The Ospreys team to play Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun on Friday 25th January 2019, KO 7.35pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Johnny Kotze
12 Cory Allen
11 Luke Morgan
10 Sam Davies (Capt)
9 Tom Habberfield
1 Gareth Thomas
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Tom Botha
4 Lloyd Ashley
5 James King
6 Olly Cracknell
7 Sam Cross
8 Rob McCusker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Otten
17 Rowan Jenkins
18 Gheorghe Gajion
19 Will Griffiths
20 Will Jones
21 Matthew Aubrey
22 Luke Price
23 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
Gheorghe Gajion and Will Griffiths make their Guinness PRO14 debuts if they come off the bench
The following players were unavailable for selection due to international duty:
Adam Beard, Aled Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Owen Watkin and Scott Williams
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Dan Baker – Knee; Bradley Davies – Knee; Ma’afu Fia – Achilles; Keelan Giles - Hamstring; James Hook – Illness; Rhodri Jones - Shoulder; Lesley Klim – Hamstring; Dan Lydiate – Elbow; Joe Thomas – Nose; Kieran Williams - Groin
Ospreys Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:
"It’s very tight in the Conference with just seven points separating the top four. The next six weeks will go a long way to determining play-off positions and we want to ensure we're in the mix after this period.
"Our focus as a club from day one was to re-establish our credibility in the PRO14 in search of Champions Cup qualification for 19/20. As such, selection throughout the season has been strategic with the Six Nations period in mind.
“Glasgow away is a real challenge but we believe we've built up enough experience and confidence to put up a fight. It's not just the progression of the younger players that has been pleasing; it's also the progression of more experienced players such as Gareth Thomas, Scott Baldwin, Lloyd Ashley, James King, Olly Cracknell, Rob McCusker, Sam Davies, Cory Allen, Hanno Dirksen and Luke Morgan. They've really stepped up in terms of performance & leadership.
“With Ulster and Munster at home to follow, and then Connacht away, before the end of the Six Nations, this is a challenging but exciting period and an opportunity for the boys selected to make a real individual and team statement.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 15 Feb – 7.35pm – Ospreys v Ulster – Morganstone Brewery Field
Fri 22 Feb – 7.35pm – Ospreys v Munster – Liberty Stadium
Sat 2 Mar – 2.45pm – Connacht v Ospreys, Sportsground
Sat 23 Mar – 3.00pm – Ospreys v Dragons – Liberty Stadium
