Glasgow challenge is reward for the Ospreys
OSPREYS coach Allen Clarke has made three changes as he looks for his side to conquer a big challenge against Glasgow at the Liberty Stadium tonight (7.35pm).
Clarke says selection is a reward for the region, shorn of their international players, who produced a fine 22-17 victory over Connacht last time out.
In the trio of changes, Tom Habberfield replaces Harri Morgan at scrumhalf, Ma’afu Fia starts in the front row instead of Tom Botha and, with Dav Lydiate playing for Wales, captain Olly Cracknell switches to six and Will Jones comes in.
On the bench, hooker Sam Parry will make his 100th PRO league appearance if he comes on, while prop Gareth Thomas is in line for his 50th game in an Ospreys shirt,
Coach Clarke, who this week saw Bradley Davies and Lesley Klim join a lengthy injury list, knows it will be tough against Glasgow.
He said: “Selection this week is a reward for last week’s performance and the win over Connacht.
!It’s a big challenge on Friday night against the Conference leaders, a team with real strength in depth.
“We’ve had a good training week and that needs to translate into performance on game day.
“The players have challenged themselves to continue raising the bar and are looking forward to going again, against the in-form team in the league, who are consistently one of the best teams in the PRO14.”
Prop Rhodri Jones, will who will again start in the front row, says he is looking forward to the battle up front with the Glasgow forwards.
“We will be looking to show we can back up last week’s win, but we know it’s going to be a tough challenge,
“They have a good forward pack, doing well in Europe. They have a good driving lineout and good scrum and we have to make sure we’re on the money against them.
“It’s a big challenge, but the sort you want as a player.”
Jones, who has 17 Wales caps, is enjoying a good run of games and added: “I have been involved every week, either starting or on the bench, and I feel I’m getting a bit of momentum and a bit of form.
Hopefully that’ll continue for the rest of the season.
“I feel better in myself and a bot more confidence in my game because obviously the more you play, the better you feel.”
USA international Tevita Tameilau will make his first start for Glasgow Warriors, while lock Rob Harley and hooker George Turner have ben released from the Scotland squad to play.
Former Scarlets wing DTH van der Merwe returns, but Sam Johnson has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury.
Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie said: “Ospreys are right on our tails in the Conference and are playing really well. We’ll need to reach the same levels of physicality we have done in our last three games to get the performance we expect.”
Ospreys: D Evans; H Dirksen, C Allen, T Thomas-Wheeler, K Giles; S Davies, T Habberfield; R Jones, S Otten, M Fia, L Ashley, J King, O Cracknell (c), W Jones, R McCusker. Reps: S Parry, G Thomas, T Botha, J Ratti, G Volip, M Aubrey, J Hook, T Williams.
R Jackson; DTH Van der Merwe, N Grigg, S McDowall, R Hughes; B Thomason, N Frisby; O Kebble, G Turner, D Rae, R Harley, S Cummings, A Ashe, C Gibbins (c), T Tameilau. Reps: G Stewart, J Bhatti, A Nicol, K McDonald, M Smith, B Flockhart, P Kelly, N Matawalu. Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
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