Hook given vital role in Tigers clash
James Hook has a chance to stake a claim for a starting spot in Warren Gatland’s Six Nations side after being named at inside center for the Ospreys in their must win encounter with Leicester at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
Hook comes into the starting lineup in place of Sonny Parker and will partner Andrew Parker in the Ospreys’ midfield.
Ryan Jones, speaking earlier this week, said he expected an almight clash in Wales this weekend.
“Saturday’s game promises to be an great occasion, an exciting afternoon and a great game between two sides slugging it out for the big prize,” said the Ospreys captain.
“We know what we need to do, and that is get our own house in order after the disappointment last weekend, make sure we get the little things right, and with the necessary improvement in certain areas that we have been working on, we have to have confidence and faith in our ability and gameplan.
“We’ve certainly built up a rivalry with Leicester over the last few seasons, and all our games tend to be tight scorelines with not much to separate us, and they are always incident packed so I’d imagine it’s going to be quite a spectacle.
“What’s gone before won’t be of any concerns, it’s what we do on Saturday that matters, and we want to make sure that come half past three we still have an interest in this year’s Heineken Cup.
“We know that we are going to have a big crowd at the Liberty Stadium, providing us with their usual passionate support. As a group of players, we want to reward them for that backing and send them back to the Village after the game with smiles on their faces, allowing them to celebrate. To do that, know that we’ll have to keep our focus and discipline, and play the match not the occasion.”
Leicester meanwhile have welcomed back internationals Martin Castrogiovanni and Ben Kay for the3 big match.
Craig Newby starts in the back row after injury to Tom Croft in the win over Viadana last weekend and Lewis Moody returns at openside.
Castrogiovanni and Kay are named among the replacements alongside fellow internationals George Chuter, Aaron Mauger and Alesana Tuilagi.
Tigers currently top Pool Three, just a point ahead of the Ospreys and French side Clermont Auvergne, with everything to play for as the group stages reach a climax this weekend.
“It’s a massive game, both sides know they can go through with a win or go out in defeat,” said Tigers boss Richard Cockerill.
“We are under pressure every week to perform. The difference this week is that if you lose you are out.
“Ospreys have got dangers all over the field, they have individuals that can break you down, so we have to make sure we are on top of our game.
“We’ve been playing well, we’ve had some decent results in recent weeks and we go there knowing what we have to do.”
The teams:
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Ryan Jones (capt), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Filo Tiatia, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 Sonny Parker, 23 Nikki Walker.
Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Jeremy Staunton, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Craig Newby, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Louis Deacon (c), 3 Dan Cole, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Ben Kay, 20 Ben Woods, 21 James Grindal, 22 Aaron Mauger, 23 Alesana Tuilagi.
Date: Saturday, January 23
Time: 13:35
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Sean Flannery (Ireland)
TMO: David McHugh (Ireland)
