Ospreys Team To Face Worcester Warriors

The Ospreys team to face Worcester in the EDF Energy Cup in Sunday 26th October 2008 at the Liberty Stadium, kick off at 3.05pm, will be as follows:-

The Ospreys team to face Worcester in the EDF Energy Cup on Sunday 26th October 2008 at the Liberty Stadium, kick off at 3.05pm, will be as follows:-15 Lee Byrne14 Nikki Walker13 Tommy Bowe12 Gavin Henson11 Shane Williams10 James Hook9 Rhys Webb 8 Filo Tiatia7 Steve Tandy6 Tom Smith5 Lyndon Bateman4 Ian Gough3 Andrew Millward2 Huw Bennett1 Duncan Jones ©

Replacements:

16 Richard Hibbard17 Adam Jones18 Alun-wyn Jones19 Ryan Jones20 Jamie Nutbrown21 Dan Biggar22 Andrew Bishop

The following players were not considered due to injury:

Jonathan Spratt has returned from a spell playing in New Zealand, and is currently being treated for a disc problem in his lower back and is likely to be out for two months

Andy Lloyd has suffered an injury to his left elbow and will be sidelined for up to six weeks Jonathan Thomas underwent surgery on a groin injury last week and will be out of action for up to six weeks

Rhodri Wells is continuing his recovery from a shoulder injury suffered against Leicester Tigers

Sonny Parker is recovering well after tearing a chest muscle against Harlequins and is hopeful of being available for selection against London Irish, subject to a fitness test early next week

Kristian Phillips is responding well to rehab following a shoulder injury and is likely to return to action during November

Cai Griffiths is continuing his rehab following an ankle ligament injury with a view to returning to action mid-November

Gareth Owen is sidelined for up to four months following ankle ligament surgery

Mike Phillips is continuing his rehab and is looking to return to action in December

Ben Lewis is approximately one month off returning to competitive rugby following his ACL reconstruction

Ospreys Coach Sean Holley commented:

"After a demanding fortnight in the Heineken Cup, we have to switch our focus to the EDF Energy Cup this weekend, and the unique and very different challenges which this competition presents. Worcester are a top side with some big names in the likes of Chris Latham, Pat Sanderson and Sam Tuitupou. They go into Sunday's game in a rich vein of form having scored over 100 points in their last two games, and they also achieved an excellent bonus point win in their first pool match in this competition, against London Irish, so we are under no illusions as to how Mike Ruddock and his team will be preparing for this game.

"We are delighted to welcome back Nikki Walker, James Hook, Lyndon Bateman and Jamie Nutbrown after injury, it's always good to see players returning to action and increasing the options available in the squad for a match-day. Jamie in particular is desperate to pull the shirt on again having only figured in two games for us to date, and we are excited by that prospect.

"We've selected a very experienced side, with 16 of the 22 having more than 50 Ospreys appearances to their name. We will need all of that experience for this challenge, but we are all looking forward to it immensely and hope that we'll have a big crowd behind as we look to build on last week.

"Our results have been good of late, but we feel that we can still improve in lots of aspects of our game. The players have been extremely diligent and focused this week and want to take a step closer to retaining this trophy.

"As we prepare for this game, we must congratulate our players selected for the Autumn International series this week. It is a credit to our organisation, and in particular to our players, that we can celebrate 50 per cent of the extended Wales squad coming from our regional family."

Forthcoming fixtures are as follows:

Sunday 2nd November - London Irish V Ospreys - EDF Energy Cup - Madejski Stadium - 3.30pm

Friday 28th November - Edinburgh V Ospreys - Magners League - Murrayfield - 7.30pm

 All fixtures are subject to change