Ospreys vs Glasgow Warriors this Friday...! Teams Announced

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Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors
The Liberty Stadium

Friday, 14/9/12 7:05PM

Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU, 7th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris, Alan Jenkins (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)

Live TV Coverage on both BBCW and BBC ALBA


Ospreys and Glasgow both propping up the bottom of the Rabbo 12 after two rounds and both looking for their first win, and they meet head to head this Friday night.

Ospreys
15 Richard Fussell, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Tom Grabham, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 1 Duncan Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Ian Gough, 5 Ian Evans, 6 George Stowers, 7 Justin Tipuric (Capt), 8 Joe Bearman
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Joe Rees, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Andrew Bishop

Glasgow
15. Peter Murchie, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Peter Horne, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Chris Cusiter, 1 Ryan Grant, 2 Dougie Hall, 3 Mike Cusack, 4 Tom Ryder, 5 Al Kellock (Capt)
6 John Barclay, 7 Chris Fusaro, 8 Ryan Wilson
REPLACEMENTS
16 Finlay Gillies, 17 George Hunter, 18 Gordon Reid, 19 James Eddie, 20 Angus Macdonald, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Sean Lamont

Starting to seem like public opinion rate Glasgows chances of an away win...

Any news on the rumours on other forums that Biggar's thrown a hissy fit and is about to leave?

I've heard that as well and i wouldn't be surprised tbh.

We'd be screwed though, Morgan is not ready yet.

I am still amazed that more peopel have voted for Glasgow. you shoudl pop down to betfair where Ospreys are clear favourites.

justified sinner wrote:Any news on the rumours on other forums that Biggar's thrown a hissy fit and is about to leave?

Biggar is a bit spoilt-child at times, but it would suprise me if he left, and who would have him?

Also lets look at it realistically the Ospreys have lost two games, but last season they lost five and the season before they lost nine. It is not exactly time for them to give up on winning anything and to concentrate on developing youngsters etc. They may have lost a few faces, but give it a chance.

LondonTiger wrote:I am still amazed that more peopel have voted for Glasgow. you shoudl pop down to betfair where Ospreys are clear favourites.

Ha ha ha...!!!

Might have a rumble myself after the hoards have floated Glasgow's odds the other way...!

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

justified sinner wrote:Any news on the rumours on other forums that Biggar's thrown a hissy fit and is about to leave?

Biggar is a bit spoilt-child at times, but it would suprise me if he left, and who would have him?

Also lets look at it realistically the Ospreys have lost two games, but last season they lost five and the season before they lost nine. It is not exactly time for them to give up on winning anything and to concentrate on developing youngsters etc. They may have lost a few faces, but give it a chance.

Racing Metro were willing to pay a lot of money for him

But if he left now obviously there wouldn't be much interest.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

justified sinner wrote:Any news on the rumours on other forums that Biggar's thrown a hissy fit and is about to leave?

Biggar is a bit spoilt-child at times, but it would suprise me if he left, and who would have him?

Also lets look at it realistically the Ospreys have lost two games, but last season they lost five and the season before they lost nine. It is not exactly time for them to give up on winning anything and to concentrate on developing youngsters etc. They may have lost a few faces, but give it a chance.

Apparently Racing Metro are still interested... Big loss for the Ospreys, even if he is a petulant brat. not so big for wales though...!

Racing Metro? I guess that would be a nice bit of compo money for the Ospreys (biggar or racing would have to buy him out of his contract). Although it seems weird talking about leaving a club after two games. I really hope it is just people getting a rumour mill running for nothing.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Racing Metro? I guess that would be a nice bit of compo money for the Ospreys (biggar or racing would have to buy him out of his contract). Although it seems weird talking about leaving a club after two games. I really hope it is just people getting a rumour mill running for nothing.

He's probably just had an argument with Tandy for being dropped. I'm sure he'll stick around for the rest of this season. Unless he breaks into the Welsh team i reckon he'll be gone by next season though.

Didn't Adam Jones and Tandy have a few words pre-season too?

Adam and Tandy had a full on flair up... But Adam said afterwards it was great because they needed it, having been playing mates for ten years someone had to show who was boss...

Tandy seems to have that sort of personality to be honest. In his interviews he comes across as a bit cold.

gowales wrote:Tandy seems to have that sort of personality to be honest. In his interviews he comes across as a bit cold.

Well it was working well last season. Hopefully a few hair driers will get this team back on their feet.

maestegmafia wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:I am still amazed that more peopel have voted for Glasgow. you shoudl pop down to betfair where Ospreys are clear favourites.

