RD Pro12: Ospreys - Connacht (30-09-2011, 19:30)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Liberty Stadium, Swansea (30-09-2011, 19:30)

Referee: Stefano Penne (FIR, 6th competition game)
Assistant Referees: James Jones, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Richard Gwynn (WRU)
​

Ospreys have won all four of their RaboDirect PRO12 matches so far this season in their best start to a campaign since 2004/5 but entertain a Connacht side who have also impressed of late.
Connacht will arrive at the Liberty Stadium having won three of their four matches to lie third in the table but have not beaten the Ospreys since 2004, losing their last six matches.

Ospreys have lost just once at Liberty Stadium since last October and on Friday will boast a predominantly Welsh squad with Hanno Dirksen the exception - and even the South African- born wing has pledged his allegiance and will qualify next year.

But even though Ospreys have their 100 per cent record still intact, Holley admits there is sizeable room for improvements - starting on Friday.

"We are getting the outcome on the scoreboard but there is still plenty for us to work on," said Holley. "We are tweaking a few things and ever trying to improve the players we've got.

"Even though the scoreboard has been taking care of itself, aspects of our game haven't been spot on.

"The most promising thing for us is we are fielding 22 guys who are Welsh and Hanno who will soon qualify for Wales.

There's a good mix in terms of age and experience in the group.

"Connacht are a really tenacious side, well coached and well drilled. They lose very few at these sort of periods and it makes them a tough proposition. They've got a good start so they're on the bounce."

With the likes of three-quarters Ashley Beck and Scotland international Nikki Walker still sidelined, Holley makes just one change to his side with Wales lock Ian Evans coming in for James Goode.

Connacht boss Eric Elwood also names a similar side to that which overcame Newport Gwent Dragons last time out - Dylan Rogers replaces Rodney Ah You at tighthead, lock Michael Swift comes back in and TJ Anderson gets the nod at blind-side.

But despite Connacht's fine start to the season, Elwood believes the trip to Swansea will prove the acid test.

He said: "The Ospreys are a great side, a quality side - to me they are the best team in the league to date - the manner in which they play, their physicality, quality of personnel, the way they play the game defensively - and we are going to be well tested in the Liberty.

"They put it to Ulster and Leinster and they are extremely difficult to beat at home."


[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] Ospreys [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Connacht [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]