1 week Ago By [email protected] (Dylan James)
Ospreys have made one change to their team ahead of a huge European quarter-final this weekend. Mark Jones' side overpowered Scarlets 36-14 at the Swansea .com Stadium on Sunday, and will now face Top 14 side Lyon in the next round of the EPCR Challenge Cup knock-outs.
There is one change to the side that beat their west Wales rivals, with Wales international Kieran Hardy coming in for Reuben Morgan-Williams at scrum-half. In the backs, Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende and Keelan Giles make up the back three. In midfield, Jones retains Keiran Williams and Evardi Boshoff, with Dan Edwards partnering Hardy in the half-backs.
Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. In the pack, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake and Tom Botha make up the front row, with Rhys Davies and Adam Beard continuing together in the boiler house. Jac Morgan is captain, and starts on the blindside, with Justin Tipuric and Morgan Morris packing down alongside him in the back row.
Sam Parry drops out of the matchday 23 and George McGuigan takes his place as the substitute hooker. Luke Davies also drops out, with Morgan-Williams taking a place on the bench. Lyon beat Hollywoodbets Sharks 34-21 in the round-of-16 tie at Matmut Stadium de Gerland last weekend, and did so without injured superstars Semi Radradra and Davit Niniashvili.
Domestically, Lyon are in seventh place in the Top 14 table. Ospreys boss Jones said: "We played to a very high-level last time out against the Scarlets, but we know we’ll have to improve this week against Lyon. They are a very dynamic team, with a lot of athletic players that can create line break opportunities on a moment’s notice.
"There was a great atmosphere at the Swansea.com Stadium and we’re hoping to see something similar this week. It made a massive difference, having everyone get behind the boys, and I know our supporters will get behind them again for this quarter-final.
" Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (Captain), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris. Replacements: George McGuigan, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins..
