Ospreys have unveiled their team lineup ahead of a crucial European quarter-final showdown, with Welsh star Kieran Hardy making a return to the starting XV. Mark Jones’ squad secured a dominant 36-14 victory over Scarlets at the Swansea.com Stadium last weekend, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash against Lyon in the EPCR Challenge Cup knock-out stage. The only change in the team sees Kieran Hardy taking over the scrum-half position from Reuben Morgan-Williams. The backline features Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, and Keelan Giles, while Keiran Williams, Evardi Boshoff, Dan Edwards, and Hardy form the half-back pairing.
In the forward pack, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, and Tom Botha make up the front row, with Rhys Davies and Adam Beard continuing as the second-row partnership. Jac Morgan captains the team from the blindside flank, supported by Justin Tipuric and Morgan Morris in the back row. George McGuigan replaces Sam Parry as the substitute hooker, while Reuben Morgan-Williams joins the bench in place of Luke Davies. Lyon, who defeated Hollywoodbets Sharks 34-21 in the previous round, will pose a formidable challenge for Ospreys, despite missing key players Semi Radradra and Davit Niniashvili due to injury.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones acknowledged the tough task ahead, emphasizing the need for an improved performance against Lyon. He praised the dynamic and athletic nature of the Lyon team, highlighting their ability to create scoring opportunities quickly. Jones also expressed his desire for strong support from the fans, reminiscing about the electric atmosphere at the Swansea.com Stadium during the Scarlets match and calling for a repeat in the upcoming quarter-final. Lyon currently sits in seventh place in the Top 14 table, adding further intrigue to the European encounter.
With excitement building for the crunch European clash, Ospreys fans eagerly anticipate a thrilling and competitive match as the team aims to progress further in the EPCR Challenge Cup. The return of Kieran Hardy adds experience and skill to the lineup, bolstering Ospreys’ chances of securing a victory against Lyon. As the rugby world awaits this exciting showdown, the stage is set for a pulsating quarter-final encounter between Ospreys and Lyon, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round of the prestigious competition.