It's been two long seasons since the Ospreys competed in the top European competition. But on Saturday 16 November, Allen Clarke's men will take to the field against Munster in the Heineken Champion's Cup once more. There's a welcome boost on the bench this week, with three Welsh internationals returning for regional duty.
There's just one change in the back line from last week's lineup with Tom Williams given a starting position ahead of Lesley Klim on the left wing. Cai Evans runs out at fullback and Dirksen is named on the other wing. 19-year-old Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler starts his sixth game in the midfield alongside Scott Williams, while Shaun Venter will be distributing at scrumhalf to Luke Price outside him.
Scott Otten gets an opportunity in the front row, packing down at hooker between Rhodri Jones and Ma'afu Fia at loosehead and tighthead respectively. Springbok Marvin Orie gets his third start in the second row alongside Ospreys stalwart, Lloyd Ashley. Captain Dan Lydiate, Olly Cracknell, and Morgan Morris form an unchanged back row.
There are some familiar names on the bench this week, as prop Nicky Smith, lock Bradley Davies, and scrumhalf Aled Davies return from their Rugby World Cup exploits in Japan to give the squad a boost.
Starting XV
15. Cai Evans
14. Hanno Dirksen
13. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
12. Scott Williams
11. Tom Williams
10. Luke Price
9. Shaun Venter
1.Rhodri Jones
2.Scott Otten
3. Ma’afu Fia
4.Marvin Orie
5. Lloyd Ashley
6. Dan Lydiate ©
7.Olly Cracknell
8. Morgan Morris
Replacements
16. Ifan Phillips
17. Nicky Smith
18. Gheorghe Gajion
19. Bradley Davies
20. Sam Cross
21.Aled Davies
22. James Hook
23. Kieran Williams
The following players were unavailable for selection:
Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Justin Tipuric and Owen Watkin.
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Gareth Anscombe
Harri Morgan
Cory Allen
Dan Evans
James King
Rhys Henry
Ben Glynn
Luke Morgan
Keelan Giles
Sam Parry
Gareth Evans
Forthcoming Fixtures:
Saturday 23rd November – 1pm – Saracens v Ospreys, Allianz Park.
Saturday 30th November – 7:35pm – Ospreys v Cheetahs, The Gnoll.
Saturday 7th December – 5:30pm – Ospreys v Racing 92, The Liberty Stadium.
Friday 13th December – 8:45pm (Local time) Racing 92 v Ospreys, Paris La Défense Arena.