HEINEKEN CUP, Pool Three
Venue: Liberty Stadium, Swansea Date: Saturday, 24 January Kick-off: 1730 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra, Radio Wales & online
 Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett has won 18 Wales caps |
Huw Bennett says Richie Hibbard's omission from Wales' Six Nations squad adds more spice to their rivalry at regional level with the Ospreys. Hibbard has been the regular hooker while Bennett was injured, but Bennett has received the nod for Wales. He missed the autumn Tests because of an ankle injury but could start in the Ospreys' European clash with Leicester. "The Wales situation spices up our competition at the Ospreys. Competition for places is healthy," Bennett said. "It's the same for us. Everyone wants to play but everyone can't." Bennett was Wales coach Warren Gatland's first-choice hooker during their Grand Slam campaign last season and has been included in the 28-man squad for the Six Nations ahead of Hibbard, despite not starting a game for more than two-and-a-half months. Hibbard has deputised for the 25-year-old but Bennett is considered the more accurate line-out thrower.  | 606: DEBATE |
"Rich and I get on well," insists Bennett. "I spoke to him after the Wales squad was announced and that's rugby. "It wasn't relief when I was picked for Wales, more of an honour as the coach has put that faith in me. "It's good for the team having a smaller squad because it makes it harder to get in it and you respect your position more when you are in there." The Ospreys' Liberty Stadium showdown with Leicester on Saturday - a re-run of last season's EDF Energy Cup final - is a must-win game for both clubs if they hope to qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. "We can't afford to make mistakes," added Bennett. "The pressure is definitely on but this is the competition we want to do well in."
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?