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Holah Hyped Up

Fri 21 Mar, 02:09 PM


Marty Holah admits he has been affected by "Grand Slam euphoria" ahead of the Ospreys' EDF Energy Cup semi-final clash against Saracens.

The former All Blacks flanker will be joined by 11 of Wales' Grand Slam-winning squad on a quickfire return to the Millennium Stadium.

Victory over France under the stadium's closed roof six days ago gave Wales their second RBS 6 Nations title and tournament clean sweep in four seasons.

And it is why the Ospreys, who face Saracens again on April 6 when a Heineken Cup last-four spot will be at stake, start as firm favourites to reach a second successive Anglo-Welsh Twickenham final.

Holah's craft and dynamism in the Ospreys back row has proved pivotal to their escalating push for a cup double.

Throw in the Ospreys' sizeable Wales contingent, and it is little wonder Holah is excited about the challenges ahead.

"The Grand Slam euphoria has rubbed off a bit on me - it's been hard to get away from it the last couple of weekends," he said.

"The great thing about the Welsh team and the Welsh people is that they are so passionate about rugby, and I have been carried away about that over the last couple of weeks.

"I am really looking forward to Saturday's game, not only because I haven't played for a while - which is something I'm not used to during a season - but because of the occasion as well.

"I have played at the Millennium Stadium before, and it is a pretty outstanding place to play rugby.

"I think the environment there is enjoyable, but the other thing is that the Ospreys are desperate for success and I can feel that hunger, having played for them this year."

So rich are the Ospreys' resources they can rest Wales lock Ian Gough and be without injured Scotland wing Nikki Walker, and still parade 14 capped players.

Ex-All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall, meanwhile, has to be content with a place on the bench.

Ospreys coach Lyn Jones believes Saturday's victors will gain "a huge psychological advantage" heading into the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash at Vicarage Road next month.

Jones said: "When you look at back-to-back games in Europe, it is always harder to win the second game if you have lost the first.

"Whichever team wins on Saturday is going to have a huge psychological advantage for the next game in the Heineken Cup.

"We want more silverware, although this season has already been a success for us.

"We contributed 14 players to the Welsh Grand Slam side, reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup for the first time and the EDF semi-finals."

Saracens: B Russell; R Haughton, F Leonelli, A Farrell, D Scarbrough; G Jackson, N de Kock (capt); N Lloyd, F Ongaro, C Johnston, C Jack, H Vyvyan, K Chesney, D Barrell, B Skirving.

Replacements: A Kyriacou, C Visagie, T Ryder, P Gustard, M Rauluni, K Sorrell, K Ratavou.

Ospreys: L Byrne; J Vaughton, S Parker, G Henson, S Williams; J Hook, M Phillips; P James, R Hibbard, A Jones, A-W Jones, I Evans, J Thomas, M Holah, R Jones (capt).

Replacements: H Bennett, D Jones, L Bateman, F Tiatia, J Marshall, D Biggar, A Bishop.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).

Touch judges: Martin Fox and Peter Huckle (both England).

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