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Page last updated at 17:11 GMT, Tuesday, 25 August 2009 18:11 UK

Byrne must fight for Ospreys spot

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY: GLOUCESTER v OSPREYS
Venue: Kingsholm, Gloucester Date: Saturday, 29 August Kick-off: 1500 BST


Full-back Lee Byrne scored two tries for the Lions in South Africa
Full-back Lee Byrne scored two tries for the Lions in South Africa

Ospreys coach Sean Holley says Wales and Lions star Lee Byrne will face real competition for the full-back spot when he returns for the region.

"[Summer signing] Barry Davies was very good and showed he's going to be strong competition for Lee," he said after the 35-20 friendly win over Leeds.

"And special mention to Tom Prydie. He's still in school, 17, a local boy - and he didn't look out of place."

The Ospreys play Gloucester on Saturday and will keep their Lions in check.

Holley suggested that 2009 Lions tourists Byrne, Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe, James Hook, Mike Phillips and Alun Wyn Jones could return "in a few weeks", but injury victim Adam Jones remains a long-term casualty.

606: DEBATE

Wales flanker Jonathan Thomas is still several weeks away from a return, but national skipper Ryan Jones could play in the friendly at Kingsholm.

"We are still in the throes of pre-season, but it's great to see some of the young players showing signs of development and some of the new signings," Holley told BBC Sport Wales.

Nikki Walker and Barry Davies in action in the Ospreys' win over Leeds
Nikki Walker and Barry Davies in action in the Ospreys' win over Leeds

"We need strength in depth, we're well aware of that.

"Gloucester will be a step up. Going to Kingsholm is difficult, but that's what we want before the start of the season.

"It's a chance to integrate a couple of players, we may see Ryan [Jones] on the field and perhaps Filo [Tiatia].

"There'll be a bit more game time for the likes of Paul James and, hopefully, Richard Hibbard.

"Jonathan Thomas is not far off, a couple of weeks... that's good news.

"In a few more weeks we'll welcome back the Lions as well."



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see also
Ospreys 35-20 Leeds Carnegie
22 Aug 09 |  Welsh
Injured Byrne out of Lions tour
25 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union
Ospreys snap up full-back Davies
18 Jun 09 |  Ospreys
Teenager Prydie impresses Ospreys
06 Aug 09 |  Welsh
Heineken Cup
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
RaboDirect Pro12
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
Anglo-Welsh Cup
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales
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