The Ospreys have named their team to take on the DHL Stormers at the Swansea.com Stadium on Friday evening four round five of the BKT United Rugby Championship, K.O 7:35pm.
Rhys Webb will lead out the side as Captain lining up alongside Stephen Myler who makes his first appearance of the season. Keelan Giles, George North and Max Nagy form the back three with Michael Collins and Owen Watkin in the mid field.
Up front, Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis line up either side of Dewi Lake with Adam Beard and Alun Wyn Jones forming the second row. Ethan Roots, Jac Morgan and Morgan Morris complete the starting pack.
Reuben Morgan Williams, Jack Walsh and Luke Morgan provide the backs cover off the bench. Scott Baldwin, Rhys Henry and Tom Botha cover the front-row with Rhys Davies and Dan Lydiate completing the matchday 23.
15. Max Nagy
14. George North
13. Owen Watkin
12. Michael Collins
11. Keelan Giles
10. Stephen Myler
9. Rhys Webb ©
1.Nicky Smith
2. Dewi Lake
3. Tomas Francis
4. Adam Beard
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Ethan Roots
7. Jac Morgan
8. Morgan Morris
16. Scott Baldwin
17. Rhys Henry
18. Tom Botha
19. Rhys Davies
20. Dan Lydiate
21. Reuben Morgan Williams
22. Jack Walsh
23. Luke Morgan
The following players were unavailable due to injury:
Alex Cuthbert, Dan Evans, Will Griffiths, Sam Cross, Gareth Anscombe, Bradley Davies, Will Hickey, Harri Morgan, Sam Moore, Mat Protheroe, Garyn Phillips, Gareth Thomas, Justin Tipuric.
Head Coach Toby Booth said:
“I’m on record of wanting to test our group whether that be the young players or the Internationals, we want to test what we’re trying to do against the best. Having the influence of the top South African teams in the competition means everyone must get better.
“Every week is an opportunity to mark where you are. We’re excited by the challenge of the Stormers. We have to defend well against them, and we did that well against Glasgow. We took our opportunities when they presented themselves and we know this Friday night will be a different challenge. We’re going against a team who like to be positive, they try to express themselves, good athletes and big collisions. It’ll be a big test for us but like all good teams your performances start and finish with your fundamentals so it’s up to us to decide how good we can be.”