Team announced for final pre-season fixture of the summer, against Saracens on Thursday evening.
The Ospreys team to place Saracens at the Honourable Artillery Company, London, on Thursday 21st August 2014, KO 6.15pm, is as follows:
15 Richard Fussell
14 Eli Walker
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Jeff Hassler
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Lloyd Peers (Capt)
5 Rynier Bernardo
6 Tyler Ardron
7 Sam Lewis
8 Morgan Allen
REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Duncan Jones
18 Cai Griffiths
19 James King
20 Dan Baker
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Dan Evans
23 Jonathan Spratt
24 Tom Grabham
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“It’s been a busy week for everybody with games already against Worcester and the regional clubs, but Thursday night will see things step up again with a tough challenge against Saracens. We’ll go into this game with the same outlook as we have the other two, which is that it is an important part of our preparation for the new season, a building block towards being ready for Treviso in two weeks time, and the nine months that follow.
“We know exactly what we need to get out of this fixture, and part of that is to get some miles on the clock for the boys involved. It’s good to be able to welcome back some of the international contingent who haven’t featured yet, as well as boys like Eli and Rhys who are welcome returns to the group after injury. It’s an important 80 minutes for everyone involved, we’re looking forward to seeing some of the combinations and to see how some of these guys get on after a tough conditioning programme.
“I said it after the Worcester game and I’m happy to repeat myself. We won’t get carried away with our reactions after this game, good or bad. This is a different kind of challenge, against one of the strongest squads in Europe, and we are looking forward to it. Commercially it’s a great opportunity for the business in unique surroundings in the city of London, where OSTC will be launching their sponsorship of the away jersey so it’s an important date for the Ospreys on and off the field.
“We are genuinely excited about where we are at the moment, with a new season around the corner and the challenges that the new Europe and the new PRO12 structure will throw at us. Personally, I can’t wait for the first home game against Treviso in two weeks and I know that everybody else at the Ospreys feels the same.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 05 Sep - 7.35pm KO - Ospreys v Treviso - Liberty Stadium - PRO12
Fri 12 Sep - 7.35pm KO - NG Dragons v Ospreys - Rodney Parade - PRO12
Sun 21 Sep - 4.00pm KO - Ospreys v Edinburgh - Liberty Stadium - PRO12
Sat 27 Sep - 6.30pm KO - Munster v Ospreys - Thomond Park - PRO12
Fri 03 Oct - 7.35pm KO - Zebre v Ospreys - Stadio XXV Aprile - PRO12
Sun 12 Oct - 4.00pm KO - Ospreys v Cardiff Blues - Liberty Stadium - PRO12
Sun 18 Oct - 1.00pm KO - Ospreys v Treviso - Liberty Stadium - ERCC