Osprey session off as rain takes Knoll toll

Barry Coughlan

The game is down for the Knoll on Sunday and while the home side called off yesterday’s session, team manager Derwyn Jones is confident the game will go ahead despite a grim weather forecast for Wales in the coming days.

“We felt we had done enough earlier in the week. The pitch was a bit soft after a lot of rain so we decided to take a break,” he said.

Second row Jonathon Thomas is ruled out after being suspended for 18 days following the clash with Castres last week and back row forwards Ryan Jones and Andy Lloyd are carrying injuries.

Lloyd was briefly hospitalised in France last weekend with a neck injury, but coach Jones denied he would have to be ruled out.

Welsh sources have suggested otherwise and Lloyd may be sidelined for up to two weeks.

On top of that, number eight Ryan Jones is struggling with a leg injury and may also be forced out.

The Ospreys hold a press conference today, before which Jones will announce the team.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney will name his team this afternoon.

He is likely to recall Donncha O’Callaghan for Trevor Hogan in the second row and Shaun Payne for Mossie Lawlor in the back division.

In Rugby League, Ireland face Scotland in Navan this evening (7.30) in a European Nations Cup pool decider.

The squad is: D. Bates (Halifax), P. Cantillon (Halifax), G. Corcoran (Halifax), P. Darley (Dewsbury), C. De Chenu (Sheffield), L. Doran (Oldham), I. Dowling (Kilkenny Wildcats), K. Fitzpatrick (Salford), D. Foy (Kerry Kings), T. Gallagher (Leeds), T. Gallagher (Leeds), J. Gallagher (Leeds), S. Littler (Salford), S. Manuel (Kilkenny Wildcats), C. Maye (Swinton), M. McConnell (Barrow), B. McDermott (Leeds), M. McLoughlin (Oldham), P. Purdue (Clontarf Bulls), P. Southern (Rochdale), P. Weisner (Halifax).