Preview: Biarritz v Ospreys
It will be D-Day at Estadio Anoeta this Saturday as the Ospreys travel to face Biarritz for their make-or-break Heineken Cup battle in Spain.
It will be D-Day at Estadio Anoeta this Saturday as the Ospreys travel to face Biarritz in a make-or-break Heineken Cup battle in northern Spain.
That aforementioned 'D' will arguably stand for 'Discipline' this weekend, which is expected to be the buzz word for the international-filled Welsh, who must put their Magners League fixture call-off saga firmly to one side if they are to stand any chance whatsoever of upsetting the clinical Basques in their own back yard.
Make no bones about it, the Ospreys face a stern examination against a team that boasts Imanol Harinordoquy – the people's Six Nations Player of the Tournament – and the unforgiving Dimitri Yachilli, who will crucify them from the tee if they are not ruthlessly cool for the full 80 minutes.
But if they can put in an error-free performance and in doing so make the French come out of their shell a little more than they usually would do, then the Ospreys certainly have a chance of setting up a home semi-final against either Munster or Northampton. What a gift that would be to recovering coach Scott Johnson, who makes the trip over for the game after recovering from a recent illness.
His team selection sees one enforced change as Huw Bennett replaces Richard Hibbard at hooker due to the latter being ruled out for the season with a knee problem this past week.
“Johnno went down to see Biarritz at the Estadio Anoeta against Toulouse two weeks ago, and what he saw confirmed our homework about them really,” said Head Coach Sean Holley.
“They are a well organised, well coached team that have a lot of threats. They have the form player in Europe at the moment in Harinordoquy, and some seasoned pro's that have led them into this stage of the competition many times before.
“It's going to be a real challenge, but we are really excited about it. This is what we are all involved in professional rugby for, big occasions like this weekend, and Saturday afternoon can't come soon enough for the group.”
Biarritz meanwhile are boosted by the return of France loosehead Fabien Barcella, who takes a bench spot behind starter Eduard Coetzee.
The side is blessed with talent, notably at centre where Damien Traille is partnered by former rugby league star Karmichael Hunt, while former England international Iain Balshaw joins Ilikena Bolakoro and an in-form Takudzwa Ngwenya at the back.
The teams:
Biarritz: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Ilikena Bolakoro, 10 Julien Peyrelongue, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Florian Faure, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Benoit August, 1 Eduard Coetzee.
Replacements: 16 Romain Terrain, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Rémy Hugues, 19 Trevor Hall, 20 Fabien Alexandre, 21 Valentin Courrent, 22 Arnaud Mignardi, 23 Jean-Baptiste Gobelet.
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 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 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Filo Tiatia, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 Sonny Parker, 23 Nikki Walker.
Date: Saturday, April 10
Kick-off: 16:00 (15:00 BST)
Venue: Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Chris White (England), Dudley Philips (Ireland)
Television match official: Brian Fitzgerald (Ireland)