The Ospreys team to play the Scarlets at Liberty Stadium on Saturday 5th November 2011, kick off at 6.30pm, will be as follows:
15 Richard Fussell
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Kahn Fotuali’i
1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 Joe Bearman
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Jonathan Thomas
Replacements:
16 Huw Bennett
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 Ryan Jones
20 Tom Smith
21 George Stowers
22 Rhys Webb
23 Shane Williams
Andrew Bishop becomes the fourth Ospreys player to make 150 appearances for the region, behind Paul James (168), Jonathan Thomas and Sonny Parker (both 153)
Eli Walker makes his first Liberty Stadium RaboDirect PRO12 start
Kahn Fotuali’i makes his first Ospreys start
The following players were not considered because of injury:
Gareth Owen – ACL
Nikki Walker – Medial Ligament
Paul James – Thumb
Adam Jones - Calf
The Ospreys will be without two of their three Rugby World Cup props for Saturday’s Welsh derby against the Scarlets after they reported back for regional duty this week carrying injuries sustained in New Zealand.
While the medical team remain hopeful that Adam Jones will be fit for the Heineken Cup opener against Biarritz the following weekend, Paul James has been ruled out for a number of weeks.
Head Physio, Chris Towers, confirmed:
“Paul James suffered a fractured thumb during the Australia game and has undergone a procedure to pin the thumb. This will keep him out for a period of up to six weeks from the date of injury, and we hope he will become available for selection for rounds three and four of the Heineken Cup.
“In Adam’s case, a calf strain meant he had to leave the field during the semi-final against France. He is working hard in rehab and we remain optimistic that we will be available for the Biarritz game, with a decision on this made next week.”
Forthcoming fixtures
Sat 12 Nov – Ospreys v Biarritz – Liberty Stadium – Heineken Cup – 3.40pm
Sat 19 Nov – Benetton Treviso V Ospreys – Stadio Comunale di Monigo – Heineken Cup - 2.30pm
Sat 26 Nov – Connacht v Ospreys – The Sportsground - RaboDirect PRO12 – 6.30pm
Sat 3 Dec – Ospreys v Munster – Liberty Stadium – RaboDirect PRO12 – 6.30pm