Thomas returns on bench for Ospreys

Tommy Bowe, Nikki Walker and Dan Biggar all return for the clash at Murrayfield following international duty. And Wales centre Sonny Parker starts in the 12 jersey after making a try-scoring return for Ospreys A in Leinster last week. 

The Ospreys have won four of their last five Magners League games but have lost their last three matches on the road.
 
Andy Robinson’s Edinburgh have won three of their last four clashes against Welsh opposition and Ospreys Coach Sean Holley commented:

“As a group we’ve got a lot of respect for Andy Robinson and his team. They have a squad full of international players who will be available to them after the autumn series and will be looking to use the match not only to improve their Magners League position, but to prepare for what is a big European game for them against Wasps next week. 

“Games between Edinburgh and the Ospreys have always tended to be close, as they were last season, full of positive rugby, and I expect this one to be no different.

“In the period since the London Irish game we’ve had chance to work with the core squad on conditioning and skills, and the reaction from the players has been first class. Having had a good workout in Leinster last week, the players are understandably very keen to get back to competitive action. 

“We have a hungry 22 traveling to this game with a very nice blend of youth and experience. There is no shortage of quality in the side and we are approaching the game in a positive frame of mind with a clear understanding of what we want to achieve this weekend.

“This game marks the start of a very busy period for us, with six matches over the course of the next month, so we are pleased to see the likes of Jonathan Thomas, Sonny Parker, Cai Griffiths and Kristian Phillips making themselves available after injury as it increases the options available to us. 

The Ospreys are nursing a number of key players. Huw Bennett been sidelined with ankle ligament damage following the EDF Energy Cup fixture against London Irish, and is aiming to be back in action for the Christmas fixtures

Duncan Jones had surgery to fix a chronic stress fracture in his right foot a week ago, and will be in plaster for up to 12 weeks and at this stage looks unlikely to feature again this season

Ian Evans ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing against New Zealand last Saturday, and will require surgical reconstruction and a 6-month rehabilitation period, which rules him out till next season

But Holley said, “We have a large squad here at the Ospreys, which will be utilised to the full over the coming weeks, so we’re expecting all those selected for Friday to be looking to stake a claim to keep hold of the shirt.” 

The Ospreys face Edinburgh in the Magners League on Friday 28th November 2008 at Murrayfield, kick off at 7.30pm.

Ospreys 15 Tommy Bowe 14 Kristian Phillips 13 David Bishop 12 Sonny Parker 11 Nikki Walker  10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb  8 Tom Smith 7 Marty Holah 6 Steve Tandy 5 Lyndon Bateman 4 Filo Tiatia 3 Craig Mitchell 2 Ed Shervington 1 Paul James ©

Replacements: 16 Marc Breeze 17 Cai Griffiths 18 Ryan Bevington 19 Mike Collins 20 Jonathan Thomas 21 Rhodri Wells 22 Ashley Beck