Congratulations to Ravens Ross Jones, Luke Morgan and Nathan Edwards on their selection in the Wales U20′s team to face Ireland in the televised fixture at Dubarry Park (KO 7:05pm).
Five players return from last years’ squad, while 10 players will earn their first caps. Wilson is fully aware that Ireland will be looking for revenge after their defeat to Wales in the final game of last years’ IRB Junior World Championships in Treviso when they beat the Irish 38-24.
The Bridgend Ravens team to face Carmarthen Quins (away) in the Swalec Cup has been named. Due to call ups for the bulk of the Ospreys contracted players, there are a number of changes from the defeat to Carmarthen in the league last saturday.
Dan Griffiths returns at 10, to partner Kyle Barrett, in an ex-Newport half back combination, with Dai Flanagan at Full Back, John Leyshon and Elliot Jones (Swansea University) on the wings. Jamie Murphy and Gareth Howells make up a strong centre pairing. In the pack, Chris Francis (Swansea University) makes his first start, to partner Matthew Dwyer and newly selected Wales U20 Prop Dan Suter in the front row. Captain Ben Thomas and Lee Davies combine in the second row, with Ben Rose, Matthew Llewellyn and Jonathan Vaughan completing the back row.
On the bench is Arthur Ellis, Jonathan Thomas, Owen Cotton, Kyle Maiden, Andrew Waite, Rory Pitman, Tom Grabham, Luke Morgan and Hugo Jafari (Swansea University).
The Bridgend Ravens team is as follows:
15 Dai Flanagan
14 John Leyshon
13 Jamie Murphy
12 Gareth Howells
11 Elliott Jones
10 Dan Griffiths
09 Kyle Barrett
08 Matthew Llewellyn
07 Ben Rose
06 Jonathan Vaughan
05 Lee Davies
04 Ben Thomas (Capt)
03 Dan Suter
02 Matthew Dwyer
01 Chris Francis
Replacements From:
16 Arthur Ellis
17 Jonathan Thomas
18 Owen Cotton
19 Kyle Maiden
20 Andrew Waite
21 Rory Pitman
22 Tom Grabham
23 Luke Morgan
24 Hugo Jafari
The Ospreys team to play Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday 27th January 2012 at the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field (KO 7.05pm) in the LV= CUP is as follows:
15 Ross Jones
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Sonny Parker (Capt)
12 Stefan Watermeyer
11 Eli Walker
10 Matthew Morgan
9 Tom Habberfield
1 Cai Griffiths
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Lloyd Peers
5 James Goode
6 Chauncey O’Toole
7 Sam Lewis
8 Morgan Allen
Replacements:
16 Mefin Davies
17 Joe Rees
18 Jonathan Thomas
19 Sam Williams
20 Rory Pitman
21 Tom Grabham
22 Sam Davies
23 Luke Morgan
Stefan Watermeyer makes his Ospreys debut. Lloyd Peers makes his first Ospreys start. Jonathan Thomas (Prop), Sam Williams (Second Row), Rory Pitman (Back Row), Sam Davies (Outside Half) and Luke Morgan (Wing) will make their Ospreys debuts if they come off the bench.
Ospreys Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“It’s a big night for the Ospreys, and for Bridgend, and it’s going to be something special. We’ve had some really good nights at the Brewery Field over the last two seasons, games against Leicester, Wasps and Northampton, and Friday night should be memorable as well, the first Welsh regional derby in Bridgend since 2004.
“When you look at the squad list there are a lot of boys who come from and Bridgend or have played for Bridgend, so for them, it’s going to extra special. Likewise for their friends and families, who’ll get a rare chance to see them playing in an Ospreys shirt at their home club. I know that we’re expecting a big crowd on Friday. The game has caught the local imagination and I’m expecting a great atmosphere on the night.
“This competition has been good for the Ospreys in terms of player development. You’ve only got to look at the players who’ve been involved with the first team this season who have benefited from the LV= Cup. The likes of Tipuric, Beck and Webb have all used this competition to kick on, graduating to the first team and now the Welsh squad, while people like Matthew Morgan and Eli have also been playing European rugby. That makes it clear to some of the young boys coming in for this match that if they make their mark then they could also step up.
“We’re all looking forward to it, it should be a memorable occasion for everyone, an evening that the Ospreys and Bridgend will be able to look back on in seasons to come with pride.”
15 Ross Jones
14 Steve Cullen
13 Jamie Murphy
12 Nathan Edwards
11 Kristian Phillips
10 Dai Flanagan
09 Tom Habberfield
08 Rory Pitman
07 Ben Rose
06 Ben Thomas (c)
05 James Goode
04 Lloyd Peers
03 Owen Williams
02 Arthur Ellis
01 Jonathan Thomas
16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Ian Williams
18 Matthew Llewellyn
19 Jonathan Vaughan
>> 20 Dan Griffiths
>> 21 Luke Morgan
>> 22 Tom Grabham
The Bridgend Ravens team to face Bedwas (away) at the Bridge Field on Saturday 7th January is as follows:
15 Ross Jones
14 Steve Cullen
13 Jamie Murphy
12 Nathan Edwards
11 Kristian Phillips
10 Dai Flanagan
09 Tom Habberfield
08 Rory Pitman
07 Chauncey O’Toole
06 Ben Thomas (c)
05 James Goode
04 Lloyd Peers
03 Dan Sutter
02 Matthew Dwyer
01 Jonathan Thomas
16 Arthur Ellis
17 Owen Williams
18 Chris Francis
19 Matthew Llewelyn
20 Ben Rose
21 Luke Morgan
22 Kyle Barrett
