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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Ospreys v Leinster team news as players still missing for region 'due to Covid-19 guidelines'

The Ospreys have named their team to face Leinster at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday as they look to bounce back from last week's defeat to Zebre.

Ospreys had three unnamed players unavailable for the 23-17 defeat to Zebre last Monday because of Covid-19 guidelines, with head coach Toby Booth earlier this week confirming they would also miss the Leinster match.

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate leads the side for the third time this season in a back-row that features Will Griffiths, who makes his first PRO14 start for the Ospreys.

An unchanged front five sees Rhodri Jones, Dewi Lake and Ma'afu Fia line up in the front-row and Adam Beard and Bradley Davies in the second.

In the backs, Cai Evans comes into the starting line-up alongside the unchanged duo of Luke Morgan and Mat Protheroe on the wings.

Joe Hawkins and Scott Williams maintain the centre partnership with Reuben Morgan-Williams and Josh Thomas wearing the nine and ten jerseys once again.

Off the bench Callum Carson is named after making his PRO14 debut last weekend, alongside the experienced duo of Hanno Dirksen and Shaun Venter.

Fly-half Stephen Myler and centres Kieran Williams and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler are again missing from the matchday 23 after not featuring in the squad that travelled to Italy.

"I am less worried about Leinster and where they are in their journey as a team, everyone knows how good they are, they are the market leaders in the Pro14," said Booth.

"Everyone knows they are there to aspire to but we can't control them and I am more interested in what we do and how we respond from last week.

"The character side of our team I am really proud of - the ability to keep fighting until the bitter end. We we came up short - only just - last Monday, but if we have good character, a good culture and consistent performances, you get closer to teams like Leinster.

"We are looking forward to the challenge and it's another opportunity to see where we are."

Ospreys: Cai Evans; Mat Protheroe, Scott Williams, Joe Hawkins, Luke Morgan; Josh Thomas, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Rhodri Jones, Dewi Lake, Ma'afu Fia, Adam Beard, Bradley Davies, Will Griffiths, Dan Lydiate (capt), Gareth Evans.

Reps: Ifan Phillips, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Olly Cracknell, Shaun Venter, Callum Carson, Hanno Dirksen.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Cian Kelleher, Rory O'Loughlin, Tommy O'Brien, Dave Kearney; Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath; Michael Milne, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Scott Fardy, Josh Murphy, Scott Penny, Rhys Ruddock (capt).

Reps: Dan Sheehan, Peter Dooley, Ciaran Parker, Devin Toner, Dan Leavy, Hugh O'Sullivan, David Hawkshaw, Liam Turner.

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