LV= Cup- Ospreys v Quins

::Match Preview by Ospreys RugbyOspreys team to play HarlequinsThe Ospreys team to play Harlequins at the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field on Sunday 3rd February, KO 17.00, is as follows:15 Jamie Murphy
14 Tom Grabham

13 Jonathan Spratt

12 Ben John

11 Dafydd Howells

10 Matthew Morgan

9 Rhys Webb (Capt)

1 Marc Thomas

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Campbell Johnstone

4 Lloyd Peers

5 Sam Williams

6 Jonathan Thomas

7 Arthur Ellis

8 Morgan Allen

REPLACEMENTS

16 Matthew Dwyer

17 Duncan Jones

18 Dmitri Arhip

19 Ian Gough

20 George Stowers

21 Dan Baker

22 Tom Habberfield

23 Kahn Fotuali'i

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:

"Sunday is a big day and big occasion for both the region and for Bridgend in particular, with the best team in England coming to the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field.

"I've got great memories from my time as Head Coach at Bridgend Ravens so I'm particularly delighted to be taking an Ospreys team there, and with seven Bridgend boys in the starting line-up I'd expect to see the Bridgend public turning out to get behind their region. I know the boys can't wait to play there again.

"Bridgend is crucial to us moving forward, we can't underestimate the importance of the district to Ospreys Rugby on or off the field. It is a hot bed of rugby talent and it's important that clubs and players in the Bridgend community can see that they are part of the pathway, and that individuals who work hard and have the potential can achieve their ambition of representing their region. Playing games like this in Bridgend also allow youngsters a chance to watch their region at their local rugby club and that can only be a positive thing.

"This is the start of the crucial period for us. We are minus nine players away with the senior squad, seven with the U20s, and there are a number of key players still on the injury list, so it is this group of players we will be looking to to build some momentum over the coming weeks, starting on Sunday and then moving into a tough month of PRO12 rugby where we have three games in Ireland in the space of four weeks. Unlike some of the teams who we face this month, we don't have the level of central funding to allow us to supplement our considerable local talent with a substantial amount of world class players, so it's going to be difficult, but one thing you can guarantee with this group is they will give everything for the cause in these games and will leave nothing out on the field.

"Harlequins will provide a really difficult test for us. They aren't top of the Premiership and current champions, and top seeds in Europe for nothing. They have a quality squad and come to Bridgend looking for a result that could see them through to the top four so it's going to be a good game. It's a challenge but our preparation for the game has been good, the players know what is expected of them and that they need to be at their best if we are going to get the level of performance needed to get anything out of this match."

Forthcoming Fixtures

Fri 8 Feb - 19.05 KO - Ulster v Ospreys - RaboDirect PRO12

Fri 15 Feb - 19.45 KO - Connacht v Ospreys - RaboDirect PRO12

Fri 22 Feb - 20.10KO - Ospreys v Edinburgh- RaboDirect PRO12

Sat 2 Mar - 18.30 KO - Munster v Ospreys - RaboDirect PRO12



The Londoners will be looking for a performance to top the seeding from the group stages and secure a home semi-final in the competition.

Fly-half Rory Clegg, who is currently on loan/ dual registration with Leeds Carnegie, returns for this fixture after playing a key role for the RFU Championship side against Jersey, Leinster 'A' and Bristol.

With Tom Casson picking up a minor knock in last week's victory over London Welsh, Ben Botica moves to inside centre.

Ross Chisholm starts at full-back having made his comeback from injury last week. Chisholm's injury was sustained in the Aviva Premiership victory over Leicester Tigers.

There are no changes to the forward pack, with "LV= Breakthrough Player of the Year" nominees Joe Trayfoot and captain Luke Wallace combining with Tom Guest in the back row.

Among the replacements, James Johnston and Maurie Fa'asavalu are named in the absence of Kyle Sinckler and Jack Clifford to the England U20s.

Harlequins Team
15. Ross Chisholm
14. Seb Stegmann
13. Matt Hopper
12. Ben Botica
11. Sam Smith
10. Rory Clegg
9. Karl Dickson

1. Mark Lambert
2. Dave Ward
3. Will Collier
4. Sam Twomey
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Joe Trayfoot
7. Luke Wallace (C)
8. Tom Guest

16. Harry Allen
17. Darryl Marfo
18. James Johnston
19. Charlie Walker
20. Maurie Fa'asavalu
21. Jordan Burns
22. Louis Grimoldby
23. Ollie Lindsay-Hague

Clearly looking to run the ball with 4 backs subs!

Looks like a quality team that's been put out, do we need to win to go through or pick up a bp or what?

Should be interesting to see how Clegg goes, he might be expecting to come back and make a statement.

Is that a strong Ospreys team? I'm not sure about most of the names.

