Bordeaux-Begles v Ospreys: Champions Cup preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 19/12/15 10:47pm
Steve Tandy says the Ospreys face a stern test of character when they travel to Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
The Welsh region were 19-16 winners when the teams met in Swansea last Saturday, but they have lost 14 of their 15 away games against French opposition in the Champions Cup.
Bordeaux have named a strong side for the return fixture at the Stade Chaban-Delmas with World Cup finalist Adam Ashley-Cooper set to make his debut.
However, after claiming two match points at Clermont Auvergne in round two, Ospreys head coach Tandy says they travel to France in confident mood.
"There'll be a typically passionate French crowd there on Saturday," he said. "We are going into an environment where they have the biggest average crowd in European rugby.
"We know it'll be a test of character as much as ability, as it always is on the road in top competitions like this. We've got to thrive on that and stand up to the challenge."
Ben John starts at outside centre for the Ospreys after Jonathan Spratt was ruled out with a knee injury and is one of two changes to the starting line-up.
The other comes at scrum-half as Tom Habberfield replaces Brendon Leonard. He partners Dan Biggar, who scored all of the Ospreys' points last weekend.
Bordeaux make six changes with Wallabies star Ashley-Cooper named alongside Julien Rey in midfield. Metuisela Talebulamaijaina and Sofiane Guitoune come in on the wings while Julien Le Devedec starts at lock.
"It's important that we approach this game in the right way as the right performance will allow us to keep building momentum, which is crucial with a huge month of rugby ahead of us in the PRO12 and Europe," said Tandy.
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ben John, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tom Habberfield; 1 Paul James, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 4 Lloyd Ashley, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 James King.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Hanno Dirksen.
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Jean-Marcellin Buttin, 14 Metuisela Talebulamaijaina, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Julien Rey, 11 Sofiane Guitoune, 10 Pierre Bernard, 9 Heini Adams; 1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Clement Maynadier, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Julien Le Devedec, 5 Berend Botha, 6 Louis Madaule, 7 Matthew Clarkin, 8 Marco Tauleigne.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Jan Andre Marais, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Yann Lesgourgues, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Darly Domvo.
Watch Bordeaux-Begles v Ospreys live on Sky Sports 4 HD on Saturday from 5.10pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.