The Ospreys team to play Newcastle Falcons at Liberty Stadium on Friday 14th October, 2016, KO 7.05 pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Dafydd Howells
13 Ben John
12 Ashley Beck
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Paul James
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Ma’afu Fia
4 Rory Thornton
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Dan Baker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Rhodri Jones
19 Lloyd Ashley
20 James King
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Josh Matavesi
Rhodri Jones will make his Ospreys debut if he comes off the bench
Sam Parry will make his 50th Ospreys appearance if he comes off the bench
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Tyler Ardron – Thumb
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Jeff Hassler - Achilles
Sam Underhill – Shoulder
Owen Watkin - Knee
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“We can’t wait to get started. It’s crucial that we start the campaign positively. Newcastle have done well so far this season in the Aviva and are up in the top half of the table so they’ll be confident coming to the Liberty. We know to expect a tough, physical challenge, which is what you’d expect, but they also like to move the ball.
“It’s not about picking up where we left off against the Blues last week as we were disappointed to let them in for a couple of cheap tries at the end. We want the cutting edge and the accuracy that we showed in attack, but we have to be more clinical defensively, tighten up, or we’ll be punished.
“We know that out supporters will do their bit on Friday night as they always do. That’s big for us, they can play their part in pushing us on when the going gets tough, as it will. They created a great atmosphere for the team at the Blues match and the boys responded. We need more of the same.
“With a couple of trips to France to follow, it’s important that we get our performance right and that’s been a key message this week in training. The response has been good, everybody knows what’s required, now we’ve got to deliver.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 22 Oct – 7.45pm (UK) – Lyon v Ospreys – Matmut Stadium – Challenge Cup
Sat 29 Oct – 3.00pm – Ospreys v NG Dragons – Liberty Stadium – PRO12
Fri 4 Nov – 7.35pm – Munster v Ospreys - Irish Independent Park – PRO12
Fri 11 Nov – 7.35pm – Ospreys v Harlequins – St Helens – Anglo Welsh Cup