we'll need the supporters to play their part. When you're up against it, you need them more than ever, and this is the time for everyone to come together and do their bit for the Ospreys."

Forthcoming Fixtures

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

Sun 11 Jan - 4.00pm KO - Ospreys v NG Dragons - Liberty Stadium - PRO12