Ospreys v Leinster: Teams
Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson is relishing the return to competitive action when his side face Leinster.
Last Updated: 01/09/11 2:05pm
![Johnson: Looking forward to tackling Leinster](https://e1.365dm.com/default/default-768x432.gif)
Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson is relishing the return to competitive action when his side face Leinster in their RaboDirect PRO12 opener.
Despite missing a whole host of players through international duty and injury, Johnson is confident the Ospreys can make an impact against the Heineken Cup champions.
"We're really looking forward to Friday night, it'll be good to get back into the serious stuff after a tough pre-season and it should a good test for where we are," Johnson told the club's official site.
"It's important that we get off to a good start, but we're up against a good team in Leinster, regardless of how many players they will have away at the World Cup.
"This group of players have come together really well over the summer, they've been diligent, worked hard, and are ready to go. They know their roles, what they've got do and they are desperately keen to do well for the Ospreys.
Proud
"We are particularly proud that given the number of players that are away, we can field a team on Friday night that has 14 Welshmen in the starting line-up. That's a great achievement in the circumstances and something that the region should be proud of."
Leinster will hand debuts to John Cooney, Mat Berquist and Damian Browne at the Liberty Stadium.
Cooney and Berquist will pair up at half-back, while former Leeds forward Browne comes into the second row.
Kevin McLaughlin will make his 50th Leinster appearance with Rhys Ruddock handed the captaincy.
Despite being without a number of players, Leinster can still call on the likes of Luke Fitzgerald, Devin Toner, Richardt Strauss and Isa Nacewa for the trip to Swansea.
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Hanno Dirksen, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 1 Duncan Jones, 2 Mefin Davies, 3 Cai Griffiths, 4 Ian Gough, 5 Ian Evans, 6 Tom Smith, 7 Justin Tipuric (capt), 8 Jonathan Thomas
Replacements: 16 Matthew Dwyer, 17 Ken Dowding, 18 Joe Rees, 19 James King, 20 Morgan Allen, 21 Tom Isaacs, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Sonny Parker.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Luke Fitzgerald, 11 David Kearney, 10 Mat Berquist, 9 John Cooney, 1 Heinke van der Merwe, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Jamie Hagan, 4 Damian Browne, 5 Devin Toner, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 7 Dominic Ryan, 8 Rhys Ruddock (capt)
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Jack O'Connell, 19 Mark Flanagan, 20 Leo Auva'a, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Brendan Macken.