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A sample of the video evidence used in the discipline hearing following the citing of Stade Francais's Juan Cruz Guillemain - 17/01/2013 11:39
**Gavin Henson is a late withdrawal from the Ospreys side with a hamstring strain.
Henson failed a late fitness test, but will be back in action next week for the Round 2 match against Stade Francais Paris.
Shaun Conner takes his place in the stating lineup.
Welsh regional side Ospreys are hoping to take their recent good form in the Magners League to the European stage when they host Guinness Premiership champions Sale Sharks.
Three wins on the bounce have seen Lyn Jones side play some scintillating rugby and hit form at just the right time. Summer signings Justin Marshall and Lee Bryne have cemented their places in a side whose fans will be hungry for success in the lavish surrounding of the Liberty Stadium.
Sale Sharks have in all to prove after last years exit at the quarter-final stage. Defeat to Munster in Round 6 cost them home advantage, and they will be out to prove a point this term.
Victory over London Wasps in last year’s Guinness Premiership final showed the Manchester side have the strength of character to lift the major trophies, and success in the Heineken Cup is the logical progression for a side that secured the European Challenge Cup in 2002 and 2005.
Sharks rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre has made two changes from the side which pummelled Irish 31-14, calling up former Swansea scrum-half Sililo Martens and ex-Cardiff prop Ben Evans, whose scrummaging battle opposite Ospreys skipper Duncan Jones could prove a key contest.
Saint-Andre said: “We are in an incredibly tough pool, and the fact we must play the top team from France, Wales and Italy despite being the number one seed from England, shows just how hard our group is.
“Every match will be vital, and to have any hope of progression we must take maximum points from our three home games and look to win at least two on the road.
“We must target winning the group, as I cannot see a second-place finish getting through to the quarter-final.”
Ospreys coach Lyn Jones, who earlier this week claimed there was “no bigger challenge” in European rugby than Sale, said: “I watched Sale demolish London Irish last weekend and I was really impressed with the way they are playing.
“They didn’t just beat the Irish, they manhandled them into submission and we will have to match their physicality up front if we are to get anything out of this game.”
But Jones reckons the Ospreys fans will also have a big part to play in tonight’s clash.
He said: “We will enjoy strong support from the Liberty Stadium crowd and the Heineken Cup is a competition where this counts for everything.
“I am sure anyone who appreciates what the game of rugby is all about will be at the stadium for what promises to be an encounter to remember.”
- 26/09/1998 14:30
James Hook banged over a dramatic conversion with the last kick of the game to complete a stunning win against English champions Sale Sharks.
The Heineken Cup started with a bang as Shane Williams skipped over for his second try of the game seven minutes into injury-time and Wales centre Hook kept his cool to clinch a remarkable win.
The Ospreys triumph was all the more remarkable having trailed Sale since the 50th minute following three Charlie Hodgson penalties and Juan Fernandez Lobbe’s try.
But following a non-stop barrage of attack by the Welsh region – wing wonder Williams darted over off Lee Byrne’s pass and Hook, a second half replacement, sparked delirious scenes at the Liberty Stadium with his conversion.
Ironically the 21-year-old would not have had the chance had regular penalty taker Gavin Henson not failed a late fitness test on a strained hamstring.
Replacement Shaun Connor gave the Ospreys an ideal start with a penalty inside two minutes.
That start got all the better when Williams burst over in the corner for the opening try on seven minutes.
Justin Marshall broke free after the Ospreys forwards stole possession, Connor was twice involved in the swift counter-attack, the second time passing to Williams who dived through Oriol Ripol’s goal-line tackle to score.
Connor converted but a Byrne blunder saw Sale hit back straight from the kick-off. The Wales full-back saw his clearance blocked by Hodgson and No8 Lobbe had the simplest of touch downs.
Sale lost England star Mark Cueto to an ankle injury and then saw nine points go begging in the space of five minutes before half-time.
Outside-half Hodgson missed two shots at goal before Cueto’s replacement, Daniel Larrechea, also missed from long range.
The Ospreys also missed their chances, Connor hitting the post with a penalty before sending clear Nikki Walker who failed to spot Sonny Parker unmarked by his side.
And they ended the half down to 14 men when Brent Cockbain was shown the yellow card for foul play.
Hodgson rediscovered his range, levelling the scores 10-10 on the stroke of half-time before giving Sale the lead for the first time in the game with a 50th minute strike.
With the scores s close, both side’s turned to their bench in a bid to swing the game, Sale bringing on the imposing figure of Sebastien Chabal while the Ospreys turned to young James Hook who snatched at a speculative drop goal with his first touch.
That was what the Ospreys were left with as they were starved by possession by the Sharks pack in a tightly contested second half.
Hodgson knocked over a third penalty four minutes from time that looked to have won the game until Williams and Hook struck late on.
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