Tandy has named the team for Friday night's huge Champions Cup clash at the Liberty Stadium
The Ospreys team to play Clermont Auvergne at the Liberty Stadium on Friday 15th January 2016, KO 7.45pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Jonathan Spratt
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Brendon Leonard
1 Paul James
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Lloyd Ashley
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Sam Underhill
7 Justin Tipuric
8 James King
REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Nicky Smith
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Rory Thornton
20 Dan Baker
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Owen Watkin
Scott Baldwin makes his 100th Ospreys appearance
Sam Underhill makes his European Cup debut
Ma’afu Fia and Owen Watkin will make their European Cup debuts if they come off the bench
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Tyler Ardron – Knee
Dmitri Arhip - Ribs
Ashley Beck – ACL
Gareth Delve – Ankle
Jeff Hassler - Thigh
Dafydd Howells – Hamstring
Dan Lydiate - Neck
Rhys Webb – Foot
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“With two rounds to play, not only are we still in contention, but our destiny is very much in our own hands and that is all any team can ask for at this stage. We know that we’ve got a huge challenge in front of us over the next two weekends but we are definitely looking forward.
“It’s a really exciting time, and this is probably the biggest game we’ve had at the Liberty for four or five years. We all know what Clermont are about and the quality they have right through their squad but going head to head with a team that were French and European runners-up last season is something to whet the appetite and it should be a fantastic occasion for supporters, players and coaches to enjoy on Friday night.
“There is absolutely no margin for error now, we are playing knock-out rugby two rounds early. It’s not just going to be a test of our ability it’s a test of our mental toughness and character. We’ve got some exciting young talent getting their chance alongside some boys who have a wealth of experience for region and for country, and what they all share is the desire to be the best they can be and to wear the black shirt with real pride.
“We need to tap into that spirit on Friday night, on and off the field. These are the kind of occasions that people look back on and remember, so we want to make sure that we look back on this one for the right reasons. That starts on the training pitch, in the way the team prepare day-to-day, how they focus on the job in hand, and they have to take that into the game on Friday night where they have to be relentless in everything they do, there has to be accuracy and they have to be clinical.
“With the support of a good crowd in the stands to drive them on, everybody has to be 100 per cent from the word go and play their part.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sun 24 Jan – 3.15pm KO – Exeter Chiefs v Ospreys – ERCC
Sun 31 Jan – 2.30pm KO – Ospreys v Glasgow – PRO12
Sun 14 Feb – 5.00pm KO – Munster v Ospreys – PRO12
Fri 19 Feb – 7.05pm KO – Ospreys v Edinburgh – PRO12