The Ospreys team to face Ulster at Ravenhill in the Magners League Friday 22nd September kick off at 7.30pm, will be the following: -
The Ospreys team to face Ulster at Ravenhill in the Magners League -- Friday 22nd September -- kick off at 7.30pm, will be the following: -
15 Stefan Terblanche
14 Nikki Walker
13 Sonny Parker
12 Gavin Henson
11 Shane Williams
10 James Hook
9 Justin Marshall
8 Ryan Jones
7 Lee Beach
6 Jonathan Thomas
5 Ian Evans
4 Brent Cockbain
3 Adam Jones
2 Barry Williams
1 Duncan Jones (Capt)
Replacements
16 Ed Shervington
17 Paul James
18 Alun Wyn Jones
19 Richard Pugh
20 Martin Roberts
21 Andrew Bishop
22 Lee Byrne
Comment from Head Coach, Lyn Jones:
“It was disappointing to have sustained a number of quite serious injuries over a tough week and to have only won two out of the three fixtures, but that said we are now in stronger shape going back to Ireland than we were two weeks ago. We always look forward to the challenge at Ravenhill as it is consistently the best venue to play Magners League rugby”
“Ulster Rugby offer everyone an intense match on their home turf, and with their side vocally backed up by 10,000 vociferous supporters it is an inspiring environment and no place for the weak at heart. It will be a refreshing change to turn up for a game of rugby without being viewed as favourites. Each game we have played so far has been a tight affair, showing the improvement in our league since its creation only 3 years ago. We expect no different on Friday night against the champions in Belfast”
Injury and squad availability news
We have eight players not available for selection
Huw Bennett has torn stomach muscles against the Blues and will be out for 2/ 3 weeks
Filo Tiatia is out for another three weeks with a broken hand sustained against Connacht
Andy Lloyd strained his medial ligament against Borders and will be out for 6/ 8 weeks
Richard Hibbard will be out for 5/ 6 months as a core shoulder instability sustained against Borders requires a shoulder reconstruction
Four players will not be available until 2007 – Matthew Jones (knee), Tim Evans (knee), Craig Mitchell (knee) and David Bishop (knee)
September Fixtures
Ulster v Ospreys – Ravenhill – Friday 22nd September – kick off at 7.30pm
Ospreys v Gloucester – Liberty Stadium – Friday 29th September – kick off at 7.10pm