RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP PREVIEW Ospreys v London Irish: LONDON IRISH coach Toby Booth has made three changes and two positional switches from the side that beat Munster for tonight’s Heineken Cup clash in Swansea.
The unfortunate Declan Danaher sustained a knee injury last weekend that will see him endure another prolonged period on the sideline and his place in the backrow goes to Tongan colossus Chris Hala’ufia.
The Exiles will also be without their in-form fullback Delon Armitage as he has to sit out this match under the England elite player management scheme. Topsy Ojo, their try scorer against Munster, switches to fullback while underage international Jonathan Joseph has been handed his first European start on the right wing.
New Zealander Daniel Bowden replaces Elvis Seveali’i in the centre, with Seilala Mapasua likely to shift to the outside centre role.
Danaher’s contribution is hugely valued by team-mates if not always trumpeted by pundits and his ball winning capabilities and ability to link play will be missed.
Armitage has been in excellent form and Booth has taken a risk in repositioning the exceptionally quick if physically slighter Ojo at fullback.
The Ospreys are likely to test both his mettle and technical ability in the air. The home side are still smarting after having their pockets picked in Toulon, succumbing to a late try conceived and finished by a couple of English internationals in Jonny Wilkinson and Paul Sackey. A bonus point was probably the least the Welsh side deserved on the day.
Scrumhalf Mike Phillips makes his 50th appearance for the Ospreys, while Shane Williams, who scored his team’s try against Toulon, will be looking to celebrate further on the occasion of his 50th European match. Ireland’s Tommy Bowe is named on the right wing having recovered from a slight foot problem.
Ospreys forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys admitted: “Obviously, we were disappointed to lose out in Toulon, particularly having managed to work ourselves into a good position with just a few minutes left.
“That’s the Heineken Cup for you though: the quality of the opposition, particularly in this pool, means that you can’t give them an inch or you will pay the price.
“We know that we face another particularly tough challenge in the shape of London Irish, a quality side who have had a great start to the season, are top of their domestic league and secured that win against Munster. This is a pool that will go down to the wire.
“We were sat in the airport last week following the scores and even though London Irish were pulling away we all felt Munster would get a bonus point, which is how it turned out.”
The disruption to Irish’s team might just sway the issue in the home side’s favour but the Ospreys will be in no doubt that the visitors are multi-dimensional in terms of patterns and ask they showed away to Leinster last season, capable of toughing games out away from home.
Venue: Liberty Stadium Kick-off: Tonight, 8pm On TV: Sky Sports 1
OSPREYS: L Byrne; T Bowe, A Bishop, J Hook, S Williams; D Biggar, M Phillips; P James, R Hibbard, A Jones; R Jones, A Wyn Jones (capt); J Collins, M Holah, J Thomas. Replacements: H Bennett, R Bevington, C Mitchell, I Gough, J Tipuric, J Nutbrown, G Owen, N Walker.
LONDON IRISH: T Ojo; J Joseph, S Mapusua, D Bowden, S Tagicakibau; R Lamb, P Hodgson; C Dermody (capt); J Buckland, F Rautenbach; N Kennedy, B Casey; K Roche, C Hala'ufia, G Stowers. Replacements: D Paice, D Murphy, A Corbisiero, M Garvey, G Johnson, C Malone, Elvis Seveali'i, D Allinson.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon(Ireland)
HC 2010-2011 results so far:Toulon 19 Ospreys 14; London Irish 23 Munster 17.
Leading points scorers: Ospreys– Dan Biggar 9. London Irish– Ryan Lamb 15.
Leading try scorers: Ospreys– S Williams 1. London Irish– Topsy Ojo 1.
Verdict: Ospreys.