Ha ha ha...!!!

Might have a rumble myself after the hoards have floated Glasgow's odds the other way...!

I wouldn't get too het up about our on-line poll, suspect there is a fair bit of leg-pulling going on!

I think the Ospreys will miss P James, it appears he did not ask the earth to extend his contract as he did not want to leave., big loss.

In the last game there was no go forward from the back row with JT playing 8 getting knocked back by the centres, Stowers running across the park when he came on and Bearman dropping the ball in contact. The sooner R Jones gets fit the better, he was a key player last year for the Ospreys and Wales.

I thought T Issacs was poor in both games to date, it seems the Dragons have done well picking up Prydie, he looks class compared with Issacs.

I felt the Ospreys kicked too much from Webb last week (and too far) and got worse when Biggar came on. The sooner the Jones boys and Evans are back the better for a better platform and go forward.

If I remember correctly J Hook could be looking to come back for this time next year as he said he want's his son to start school in this country (if the Ospreys can find the money/sponsorship)!

I also would like to see something of Tom Habberfield, he looks a very exciting prospect, would be great to see him understudy Webb for a couple of seasons.

Yup Ryans going to be a big loss, as is Adam - I still can't believe JT won so many caps...

Given Glasgow's lack of ability (in general and, more specifically, to score tries) you can't see past the Ospreys here. I know they have lost a fair number of players but are there many Glasgow players who would get into the O's team?

Habberfield is better than Foutalaiiiii.

And easier to spell

True, he has a ridiculous surname.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Yup Ryans going to be a big loss, as is Adam - I still can't believe JT won so many caps...

JT was genuinely very good a long time ago

Yup in the days when i still had a waist that didnt block out the sun! shame those games were at least 3 years before his last cap for wales.

Aye true... He had a decent start to the season last year, but he seems to be very lightweight for his size.

We lack choice at the moment. Good lad coming through the ranks called Dan Baker. Played for Wales u20s in the last JWC at 8.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/rugby/fixtures/squad_u18s.php?player=87985&includeref=dynamic

15 Peter Murchie

14 Tommy Seymour
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Peter Horne
11 DTH van der Merwe

10 Duncan Weir
9 Chris Cusiter

1 Ryan Grant
2 Dougie Hall
3 Mike Cusack
4 Tom Ryder
5 Al Kellock (CAPTAIN)
6 John Barclay
7 Chris Fusaro
8 Ryan Wilson

SUBSTITUTES

16 Finlay Gillies
17 George Hunter
18 Gordon Reid
19 James Eddie
20 Angus Macdonald
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Ruaridh Jackson
23 Sean Lamont

Not considered for selection due to injury: Rob Harley (knee), Stuart Hogg (ankle), Ed Kalman (back), Rory Lamont (leg), Moray Low (calf), Pat MacArthur (foot), Tim Swinson (face), Jon Welsh (shoulder)

Pleased to see Townsend having the balls to drop Morrison but would prefer the centres the other way round. It's a very exciting back-line, hopefully the forwards will be able to provide a decent platform.

Would have liked to see MacDonald start at 6 with Barclay at 7 because the back-row looks a bit light-weight.

Any news of how long Low, MacArthur and Lamont are out for?

Cheers RB

maestegmafia wrote:Aye true... He had a decent start to the season last year, but he seems to be very lightweight for his size.

We lack choice at the moment. Good lad coming through the ranks called Dan Baker. Played for Wales u20s in the last JWC at 8.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/rugby/fixtures/squad_u18s.php?player=87985&includeref=dynamic

Yeah Baker is an exciting prospect, the sooner he can come through the better - but it'll prob be next season.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Aye true... He had a decent start to the season last year, but he seems to be very lightweight for his size.

We lack choice at the moment. Good lad coming through the ranks called Dan Baker. Played for Wales u20s in the last JWC at 8.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/rugby/fixtures/squad_u18s.php?player=87985&includeref=dynamic

Yeah Baker is an exciting prospect, the sooner he can come through the better - but it'll prob be next season.

Aye.

He's been doing very well for swansea RFC so far this year and last. Might get a chance in the LV=

Very interesting seeing Horne at 12, can't recall him being selected as a 12 before now. As above, I would have expected Dunbar to be 12 and Horne 13.
Will be looking forward to see how they go as a centre partnership this way round.

