Ospreys team to face the Scarlets

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