MAGNERS LEAGUE: Ospreys v Leinster THE CLASH of two teams expected to contest the new end of season play-offs in the Magners League throws together a largely full-strength Welsh franchise – Shane Williams is still missing – against a Leinster side still shorn several of their front-line players.
The Ospreys welcome back Welsh fullback Lee Byrne, playing his first competitive match since picking up an injury that prematurely ended his Lions tour during the summer. He admitted: “I’m really looking forward to getting back out there on Friday. I’ve been back in training a few months now and I’m feeling in good shape, there’s no injury problems or hangover from the tour. It’ always good to have a good break, but there’s only so much training you can do, there’s no substitute for game time and I’m ready to play.”
Ireland’s Tommy Bowe, a replacement last week, is handed a starting role, while fellow Lions Mike Phillips and Alun-Wyn Jones are named on the bench.
The Welsh side anticipate an open, expansive game manifest in the decision to include Jonathan Thomas – he would be primarily a flanker – in the secondrow alongside Ian Gough and opting to leave the physically powerful Filo Tiatia on the bench in favour of a tearaway unit that includes the greater mobility of former All Blacks Jerry Collins and captain, Marty Holah.
Leinster coach Michael Cheika has made several alterations to the side that beat the Dragons at the RDS last week, promoting Gordon D’Arcy, Nathan Hines and Eoin Reddan; the latter pair making their first starts. Stan Wright and Malcolm O’Kelly come back into the pack. David Kearney retains his place on the left wing.
Isa Nacewa, who scored Leinster’s only try against the Dragons, knows the team will have to improve appreciably on last weekend’s performance but is confident the Irish province can do so.
“There was a bit of talk about the challenges facing us with three of the first four games being away from home, but we know the confidence that breeds from winning on the road. It helps morale, sets you up for the challenges ahead and, most importantly, it gets you up the Magners League table.”
The Ospreys lost to Ulster at home last week and that performance should act as a galvanising factor. Leinster will choose to take heart from the fact they have beaten the Ospreys on the last four occasions that the teams have met, including twice at the Liberty Stadium, although they’ve lost their last four games on the road.
The Ospreys were very lacklustre against Ulster and that’s a state of affairs unlikely to be repeated. Given the team they will field is closer to a first-choice outfit than the visitors, the Welsh side should have a little bit too much in hand.
OSPREYS:L Byrne; T Bowe, J Spratt, A Bishop, N Walker; J Hook, J Nutbrown; D Jones, H Bennett, C Mitchell; I Gough, J Thomas; J Collins, M Holah (capt), T Smith. Replacements: R Hibbard, P James, A W Jones, F Tiatia, M Phillips, D Biggar, G Owen.
LEINSTER:I Nacewa; S Horgan, G D'Arcy, S Berne, D Kearney; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, J Fogarty, S Wright; N Hines, M O'Kelly; K McLaughlin, S Jennings (capt), S O'Brien. Replacements (from): B Jackman, M Ross, L Cullen, D Toner, Stephen Keogh, C Keane, F McFadden, Simon Keogh.
Referee:P Allan (Scotland)
Verdict:Ospreys to win.
