The Ospreys team to play Racing 92 in round three of the Heineken Champions Cup at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 7th December, K.O 5:30pm has been named:
The Ospreys return to Heineken Cup action on Saturday evening, when they face French side Racing 92.
New signing Marty McKenzie makes his Ospreys debut and is handed the number 10 jersey. He partners up with Aled Davies to form the half-back pairing. An unchanged back three sees Dan Evans line up alongside Luke Morgan and Hanno Dirksen. Owen Watkin and Scott Williams complete the backline with Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Luke Price and Shaun Venter providing the cover off the bench.
Up front, Nicky Smith returns to the starting lineup alongside Scott Otten and Ma’afu Fia, with Bradley Davies and the returning Adam Beard partnering in the second row. An unchanged back row sees Dan Lydiate captain the side with Olly Cracknell and young Morgan Morris completing the pack.
Ifan Phillips, Gareth Thomas and Gheorghe Gajion provide the front row cover off the bench, with Marvin Orie and Sam Cross completing the Ospreys lineup.
Bradley Davies will make his 50th appearance for the Ospreys.
Starting XV:
15. Dan Evans
14. Hanno Dirksen
13. Owen Watkin
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. Dan Lydiate ©
7. Olly Cracknell
8. Morgan Morris
Replacements
16. Ifan Phillips
17. Gareth Thomas
18. Gheorghe Gajion
19. Marvin Orie
20. Sam Cross
21. Shaun Venter
22. Luke Price
23. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
The following players were unavailable for selection:
Justin Tipuric, George North & Alun Wyn Jones
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Gareth Anscombe
Harri Morgan
Cory Allen
James King
Rhys Henry
Ben Glynn
Keelan Giles
Sam Parry
Gareth Evans
Tom Botha
Dan Baker
Forthcoming Fixtures:
Friday 13th December – 8:45pm (Local time) Racing 92 v Ospreys, Paris La Défense Arena.
Saturday 21st December – 7:35pm – Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, The Liberty Stadium.