The Ospreys team to face the Border Reivers in the Magners League at Netherdale "â¬" Saturday 12th May, kick of at 5.30pm, will be as follows: -
The Ospreys team to face the Border Reivers in the Magners League at Netherdale "â¬" Saturday 12th May, kick of at 5.30pm, will be as follows: -
15 Lee Byrne14 Nikki Walker13 Sonny Parker12 James Hook11 Shane Williams10 Shaun Connor9 Jason Spice
8 Filo Tiatia7 Richard Pugh6 Jonathan Thomas5Alun Wyn Jones4 Brent Cockbain3 Adam Jones
2 Huw Bennett1 Duncan Jones (Capt)
Replacements:
16 Richard Hibbard17 Paul James18 Mike Powell19 Lee Beach20 Martin Roberts21 Andrew Bishop 22 Jonathan VaughtonComment from Head Coach, Lyn Jones: "â¬ÅAt 7.15 on Saturday evening things will be much clearer, but we cannot control everything that will happen between now and then. Borders at home will I am sure prove to be another stern test at a ground were we have lost twice and we will be looking to put these results behind us. Saturday is all about maintaining our own performance levels and if anything else proves to be on offer then it will add another dimension to the contest."â¬Â
"â¬ÅIt is a sad night for Borders Rugby to be folding after their short existence but with the level of support they have generated the SRU"â¬â¢s decision to cease professional rugby is understandable. Having said that, Borders have a lot of international rugby players in their squad, they have put in some spirited performances over recent months in difficult circumstances and in particularthey were unlucky to lose to Ulster. We are anticipating another stern Scottish challenge."â¬Â
"â¬ÅI would be wrong if I did not thank Gareth Jenkins and the Wales team management on behalf of ourselves and the Blues. They would have been entitled to retain our players this week to prepare for the Australian tour and I would have understood if they had chosen this option,but instead they have supported the regional teams in our push for the Magners League title. It is now up to either us or the Blues to get some silverware to repay the supporteveryone has shown."â¬Â
Lyn also commented on Gavin Henson"â¬â¢s ongoing injury situation:
"â¬ÅWe were advised that Gavin should give the injury a few weeks more rehabilitation. Although Gavin was keen to get back on the field it would be wrong for him to play until he is 100% right."â¬Â
Injury and squad availability news
Seven players are unavailable for selection due to injury:
Our medical advisors have said that Gavin Henson (knee ligament) should extend his rehabilitation period and he will miss this fixture
Stefan Terblanche (medial ligament) and Ryan Jones (shoulder injury) are also not fit to play this week
Steve Tandy"â¬â¢s (pectoral muscle reattachment) and Lyndon Bateman (shoulder de-compression) respectively face four month and three month rehabilitation period
Ian Evans (shoulder), and David Bishop (knee) will not be available to play again this season, but both are progressing well with their recovery