The Ospreys team to play Benetton Treviso at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Friday 22nd September 2017, KO 8.35pm (local), is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Keelan Giles
13 Ben John
12 James Hook
11 Jeff Hassler
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Ma’afu Fia
4 Bradley Davies
5 Adam Beard
6 Olly Cracknell
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Dan Baker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Otten
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Rhodri Jones
19 Alun Wyn Jones
20 James King
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Kieron Fonotia
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury
Dmitri Arhip – Shoulder
Ashley Beck – Shoulder
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Dafydd Howells – Shoulder
Brendon Leonard - Foot
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Luke Price – Foot
Rory Thornton - Shoulder
Eli Walker – Back
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“This is going to be a new experience for us, taking an extended squad away for 10 days and spending time together as a group for two matches. We’re all looking forward to using this period productively and really kicking on as a group. There’ll be no distractions, the focus will be entirely on getting things right.
“We know what to expect from Treviso this Friday night. They’ll be physical, well organised and their strength will be up front as always. They’ve got a new coaching set-up this season as well which is already having a positive impact and they’ll go into the game full of confidence after a good win on the road against Edinburgh.
“It’s essential that we raise our game several levels from where it was last week, and we need to perform for 80 minutes, not 40, 50 or 60, starting on Friday night. As a collective, coaches, players, everybody, we’ve had to take a long hard look at ourselves, and the review process from last weekend has been a tough one. What is important though is that we don’t dwell on the past, we have to learn our lessons and look ahead at a busy period of tough games.
“There are some exciting fixtures coming up, with Cheetahs and Scarlets in the PRO14 and Clermont and Saracens in Europe, big games, and we have to enjoy the challenge, starting this weekend.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 29 Sep – 5.00pm KO (Local) - Cheetahs v Ospreys - Toyota Free State Stadium – PRO14
Sat 7 Oct – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Scarlets – Liberty Stadium – PRO14
Sun 15 Oct – 5.30pm KO – Ospreys v Clermont Auvergne – Liberty Stadium - ERCC
Sat 21 Oct – 7.45pm KO – Saracens v Ospreys – Allianz Park - ERCC
