Ospreys v Glasgow: Teams
Ospreys coach Sean Holley insists his side are taking nothing for granted against Glasgow despite a run of fine results at home.
Last Updated: 13/05/10 1:49pm
Ospreys coach Sean Holley insists his side are taking nothing for granted against Glasgow despite a run of fine results at home.
The Ospreys head into the first-ever Magners League play-off semi-final having beaten the likes of Leicester, Munster and Cardiff at the Liberty Stadium.
However Glasgow recorded a 9-9 draw there back in October and secured their place in the end-of-season shootout with four wins on the bounce - including a comprehensive 30-6 victory over Leinster, who finished top of the table.
And Holley knows that his side's previous performances at home will count for nothing against the Scottish outfit.
Holley said: "We've worked really hard this season, to get to this position and to have a home tie. We aren't taking anything for granted or being complacent, Glasgow are a very dangerous team, but it's just nice to be at home.
"We've had a lot of away games in the latter part of the season so it's good to be back at the Liberty Stadium for a big one-off semi-final, where home advantage is crucial.
"We've had a good run of results at the Liberty, we have won eight on the bounce and have beaten good teams Leicester, Munster and Cardiff Blues during that run, but we realise that will count for nothing on Friday night.
Difficult
"Glasgow have a good squad, there are plenty of internationals in their ranks and they almost edged us out of second place, so while we are glad to be at home, there is still a lot of work to be done.
"It will be a difficult night and we know that we will have to raise our game another level again from where were at last weekend against the Dragons."
The Ospreys will be without Ross Davies, Duncan Jones, Lyndon Bateman, Barry Davies and Richard Hibbard for the clash.
Glasgow coach Sean Lineen has backed Mark McMillan to shine at scrum-half in the absence of Scotland captain Chris Cusiter.
Former Wasps No.9 McMillan comes into the starting XV after Cusiter was ruled out with a knee injury.
And Lineen has no doubt that McMillan can rise to the challenge at the Liberty Stadium.
"It just shows the strength in depth of the squad. Cus hasn't managed to pull through but what a replacement we've got in Mark McMillan," he said.
"He's been a fantastic player for us all season."
Glasgow also welcome Scotland internationals John Barclay and Max Evans back for the clash - with Lineen confident his side can secure victory.
"We've won down in Wales before so the players are going down there with one thing in mind," he said.
"It's going to be a 22-man effort and that has been evident this week which has been an interesting one in training.
"Although it's been a long season, it feels as though it's starting again. The enthusiasm and energy and the way we've gone about this week has been very encouraging."
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Paul James, 2 Huw Bennett, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 6 Jerry Collins, 7 Marty Holah, 8 Ryan Jones (c).
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Filo Tiatia, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Gareth Owen, 22 Nikki Walker
Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Rob Dewey, 13 Max Evans, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mark McMillan, 1 Ed Kalman, 2 Fergus Thomson, 3 Moray Low, 4 Tim Barker, 5 Alastair Kellock (c), 6 Kelly Brown, 7 John Barclay, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Dan Turner, 19 James Eddie, 20 Hefin O'Hare, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Colin Shaw