Ospreys Team To Face Scarlets

Ospreys:
15 Lee Byrne
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Sonny Parker
12 Gavin Henson
11 Jonny Vaughton
10 James Hook
9 Mike Phillips
8 Filo Tiatia
7 Steve Tandy
6 Ryan Jones ©
5 Jonathan Thomas
4 Alun-wyn Jones
3 Adam Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
1 Paul James

Replacements:
16 Ed Shervington
17 Cai Griffiths
18 Ian Gough
19 Marty Holah
20 Jamie Nutbrown
21 Dan Biggar
22 Andrew Bishop

The following players were not considered due to injury:

Shane Williams suffered a shoulder impingement problem that he reported to the medical team following the second Treviso match, and which has failed to settle with rest.

The problem is affecting one of the rotator cuff tendons in his right shoulder and after being reviewed by a shoulder specialist has had treatment to try and help settle his symptoms in the short term.

Unfortunately this rules him out of action for the next two weeks, but if he responds well to the treatment he should be available for consideration for either the Munster or Perpignan fixture in early January

Nikki Walker has undergone surgery to repair a partial tear of his
hamstring muscle origin on his left leg suffered during the home game against Treviso. He will require a lengthy period of rehabilitation before returning to action and faces a lay-off in the region of 5-6 months.

Tom Smith suffered an impact injury to the shoulder/chest against the Dragons recently and is currently being monitored with a view to identifying the best course of treatment.

Ben Lewis has undergone repeat ACL reconstruction surgery to his right knee having encountered further problems, and is unlikely to feature again this season.

Duncan Jones is recovering from surgery to fix a chronic stress fracture in his right foot, and will be in plaster for up to 12 weeks. At this stage it looks unlikely to feature again this season

Ian Evans had undergone ACL reconstruction surgery after damaging his right knee in the Wales V New Zealand fixture and faces a 6-month rehabilitation period, ruling him out until next season.

Andy Lloyd ruptured elbow ligaments playing in an 'A' team fixture at the end of October and needed surgery to fix the underlying instability. He is targeting a comeback mid April 09.

Huw Bennett has been sidelined with ankle ligament damage since the EDF Energy Cup fixture against London Irish. This fixture has come just too soon for him and he will now target the Cardiff Blues match on New Year's Eve.

Gareth Owen is recovering well from surgery to repair ankle ligament damage, and is targeting a mid January return to action.

Jonathan Spratt has been sidelined with disc trouble in his lower back, but is now working hard on his fitness with a view to getting back on to the field over the next two weeks

Lyndon Bateman has suffered ankle ligament damage and is facing a 4-6 week lay-off.

Forthcoming fixtures are as follows:
Wednesday 31st December - Cardiff Blues V Ospreys - Magners League - Cardiff Arms Park - 2.05pm
Friday 9th January - Ospreys V Munster - Magners League - Liberty Stadium - 7.05pm