Head Coach Steve Tandy will be looking for an improvement in performance after returning from a trip to France. The Ospreys were beaten 49-25 by Clermont Auvergne last Friday with the clash with Bath another important step ahead of the new season.
“This is a big step-up in our preparations for the new season,” said Tandy. “The trip to France was really beneficial for us, allowing the players to work hard in training without any distractions before a tough game against Clermont on the Friday night.”
Playing at their home ground for the first time since last year’s RaboDirect Pro 12 semi-final, Tandy has named a strong side with some familiar faces in the starting XV.
Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb combine at half-back with Duncan Jones, Ian Gough and Richard Hibbard starting in the pack. Justin Tipuric captains the side from the back row with Tandy welcoming the return of some of his star players.
“The team has a bit more of a familiar look this week,” he said. “There are a number of internationals coming back into the mix, some starting and some on the bench, and we’ll be looking to integrate them into the group ahead of the start of the season.”
The clash with Bath is the Ospreys’ final game before they start their RaboDirect PRO12 season with a trip to Benetton Treviso on Friday, August 31. Home games against Ulster and Glasgow follow before an away clash with the Scarlets.
“We know that Bath will be difficult opponents, like all Premiership teams they’ll be physical and will look to gain dominance up front so pre-season game or not we’re expecting a battle and a game that will keep supporters entertained,” said Tandy.
“It’s great to be back home at the Liberty Stadium for the first time since the PRO12 semi-final and I know that the players are looking forward to running out in front of our fans again.
“We’re hoping for a big crowd, a great atmosphere and a good performance to get them excited and whet the appetite for the new season.”
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell14 Hanno Dirksen13 Andrew Bishop12 Jonathan Spratt11 Tom Isaacs10 Dan Biggar 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Duncan Jones 2 Richard Hibbard 3 Aaron Jarvis 4 Ian Gough 5 Ian Evans 6 James King 7 Justin Tipuric (c) 8 Joe Bearman
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Scott Otten, Ryan Bevington, Joe Rees, Lloyd Peers, Alun Wyn Jones, George Stowers, Sam Lewis, Jonathan Thomas, Kahn Fotuali’i, Matthew Morgan, Ashley Beck, Tom Grabham, Luke Morgan, Ross Jones.
