Ospreys boss: We will finish as top Welsh side

Feb 29 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

OSPREYS coach Lyn Jones insisted his side are determined to finish as the top Welsh side in the Magners League.

The defending champions are 13 points behind leaders Leinster going into tonight’s trip to Glasgow (7.30pm), while seven points behind the Llanelli Scarlets.

“What’s important is that we keep working hard in this league,” said Jones.

“The Blues are just five points ahead of us and Llanelli are seven.

“We have a pretty good fixture list between now and the end of the season and everything to play for.

“We want to be the highest-placed Welsh team.

“I guess we are going to have to rely on results elsewhere, but we found last year that if you keep working hard and sticking in there, anything can happen in this league.

“Last year we didn’t realise where we were in the league until after the EDF final.

“We have to keep our heads down, keep improving individual performances and our team displays will be better.

“If we can do that, we’ll keep picking up points.

“It’s all about entering May with a good fixture list.

“We have a lot of home games to come.”

The Ospreys have Wales duo Alun-Wyn Jones and Sonny Parker available for the clash and both are named in the starting line-up after being released by Warren Gatland.

Wyn Jones is looking to prove his fitness ahead of the Triple Crown decider against Ireland next Saturday after missing the victories over Scotland and Italy.

Scotland wing Nikki Walker also features for the Ospreys after being released by Frank Hadden.

Ospreys: J Vaughton; N Walker, S Parker, J Spratt, M Taylor; S Connor, J Marshall; P James, R Hibbard, C Griffiths, L Bateman, A-W Jones, B Lewis, F Tiatia (capt), M Holah.

Reps: E Shervington, A Millward, A Lloyd, T Smith, R Webb, G Owen, A Brew.