The Ospreys team to face Ulster in the Magners League, at Ravenhill on Friday 21st September, kick off at 6.30pm, will be selected from the following squad of 25: -
Backs (11)
Lee Byrne Gavin Henson Stefan Terblanche Mark TaylorJonathan Spratt Andrew Bishop Aled BrewJonathan VaughtonShaun Connor Justin Marshall Martin RobertsForwards (14)
Filo Tiatia Steve Tandy Tom Smith Andy LloydBen Lewis Mike Powell Mike Collins Daniel Lloyd JonesBrent Cockbain Cai Griffiths Barry Williams Richard HibbardPaul James Andrew Millward
The Ospreys squad has this week been hit by a flu bug and a number of our players will be assessed through the course of the afternoon. The team will be finalised and announced this evening
Commenting on the fixture, Head Coach, Lyn Jones:
"â¬ÅBack in September 2003 the Ospreys played their first competitive fixture against Ulster and we won a close and highly competitive fixture at the Gnoll. Since then the majority of our fixtures have been hard fought and exciting contests and I am sure that Friday night will be no different."â¬Â
"â¬ÅOur preparations for this match have been hampered by illness, injury and a lack of available analysis of the opposition. As Coaches and players you get use to reviewing the opposition ahead of a fixture but this luxury has not been available to us, whereas our opponents will have the benefit of reviewing our televised fixtures against the Blues and the Scarlets."â¬Â
"â¬ÅWe are looking to raise ourselves for this match following our disappointing start to the Magners League and we will be looking for improvements after below-par performances against our local rivals. Ravenhill is an intimidating environment for any player and it has an atmosphere that some of our younger squad members will not have encountered. However, it is vital for their personal benefit and for the benefit of the Ospreys that these players savour both the good and bad aspects of the evening and learn from the experience of playing in Ulster. We always receive a warm welcome from a passionate and well mannered crowd at Ravenhill and I am sure this will continue tomorrow evening."â¬Â
Injury and squad availability news
Nikki Walker is representing Scotland and our eleven Wales 2007 Rugby World Cup squad players are unavailable for this match. Our Wales RWC 2007 squad members are Shane Williams, Sonny Parker, James Hook, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Thomas, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett and Duncan Jones.
The following players are unavailable for selection due to injury:
Lyndon Bateman (knee/ shoulder injuries) will be available for selection against Glasgow at the end of the month
David Bishop (knee) will return in November
Ryan Jones (shoulder) is progressing in line with expectation and our medical team is pleased with his rehabilitation. An exact date for his return has still not been finalised
Fixture News
September 2007 fixtures are as follows:
Friday 21st September "â¬" Ulster v Ospreys "â¬" Ravenhill "â¬" 6.30pm
Sunday 30th September "â¬" Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors "â¬" Liberty Stadium "â¬" 3.00pm