Good to see Seymour back in the team too. Had hoped to see Campbell on the bench. Alas no...

Not sure about Low. But club have reported McArthur as being out for at least 3 months, which is a massive loss. Rory Lamont is still out of a few more weeks.

15 Richard Fussell
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Jonathan Spratt
12 Ashley Beck
11 Tom Grabham
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Ian Gough
5 Ian Evans
6 George Stowers
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Joe Rees
19 Alun Wyn Jones
20 Sam Lewis
21 Kahn Fotuali'i
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Andrew Bishop

Tom Grabham makes his first competitive start for the Ospreys

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Ryan Jones - Knee
Eli Walker - Shoulder
James Goode - Groin
Tom Habberfield - Ankle
Tom Isaacs - Dead leg
James King - Shoulder
Tom Smith - Groin
Jonathan Thomas - Hip

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:

"This is an important game for us, against a very good, very powerful and very dangerous Glasgow team. Like us they'll be disappointed at the start they've had, but we know they are a real threat. They were in the PRO12 semis last season, as they were two years ago, and just as we haven't become a bad team on the back of two defeats neither have
they.

"We are well aware that we need to improve from where we've been over the last two weeks but we also know where we are in terms of a long season and the need to balance things out for the squad and take a look at everybody. We've been able to change things about to give some more boys a chance, but we've selected a team good enough to do the
job, just as was the case in the last two games.

"Obviously we've been hugely disappointed by how things have gone but the finger isn't hovering over the panic button. We've reviewed Saturday's game and what went right and wrong on the night. We aren't that far away from where we want to be, but in reality we need big improvements in application, discipline and accuracy if we are going to turn possession and chances into wins. We need to get back to what we were doing at the end of last season, playing mature, intelligent rugby that allowed us to go through the phases and really make it count.

"Hopefully there'll be another big crowd there. The support last Saturday was great and we need the same again to lift the boys and really help them across the line. The difference the supporters can make is huge."

Glad that there is a bit more experience in the pack, particularly the front five with the addition of Duncs... Good lad and a solid loosehead of fifty plus caps for Wales.

JT has a hip injury which does look like a blessing in disguise, certainly going to please a number of supporters on here.

Andrew Bishop and Jonathon Spratt is a tough call, be interesting to see how Spratt delivers with this opportunity.

Happy to see Grabham on the wing and Khan on the bench, though i think I speak for a majority when i say that we would all rather see another guy at fullback instead of Fussell who is just not up to the job at hand.

reallybored wrote:15 Peter Murchie

14 Tommy Seymour
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Peter Horne
11 DTH van der Merwe

10 Duncan Weir
9 Chris Cusiter

1 Ryan Grant
2 Dougie Hall
3 Mike Cusack
4 Tom Ryder
5 Al Kellock (CAPTAIN)
6 John Barclay
7 Chris Fusaro
8 Ryan Wilson

SUBSTITUTES

16 Finlay Gillies
17 George Hunter
18 Gordon Reid
19 James Eddie
20 Angus Macdonald
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Ruaridh Jackson
23 Sean Lamont

Not considered for selection due to injury: Rob Harley (knee), Stuart Hogg (ankle), Ed Kalman (back), Rory Lamont (leg), Moray Low (calf), Pat MacArthur (foot), Tim Swinson (face), Jon Welsh (shoulder)

Pleased to see Townsend having the balls to drop Morrison but would prefer the centres the other way round. It's a very exciting back-line, hopefully the forwards will be able to provide a decent platform.

Would have liked to see MacDonald start at 6 with Barclay at 7 because the back-row looks a bit light-weight.

Any news of how long Low, MacArthur and Lamont are out for?

Sean Lamont and Morrison dropped - big calls from Toonie (and the right ones imo). Bummed about Low and MacArthur being crocked as well now Disappointed that Jedi remains the lock replacement instead of Nick Campbell and agree with you on the back-row, rb

What does Fussell have to do to get dropped? This is getting silly now.

And what does Ross Jones have to do to make it on the bench

Sam Lewis has made the bench which is very exciting.

This looks more like it from Townsend - Morrison (btw anyone else notice the set-to between Kellock and Morrison last Friday - very animated iykwim!) gone and Seymour returned. Did not realise Wee Pat MacArthur's injury was so serious - fweind. Still down to coaching and we remain to be convinced.

Good stuff by Kevin Ferrie in the Herald today who mentions Townsend's appalling statistics - 5 wins out of 29 between the Warriors and Scotland. He is nearly ready to give it the 'I told you so' to the SRU cretins !

