Ospreys eyeing bonus point win over Aironi in a bid to defend Magners League title – Rugby news
Ospreys will take on the Magners League minors, Aironi, to kick off the final round matches of the season. Aironi will host the Ospreys at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana on Friday, May 6.
This will be the first time in the history of the Magners League that all the matches of the last round will start at the same time and same day.
The Ospreys are the defending Magners League champions and desperately require a bonus point win over the Aironi to keep their play-off hopes alive. Ospreys hit a poor run of form in the later phase of the league and find themselves in a situation in which
not even a bonus point victory can guarantee them a place in the play-offs.
Ospreys chances of making to the semifinals is also dependent on the performances of other teams, particularly the Blues and Scarlets, as both will be playing their final match on the Friday.
During the round four matches of the League, Ospreys defeated Aironi 38 – 6 at Liberty Stadium. However, Ospreys will go into the match after losing their previous four games. This is the first time the Ospreys have lost four consecutive games since the
2003/04 season.
Aironi can capitalise on Ospreys poor run of form to end their debut season in the Magners league with a second victory. Aironi will take confidence from the fact that they will be playing at home, as their only other 25-13 victory over Connacht rugby in
the Magners League came at home.
Friday’s encounter will also be an important match for the Ospreys fly half Dan Biggar who is just two points short of scoring 500 points for Ospreys. Biggar will be the second Ospreys’ player to reach this landmark.
Ospreys will be without the services of Jerry Collins at flank. Collins received his last of three yellow cards during Ospreys match against Munster at Swansea on April 23. Collins received a match suspension for receiving three
yellow cards in the Magners League season.
Similarly, Aironi will be without Nick Williams who is serving a one match suspension after receiving three yellow cards. The suspension has resulted in changes in the forward line as Gareth Krause moves to number eight position while Josh Sole takes fielod
as the flanker.
Ospreys will start as favourites to win the game. However, Aironi at home can be more than competitive. Ospreys will be looking for at least a win to end their season on high after a disappointing domestic and European season in which they even failed to
qualify for the knockout stage.
Squad
Aironi
Starting XV: 15 Horacio San Martin, 14 Matteo Pratichetti, 13 Gilberto Pavan, 12 Gabriel Pizarro, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 James Marshall, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Gareth Krause, 7 Josh Sole, 6 Joshua Furno, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys (c), 4 Marco Bortolami,
3 Fabio Staibano, 2 Luigi Ferraro, 1 Alberto De Marchi.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 George Biagi, 20 Nicola Cattina, 21 Pablo Canavosio, 22 Giulio Toniolatti, 23 Riccardo Bocchino.
Ospreys
Starting XV:15 Richard Fussell, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Ryan Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard
Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Duncan Jones, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Tom Smith 21 Tom Isaacs, 22 Ashley Beck, 23 Sonny Parker.
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