Ospreys to finally unleash the ‘beast’
THE Ospreys are finally ready to unleash their very own beast from the east, with the 21st Moldovan Gheorghe Gajion set to figure in the European Challenge Cup clash against Stade Francais in Paris this evening, writes Mark Orders.
The 6ft 3in prop’s regional bow has been delayed by a hamstring problem he sustained in the summer.
But he figured for Bridgend in their surprise Principality Premiership win over Aberavon last weekend and caught the eye with his scrummaging.
Now he is set to step up for the Ospreys, with coach Allen Clarke naming him on the bench for the date in the French capital.
The Welsh region will hope Gajion eventually morphs into the kind of asset Dmitri Arhip became.
Like Gajion, Arhip arrived in Swansea as an unknown. But in time he turned into one of the most feared props in the Guinness PRO14.
The Ospreys are top of their European pool after two wins from their first three matches, including the 51-20 success over Stade last weekend.
A win in France would leave them handily placed to push for a place in the knock-out stages.
They opt to leave out Wales internationals Justin Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones, Adam Beard, Owen Watkin, Aled Davies and George North, while Nicky Smith and Dan Lydiate are injured.
The selection is in keeping with Clarke’s policy this season of targeting games and ensuring individuals are not over-played.
James Hook lines up at fly-half and Scott Baldwin figures at hooker.
Olly Cracknell leads the side from blindside flanker, with Sam Cross at No. 7.
Like Gajion, promising lock Will Griffiths will make his Ospreys debut if he appears off the bench.
“We are expecting the game in Paris to be a difficult challenge,” said Clarke.
“The team selected is one we believe in strongly, and feel that it has what it takes to deliver this weekend. We have plenty of experience through the spine of the team, and some exciting young talent that is determined to perform on the big stage. It was important to get this phase of the season off to a positive start last Saturday but now we need to build on it in the Stade JeanBouin on Friday night.”
Dan Evans; H Dirksen, C Allen, J Kotze, K Giles; J Hook, T Habberfield; R Jones, S Baldwin, T Botha, L Ashley, J King, O Cracknell (capt), R McCusker, S Cross. Reps: S Parry, G Thomas, G Gajion, W Griffiths, G Volpi, H Morgan, C Evans, J Thomas.
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