Gloucester v Ospreys - Teams
Ryan Lamb is back in favour for Gloucester's EDF Energy Cup semi-final with the Ospreys.
Last Updated: 27/03/09 1:35pm
Ryan Lamb is back in favour for Gloucester's EDF Energy Cup semi-final with the Ospreys at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on Saturday.
Lamb has fallen behind Carlos Spencer in the Cherry-and-Whites' fly-half pecking order but gets his chance because the New Zealander, who arrived at Kingsholm in mid-season from Northampton, is cup tied.
Gloucester also have their international contingent available again following the conclusion of the RBS Six Nations - England's Mike Tindall and Scotland duo Alasdair Dickinson and Alasdair Strokosch all go straight back into the starting XV.
Andy Hazell is handed the start at openside flanker in a back row that also features number eight Gareth Delve, who has recovered from the eye injury he picked up against London Wasps earlier in March.
In the backs James Simpson-Daniel replaces youngster Charlie Sharples on the left wing after overcoming a hip injury.
Internationals return
The Ospreys are boosted by a plethora of big names as they look to continue their cup defence.
Shane Williams, Gavin Henson, James Hook, Ryan Jones, Ian Gough and Adam Jones are among the Wales internationals to make the starting line-up, while Ireland's Tommy Bowe is named on the wing.
"Saturday's game marks the start of a huge month for us as we look to keep alive our involvement in three competitions," said head coach Sean Holley.
"It's going to be a difficult period in terms of rugby, but it's an exciting time, everything we've done as group over the last eight months or so has been geared towards being in contention on three fronts come the end of March, and here we are.
"We welcome back almost a whole team of players who have been away on international duty, and that has certainly made selection for this match interesting. This week has been about reintegrating these players; it's not an easy task but its something that we have been used to at the Ospreys over the last few seasons.
"Such is the culture that we have established here, that the players know what is expected of them, they know what the Ospreys mindset is and they are able to deal with a difficult situation very professionally.
"We have fantastic memories of the EDF Energy Cup, it has provided us with two great days out at Twickenham, and importantly, it has put us on the map when it comes to English rugby and the media."
Gloucester: 15 O Morgan, 14 I Balshaw, 13 M Tindall, 12 A Allen, 11 J Simpson-Daniel, 10 R Lamb, 9 R Lawson; 1 A Dickinson, 2 O Azam, 3 G Somerville, 4 W James, 5 A Brown, 6 A Strokosch, A Hazell, 8 G Delve
Replacements: 16 S Lawson, 17 C Nieto, 18 M Bortolami, 19 A Qera, 20 G Cooper, 21 O Barkley, 22 M Watkins
Ospreys: 15 G Henson, 14 T Bowe, 13 S Parker, 12 A Bishop, 11 S Williams, 10 J Hook, 9 J Nutbrown; 1 P James, 2 R Hibbard, 3 A Jones, 4 I Gough, 5 A Lloyd, 6 T Smith, 7 M Holah, 8 R Jones (capt)
Replacements: 16 H Bennett, 17 C Griffiths, 18 A-W Jones, 19 F Tiatia, 20 M Phillips, 21 D Biggar, 22 J Spratt