While hugely impressive, Glasgow Warriors’ unbeaten start to the Guinness PRO14 season has not been as much of a surprise as the Ospreys’ slump. Not many would have predicted the Welsh region would be bottom of the Conference A pile after eight rounds. Steve Tandy’s side host the 2014/15 league champions on Saturday, and if Ospreys are to mount a charge towards the play-off spots in the second half of this season, this would be a fine place to start. What’s at stake: Glasgow’s eight-game unbeaten run at the start of the Guinness PRO14 campaign has given them a massive 12-point lead in Conference A over Munster Rugby. But there is still a long way to go this season, and with the Irish province in Italy this weekend to take on Zebre, Dave Rennie won’t want to see his advantage reduced. Ospreys have shown signs of life in recent weeks, and a win at the Liberty Stadium could see them leapfrog both Cardiff Blues and Zebre in the standings if other results go their way. Team news (Ospreys): With ten players, including the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, and Dan Biggar all unavailable due to international duty, Joe Thomas will make his Guinness PRO14 debut at outside centre. There is also room for back-rower Will Jones on the bench, and having impressed in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in recent weeks he could also make his competition debut if he enters the fray. Team news (Glasgow Warriors): Italian international Samuela Vunisa will pull on a Warriors jersey for the first time at the back of the scrum, while in front of him lock Kiran McDonald will play his first competitive match for Glasgow. Callum Gibbins skippers the side with Ruaridh Jackson starting at full back and winger Leonardo Sarto available to play having been released by Italy. Tongan international Siua Halanukonuka is in line to make his debut off the bench having arrived from New Zealand following the conclusion of the Mitre 10 Cup. Talking points: Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy is well aware his side have a tough run ahead of them: “Glasgow are a team that has always played an attractive brand of rugby and they are looking to take that to another level this season, with real strength in depth in all areas,” he said. “Whatever line-up they bring down with them, they’ll come here confident, refreshed after a two-week break, and believing in their ability to get the job done. “We know that we have to start climbing the table and to do that, we have to start turning those 50, 60 minute performances into a full 80. “It won’t get any easier with Munster and Scarlets away in our next two PRO14 games so we can’t make excuses, can’t look beyond this weekend, we’ve got to put the hard work in as a collective.” Meanwhile Dave Rennie, Glasgow Warriors head coach, is excited to see a number of his charges make their debuts: He said: “It’s great to get back to the Guinness PRO14 after a couple of weeks to refine our game and mentally refresh. “It’s an exciting time for a number of men who will make their Warriors debuts against Ospreys.” Key battle: Sam Davies vs Adam Hastings In his relatively short career so far, Sam Davies has proven himself to be a classy operator on multiple occasions. And while his side desperately need the 24-year-old fly-half to help pull them out of the slump that has plagued the start of their season, his opposite number is starting to show he can cut the mustard too. Son of former Scotland and British and Irish Lions captain Gavin, Hastings is building a productive half-back partnership with George Horne after making their first starts for the club together against the Southern Kings last month. With both sides making do without a raft of players, whoever can pull the strings most efficiently in the No.10 jersey and control their makeshift backlines could make the difference. Key stat: Last season Ospreys had a perfect played four, won four record against Scottish opponents – but this campaign has been a different story with two defeats so far, both on trips north of the border. Did you know? The last time the Warriors won at the Liberty Stadium was also the last time they achieved a season’s double over the Welsh region – they beat them twice in the 2013/14 season, but have the chance to do it again after winning in Round Two at Scotstoun. Ospreys: Dan Evans, Hanno Dirksen, Joe Thomas, Ashley Beck, Jeff Hassler, Sam Davies, Tom Habberfield, Paul James, Sam Parry, Dmitri Arhip, Lloyd Ashley, Bradley Davies, Olly Cracknell, Guy Mercer, James King Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Gareth Thomas, Ma’afu Fia, Rob McCusker, Will Jones, Reuben Morgan-Williams, James Hook, Dafydd Howells Glasgow Warriors: Ruaridh Jackson, Lelia Masaga, Nick Grigg, Sam Johnson, Leonardo Sarto, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Alex Allan, Pat MacArthur, D’Arcy Rae, Kiran McDonald, Scott Cummings, Callum Gibbins, Matt Smith, Samuela Vunisa Replacements: George Turner, Ryan Grant, Siua Halanukonuka, Hamilton Burr, Lewis Wynne, Kaleem Barreto, Brandon Thomson, Lee Jones Match officials – Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 68th competition game), AR1: Gareth John (WRU), AR2: Elgan Williams (WRU) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and can be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
