News article – Style D 1159

That’s the plea from the Ospreys coach, still smarting obviously from that Celtic League final defeat at the hands of Alan Gaffney’s side last season, when he was in charge of Neath.

That’s the plea from the Ospreys coach, still smarting obviously from that Celtic League final defeat at the hands of Alan Gaffney’s side last season, when he was in charge of Neath.

And the ospreys coach believes, now is the time for revenge, telling his side and supporters “what happened last year is not going to happen again. It’s payback time. Bring them on.”

Jones admits to being “devastated by what happened” in that millennium stadium final, and today’s game is seen not just a test of the ospreys credentials but also of the new regional era in Welsh rugby. From their point of view there is a huge amount at stake today.

For his part Munster coach Gaffney refused to be drawn on Jones’s comments. “Of course they’ll want to win. Their at home in front of their own fans. They lost narrowly last time out, and Munster are seen all over as one of the most prized scalps. I can’t comment on anything Lyn has to say.”

Gaffney was speaking after returning , from a late morning fitness test on replacement hooker Andy Long, who failed that test. That means a place on the bench for Frankie Roche, he is joined in the replacements by Jody Danaher, Trevor Hogan, Colm McMahon, Mike Prendergast (returning after a long time injury), Martin McPhail and Dominic Crotty.

The Munster starting line up sees a Celtic league debut for youngster Conrad O’Sullivan and newcomer, Australian David Pusey. Pusey (23) who is qualified to play for Ireland through his grand mother who hails from Skibbereen only arrived in Munster last week but will have the steadying hand of Eddie Halvey beside him and the experience of Denis Leamy, David Wallace and Jim Williams behind him.

With all that is at stake and the hype surrounding the game in a sun kissed Swansea, this is a huge task facing Alan Gaffney’s young side.

Munster v Neath/Swansea Osprey’s

Kick Off: Saturday Sept. 27th 5:30pm Venue: St. Helens, Swansea. TV Coverage: S4C on Sky Digital

Teams:

Munster

Jeremy Staunton, Mossie Lawlor, Mike Mullins, Jason Jones-Hughes, Shaun Payne, Conrad O’Sullivan, Eoin Reddan, Simon Kerr, Jerry Flannery, Martin Cahill, Eddie Halvey, David Pusey, Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Jim Williams.

Replacements: Frank Roche, Jodie Danaher, Trevor Hogan, Colm McMahon, Stephen Keogh, Mike Prendergast, Martin Mc Phail, Dominic Crotty.

Neath/Swansea Osprey’s

15 Gavin Henson 14 Dave Tiueti 13 James Storey 12 Scott Gibbs (Captain) 11 Elvis Seveali’l 10 Shaun Connor 9 Andy Williams 8 Nathan Bonner Evans 7 James Bater 6 Gavin Thomas 5 Luke Tait 4 Andy Newman 3 Andrew Millward 2 Barry Williams 1 Paul James

Replacements: 16 Gareth Morris 17 Adrian Durston 18 Ricky Richards 19 Chris Wells 20 Steve Tandy 21 Lyndon Bateman 22 Cai Griffiths