OSPREYS AIM FOR RETURN TO FORM

Welsh Rugby Union | Club & Community Published 2:20 pm 13th Sep 2005 post

The Celtic League Champions take on the Dragons at the New Stadium, Swansea, knowing that a vast improvement in form is needed after a stuttering start to the campaign. Without their touring Lions, the Ospreys have looked a shadow of the side that won the title so convincingly last season.

“We were disappointed with many aspects of our performance at Munster and as players and coaches we are expecting a big improvement against the Dragons,” said Jones. “At the weekend we faced a Munster side which was almost at full strength, missing only their Lions representatives.

“Having said that, three fixtures over the course of a week means you have to play your squad and this often results in having to face teams who are without these pressures.”

Slight knocks for a number of players mean that the Ospreys team will be announced prior to kick-off. Fortunes though appear to be changing for the Dragons as they sit third in the table following the arrival of new coach Paul Turner to Rodney Parade.

Blindside flanker Jamie Ringer has recovered from a knee injury and resumes in the back row alongside captain Jason Forster and No. 8 Richard Bryan. Winger Ben Breeze comes in for the injured Richard Fussell while Welsh International Luke Charteris replaces Peter Sidoli at lock. Turner will delay his decision on whether to play Ceri Sweeney at inside centre or fly-half until just before kick-off as the Dragons look to go top of the Celtic League.

Ospreys: tbc

Dragons:
K Morgan
G Wyatt
H Luscombe
C Sweeney / J Bryant
B Breeze
C Sweeney / C Warlow
G Baber
A Black
K Crawford
R Thomas
I Gough
L Charteris
J Ringer
J Forster (capt)
R Bryan