Wales wing Josh Adams has been released from the national team camp to start for Cardiff against the Ospreys at St Helen's on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship. The 31-year-old is the only region-based player from Steve Tandy's Wales squad to be made available for club duty ahead of the Nations Championship.
Adams returned from a hamstring injury as a substitute at Northampton two weeks ago and started last weekend's defeat to the Sharks at Cardiff Arms Park. Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said Adams has played close to 100 minutes and needs nearly double that for Test match preparation, making the release sensible.
Team News
Cardiff are without six other Wales internationals: loose-head prop Rhys Barratt, hooker Liam Belcher, lock Teddy Williams, and back-row forwards Alex Mann, James Botham and Taine Basham. Ospreys are missing full-back Tom Rogers, fly-half Dan Edwards, scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams and loose-head prop Gareth Thomas. Van Zyl acknowledged the desire for full-strength derbies but noted the schedule and Wales priorities mean both sides lose players, creating opportunities for others.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones called the absences disappointing for supporters and the growth of the game in Wales, adding that financial realities mean fans want to watch the best players. He said the regions must work within their agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union.
Lock Josh McNally is the sole survivor in Cardiff's starting pack from the Sharks game and captains the side in Belcher's absence. Number eight Alun Lawrence makes his first appearance of the season after injury, replacing the unavailable Wales back-rowers. Cardiff also have 18 injured players beyond the six internationals. Van Zyl said the squad is smaller but excited for a "spicy derby."
Fly-half Harri Wilde, on loan at Ospreys from Cardiff, is named on the home replacements bench. Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves is ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury sustained in the 31-14 win over Dragons. Australia centre Lalakai Foketi misses out through illness, while Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete will return from a rib injury after the November break.
Lineups
Ospreys: Hopkins; Morgan, Watkin (co-capt), K Williams, Giles; Creighton, L Davies; S Thomas, Parry (co-capt), Botha, Ratti, Smith, Wright, Moriarty, M Morris. Replacements: Daniel, C Jones, Warren, R Davies, Morse, H Williams, Wilde, Boshoff.
Cardiff: Young; Adams, Malan, Emanuel, Bowen; J Evans, Mulder; Southworth, Hughes, Assiratti, McNally (capt), Thornton, Paea, Thomas, Lawrence. Replacements: Howe, Sio, Sebastian, Manz, de la Rua, A Davies, Sheedy, Darwin-Lewis.
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales). Assistant referees: Carwyn Sion & Marc Caudle (Wales). TMO: Jenny Davies (Wales).