No idea abour most of the Ospreys players.

Though, their 7 Arthur Ellis is a former England age group hooker, who was on the books for Wasps. He played for Cardiff at the Varsity match a few years ago, and looks quite good. Obviously made the switch over the Severn.

Forgot to add, good Harlequins team, but they've got such good depth it's expected.

Beast of a bench too.

I think a BP win guarantees we go through, not sure about a normal win. Despite being a strong side, it's still very young and arguably lacks a single starter. I expect this team or thereabouts to contest the LV Cup, the full team the HEC and a mix in the league

For those wondering, it's a very inexperienced Ospreys team. Murphy, Howells, Williams and Baker all made their debuts lasts week, while a couple more like Marc Thomas and Ellis only have three or four appearances, mostly LV. Despite that, the main concerns for me come from the more senior players. Webb was given a chance to impress last week, both as a 9 and a captain, and didn't take it. I think he's lucky to get another one. Tom Habberfield from the bench is the one to watch, he'll be putting pressure on Webb in the very near future, if he isn't already.

Given the nature of the team, the competition and the fact we're depending on other results anyway, I have no expectations about the result. I'll be happy to see another strong effort and a few of the younger players stepping up for what will be a very tough international window - we travel to Ireland three times in the league during the 6N.

ChequeredJersey wrote:I think a BP win guarantees we go through, not sure about a normal win. Despite being a strong side, it's still very young and arguably lacks a single starter. I expect this team or thereabouts to contest the LV Cup, the full team the HEC and a mix in the league

CJ, I think any kind of win sees you thru, buddy - Exe need you to lose, and even then we might need a tBP to get thru. Also Saints are sending the big boys to SP, whereas we're mainly fielding a bench/A selection - reckon you're safe

A question for Quins fans; is Kohn a big ball carrying forward for your team?

Morgannwg wrote:A question for Quins fans; is Kohn a big ball carrying forward for your team?

In the tight, he carries a fair bit. He's nearly 22 stone of mostly muscle with good hands, he can carry!

Well, didn't win that in style but we still won and the hunt for trophies continues on all 3 fronts! Commiseration, Ospreys fans, best of luck in the RABO

Then Kohn needs to start for Wales in Paris.

Morgannwg wrote:A question for Quins fans; is Kohn a big ball carrying forward for your team?

Kohn is the kind of big unit you'll want to help nullify the massive French pack.

Well done to the O's for a very tenacious game, Morgan again looked class. Pleased with that result for Quins, another case of doing exactly what's needed in poor conditions to win.

Top of the prem with most tries, top of the Heiny table with most tries and now a home playoff slot in the LV.

If Kohn is as good as people say then why is he not in the England set up?

Injury at a bad time. Relatively late start. Playing as a lump/bulk enforcer for Quins which isn't fashionable. General coaching belief in athletic not huge locks. Was too old by the time Lancaster came along

Deacon pretty much does what Kohn does and plays for Leicester too

When Olly came to Quins it was off the back of a bad knee injury, IIRC, and a couple of years later he had another bad one that kept him out for a season. I remember chatting to him at the Jolly Hog at the end of that season and him saying he wanted to reward their faith with a big season the following year. Which he delivered, and has gone on to deliver in the following two years.

Unfortunately, he was too late to get noticed for the 2011 RWC cycle, and too old to register in Stuart Lancaster's plans. One of the reason Quins fans are so delighted at his revelation of a Welsh grandpa is that it's given him international recognition that we all thought had passed him by. He has been a great servant of the club on and off the pitch.

Poorfour wrote:When Olly came to Quins it was off the back of a bad knee injury, IIRC, and a couple of years later he had another bad one that kept him out for a season. I remember chatting to him at the Jolly Hog at the end of that season and him saying he wanted to reward their faith with a big season the following year. Which he delivered, and has gone on to deliver in the following two years.

Unfortunately, he was too late to get noticed for the 2011 RWC cycle, and too old to register in Stuart Lancaster's plans. One of the reason Quins fans are so delighted at his revelation of a Welsh grandpa is that it's given him international recognition that we all thought had passed him by. He has been a great servant of the club on and off the pitch.

Spot on

Poorfour wrote:When Olly came to Quins it was off the back of a bad knee injury, IIRC, and a couple of years later he had another bad one that kept him out for a season. I remember chatting to him at the Jolly Hog at the end of that season and him saying he wanted to reward their faith with a big season the following year. Which he delivered, and has gone on to deliver in the following two years.

Unfortunately, he was too late to get noticed for the 2011 RWC cycle, and too old to register in Stuart Lancaster's plans. One of the reason Quins fans are so delighted at his revelation of a Welsh grandpa is that it's given him international recognition that we all thought had passed him by. He has been a great servant of the club on and off the pitch.

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