Ospreys team to play the Scarlets

OSPREYS

15 Dan Evans
14 Jeff Hassler
13 Ben John
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Sam Davies
9 Rhys Webb

1 Paul James (Capt)
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 James King
5 Rory Thornton
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Sam Underhill
8 Dan Baker

REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Nicky Smith
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Adam Beard
20 Olly Cracknell
21 Brendon Leonard
22 Dan Biggar
23 Owen Watkin


The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:

Tyler Ardron - Knee
Lloyd Ashley - Knee
Ashley Beck - Knee
Ryan Bevington - Hip
Gareth Delve - Ankle
Matthew Dwyer - Ankle
JJ Engelbrecht - Ankle
Ma'afu Fia - Illness
Dafydd Howells - Hamstring
Alun Wyn Jones - Foot
Daniel Suter - Knee
Justin Tipuric - Concussion

Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:

"The Scarlets game is always huge for us and our supporters and this weekend is no different. We know the Scarlets are coming here full of confidence so it's important that we rise to the challenge.

"It's been a difficult year, as we always knew it would be, but we've seen in adversity that we have a great spirit and some incredible young talent coming through, boys who are just 19, 20, 21, 22, who are getting some fantastic experience under their belt and showing that they can compete at the highest level. Yes, we've got some fresh injury concerns with 12 players unavailable, but are strengthened by some real quality coming back into the group from international duty. This is a chance, against a side who have been at the top all season, for these players to really say something about who we are and what we want to achieve, this year and in the future.

"We've got five games left and the target has to be to win all of them. With three at the Liberty, and the other two games being derby matches in Wales, you can't stress enough how important the supporters are going to be. We've been fortunate enough to enjoy some fantastic occasions and atmospheres at the Liberty, and on the road, already this season. This weekend we're going to have the biggest crowd of the season with an atmosphere to match. Our supporters, who are always fantastic, have a huge part to play, so it's important that they get right behind the team when they need them.

"We've got to enjoy this challenge, and really step up to the mark. If we are going to get what we want, starting with the Scarlets on Saturday, then our prep has to be spot on, we have to know our roles, do our homework, and be relentless in everything we do, during the week and in the game, and our attention to detail and accuracy has to be up several levels from where it was at times against Leinster, from the very first whistle.

"Get those things right, get the performance where it needs to be, that's our target, and the reward should come."

Forthcoming Fixtures

Fri 1 Apr - 7.05pm KO - NG Dragons v Ospreys - PRO12
Fri 15 Apr - 7.35pm KO - Ospreys v Benetton Treviso - PRO12
Sat 30 Apr - 2.30pm KO - Cardiff Blues v Ospreys - PRO12
Sat 7 May - 3.00pm KO - Ospreys v Ulster - PRO12