The Ospreys team to play the Scarlets at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 7th October 2017, KO 7.35pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Cory Allen
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 James Hook
11 Jeff Hassler
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Otten
3 Ma’afu Fia
4 Bradley Davies
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Olly Cracknell
8 James King
REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Paul James
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Lloyd Ashley
20 Dan Baker
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Owen Watkin
Dan Biggar makes his 150th appearance in the competition
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury
Scott Baldwin - Hand
Ashley Beck – Shoulder
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Dafydd Howells – Shoulder
Ben John - HIA
Brendon Leonard - Foot
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Luke Price – Foot
Rory Thornton – Shoulder
Justin Tipuric - Back
Eli Walker – Back
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“Derby matches are games that get everybody excited and Ospreys v Scarlets is up there at any time as a fixture you want to be involved in.
“The form book is pretty clear. We’ve got the champions and Conference B leaders coming to the Liberty Stadium and we know that nobody outside of our environment will be predicting a home win. The Scarlets will be pretty clear favourites and we’ll be the underdogs but we have to ignore that and look at ourselves and where we need to improve on recent weeks.
“It’s a big occasion with a big crowd and, like any derby match, will be fast and physical. What has happened in previous games won’t count, it’s all going to be about what happens on the night. We know that we have to start well, build momentum and build our game by playing in the right areas and making the right decisions. The Scarlets have shown, last season and this, that if you make mistakes they will punish you from anywhere on the field so we have to be accurate or we’ll pay the price.
“With a big crowd we need the Ospreys support to get behind us and really help push the boys on in what will be a tough contest, one that we are really looking forward to.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
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
Fri 27 Oct – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Dragons – Liberty Stadium – PRO14
Sat 4 Nov – 5.30pm KO – Edinburgh v Ospreys – Myreside – PRO14
