By Loosehead on 29/1/2004
January 30 2004

On Saturday the Tykes take on the Ospreys in the last round of the HEC, and which will be the last game for both in this years competition. Both teams will want to win the game as both teams will not want the unenviable position of finishing last in the group. Leeds have already won one game against the Ospreys in December, but the Ospreys will not want to finish on zero points.

Leeds go in to this game on the back of a fine performance against Toulouse last week where they scored 3 tries in the 2nd half, losing 31-22 in the end, this ended a run of 3 games where the Tykes failed to cross the white wash once.

PD will also be an unenviable position of almost being able to pick from a full strength squad of players for the first time this season albeit David Rees is still a month away Duncan Hodge played for the A team during the week and Gav Kerr had a run our for 25 mins agaisnt Toulouse. So this gives PD a chance to play his full strength pack and he will now look to Hodge to add a little pressure to Goggsy in the back line.

Of last weeks performance most fans agree that Phil Christophers adds an extra added dimension to the Leeds back line when he plays at outside centre with his quick feet and great step he causes many defences a lot of trouble, with Scabs playing like his old self and Matt Cardey playing a blinder the whole of the Tykes played with passion and skill which seemed missing in previous weeks. This game also heralds a first, and well deserved start for academy prodigy Michael Cusack at loosehead. Mike's been on the bench for a number of games and will gain some good top-level experience in this environment. Also welcome back to Alan Dickens who finally returns after injury.

Saturday's game will be a high scoring affair as both clubs are out of the competition and have nothing to lose, so both teams will not look to be too conservative.

My predection Leeds 35 Ospreys 28

BACKS
15. Matt Cardey
14. Liam Botham
13. Phil Christophers
12. Andre Snyman
11. Dan Scarbrough
10. Gordon Ross
9. Alan Dickens

FORWARDS
1. Michael Cusack
2. Mark Regan
3. Gavin Kerr
4. Phil Murphy
5. Tom Palmer (c)
6. Scott Morgan
7. Dan Hyde
8. Colm Rigney

REPLACEMENTS
16. Rob Rawlinson
17. Matt Holt
18. Stuart Hooper
19. Alix Popham
20. Clive Stuart-Smith
21. Duncan Hodge
22. Tristan Davies