Preview: Leicester v Ospreys
The Ospreys will be without Gavin Henson for their Heineken Cup trip to Welford Road, where they take on Leicester this Sunday, due to an internal ban.
The Ospreys will be without Gavin Henson for their Heineken Cup trip to Welford Road, where they take on Leicester this Sunday, due to an internal ban.
Henson, who has only just returned from a long-term injury, has been banned for two games for what is being explained as a rugby-related internal disciplinary decision.
To that end, the centre pairing sees Ireland's Tommy Bowe team up with young Andrew Bishop, with Nikki Walker and Shane Williams occupying the wing berths.
Up front Richard Hibbard is preferred to Huw Bennett at hooker, with the latter settling for a place on the bench, whilst Ryan Jones captains the side from number eight.
“Everybody within the Ospreys camp is looking forward to renewing what has become a healthy rivalry with Leicester,” coach Sean Holley said.
“We have the utmost respect for their playing and coaching staff, and for what the club has achieved over the years, and in particular in the Heineken Cup.
“They've made a good start to the current season and are playing some great rugby under their new coach Heyneke Meyer. We know that we can expect a real test on Sunday. We see Welford Road as being a great place to start this year's campaign, there will be a great atmosphere there as always.”
Meyer, who will take charge of his first Heineken Cup game on Sunday, fields a strong side.
Martin Corry returns to captain the team, playing alongside fellow England international Ben Kay in the second row, while Marcos Ayerza, Benjamin Kayser and Julian White form an all-international front row.
Ben Woods makes his first Heineken Cup appearance for the club at openside, with Tom Croft and Jordan Crane returning to the back row.
Harry Ellis teams up with Toby Flood at half-back, and Aaron Mauger and Dan Hipkiss continue their partnership at centre. Johne Murphy, Matt Smith and Geordan Murphy form the back three.
Richard Blaze returns from injury to take his place among the replacements, where he is joined by Derick Hougaard and Alesana Tuilagi who both started last weekend's win over Bath in the EDF Energy Cup.
Form: Leicester have enjoyed a strong start to their season, with four wins from a possible five in the Guinness Premiership – their only defeat coming at home against Wasps. The Ospreys, just as their opponents, have won four from five in the Magners League – with their only defeat coming at the hands of Leinster.
Prediction: What a cracker this game is set to be. It is almost too close to call, but with home advantage you have to fancy Leicester to pip their old rivals. Leicester by 2.
The Teams:
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Ben Woods, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Martin Corry (c), 3 Julian White, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Marco Wentzel, 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Derick Hougaard, 22 Alesana Tuilagi.
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Rhodri Wells, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Filo Tiatia, 20 Tom Smith, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Daniel Biggar.
Date: Sunday 12 October, 2008
Kick-off: 13:00 BST (12:00 GMT)
Venue: Welford Road
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges: David Wilkinson (Ireland), S Flannery (Ireland)
Television match official: B Fitzgerald (Ireland)