Welsh stars back for Ospreys
Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:55
Ospreys have named a powerful line-up for their EDF Energy Cup semifinal clash against Saracens at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
No less than 12 of Wales' Grand Slam heroes will run out for the Ospreys on Saturday.
Head Coach Lyn Jones is looking forward to the encounter.
"Everyone is looking forward to Saturday's match, we had some great experiences in this tournament last season, not least on semifinal day when we produced a fine performance to see off Cardiff Blues," he said on the Ospreys official website.
"Ultimately we were disappointed to lose to Leicester Tigers in the final at Twickenham, but that has just made us more determined to go one better this season.
"Our international players are back with us and understandably spirits are high at the moment.
"We've had to take a lot of things into consideration when naming the side for this match, and faced some tough decisions based not
only on what the players have gone through but also the busy schedule that lies ahead, making sure they are fit and healthy for all the big games that we have coming up.
"We face a Saracens side that will be well drilled and well prepared, as always, with a distinct Australian flavour.
"Their build-up to this match will have been less affected by international callups than is the case for us, and although league results have dipped lately, their form in the cups are a clear sign of how dangerous they can be.
We know that they will provide us with a real challenge, as would be the case with any opposition at the semi-final stage of a cup competition, so we have to be sure that we are focused entirely on the challenge that lies in store as opposed to dwelling on what has already gone," he added.
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Johnny Vaughton, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Gavin Henson, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan
Jones (captain), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Lyndon Bateman, 19 Filo Tiatia, 20 Justin Marshall, 21 Daniel Biggar, 22 Andrew Bishop.
Date: Saturday, March 22
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.15 GMT
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Martin Fox (England), Peter Huckle (England)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
