Ospreys Team vs Ulster

The Ospreys team for the opening game vs Ulster has been named and it’s, um, interesting.

No Byrne, no Bowe, no Adam Jones, no AWJ, Byrne, Shane and Paul James on the bench.  This is hardly a first choice line up – yet again showing the problem with starting a league with low key games.  How different would it be for a derby match where the whole country is watching?

That is not to say there isn’t plenty of interest.  How Gareth Owen has developed over the summer, Ben Lewis (hopefully) getting some regional game time after a horrid time with injury and the debut of Fussel are highlights for me – and a lot of people I know are interested in seeing how JT performs at 8.  But I would rather a stronger set up for the first game, look to get us some momentum going forward.

Major worry?  Where is the creative spark going to come from?

15 Gareth Owen

14 Nikki Walker

13 Sonny Parker

12 Andrew Bishop

11 Richard Fussell

10 Dan Biggar

9 Jamie Nutbrown

1Ryan Bevington

2 Mefin Davies

3 Craig Mitchell

4 Ian Gough

5 Ian Evans

6 Jerry Collins (Capt)

7 Marty Holah

8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements

16 Huw Bennett

17 Paul James

18 Cai Griffiths

19 James Goode

20 Ben Lewis

21 Rhys Webb

22 Lee Byrne

23 Shane Williams

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Ryan Jones – Bone bruise

Richard Hibbard – Ribs

Morgan Allen – Back

Tom Smith – Shoulder

Rory Pitman – Knee

Tom Isaacs – Knee

Richard Kelly – Knee

James Hook – Shoulder

Barry Davies – Groin

Scott Baldwin – Foot

Jonathan Spratt – ACL