Ospreys V Leinster 21/02/20

Why ship out a 6ft 6inch second row and keep a man who you won’t put on the pitch until you know the game is gone because he does not add anything when he comes on. It absolutely baffles me.

Not NEATH the plan is a new facility at Llandarcy that suits us better 12,000 seater

They are fielding a huge number of academy players tomorrow. We really should not lose this

The Ospreys are taking the Guinness PRO14 to Neath this Friday, as they take on conference leaders Leinster.

The team sees a solitary change from last week, following an impressive victory over Ulster at the Liberty.

Cai Evans, Hanno Dirksen, and Luke Morgan all start in the back three, providing a good balance to marshal the open field. Last week's try scorer, Owen Watkin, will pair up in the midfield with Kieran Williams, who also had an eye-catching performance against the Ulstermen.

Luke Price, who nailed the match-winning penalty last week, starts at outside half with Aled Davies, the charge down hero, his scrumhalf partner.

Up front, Nicky Smith, Scott Otten, and Simon Gardiner pack down in the front row, having been impressive at the set piece in their last outing. It's an international combination in the second row with Adam Beard and Bradley Davies packing down together once more.

In the back row, last week's player of the match and captain, Dan Lydiate, is selected at blindside while Olly Cracknell gets the nod at openside. Cracknell will be making his 100th appearance for the region tomorrow evening at the Gnoll, an impressive feat from the 25-year old.

Making a welcome return to the number eight berth is Dan Baker, the only new inclusion from last week, replacing Gareth Evans.

The bench boasts an impressive list of names, with a gargantuan front row trio of Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, and Gheorghe Gajion raring to go. Ospreys stalwart Lloyd Ashley provides cover in the second row, while the dynamic Sam Cross will be looking to make an impact form the bench too.

The versatile South Africa, Shaun Venter, covers the half back role, with promising young centre Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler provides an alternative option in the midfield. Ospreys veteran James Hook takes the final bench spot, able to cover a number of positions at a moment's notice.

Here is your Ospreys team to take on reigning champions Leinster at the Gnoll this Friday.

Starting XV 15. Cai Evans 14. Hanno Dirksen 13. Owen Watkin 12. Kieran Williams 11. Luke Morgan 10. Luke Price 9. Aled Davies

1.Nicky Smith   2. Scott Otten 3. Simon Gardiner  4. Adam Beard 5. Bradley Davies  6. Dan Lydiate © 7. Olly Cracknell 8. Dan Baker

Replacements  16. Sam Parry  17. Gareth Thomas 18. Gheorghe Gajion  19. Lloyd Ashley 20. Sam Cross  21. Shaun Venter  22. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler 23. James Hook

The following players were unavailable for selection due to International duty: Justin Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones, George North (All Wales).

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury: Gareth Anscombe Tom Botha Harri Morgan Cory Allen   James King Rhys Henry Will Griffiths Keelan Giles  Rhodri Jones Scott Williams  Ma'afu Fia

Nidum, can I fetch my dog or is it only cats in the parking area lol

NPTCBC have confirmed that the multi-storey cat park near the Gnoll will be open until midnight and is free of charge. Good on them IMO.

Received my ticket for the match by post this morning and it does have a seat number on it, so it appears that there are reserved seats. This is a departure from previous games but very welcome.

Thanks Nidum

Can anybody help, what is the last date that ST holders can go down to get better seats for this game.

The future will tell

We all knew games were being moved this season Ospreys made that perfectly clear by the two different season tickets available I’m not bothered tbh at least 3,000 here is better than 3,000 in the Liberty

The big problem is that the engagement of the Ospreys with its support base is inept. The management are inept. They just allow themselves to be painted into corners. Sure they got a rough deal from the PRB but no well managed organisation would have given up the NDC's on the back of a promise of more cash for everyone without getting some guarantees in writing. If you have sub standard management they will produce sub standard results. We all sympathise with the funders and want to support them but they sure don't make it easy for us or themselves by persisting with people who have driven us to the edge of an abyss.

If the overall plan is to move to Neath, then Rob Davies shouldn’t bother wasting anymore of his money on a head coach, he may as well turn the lights out on the Ospreys now.

I will go to the game but I know the rest of the family will not be interested because it will not be suitable for all them to enjoy the game, not the best surroundings, environment or conditions for the kids. It's a sign of the times that I can remember going to the Gnoll, Brewery field, Talbot Athletic ground and numerous other grounds in the area when I was a kid but nowadays the places don't look safe or healthy environments for kids. I recall pushing my way to the front of the crowd trying to peer over the railings to see the games, sitting on the grass banks at Pontypool and even sliding down the banks at Glyncorrwg as the pitch sloped towards the river. But none of my kids nor grandkids would tolerate anything like that these days. They are use to the best stadiums seats, views, TV screens and being able to chat with everyone around us.

I think it is right to make use of the surrounds grounds but pick the right matches the biggest games are not the right ones.

Awful decision.