Fussell had a good start last week until he got charged down on half time, he seems to take an age to kick/clear the ball. The second half he dropped a simple catch and put the team under pressure resulting in losing the game. I prefer him on the wing instead of Issacs who I thought was poor in both games so far hence he has been dropped.

glamorganalun wrote:Fussell had a good start last week until he got charged down on half time, he seems to take an age to kick/clear the ball. The second half he dropped a simple catch and put the team under pressure resulting in losing the game. I prefer him on the wing instead of Issacs who I thought was poor in both games so far hence he has been dropped.

I agree, he isnt a fullback.

But I am amazed that they continue to play him there when we let Prydie and Davies go in the off season. PRydie is playing very well at the Dragons too

Isaacs is injured, he wasn't dropped willingly. Agreed though, he's looked distinctly unremarkable thus far. Will be interesting to see how Grabham gets along.

Fussell has looked fragile under the high ball ever since they moved him to fullback, I too would like to see him restored to the wing where he was at least consistent throughout his time at Rodney Parade. Need to get to work promoting Ross Jones and sign some cover as Fussell just isn't sufficient.

I cant believe that they let prydie, phillips, davies and gareth owen go following byrnes depature to leave only ross jones as a recognised fb.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I cant believe that they let prydie, phillips, davies and gareth owen go following byrnes depature to leave only ross jones as a recognised fb.

Yep..!

It's a pretty ballsy selection from Townsend, plenty pace and skills in the backs and a fast and mobile pack. Perhaps slightly lightweight, but if Glasgow lose this game, it won't be down to a conservative selection.

Barclay becoming a 6 is something I predicted a couple of years back. With the right 7 and 8 I can see that happening.

Very pleased to see Seymour picked. He deserves it.

Sounds like we have a good game on our hands.

BBC Article


Wing Tom Grabham has his first competitive start as the Ospreys bid for a first win of the season against Glasgow Warriors on Friday.
Centre Jonathan Spatt and fly-half dan Biggar return behind for the hosts.
Up front Duncan Jones, Ian Evans, George Stowers and Joe Bearman come in for the Ospreys.
Injuries mean Glasgow are without Rob Harley, Stuart Hogg, Ed Kalman, Rory Lamont, Moray Low, Pat MacArthur, Tim Swinson and Jon Welsh.
Prop Adam Jones and versatile back-five player Ryan Jones are both ruled out by knee injuries for the Ospreys.
Grabham takes over on the right wing for dead leg victim Tom Isaacs, Spratt is in for Andrew Bishop and Biggar takes the 10 jersey from Matthew Morgan.
Veteran Duncan Jones comes in at Ryan Bevington's expense while Evans' lock return sees skipper Alun Wyn Jones drop to the bench.
Lock Jones' armband goes to openside flanker Justin Tipuric.
Alongside Tipuric in the back-row in which James King's shoulder injury gives Stowers a chance while Bearman comes in for Jonathan Thomas, who has a hip problem.
The Ospreys lost 12-6 at Treviso as their title defence began and last weekend Ulster won 16-13 in Swansea.
Glasgow's season has also started with two defeats, losing 18-13 to Scarlets and 18-10 to Ulster.
Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy, who insists his side are not suffering an early-season crisis, said: "This is an important game for us, against a very good, very powerful and very dangerous Glasgow team.
"Like us they'll be disappointed at the start they've had, but we know they are a real threat.
"They were in the Pro12 semis last season, as they were two years ago, and just as we haven't become a bad team on the back of two defeats neither have they.
"We are well aware that we need to improve from where we've been over the last two weeks, but we also know where we are in terms of a long season and the need to balance things out for the squad and take a look at everybody.
"We've been able to change things about to give some more boys a chance, but we've selected a team good enough to do the job, just as was the case in the last two games.

Really excited to see this Glasgow team, especially the centres.

Assume that Dunbar will be the main source of go forward ball but it'll be interesting to see how Horne goes.

There's pace in the back-three, so hopefully the midfield can create some opportunities for them to show it.

rb, I'm hoping that Horne and Dunbar ignore the numbers on their back and that the latter plays at IC and the former at OC

ASbo, They've both played there before and are known quantities in those positions. The fact that they've been switched is weird I agree, but as experiments go, I'm really looking forward to seeing how they get on.

I'm really looking forward to this match. Both teams are in the same situation in the table and need to get their season started quickly.

Both have picked fast sides