Wales outside half Dan Edwards and wing Iestyn Hopkins will notch their 50th appearances for the Ospreys when they face double-chasing Leinster in Dublin tonight (Saturday 16 May – 5.15pm). While there is nothing left for the Welsh Shield winners to play for, any chance to have a tilt at the upcoming Invesco Champions Cup […]
Wales outside half Dan Edwards and wing Iestyn Hopkins will notch their 50th appearances for the Ospreys when they face double-chasing Leinster in Dublin tonight (Saturday 16 May – 5.15pm).
While there is nothing left for the Welsh Shield winners to play for, any chance to have a tilt at the upcoming Invesco Champions Cup finalist and reigning URC champions is one to relish.
Leinster are currently third in the URC table and will face reigning European title holders Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup final in next Saturday in Bilbao.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones led his side to a 12th place finish last season with seen wins and 40 points. They go into their final game of the current campaign sitting in 11th place with 39 pokints and seven wins.
“We have an opportunity to finish with more wins and more points than we did last year. That for us will be progress, particularly with everything that’s gone on off the field.” Said Jones
“With the league’s increased competitiveness, you can see how tight one or two performances can make to the league table and where you finish. Unfortunately, we are not quite going to make it this year.”
Wales and British & Irish Loins flanker Jac Morgan will lead the side in his final appearance for the Ospreys before he joins Gloucester next season. Full back Jack Walsh is also departing.
“We are looking for a performance that we can all sign off the season with pride. We also want to send those players off that are leaving us in style,” added Jones.
TEAMS
Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jordan Larmour; Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jerry Cahir, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Conan (captain), Josh van der Flier, James Culhane
Reps: Ronan Kelleher, Alex Usanov, Tadhg Furlong, Max Deegan, Caelan Doris, Fintan Gunne, Ciaran Frawley, James LoweOspreys: Jack Walsh; Keelan Giles, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Watkin, Iestyn Hopkins; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Garyn Phillips, Efan Daniel, Ben Warren, Rhys Davies, Huw Sutton, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (captain), Ross Moriarty
Reps: Lewis Lloyd, Cam Jones, Kian Hire, Ben Roberts, Harri Deaves, Kieran Hardy, Phil Cokanasiga, Luke MorganReferee: Ru Campbell (Scotland)