MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Liberty Stadium Date: Friday, 2 April Kick-off: 1905 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC TWO Wales and online, score updates on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport website
 Ospreys won 14-21 at Parc y Scarlets on Boxing Day |
Mike Phillips says Ospreys will recover the desire that was missing against the Dragons in Friday's west Wales derby with the Scarlets in Swansea. A fired-up Dragons crushed the star-studded Ospreys 28-20 last week. Phillips says the Liberty Stadium will see a different Ospreys side against cross-Loughor rivals Scarlets. "We've had a good talk this week and it wasn't good enough against the Dragons, we lacked a lot of passion and didn't rise to the occasion," said Phillips. "They came at us in the contact area, spoiled our ball and were superb.  | 606: DEBATE |
"They were just up for the game, far more aggressive than us. It's a simple game and they wanted it more. "It's a massive game against the Scarlets and we have to show commitment and passion. "I'm sure that will be there this week for a home game in front of a big crowd on a huge occasion." Ospreys lie fifth in the Magners League table on 33 points, one point off a top-four place that would win them a spot in the new end-of-season play-offs.  West Wales derbies have a long and turbulent history |
"If we have any hope of that we have to beat the Scarlets," said Ospreys and Wales centre James Hook. Newport Gwent Dragons also have 33 points, with Cardiff Blues on 27 and Scarlets on 23, the top three Welsh sides securing Heineken Cup qualification for next season. Ospreys feel that a lack of time together as a squad following the disruptions of the Six Nations cost them against the Dragons and that they will put that right at the Liberty Stadium. "In December and January we were really playing well as a group, we're pretty happy with the way the season has gone for us," said Ospreys and Wales forward Jonathan Thomas. | You're playing against players who are good friends... that brings out intense rivalries and gives you the motivation to win Ospreys forward Jonathan Thomas |
"[Director of rugby] Scott Johnson has had a great influence and we're buying into what he is doing. "We had a large group of players go away [for the Six Nations] then come back. It takes a while to gel back in, but we're pretty confident we can get back to the way we were playing in January. "It's a must-win game for us, but local derbies always are. "You're playing against players who are good friends. That brings out intense rivalries and gives you the motivation to win."
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