Preview: Glasgow v Ospreys
Jamie Nutbrown will make his first start for the Ospreys when they travel to Firhill on Friday to take on Glasgow in the Magners League.
Jamie Nutbrown will make his first start for the Ospreys when they travel to Firhill on Friday to take on Glasgow in the Magners League.
Nutbrown's inclusion is just one of twelve changes from the side that beat Cardiff Blues on Tuesday, as the Ospreys enter their third game in seven days.
Coach Sean Holley is looking to keep his side fresh, which explains why Andrew Bishop is the only survivor in the backs from Tuesday's victory. Wales U20 products Daniel Biggar and Gareth Owen start at fly-half and full-back respectively, whilst David Bishop completes his return from injury at outside centre.
In the forwards it is all change in the front row, with Paul James, Ed Shervington and Cai Griffiths all getting the nod to start, along with Ian Gough in the second row.
Filo Tiatia is the only member of the back row to retain his place, and will be joined by Tom Smith and former All Black Marty Holah.
Holley knows his players face a tough task but expects them to rise to the challenge.
“There's no doubt that it's been a difficult week with three matches in just seven days and the travelling to Ireland and Scotland thrown in for good measure, and it is providing a true test of our squad depth,” Holley said.
“Nevertheless, we are once again able to name a strong team and bench for the challenge that Glasgow will undoubtedly present.”
Glasgow coach Sean Lineen has stuck with the same twenty-two that beat the Dragons at Rodney Parade last week.
He praised them for their efforts away from home and is looking forward to seeing how they fare against the Ospreys, who are unbeaten this season.
“The boys did well in Wales,” Lineen said.
“However Friday's game is a step-up in class from last weekend.
“The Ospreys are a quality team and have had two good wins, but we want to test ourselves against the best. They're pretty formidable but the boys are raring to go.
“It's very important that we get off to a winning start at home in front of our own fans, who will all have to play their part as well.”
Form: Glasgow Warriors are in the midst of their best ever winning run in the league with six straight victories since a 18-34 reversal to Leinster at the RDS on 21 March. The Warriors' last defeat at Firhill in the Magners League was 16-18 to the Dragons on 4 January. The Ospreys beat Cardiff Blues on Tuesday to make it two wins from two this season. The Welshmen are winless against Scottish opponents since beating Glasgow 37-23 at Liberty Stadium on 30 September 2007. The last four matches between the two sides have been won by the home side on the day. The Ospreys only win on Glasgow soil was 22-8 at Old Anniesland on 27 January 2006. Dan Parks needs just three more points to pass David Humphreys' record for total league points in a career.
Prediction: A tough one to call. Glasgow are ever improving and will fancy taking this one at home. On the other hand the Ospreys have two wins to date, although this will be their third game inside seven days, which could be crucial. Glasgow by 8.
The Teams:
Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Max Evans, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mark McMillan, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Alastair Kellock (c), 4 Tim Barker, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Eric Milligan, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Opeta Palepoi, 19 Stevie Swindall, 20 Colin Gregor, 21 Andrew Henderson, 22 Ruaridh Jackson.
Ospreys: 15 Gareth Owen, 14 Johnny Vaughton, 13 David Bishop, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Daniel Biggar, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Filo Tiatia, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Tom Smith, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Cai Griffiths, 2 Ed Shervington, 1 Paul James (c).
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Andy Lloyd, 19 Jonathan Thomas, 20 Rhys Webb, 21 James Hook, 22 Kristian Phillips.
Date: Friday 12 September, 2008
Kick-off: 19:30 BST (18:30 GMT)
Venue: Firhill
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Stefano Penne (Italy), Ronnie Dumma (Scotland)