Coach Sean Holley has confirmed the Ospreys team to play Benetton Treviso, including Test players Tommy Bowe, Sonny Parker, Dan Biggar, Duncan Jones, Ian Gough, Ian Evans, Nikki Walker and Jerry Collins, at Stadio Comunale di Monigo, kick off at 5.30pm (local time). Holley, said: “It’s going to be a difficult 80 minutes that’s for certain. Treviso have shown their ability this season, not least last weekend with a great win over Munster, so it’s clear we have to be ready to go there and front up. They are a proud and well-established club with real ambition, and their introduction to the Magners League has been a real success. They are a dangerous team, and their record at home this season is excellent, they’ve won six games including Munster last weekend so we know what’s in store.
“The current squad has shown over the last few weeks what they are capable of achieving and this will be another stern test for them, that’s for sure. The players have set high standards for themselves, they are achieving what we expect from the Ospreys, which is an exciting brand of rugby. We don’t want to be their next scalp, so the challenge is there for the players. It’s important that we perform as we know we can, play as a team and get the basics right. If we don’t do that then it will be a very uncomfortable afternoon.”
15 Richard Fussell
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Sonny Parker
12 Ashley Beck
11 Nikki Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Duncan Jones
2 Huw Bennett
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Ian Gough
5 Ian Evans
6 Tom Smith
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Jerry Collins
Replacements
16 Mefin Davies
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Craig Cross
19 Andy Lloyd
20 James King
21 Jamie Nutbrown
22 Dai Flanagan
23 Tom Isaacs
Craig Cross will make his Ospreys Magners League debut if he comes off the bench
The following players were not considered because of injury:
Jonathan Spratt – ACL
Conor McInerney – Knee
Andrew Bishop – Ankle
Adam Jones – Elbow
Barry Davies – Groin
Marty Holah – Ribs
Hanno Dirksen – Shoulder
10 players were unavailable on international duty with Wales