Liberty Stadium set for huge clash
Munster’s James Coughlan who captained the side in their two British & Irish Cup victories will anchor the Munster pack in the Magners League game against Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The 28-year-old’s last appearance at this level was against The Dragons when he came on as a 60th minute replacement for Tommy O’Donnell and prior to that his previous start was against Glasgow Warriors in March of last year.
The Ireland international Sevens player was part of a superb Munster back-row – along with Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy and replacement Billy Holland – who ran the All Blacks so close last season.
“Yes really looking forward to the game at the Liberty,” said Coughlin.
“There is huge competition here in Munster for places in the back row and a good healthy rivalry among those of us looking for the jersey. I wouldn’t say there’s any niggle in training but but it is competitive. It has to be and if it wasn’t we wouldn’t be as successful a squad as we are.”
Coughlan is one of five changes from last time out, four of those up front where newcomer Wian du Preez replaces Julien Burugnaut, John Hayes back in place of Stephen Archer with Coughlan in for Denis Leamy and Niall Ronan replacing David Wallace.
The one change in the backline from the Munster game sees Doug Howlett back for the first time since injuring a hamstring against Benetton Treviso in mid October.
The Ospreys, meanwhile, head into this big clash fully aware of how important the next couple of weeks will be for the region.
All Black Jerry Collins has been named as the captain with the like of Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, Dan Biggar and Jonathan Thomas all returning to domestic action.
Speaking ahead of the big match Ospreys Coach Sean Holley said: “December and January is a very big period for us. We’ve got some crucial games that will dictate where the rest of our season goes, in terms of Heineken Cup progression and our hopes of ensuring a top four finish in the Magners League to secure a place in the play-offs.
“It’s a big couple of months for us, the players and all of us at the region know that. And it all starts on Saturday.
“You want to put yourself in a position where you get into these two months with a lot to play for. We have put ourselves in a strong position in Europe and are there or thereabouts in the Magners, and as we know any run of form in that can shoot you up the table.
“Munster will always provide a tough challenge, whatever the occasion, so we know that we’ll have to be at the top of our game if we are going to match them. We want to get this crucial period off to a good start, so a good performance is essential.
“They’ve named a strong squad for the visit, so it clear that they are also looking at this game as an important one, and I think it’s a great one to get us back into the swing of things after a few weeks without a match.”
The teams:
Ospreys: 15 Gareth Owen, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Liam Davies, 8 Filo Tiatia, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins (captain), 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Alun-wyn Jones, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Paul James, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Andy Lloyd, 20 Ben Lewis, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 James Hook.
Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 Leifimi Mafi, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O’Gara, 9 Tomas O’Leary, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O’Connell (captain), 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Donncha Ryan, 19 Mick O’Driscoll, 20 Nick Williams, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Denis Hurley, 23 Iain Dowling.
Date: Saturday, 5 December
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Time: 18.30 (18.30 GMT)
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Hugh Watkins (Wales), Alan Jenkins (Wales)
TMO: Tony Rowlands (Wales)
