Ospreys team to face Edinburgh

OSPREYS TEAM TO FACE EDINBURGH

15 Dan Evans
14 Tom Grabham
13 Ashley Beck
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Richard Fussell
10 Sam Davies
9 Martin Roberts

1 Marc Thomas
2 Scott Otten
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Tevita Cavubati
5 Rory Thornton
6 Joe Bearman
7 Sam Lewis
8 Tyler Ardron (Capt)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Duncan Jones
18 Daniel Suter
19 James King
20 Ieuan Jones
21 Dan Baker
22 Tom Habberfield
23 Jonathan Spratt

Rory Thornton makes his first PRO12 start

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

Rynier Bernardo - Knee
Ryan Bevington - Groin
Andrew Bishop - Back
Cai Griffiths - Bicep
Jeff Hassler - Ligaments
Sam Parry - Ankle
Lloyd Peers - Ligaments
Nicky Smith - Pectoral muscle
De Kock Steenkamp - Achilles
Eli Walker - Cartilage

A further 13 players were unavailable for selection due to international duty with Wales, Wales U20s and Wales 7s

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

"The next month is crucial for us if we want to retain our place in the top four. The fixture list couldn't get more challenging, going away to an in-form Edinburgh before we play the other three teams in the top four. It makes for a very difficult few weeks, but everybody involved should be excited about the challenge, players, coaches or supporters.

"Traditionally, it's the Six Nations period, and the squad of players who come to the fore at this time of the year, that shapes our season. This year, that's definitely going to be the case. We've got a young group, but it's a fantastic opportunity for some of them to go out there in an Ospreys jersey and make their own mark, to start creating something special. They should thrive on the challenge, and look at people like Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar and Scott Baldwin, local youngsters who stepped up when senior players were away and have now become those senior internationals themselves.

"The more experienced boys in the group, people like Duncan, Bearman, Josh, they have a responsibility to the youngsters as well, they have to set the example and lead the group through this period. It's going to be an interesting couple of weekends in Scotland, and then we'll be coming back to the Liberty for back-to-back games against Leinster and Munster, two huge games.

"When you face a schedule like this, preparation becomes more important than ever. If we don't get what we are doing day to day right, then this month could be a painful one, so we'll be working hard to make sure we get the basics right to give us the best chance of ensuring we stay in the play-off spots."


Forthcoming Fixtures

Sat 21 Feb - 5.15pm KO - Glasgow v Ospreys - PRO12
Fri 27 Feb - 7.35pm KO - Ospreys v Leinster - PRO12
Sat 07 Mar - 2.40pm KO - Ospreys v Munster - PRO12
Sat 28 Mar - 7.15pm KO - Ospreys v Zebre - PRO12