The Ospreys team to play the Scarlets in round nine of the Guinness PRO14 at Parc y Scarlets on Thursday 26th December, K.O 5:15pm has been named:
Justin Tipuric leads the side for the West Wales derby against our local rivals, the Scarlets. Young Morgan Morris returns to the starting lineup, wearing the number 8 shirt, with Olly Cracknell shifting to the blindside. An unchanged front five from last weekend sees Nicky Smith, Scott Otten and Ma’afu Fia form the front row and Adam Beard and Bradley Davies partnering in the second. Dewi Lake, Rhys Fawcett and Simon Gardiner provide the front row cover and Marvin Orie and Dan Lydiate reinforce the pack off the bench.
Marty McKenzie starts at fly-half, partnering Aled Davies in the number 9 jersey, with Scott Williams and Kieran Williams forming the centre partnership. Cai Evans and Luke Morgan are joined by Lesley Klim in the back three to complete the starting 15 with Shaun Venter, Luke Price and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler all named on the bench.
Starting XV:
15. Cai Evans
14. Lesley Klim
13. Kieran Williams
12. Scott Williams
11. Luke Morgan
10. Marty McKenzie
9. Aled Davies
1.Nicky Smith
2. Scott Otten
3. Ma’afu Fia
4. Adam Beard
5. Bradley Davies
6. Olly Cracknell
7. Justin Tipuric ©
8. Morgan Morris
16. Dewi Lake
17. Rhys Fawcett
18. Simon Gardiner
19. Marvin Orie
20. Dan Lydiate
21. Shaun Venter
22. Luke Price
23. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Gareth Anscombe
Harri Morgan
Cory Allen
James King
Rhys Henry
Ben Glynn
Keelan Giles
Gareth Evans
Tom Botha
Dan Baker
Owen Watkin
Gareth Thomas
Rhodri Jones
George North
Alun Wyn Jones
Forthcoming Fixtures:
Saturday 4th January – 3pm – Dragons v Ospreys, Rodney Parade.
Saturday 11th January – 1pm – Ospreys v Saracens, Liberty Stadium.
Sunday 19th January – 1pm – Munster v Ospreys, Thomond Park.