Overseas Ospreys ready for RWC action

While the region’s Wales squad members have to wait until Sunday to get their Rugby World Cup campaign underway, Josh Matavesi and Jeff Hassler are ready for action in the 48 hours before that.

Matavesi has been named among the replacements for Fiji in their first game, the opener against tournament hosts England at Twickenham on Friday night (8.00pm KO).

Also on the bench for the Fijians is lock, Tevita Cavubati, who spent the second half of last season at the Liberty Stadium.

Fiji and England have, of course, been drawn in Pool A with Wales, Australia and Uruguay.

Meanwhile, Hassler starts for Canada at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon when they kick off their campaign against Ireland in Pool D (2.30pm KO).  Also on Pool D are France, Italy and Romania.

Hassler’s Ospreys team-mate, and Canada national captain, Tyler Ardron, misses out with a knee injury. Scrum half, Phil Mack, who spent a month in early 2013/14 on loan at the Ospreys, is named among the replacements.