Ospreys bring big names to Galway

Connacht v Ospreys: CONNACHT HAVE sometimes punched above their weight against the Ospreys but the Welshmen have still won seven of the last nine meetings, including the corresponding fixture on opening weekend last season and, even with a cloud hanging over the future career of Gavin Henson, bring a star-studded team to the Sportsground in Galway.

After their summer clear-out, three of Michael Bradley’s new signings will also make their competitive debuts for Connacht this evening; right-winger Brian Tuohy, lock Bernie Upton and number eight Mike McComish, with another two, prop Jamie Hagan and outhalf Miah Nikora, among the replacements.

To put this in context though, debuting too will be two of the Ospreys’ new recruits, Wales fullback Barry Davies and former All Black blindside Jerry Collins (alongside fellow All Black Marty Holah and Grand Slam-winning captain Ryan Jones), as will Tom Isaacs if he comes off the bench.

Furthermore, two of their Lions – halfbacks Mike Phillips and James Hook – surprisingly feature in their starting line-up and on the bench respectively.

Phillips, one of the Lions’ undoubted stars of the summer, starts in part because Jamie Nutbrown was ruled out with a finger injury and the combative Wales scrumhalf is itching to play. “I’m a professional rugby player and I’m paid to do a job that I love, so every opportunity you get to play is pretty special. I’d much rather be out there playing again on Friday night than sitting at home.”

CONNACHT:G Duffy; B Tuohy, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; A Browne, B Upton; J Muldoon (capt), R Ofisa, M McComish. Replacements: A Flavin, J Hagan, M Swift, J O'Connor, C O'Loughlin, M Nikora, T Nathan.

OSPREYS: B Davies; J Vaughton, S Parker, A Bishop, N Walker; D Biggar, M Phillips; D Jones, R Hibbard, C Griffiths, I Gough, A Lloyd, J Collins, M Holah, R Jones (capt). Replacements: H Bennett, P James, T Smith, F Tiatia, T Isaacs, J Hook, J Spratt.

Referee:Graham Knox (SRU).

Last three seasons: (06-07) Connacht 15 Ospreys 10; Ospreys 31 Connacht 10; (07-08) Ospreys 37 Connacht 7; Connacht 24 Ospreys 20; (08-09) Connacht 3 Ospreys 16; Ospreys 22 Connacht 10.

Last season's leading try scorers: Connacht – Fionn Carr 8. Ospreys – James Hook, Shane Williams 5 each, Lee Byrne 4.

Last season's leading points scorers: Connacht – Ian Keatley 124. Ospreys – James Hook 161, Dan Biggar 55.

Betting (Paddy Powers): 3/1 Connacht, 22/1 Draw, 2/9 Ospreys. Handicap betting (= Connacht +9pts) 10/11 Connacht, 22/1 Draw, 10/11 Ospreys.

Forecast: Ospreys to win.

Also playing:Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh, Cardiff City Stadium (7.05). Tomorrow – Scarlets v Leinster, Parc y Scarlets (6.30). Sunday: Newport Gwent Dragons v Ulster Rugby, Rodney Parade (2.05).