Saracens v Ospreys: Teams

Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney has called on his players to rise to the challenge when they take on the Ospreys in Saturday's second EDF Cup semi-final at the Millennium Stadium.

Having not made a cup final in over 10 years Gaffney knows this is a great chance to change the trend, although it will be a tall order against an Ospreys side boasting the bulk of Wales' Grand Slam team.

"We set out our stall at the start of the year to try and compete in all three competitions and we want that to continue," said Gaffney.

"We're still battling on all three fronts without achieving anything yet. But we're now entering the business end of the season when trophies are won and we want to be in that mix - starting on Saturday.

Great opportunity

"All teams want silverware and we are no different. It's been 10 years since this club placed a trophy in the cabinet and Saturday's match represents a great opportunity for this current group of Saracens players to make a cup final.

"It's the start of what promises to be two very close battles between the two teams (with the two meeting in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as well).

"The Ospreys are a very good side and they will have been given a boost by Wales' Six Nations success."

In team news ahead of the game, Fabio Ongaro reclaims the hooker's jersey following Six Nations duty with Italy while Don Barrell and Francisco Leonelli come into the starting line-up in the only changes from last week.

Kevin Sorrell returns after two months out through injury, and is joined by the likes of Cobus Visagie and Moses Rauluni in a strong bench.

Ospreys Director of Rugby Lyn Jones has selected 11 of those involved in Wales' Grand Slam campaign, with a further two on the bench.

The back line, Jonny Vaughton aside, all featured in the Six Nations for Wales with Mike Phillips being preferred to All Black Justin Marshall at scrum-half.

In the pack there are a further five Welsh players returning to regional duty, although Richard Hibbard keeps Huw Bennett on the bench, as does Paul James to Duncan Jones.

"Everyone is looking forward to Saturday's match, we had some great experiences in this tournament last season, not least on semi-final day when we produced a fine performance to see off Cardiff Blues," said Lyn Jones.

"Our international players are back with us and understandably spirits are high at the moment.

"We've had to take a lot of things into consideration when naming the side for this match, and faced some tough decisions based not only on what the players have gone through but also the busy schedule that lies ahead, making sure they are fit and healthy for all the big games that we have coming up."

Saracens: 15 Brent Russell, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Francisco Leonelli, 12 Andy Farrell, 11 Dan Scarbrough, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock (c), 1 Nick Lloyd, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 3 Cencus Johnston, 4 Chris Jack, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 6 Kris Chesney, 7 Don Barrell, 8 Ben Skirving.

Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Paul Gustard, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Kevin Sorrell, 22 Kameli Ratuvou.

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Johnny Vaughton, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Gavin Henson, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Paul James, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Alun Wyn-Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Marty Holah, 8 Ryan Jones (c).

Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Lyndon Bateman, 19 Filo Tiatia, 20 Justin Marshall, 21 Daniel Biggar, 22 Andrew Bishop.