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Preview: ML - Ospreys v Dragons
Posted Tue, 06 May 2008
Ospreys coach Lyn Jones remained upbeat, despite being forced to field a very inexperienced team in the Magners League encounter with Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.
Senior players like Shane Williams, Sonny Parker, Andrew Bishop, James Hook, Duncan Jones, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Ian Evans, Alun-wyn Jones, Ryan Jones and Jonathan Thomas are all unavailable - having to addend a Welsh national team training camp in Ireland.
Five more players are not available for selection this week due to injury.
Lee Byrne will undergo keyhole surgery on his knee to repair a cartilage defect this week.
Gavin Henson recently underwent keyhole surgery on his damaged ankle ligaments and faces a 12-week lay-off.
Mike Phillips recently underwent surgery to repair damage to his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and will be out of action until next season.
Nikki Walker is recovering from a stress fracture of the fibia in the right leg.
Andrew Millward has been ruled out for the season due to a cartilage problem in the right knee and will shortly undergo keyhole surgery.
Despite all these setbacks the Ospreys coach found some positives ahead of the game.
"There is a very youthful look to the 22, but for the players coming into the side it is a fantastic opportunity for them to show what they can do and to stake a claim for further involvement next season," Jones said.
"There is also a splash of experience in the side, and in the likes of Mark Taylor and Shaun Connor, we have good servants who will be taking this week as their opportunity to say farewell to the Ospreys. For Shaun in particular, Tuesday's game will be of interest as he is facing the side that he will be a part of after the [off-season] break and will no doubt want to show them what they are getting.
"As a group we have been disappointed with our attacking game over our last two home matches, performance levels have not been up to the high standard we set ourselves and we share in the frustration that supporters are feeling.
"Our recent situation in the Magners League is a contrast to the performances we have put in this season in both the EDF Energy Cup and the Heineken Cup - where we have scored tries freely and we realise that we need to go 'back to basics', and rediscover our true attacking values, encouraging individual decision making and high skill levels, whilst playing what's in front of us.
"There's an Ospreys debut on the wing for Leigh Bevan of Swansea RFC and a first start for Rhys Webb, whilst on the bench there is another potential debutant in 17-year-old centre Kristian Phillips. Alongside Kristian on the bench is Ashley Beck, who became the youngster ever Magners League player when he came off the bench against Leinster at the Liberty Stadium back in November.
"It is exciting for coaches and players alike to see these youngsters getting, and taking their opportunities, and with Heineken Cup qualification now assured, I'm sure that all Ospreys supporters are looking forward to seeing what these boys are capable of.
"A win on Tuesday will see us go above the Scarlets, with one fixture remaining, and whilst the Blues are now out of reach, we will still be looking to end the season on a high with back to back victories this week, that could still see us finish as high as fourth place."
The Dragons have yet to confirm their team.
The teams:
Newport Gwent Dragons: TBC
Ospreys: 15 Gareth Owen, 14 Leigh Bevan, 13 Mark Taylor, 12 Jonathan Spratt, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Shaun Connor, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Tom Smith, 7 Steve Tandy, 6 Hale T-Pole, 5 Lyndon Bateman, 4 Andy Lloyd, 3 Cai Griffiths, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James (captain).
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Craig Mitchell, 18 Mike Powell, 19
Filo Tiatia, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Ashley Beck, 22 Kristian Phillips.
Date: Tuesday, May 6
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
Kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU).
Touch Judges: David Bodilly (WRU), Huw David (WRU)
TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)
With thanks to magnersleague.com
