The Ospreys team to play Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium on Friday 31st August 2018, KO 7.35pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 George North
13 Scott Williams
12 Owen Watkin
11 Hanno Dirksen
10 Luke Price
9 Aled Davies
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Otten
3 Tom Botha
4 Bradley Davies
5 Alun Wyn Jones
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 James King
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Rhodri Jones
18 Alex Jeffries
19 Adam Beard
20 Sam Cross
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Joe Thomas
Tom Botha (Osprey No. 229), Aled Davies (230), Scott Williams (231) and George North (232) make their Ospreys debuts
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Dan Baker – Knee
Olly Cracknell – Shoulder
Ma’afu Fia – Achilles
Gheorghe Gajion – Hamstring
Keelan Giles – Knee
Paul James – Shoulder
Lesley Klim – Hamstring
Rob McCusker – Calf
Sam Parry – Bicep
Gareth Thomas – Shoulder
Ospreys Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:
”Pre-season has been enjoyable but demanding preparing us for competitive business with our first league test on Friday night. In truth it has been our focus since day one after we reported back from the summer break.”
“To achieve our aims this season we need genuine competition for places and in turn growth in our squad depth. Quality teams have depth in every position which creates healthy selection dilemmas.”
“Selection has been based on performance throughout pre-season training & the two games against Saints & Saracens. Across the squad there are players who’ve impressed, who’ve put their hands up for selection resulting in some tight calls. For those selected the challenge is to embrace the opportunity, while others will channel their disappointment positively.”
“For the Ospreys to be successful, it’s not just about the starting fifteen on Friday, or the matchday 23. It’s a long season and everyone has a huge part to play in achieving our team goals”.
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 8 Sep – 5.30pm KO – Ospreys v Cheetahs – Liberty Stadium
Fri 14 Sep – 7.35pm KO – Munster v Ospreys – Irish Independent Park
Sat 22 Sep – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Benetton Rugby – Liberty Stadium
Sat 29 Sep – 4.00pm (Local) – Zebre v Ospreys – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
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