The Ospreys team to face Border Reivers in the Celtic League at the Liberty Stadium "â¬" Friday 17th February - kick off at 7.10pm, will be selected from the following squad: -
The Ospreys team to face Border Reivers in the Celtic League at the Liberty Stadium – Friday 17th February - kick off at 7.10pm, will be selected from the following squad: -
Backs (10):
Adrian Cashmore Stefan Terblanche Sonny Parker Andrew Bishop
Gavin Henson Richard Mustoe Damian Karauna Shaun Connor
Jason Spice Richard Rees
Forwards (12):
Andrew Millward Cai Griffiths Craig Mitchell Huw Bennett
Richard Hibbard Lyndon Bateman Andrew Newman Alun-Wyn Jones
Des Dillon Jonathan Thomas James Bater (Captain) Richard Pugh
The team will be announced at the final team-run and confirmed by email at midday tomorrow
Gavin Henson makes a welcome return to the starting line-up on Friday evening, and he commented on the match as follows: -
"Much of the discussion at the moment seems to be about my involvement with the Wales team, but I really want to just focus on achieving the same performance levels that I produced last season for the Ospreys. Hopefully that will then be good enough for Wales if and when the time comes”
“I have trained hard over the last seven weeks and I am looking forward to putting my boots on and giving 100% for the region. I have received fantastic support from the Directors, team management and the coaching staff and I am looking forward to repaying some of that faith between now and the end of the season
“Whilst the ban was disappointing it has given me an opportunity to improve my strength and conditioning and I am now back to the same levels as I was last season. I love playing rugby, I love playing for the Ospreys and I am looking forward to facing the Borders on Friday night”
Injury and squad availability news
We currently have ten players unavailable: -
Adam Jones, Duncan Jones and Shane Williams are with the Wales squad
Ian Evans is serving his suspension and is available for the Blues fixture on 3rd March
Johnny Vaughton fractured his finger playing for Swansea last weekend and is likely to be out for two weeks
Barry Williams and Paul James have had vertebrae disk surgery. They hope to return in May
Brent Cockbain (hamstring) and Ryan Jones (shoulder) have begun rehabilitation but will not play again this season
David Bishop is now in light training and due to see a consultant in respect of having the wire removed from his knee