Ospreys captain, Justin Tipuric returns to skipper the side in his first match of the season on Saturday!
Cai Evans retains the fullback jersey from last weekend, and a change on both wings sees Luke Morgan and Hanno Dirksen make up the back three. Scott Williams and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler form the centre partnership, with Marty McKenzie and Aled Davies lining up as the half-backs. Last week’s try-scorer Shaun Venter provides the cover off the bench, alongside Luke Price and Kieran Williams.
The front row is unchanged from last week as Nicky Smith and Ma'afu Fia pack down either side of Scott Otten, who will make his 100th appearance for the Ospreys. Adam Beard holds onto the number four shirt partnering up with Bradley Davies in the second row. Workhorse Lydiate starts on the blindside alongside Tipuric marshalling the openside, with Olly Cracknell at number 8 to complete the pack. Young Morgan Morris provides solid reinforcements on the bench, alongside Marvin Orie. Dewi Lake, Rhys Fawcett and Simon Gardiner complete the 23.
The Ospreys team to play Cardiff Blues in round eight of the Guinness PRO14 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 21st December, K.O 7:35pm has been named:
Starting XV:
15. Cai Evans
14. Hanno Dirksen
13. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
12. Scott Williams
11. Luke Morgan
10. Marty McKenzie
9. Aled Davies
1.Nicky Smith
2. Scott Otten
3. Ma’afu Fia
4. Adam Beard
5. Bradley Davies
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric ©
8. Olly Cracknell
16. Dewi Lake
17. Rhys Fawcett
18. Simon Gardiner
19. Marvin Orie
20. Morgan Morris
21. Shaun Venter
22. Luke Price
23. Kieran Williams
Scott Otten will make his 100th appearance for the Ospreys
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Gareth Anscombe
Harri Morgan
Cory Allen
James King
Rhys Henry
Ben Glynn
Keelan Giles
Sam Parry
Gareth Evans
Tom Botha
Dan Baker
Owen Watkin
Gareth Thomas
Rhodri Jones
George North
Alun Wyn Jones
Forthcoming Fixtures:
Thursday 26th December – 5:15pm – Scarlets v Ospreys, Parc Y Scarlets.
Saturday 4th January – 3pm – Dragons v Ospreys, Rodney Parade.
Saturday 11th January – 1pm – Ospreys v Saracens, Liberty Stadium.