"We are all looking forward to Tuesday night's game, which promises to be an exciting and physical encounter between two evenly matched teams. We got our season off to a great start in Connacht on Friday evening, overcoming some awful weather conditions to claim a very pleasing win and we will be looking to build on that against the Blues. They played very well themselves on Saturday evening and deserved to beat the reigning champions so we're in no doubt that it will be a difficult game. Derby fixtures are always interesting, and this will be no different, with so much at stake this season at domestic and international level, I'm sure that there will be some interesting battles to look for right across the pitch, with nothing being held back.
"It's always difficult to find the right balance when you have three games in a week but we've selected a strong squad for this fixture. There is huge competition for places in the squad, every player knows that when they get the call they have to make an impression, and for this game, Steve Tandy and Rhodri Wells have been given the chance to impress, and they, along with the rest of the 22, understand that they need to maintain the standards achieved out in Galway.
"If we are to achieve a consistent, winning culture, then we are well aware that we must perform well at the Liberty Stadium in front of our own fans, and make it difficult for teams when they come here. We must turn the place into a venue where opposing sides know that they will be in for a tough time when they set foot on the pitch. The Blues will present a particularly difficult challenge with quality players throughout their team, and they will be keen to make-up for the 22-3 defeat here last season, so I have no doubt that it will be a great game with an atmosphere to match.
"Filo Tiatia will make his 50th appearance on Tuesday evening, while Paul James is set for his 100th appearance off the bench, only the third Ospreys player to hit that landmark figure. The pair, along with Ian Evans who made his 50th appearance in Galway at the weekend, have been excellent servants to the Ospreys and embody everything we stand for, and I'm sure that they will continue to provide sterling service for sometime yet."
Injury news
The following players are not available for selection due to injury:
Ben Lewis is recovering well after undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery to his right knee and is on target for a November return
Gavin Henson is on target for an early October return to action following keyhole surgery on damaged ankle ligaments
Mike Phillips is on target for an early October return after undergoing surgery to repair damage to his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments
Richard Hibbard is recovering well after recently undergoing minor surgery on his shoulder and is hopeful of being available for selection before the end of September
Lyndon Bateman has been experiencing a recurring back injury and misses the first week of the season
Ospreys:
15 Lee Byrne
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Sonny Parker
12 Andrew Bishop
11 Shane Williams
10 James Hook
9 Rhodri Wells
8 Ryan Jones (C)
7 Steve Tandy
6 Filo Tiatia
5 Ian Evans
4 Alun Wyn Jones
3 Adam Jones
2 Huw Bennett
1 Duncan Jones
Replacements:
16 Ed Shervington
17 Paul James
18 Ian Gough
19 Tom Smith
20 Jamie Nutbrown
21 Gareth Owen
22 Nikki Walker
Filo Tiatia makes his 50th Ospreys appearance
Should Paul James make an appearance off the bench, it will be his 100th game for the Ospreys, putting him joint second with Shaun Connor in the all time appearance list and just one behind former skipper Barry Williams who tops the list with 101
Forthcoming fixtures are as follows:
Friday 12th September - Glasgow V Ospreys - Magners League - Firhill - 7.30pm
Friday 19th September - Leinster V Ospreys - Magners League - Royal Dublin Society - 7.35pm
Saturday 27th September - Ospreys V Ulster - Magners League - Liberty Stadium - 5.30pm
All fixtures are subject to change
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