Hardy Back As Ospreys Name Squad For European Quarter-Final



Rhodri Evans

Wales scrumhalf Kieran Hardy returns to start for the Ospreys as they face Lyon in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday.

Head coach Mark Jones has made just one change to the XV that beat local rivals Scarlets 36-14 last Sunday, with Hardy replacing Reuben Morgan-Williams who drops to the bench.

Morgan-Williams suffered a head knock against Scarlets and was replaced by Luke Davies, but is fit enough to make the Ospreys bench. Davies drops out of the 23 as a result.

Unchanged Pack

With a relatively clean bill of health, Jones has been able pick his strongest pack available. Wales internationals Gareth Thomas and Dewi Lake are joined in the front row by Tom Botha, while try-scoring duo Rhys Davies and Adam Beard pack down behind them.

A formidable back row of captain Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric, and Morgan Morris continue, with the young tyro Morgan Morse providing the back up on the bench.

New signing George McGuigan is the replacement hooker, while youngsters Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, and James Fender are the rest of the forward replacements.

In the back line, Dan Edwards continues at flyhalf, with Keiran Williams and Evardi Boshoff in the midfield. A scintillating back three of Keelan Giles, Daniel Kasende, and Jack Walsh offers no small amount of speed, guile, and strength.

Joining Morgan-Williams on the bench are versatile options Owen Williams and Iestyn Hopkins.

Teams

Ospreys

Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (capt), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris.

Replacements:

George McGuigan, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.

Lyon

Alexandre Tchaptchet; Vincent Rattez, Josiah Maraku, Theo Millet, Ethan Dumortier; Leo Berdeu, Charlie Cassang; Wayan De Benedittis, Sam Matavesi, Hamza Kaabeche, Felix Lambey (capt), Alban Roussel, Steeve Blanc-Mappaz, Beka Shvangiradze, Maxime Gouzou.

Replacements:

Guillaume Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Valentin Simutoga, Mickael Guillard, Theo William, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Couilloud, Alfred Parisien.


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