Ospreys v Edinburgh: Teams
The Ospreys will welcome back the majority of their international contingent for the clash with Edinburgh.
Last Updated: 03/12/10 1:50pm
The Ospreys will welcome back the majority of their international contingent for the clash with Edinburgh.
Lee Byrne, Dan Biggar, Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Mike Phillips, James Hook and Tommy Bowe all return to the squad after their involvement in the November Tests.
But despite the boost in personnel, boss Sean Holley is not getting carried away.
"We've had a core squad here for the last month that have done really well and all credit to the players and coaches," he said.
"After quite a long autumn period we've got boys turning up who are pretty keen to get back home as it were, see the rest of their team-mates, and get on with the rest of the season.
"With some big games on the horizon and having won the last two Magners games, this game is important in terms of the overall picture. It's all about this weekend, we need a performance and we need to get guys back in an Ospreys shirt.
"When they are away with international teams, for right or for wrong they play a different way, they are coached differently and there are different mental pressures from our environment.
"What this weekend affords us is a chance to get back to our environment, which is a good one for them and one that they are used to. We need to maximise that quickly because the season dictates that we are straight back into Europe next week."
Edinburgh will hand Welsh centre David Bishop his first start for the clash with the Ospreys.
The 27-year-old, who joined the Scottish outfit on a three-month deal, will face his brother Andrew in an intriguing midfield battle.
The inclusion of Bishop is one of a number changes made by boss Rob Moffat.
Geoff Cross, Ross Rennie and Esteban Lozada will bolster the pack, while Mike Blair, Allan Jacobsen and Ross Ford come in on the bench.
The match will also see prop Kyle Traynor and fly-half David Blair make their 50th appearances for the club.
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Paul James, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Jonathan Thomas, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 James Hook, 23 Tommy Bowe.
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Jim Thompson, 13 Alex Grove, 12 David Bishop, 11 Tim Visser, 10 David Blair, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Roddy Grant (capt), 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Netani Talei, 5 Fraser McKenzie, 4 Esteban Lozada, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Andrew Kelly, 1 Kyle Traynor.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Allan Jacobsen, 18 David Young, 19 Steven Turnbull, 20 Alan MacDonald, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 John Houston, 23 Lee Jones.
