Ospreys Team

[tigermad]

Just read that Lee Byrne of Ospreys has aggravated recent ankle injury in training and will not be playing today. His place is taken by Steve Tandy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7835827.stm

Regardless of this setback it should still be a cracking game at the Liberty Stadium today and hopefully Leicester will do what they need to do to secure a quarter final slot..

LEICESTER TIGERS - WORLD CLASS

[Darc Tiger]

Big blow for the hairspreys. Slightly weakens their backline as the form 15 in Europe drops out.

But also gives us a target in the backline now. See how Tandy holds up to Houggy, Floody and Geordan.

[bluntiger]

Personally, I don't think Byrne was ever fit to play this weekend, just included to make us think there was no weakness.

Slightly redresses the balence with us losing Mauger and Moody.

[welshy3]

Attacking teams back three change positions in the modern game very well..so there is no problem in defence for the sprey no matter who comes in. They will be missing something in attack and bootaballbackability, But Ospreys need a good performance and haven't put one in this season. They heavily plan on their fitness in the last 20 minutes to win matches and this is a great assett to have in your arsenal, But Hook. Phillips and Henson and Shane williams have done nothing this season.

If leicester win it will be to a very average underperforming side that can't use missing Byrne as a excuse.

Really disappointing team the Ospreys. I expect then to set the word alight and great things but they are not producing at all.

[Samlet]

Big blow for the hairspreys. Slightly weakens their backline as the form 15 in Europe drops out.

But also gives us a target in the backline now. See how Tandy holds up to Houggy, Floody and Geordan.

Tandy's a back row forward. It will be Biggar or Vaughton in a rejigged back line and now 5 forwards on the bench.

[Tiger_in_Birmingham]

Here's the team as it appears on the ERC website

15 - Gavin Henson
14 - Jonny Vaughton
13 - Tommy Bowe
12 - Andrew Bishop
11 - Shane Williams
10 - James Hook
9 - Mike Phillips
1 - Paul James
2 - Richard Hibbard
3 - Adam Rhys Jones
4 - Ian Gough
5 - Alun-Wyn Jones
6 - Ryan Jones
7 - Marty Holah
8 - Filo Tiatia

Henson to full back could be problematic, he reads the game so well when he plays there any loose kicks will be coming back instantly with interest

How is Bowe's defence? with Hook at FH and Bowe at OC there might be some vulnerability in the 12-13 channel assuming that Bishop plays tight to help cover Hook's defensive frailties

[tigerburnie]

There's a whisper that Holahs not fit either.

[g]

Better whisper it quietly then,shhhhh.