PARKER PLANS TO SWOT DOWN WASPS
Centre, Parker, has suffered a catalogue of injuries, including breaking his arm three times, since making his Wales debut in 2002. But tonight he will start for Celtic League champions Ospreys when they open their new £27million stadium against Premiership champions Wasps.
“It’s like a new start for me. The last three years have been one injury after another with the number of times I’ve broken my arm or other injuries,” said Parker. “But now I’m completely injury free for the first time in a long time and I’m starting this season fitter than ever. What I need now is game time.”
Parker starts alongside former Wales centre Leigh Davies as the Ospreys test their options against the toughest possible opponents before the start of the new Celtic League season next week.
Coach Lyn Jones said: “We are anticipating a highly competitive friendly and it is massive occasion for us as we focus on the Regional Rugby Stadium at Morfa.
“However, win or lose, this fixture will have little bearing on the season ahead. Having said that Wasps are a team full of quality players and I look forward to measuring ourselves against them.”
The Ospreys are without James Bater, Jonathan Thomas and Johnny Vaughton through injury as well as British Lions Ryan Jones, Shane Williams and Gavin Henson.
Ospreys: S Terblanche; R Mustoe, S Parker, L Davies, A Brew; M Jones, J Spice; P James, B Williams (capt), A Millward, A Newman, L Bateman, A Wyn-Jones, A Lloyd, S Tandy
Replacements (from): D Bishop, A Bishop, S Connor, R Rees, R Wells, D Jones, H Bennett, R Hibbard, C Griffiths, I Evans, B Cockbain, L Beach, R Pugh
Wasps: M Van Gisbergen; P Sackey, A Erinle, S Abbott, T Voyce; A King, E Reddan; T Payne, B Gotting, P Bracken, M Purdy, R Birkett, J Hart (capt), J Worsley, J O’Connor
Replacements (from): R Ibanez, J Dawson, A McKenzie, M Lock, J Honeyben, F Waters, R Hoadley, T Rees, G Skivington, J Staunton, J Brooks, J Mbu
