Match Preview: Ospreys v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Ospreys coach Toby Booth says it’s full speed ahead for the first ever BKT URC game to be played in England. He feels the Sharks are kindred spirits and will join his team in putting on an entertaining encounter at the Twickenham Stoop.

“Like us, they are positive. They are certainly a side that wants to be fast and wants to be exciting,” said Booth. “That is obvious to me. You look at the stats, with them, us, Glasgow, you can see teams that are definitely trying to be positive. I think it’s going to be quick and then it will come down to who can execute what they want to do.”

On the ground-breaking initiative of playing in London, Booth said: “Everybody within rugby is trying to develop the match-day experience and this is an example of trying to do things differently. American sports often lead the way in that.

“Die-hard rugby fans are going to want to watch rugby whatever. We are in a competitive business to try and get people interested in the game, what it looks like on the pitch, what it looks like before the game, in the media. All of these things create a greater connection between people.

“The more connectivity we have with people and the more they can relate to it the more chance you are going to get new blood into the sport.”

Booth knows the Stoop well, having previously coached Harlequins there.
“It is a nice tight little ground, there is a good atmosphere,” he said. “I know the Quins supporters are rugby people and probably a few of those are going to come out and watch it as independents and neutrals. It is a good rugby venue and part of London that is rugby centred.”

The consistently excellent Morgan Morris captains the Ospreys from No 8, with openside Harri Deaves making his first start of the season alongside him in the back row.

For the Sharks, Scotland international Dylan Richardson - capped once as a back row forward in 2021 - comes in at hooker, while Springbok winger Aphiwe Dyantyi is also drafted into the starting line-up.

Ospreys v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Twickenham Stoop, London – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 74th league game)

AR 1: Dewi Phillips (WRU) AR 2: Mark Butcher (WRU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Live on: BBC Wales, SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Luke Morgan, Keiran Williams, Owen Watkin, Toby Fricker, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Garyn Phillips, Ethan Lewis, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, James Fender, James Ratti,  Harri Deaves, Morgan Morris (CAPT)

Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Rhys Henry, Ben Warren, Lewis Jones, Morgan Morse, Luke Davies, Max Nagy, Luke Scully

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Francois Venter (CAPT), Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Curwin Bosch, Cameron Wright, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Dylan Richardson, Coenie Oosthuizen, Corne Rahl, Emile van Heerden, James Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe

Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Dian Bleuler, Hanro Jacobs, Hyron Andrews, George Cronje, Zee Mkhabela, Boeta Chamberlain, Murray Koster