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Keelan Giles to make first start for Ospreys in 8 months
By Ian Cameron
Welsh flyer Keelan Giles is set to make his first start for the Ospreys in 8 months after being named in Toby Booth's side for their URC derby match with Scarlets.
Giles will be playing his game since April. It's the latest comeback in a career that has been dogged by injury to date. Now 24, the former Wales U20s Grand Slammer has long been earmarked for international honours but injuries have constantly stood in between him and a first Welsh cap.
One of the fastest men in Welsh rugby, Giles will be eager to string together a run of matches even as the URC struggles with the impact of Covid-19 cancellations.
The Ospreys haven't beaten the Scarlets in Parc y Scarlets since 2015.
Head Coach Toby Booth said: “We are really excited about this game, we have had a long time without any rugby, but the opportunity to get back out there and do what we are paid to do and love to do is what we are all looking forward to.
“We talk about the opportunity to play against the Scarlets and it is a very special occasion. We have some coaches with history with this game and they have driven that message.
“Duncan Jones, Richard Fussell and Richie Pugh, for example, know the history of this fixture and the URC remind us how long it is since we have beaten them. So from that point of view there is enough motivation for us all.”
Ospreys: Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Michael Collins, Owen Watkin, Luke Morgan, Josh Thomas, Rhys Webb(CAPT), Nicky Smith, Elvis Taione, Tomas Francis, Will Griffiths, Adam Beard, Ethan Roots, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris
Replacements: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Lloyd Ashley, Sam Cross, Matthew Aubrey, Joe Hawkins, Keiran Williams
Scarlets: Liam Williams, Johnny McNicholl, Steff Hughes, Scott Williams (CAPT), Steff Evans, Dan Jones, Gareth Davies, Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Harri O’Connor, Sam Lousi, Tom Price, Blade Thomson, Josh Macleod, Sione Kalamafoni.
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Steff Thomas, WillGriff John, Aaron Shingler, Tomas Lezana, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Patchell, Tom Rogers.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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