Preview: Ospreys v Edinburgh

Rob Moffat has made five changes to Edinburgh's starting line-up for the Magners League leaders trip to face Ospreys on Sunday.

Rob Moffat has made five changes to Edinburgh's starting line-up for the league leaders trip to the Liberty Stadium to face Ospreys on Sunday.

Following last Saturday's narrow home loss to European champions Leinster, Edinburgh are still top of the table and have scored 30 more points than any other team in the competition.

Now Moffat has decided to inject some fresh faces into his line-up with Chris Paterson, Ben Cairns, Kyle Traynor, Ross Ford and Roddy Grant replaced by Steve Jones, John Houston, Allan Jacobsen, Andrew Kelly and Scott Newlands respectively.

The Edinburgh Head Coach stresses the reasoning behind the changes was because of a need to manage the overall fitness level of the squad rather than down to individual efforts.

“There have been some tough selection decisions to make and, make no mistake about it the side chosen is not an experimental team,” said Moffat.

“We have selected the team we believe can go to the Ospreys and win while also managing the well-being of the whole squad.

“You will see very few teams in the Magners League pick the same starting line-up every week and we need to maximise the resources from within our squad.

“As I've said before, the challenges we face this season in the Magners League and Heineken Cup will require contributions from every member of our squad.

“The changes now give other players a chance to show what they can do against quality opposition. They have warranted a chance and now they have to seize that opportunity.”

26-year-old Jones joined from Newcastle Falcons in May and the Scotland 'A' internationalist says he is really looking forward to making his full debut.

“I'm really pleased to have been given an opportunity. I've been waiting for an opening and now I'm determined to make the most of it,” he said.

Moffat believes his players have learned a lot from the defeat by Leinster and says there is plenty of confidence in the squad heading into Sunday's contest.

He said: “There was disappointment after the Leinster result, but we have moved on and it is an exciting challenge to face Ospreys down in Swansea.

“They are a quality side with some excellent individuals, but we have belief in our squad and we certainly don't fear the task ahead.”

On the injury front, wing Simon Webster is still receiving treatment for an Achilles injury he suffered during pre-season.

Club captain Simon Cross is still ruled out with a knee injury and joins long term absentees, Ross Rennie (knee) and David Callam (hip) in the treatment room.

Meanwhile, Ospreys Coach Jonathan Humphreys said Edinburgh posed a real threat.

“As a coaching team, I have to say that we were a lot happier with what we saw from the players in Glasgow last week, it was good to see a bit more of what we've been trying to do coming through, it's pleasing to see it making a difference,” he added.

“The application was better than it's been and the spirit and character of the squad was outstanding, as it has been all along.

“There's still a lot more to come from us though, we know that as coaches and the players are well aware of it. Just as we weren't going to panic after losing a couple of games, we certainly aren't going to get carried away with one. We're expecting a real test so we need to step up another level again on Sunday, and the focus this week has been on making sure we get the little things right that will make a huge difference.”

Steve Tandy is still recovering from a back spasm suffered during last week's win at Glasgow. His condition is much improved and if his progress continues, he will be available for selection next weekend

Paul James is hopeful of being available next weekend after suffering bad bruising to the collarbone against Glasgow

Form: Ospreys secured a 26-16 victory at Glasgow Warriors last Friday, but it is interesting to note that all four of Ospreys' Magners League encounters this season have actually been won by the visiting team! Edinburgh's nine game winning run came to a halt at the hands of Leinster at Murrayfield on Friday. However, the Scotsmen are in the midst of the best ever away run with four straight victories on the road. Edinburgh have won their last five encounters against Welsh opponents including victories on their last three visits to Wales. Ospreys have not beaten Edinburgh in their last four fixtures since a 30-12 score at Murrayfield on 2 March 2007, whilst Edinburgh have won on their last two visits to Liberty Stadium.

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Shane Williams, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 James Hook, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (c),7 Marty Holah, 6 Tom Smith, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Alun-wyn Jones, 3 Cai Griffiths, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Craig Mitchell, 18 Ian Evans, 19 Jerry Collins, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Gareth Owen, 22 Andrew Bishop.

Edinburgh: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 John Houston, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair (c), 8 Allister Hogg , 7 Alan MacDonald, 6 Scott Newlands, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Andrew Kelly, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Steven Turnbull, 19 Roddy Grant, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21
David Blair, 22 Ben Cairns.

Date: Sunday, October 4
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Kick-off: 16.00 BST
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU).
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges (WRU), Huw Griffiths (WRU).
TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU).