Keelan Giles to make first start for Ospreys in 8 months

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.

Youth Unstoppables – Mastercard

Youth Unstoppables – Mastercard

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.”

He’s back ?? @keelangiles123 pic.twitter.com/hV7WNOzZxq

— Ospreys (@ospreys) December 31, 2021

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.