Ospreys v Cardiff: Teams

The Ospreys are hoping to build upon their winning start to the season when they take on local rivals Cardiff Blues on Tuesday.

New Zealander Filo Tiatia is set to make his 50th appearance for the club as they take on the Blues in the second game of the Magners League 2008 season.

Ryan Jones and Steve Tandy join Tiatia in the back row while new signing Jamie Nutbrown is expected to make his debut for the club.

Rhodri Wells will take the place of injured scrum-half Rhys Webb, with James Hook at half-back and Shane Williams returning to the starting XV.

Although it is the Ospreys second game in five days, and the second in four days for Cardiff, Ospreys coach Sean Holley thinks the game will be an exciting one to watch.

He said: "They played very well themselves on Saturday evening and deserved to beat the reigning champions so we're in no doubt that it will be a difficult game.

"We are all looking forward to Tuesday's game, which promises to be an exciting physical encounter between two evenly matched teams."

Pity

The Blues have made 10 changes for the clash - with four coming in the backs and six up front.

There is an entirely new front row, and an entirely new half-back combination - featuring Ceri Sweeney making his first competitive start.

"The Blues v Ospreys is obviously a big game in Wales, so it's a pity it's shoved in the middle of the week," said coach Dai Young.

"We've only really had one day preparation for it which isn't ideal. We've had to juggle teams as going from a Saturday game to a Tuesday match, the preparation is practically non existent.

"They have the same coaches who were there last year with Lyn, so we're expecting very much more of the same. Maybe they will make little changes here and there but we know enough about their players and they know enough about us.

"I think both teams have a lot of skilful players so I have no doubt really that it will be a quality game. The Liberty Stadium is a great stadium to play in and I think the Ospreys are going to be up there at the end of the season so I know its going to be a big test for us."

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Rhodri Wells, 1 Duncan Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 6 Filo Tiatia, 7 Steve Tandy, 8 Ryan Jones (c).
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Paul James, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Tom Smith, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Gareth Owen, 22 Nikki Walker.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Richard Mustoe, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Darren Allinson, 1 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 T. Rhys Thomas, 3 Gary Powell, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Scott Morgan, 6 Ben White, 7 Robin-Sowden Taylor, 8 Andy Powell.
Replacements: 16 Gethin Jenkins, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Paul Tito, 19 Maama Molitika, 20 Jason Spice, 21 Nicky Robinson, 22 Tom Shanklin.