The Ospreys team to face Bristol in the EDF Energy Cup, at the Liberty Stadium "â¬" Saturday 2nd December "â¬" kick off at 5.30pm, will be as follows: -
The Ospreys team to face Bristol in the EDF Energy Cup, at the Liberty Stadium - Saturday 2nd December - kick off at 5.30pm , will be as follows: - 15 Lee Byrne14 Jonathan Vaughton 13 Tal Selley 12 James Hook 11 Nikki Walker 10 Shaun Connor 9 Jason Spice 8 Ryan Jones 7 Steve Tandy 6 Filo Tiatia 5 Alun Wyn Jones 4 Lyndon Bateman 3 Cai Griffiths 2 Huw Bennett 1 Duncan Jones (Capt) Replacements: 16 Barry Williams 17 Andrew Millward 18 Brent Cockbain 19 Andy Lloyd 20 Martin Roberts 21 Gavin Henson 22 Andrew Bishop/ Stefan Terblanche
Andrew Bishop and Stefan Terblanche are both carrying slight knee injuries and will be assessed ahead of kick off
"Saturday is a very important fixture for Ospreys Rugby. If we can secure a point we will ensure a semi final appearance in March. This would give us and our supporters something to look forward to and gives us a big motivation to do what is required at the weekend. This fixture also gives us a chance to integrate a number of our Welsh internationals back into the Ospreys squad. This has proved a challenge in the past, but I am sure supporters will look forward to seeing these players back in an Ospreys shirt."
"Nothing comes easy in the world of professional rugby and whoever Bristol decide to select on Saturday will offer us a stern test. They will have confidence from riding high in their domestic league and they will come to the Liberty Stadium looking for a result. Having said that we are not short of confidence ourselves and we will be looking to make amends after suffering defeat at Thomond Park last weekend."
Injury and squad availability news
We have eight players not available for selection due to injury:
Jonathan Thomas strained an AC joint whilst on international duty, but hopes to be available for the Heineken Cup fixture against Calvisano next weekend
Paul James has sustained a chest muscle tear against Munster. He is targeting a return against the Scarlets on Boxing Day
Chris Martenko (shoulder) is returning to fitness and full training and is expecting to take part in competitive rugby over the next week or so
Five players will not be available until 2007 - Richard Hibbard (shoulder), Matthew Jones (knee), Tim Evans (knee), Craig Mitchell (knee), and David Bishop (knee)
December Fixtures
Ospreys v Bristol (EDF Energy Cup) - Liberty Stadium - Saturday 2nd December - kick off at 5.30pm
Calvisano v Ospreys (Heineken Cup) - Centro Sportivo San Michele - Saturday 9th December - kick off at 2.00pm
Ospreys v Calvisano (Heineken Cup) - Liberty Stadium - Friday 15th December - kick off at 7.30pm
Blues v Ospreys (Magners League) - Arms Park - Saturday 23rd December - kick off at 5.30pm
Ospreys v Scarlets (Magners League) - Liberty Stadium - Tuesday 26th December - kick off at 4.10pm
Ospreys v Dragons (Magners League) - Liberty Stadium - Sunday 31st December - kick off at 2.10pm