The Ospreys team to play Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 1st October, 2016, KO 6.30 pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Jeff Hassler
13 Ben John
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Nicky Smith
2 Sam Parry
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Bradley Davies
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 James King
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Dan Baker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Paul James
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Rory Thornton
20 Olly Cracknell
21 Tyler Ardron
22 Tom Habberfield
23 Sam Davies
Nicky Smith makes his 50th Ospreys appearance
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Hanno Dirksen - Knee
Sam Underhill – Shoulder
Owen Watkin - Knee
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“It was extremely disappointing last weekend in Dublin, a frustrating evening all round, but we have to react positively. We were up against a very good Leinster team but we didn’t impose ourselves on the game in the first half like we have done this season, away to Connacht in particular. When you look at the penalty count and error rate in the first half, there is the story of the game.
“We need to be better in all aspects if we’re going to get anything this Saturday. Start like that again and we’ll have the same result. Ulster is always a tough place to go and we know what to expect, but it shows how the PRO12 is growing and getting more competitive when every week you are faced with a real challenge.
“It doesn’t get any easier, with the Blues at home after this one, but we have to thrive on the challenge if we want to achieve what we want to this season. It’s still early days yet, we’ve had a positive start to the season with three wins from four, but there’s a long way to go still so we’ll head out to Belfast knowing that we have to keep working hard, keep improving, and if we get everything in order then we can look to keep pushing at the top end of the PRO12.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 7 Oct – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Cardiff Blues – Liberty Stadium – PRO12
Fri 14 Oct – 7.05pm KO – Ospreys v Newcastle Falcons – Liberty Stadium – Challenge Cup
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