Planet Rugby

Preview: Ospreys v Clermont

16th October 2009 12:48

Brock James clermont under lights

Refreshed: Brock James

The Ospreys have made two changes to their starting XV ahead of Sunday's Heineken Cup meeting with Clermont.

Due to the injury sustained to Lee Byrne, the Welsh region have named Barry Davies at 15 while Duncan Jones comes in for Paul James.

"Sunday's game gives us a chance to build on the two points we earned up at Leicester last weekend," said Head Coach Sean Holley.

"The initial reaction to the draw was one of disappointment, we realised that we'd had a clear chance to get a great away win, but looking at it in the cold light of day you realise that it's not such a bad result.

"We haven't perhaps had the credit that we deserve for some aspects of the performance, and for ensuring that, on paper, we have had a better start to the group than we did last year.

"I'd expect the group to go down to the wire, like it did last season, so ultimately, being just a point behind Leicester at this stage could prove to be hugely important."

Meanwhile, the French giants have handed a recall to fly-half Brock James following Brent Russell's outing against Viadana last weekend.

And when questioned before the team announcement regarding the strengths that Clermont possess, Holley will no doubt have prepared for this powerful back-line.

"We can expect them to bring an uncompromising pack, big fast wingers and a real intent to challenge for the competition this year, just as they are in their own league," he continued.

"They have one of, if not the strongest squads in Europe, and it should be an intriguing match. There's everything to play for, for both sides, and we know that we will have to be on top of our game."

The teams:

Ospreys: 15 Barry Davies, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (capt), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Cai Griffiths, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Filo Tiatia, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 Andrew Bishop, 23 Sonny Parker.

Clermont: 15 Aurélien Rougerie, 14 Benoît Baby, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Seremaïa Bai, 11 Napolini Vonowale Nalaga, 10 Brock James, 9 Kevin Senio, 8 Elvis Vermeulen, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Julien Bonnaire, 5 Thibaut Privat, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 3 Martin Scelzo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Vincent Debaty, 19 Jason White, 20 Julien Bardy, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Brent Russell, 23 Gavin Williams.

Date: Sunday, October 18
Kick-off: 12:45 BST
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Sean Davey(England), Peter Huckle (England)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)

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