Connor to pull strings as Ospreys target title

Connor partners Jason Spice at half back, with Justin Marshall having taken up an option in his contract to play for the Classic All Blacks in Japan.

The Opsreys can clinch the Magners League Celtic crown if they beat the Borders and the Blues defeat Leinster. Opsreys could also claim the title if they gain a bonus point win at the Borders and Leinster fail to take maximum points at the Arms Park.

Even if Leinster, who have a one point advantage at the top, do collect maximum points against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park, Jones says the Ospreys can be proud of their achievements this season.

“We have a lot out of the season already,” said Jones, who led his side the EDF Energy Cup Final. “Our performances have been excellent right throughout.

“We knew we’d start the season slowly; we’ve got a lot of players who represent our national side. We have to take into consideration their training programmes and Wales’s plans throughout the year so it’s very difficult to balance everything off.

“We’ve made huge progress in the European and EDF Cup competitions and we’ve won the most games as it stands in the Magners League.”

Bottom team Border Reivers will be disbanded by the Scottish Rugby Union at the end of the season because of a lack of funds. They have managed to win just two league games all season but Head Coach Steve Bates said he hopes to mark the team and Gregor Townsend’s last game with a positive performance.

“Saturday will be a very notable occasion as it marks the end of Gregor Townsend’s fantastic rugby career that has included 82 caps for his country,” said Bates. “He has established him as one of Scotland’s greatest ever natural talents.

“Since the announcement of the closure we have had to play the top five teams in the league and although we have not accrued many points, I have been extremely proud of the team. The players have applied themselves magnificently in difficult and uncertain circumstances.”

Border Reivers: Stuart Moffat; Dougie Flockhart, Ben MacDougall, Nick De Luca, Calum MacRae; Gregor Townsend (capt), Rob Chrystie; Gavin Kerr, Ross Ford, Bruce Douglas, Stuart Grimes, Opeta Palepoi, Scott Gray, Andy Miller, Kelly Brown

Replacements: Steve Scott, Ed Kalman, Craig Hamilton, John Dalziel, Brendan McKerchar, Steve Jones, Garry Law / Bryan Rennie


Ospreys: Lee Byrne; Nikki Walker, Sonny Parker, James Hook, Shane Williams; Shaun Connor, Jason Spice; Duncan Jones (capt), Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Brent Cockbain, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Richard Pugh, Filo Tiatia

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Paul James, Mike Powell, Lee Beach, Martin Roberts, Andrew Bishop, Jonathan Vaughton


Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)