By sea_point
February 27 2011

Connacht have made just one enforced change ahead of their Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday (2.30pm), head coach Eric Elwood drafting in Adrian Flavin for Seán Cronin.

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Connacht

Ospreys

The latter is on international duty this weekend and his absence means a start for Flavin and a place on the bench for Academy hooker Dermot Murphy. Other than that, Eric Elwood has kept faith with the side that hammered Glasgow Warriors 37-8 last weekend. That was Connacht’s fourth win on the trot and helped them leapfrog their opponents in the league.

All action No.8 Ray Ofisa, crucial to Connacht's win chance.

Meanwhile, Ospreys are without 16 players who are on international duty.

"Connacht have always been a tough nut to crack, and that'll definitely be the case this weekend," said Ospreys Director of Coaching Scott Johnson.

"They don't get too many distractions from internationals, and they've definitely evolved their game this season. They are playing an attacking game which is getting them rewards on the pitch. Just look at their recent results.

"It's a really exciting couple of months for the Ospreys. We are trying to build something special here and the kids that most people are seeing for the first time have a big part to play in that, and in our future. What we've seen from over the last month has been very encouraging. They've shown desire, commitment, integrity, diligence and a great work ethic, as well as a desire to do the right thing for the team, which bodes well for the future. It's very pleasing. I'd hope that the supporters can recognise this, really identify with what these kids are doing and get behind them.

"It's important that they continue progressing, and this team has got an opportunity over the next two weekends to really cement the Ospreys place in the top four."

Minutes silence for NZ Earthquake victims

There will be a one-minute silence at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon to acknowledge the victims of the earthquake in Christchurch earlier this week.

Players, management and supporters will pause ahead of kick-off (2.30pm) to remember the victims of the earthquake that struck the New Zealand city on Tuesday.

Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, confirmed:

"A number of members of staff at the region, playing and management, have links to Christchurch and the surrounding areas, and as such, have been personally touched by events this week.

"Given these links, and the strong bonds between the Welsh and New Zealand communities, sporting and otherwise, we feel it is appropriate that we pause ahead of Sunday's game to acknowledge both the victims of the earthquake, and the typical resilience shown by the people of Christchurch in adversity."

Form:

Ospreys have won their last five matches in all competitions since their 12-24 reversal at London Irish in the European Cup on 16 January. Ospreys have not lost at home to a visitor from outside of Wales in the Magners League since Leinster visited the Liberty Stadium on 12 September 2009.

Connacht have won their last four games in all competitions - Connacht's best run since season 2003/04. The Irishmen's only victory in their last 25 away matches in the Magners League was 19-17 at Glasgow on 17 September. Ospreys have won their last five encounters with Connacht, whilst Connacht have not won on Ospreys soil since a 10-9 victory at the Gnoll on 21 November 2004.

The teams:

 Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Hanno Dirksen, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Jerry Collins, 7 Justin Tipuric (C), 6 Tom Smith, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Cai Griffiths, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.

Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Craig Cross, 19 Andy Lloyd, 20 James King, 21 Tom Isaacs, 22 Dai Flanagan, 23 Andrew Bishop.

 Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Troy Nathan, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Ray Ofisa, 7 Johnny O'Connor (c), 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Adrian Flavin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.

Replacements: 16 Dermot Murphy, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Bernie Upton, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Mia Nikora, 23 Keith Matthews.

Date: Sunday, February 27

Venue: Liberty Stadium

Kick-off: 14.30 GMT

Referee: Stefano Penne (FIR)

Preview: Ospreys v Connacht - 27/02/11

Discussion started by Connacht Rugby Supporters (IP Logged), 27/02/2011 01:49

Connacht Rugby Supporters
27/02/2011 01:49

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conjob
27/02/2011 14:17

Recent history is against us however we have a settled look to the team and lots of confidence from the last 4 matchs. Time to make it 5 I think.

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Sea_point
27/02/2011 15:37

All over four minutes into the second half, second Ospreys try moves the to 21-8. Can't see us winning from this position, but me may as well go for it.. Crazy that this is clashing with the International, especially as there's no TV coverage....

===============================================
I see the future, and it's Green again...

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porterbelly
27/02/2011 16:07

26-18, Swift try.

4 mins left. Bonus point on cards

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packie
27/02/2011 16:55

We miss a pen for the bonus

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Borders no.2
27/02/2011 17:04

33-18 ft. Very dissapointing result with Ospreys picking up the bp at the end as well especially with all they were missing. Obviously they provided more of an attacking threat than I thought but 33 points against a team like that isn't acceptable if we're hoping to move forward.

First try had a forward pass in the build up according to the updates. A try again straight after the restart finished it. Could still have nicked a bp it appears so dissapointing.

Two big games in the next two weeks. Two wins the minimum required. Really we need to win the next 4/5 games if we are to make a significant dent on the final table.

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YoungBlood
27/02/2011 17:08

Really had faith in a win today, obviously didn't see any of it so can't make much of a comment, but hopefully pick it up again and take some points from the next series of games

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