Good Evans slots in to boost Ospreys firepower

THE Ospreys have recalled Hanno Dirksen and restored Dan Evans to full-back as they search for the attacking firepower they need to trouble Clermont Auvergne in the crucial Champions Cup encounter at Stade Marcel Michelin this afternoon (3.15pm).

It means Sam Davies drops to the bench.

Evans, the joint-top try scorer in the Champions Cup season with six, has been playing on the wing in recent weeks but hasn’t been effective as at the back.

He is now reinstated in his preferred position, where the Welsh region hope his eye for a gap and pace from deep will help spur them in the Pool 2 clash.

The hard-running Dirksen comes in on the right wing after a spell out of the side. Victory by four match points would take Steve Tandy’s team through to the quarter-finals.

Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy said: “It’s set up to be a huge game and a fantastic opportunity for the boys to go out and show what they are about on a big stage, against the French champions, at their place.

“The European Cup provides any team with a real challenge and when you kick off the campaign all you can aim for is to be still involved in Round 6 and that’s where we are at.

“We’ve seen plenty of character and spirit throughout the pool stage but it’s been about more than just that. We’ve played with adventure, scored some great tries, and really taken the game to some very good teams.

“Our reward is going to Clermont with our destiny in our own hands.