Justin Tipuric will ease his way back for the Ospreys when they head into the United Rugby Championship derby against the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Sunday.
The Swansea.com Stadium region have named their club captain on the bench as he resumes after a troublesome rib injury.
Named in Wales’ squad for the autumn Tests, Tipuric needs rugby.
After more than a year out with a scapula problem, he banged in two 80-minute performances at the start of the season, only to hit fresh injury problems. Usually the most durable of players, he’ll hope his run of misfortune stops dead as he looks to put his campaign back into gear.
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Prop Gareth Thomas also returns for Toby Booth's side, in his case after a head knock against Ulster on October 8, but Gareth Anscombe and Alex Cuthbert are absent.
Cuthbert damaged a shoulder playing for Wales against South Africa in the summer and is down as being injured, while Anscombe, who has had a rib problem, is neither named in the squad for the trip east nor included on the list of injured players.
In all, the Ospreys make three changes from the side that drew 16-16 against the Stormers, with Luke Morgan coming in on the left wing and Jack Walsh featuring at fly-half instead of the injured Stephen Myler, while up front Thomas lines up at loosehead prop.
The Dragons will be targeting a quick bounce back after coming unstuck against Cardiff last time out. Ill discipline and a failure to take chances cost them dearly at the Arms Park, but they caused the hosts problems at times and in Will Rowlands and Bradley Roberts they had two outstanding forward performers.
They make six changes for the visit of the Ospreys, welcoming back Jordan Williams, Steff Hughes and Gonzalo Bertranou behind the scrum, with Rhodri Jones, Aaron Wainwright and Harri Keddie returning up front.
Jones plays against his old team, while Sio Tomkinson and Angus are sidelined by injuries.
Keddie makes his hundredth Dragons appearance, with prop Lloyd Fairbrother running out in the club's colours for the 150th time.
The likes of Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright will want to impress after being left out of the Wales squad.
“Ospreys are a very good team. They are forward orientated, and they have a lot of good players, full of internationals and experience,” said Dragons forwards coach, Mefin Davies.
“I’m sure everyone on that field, especially after the Wales squad being named, will be desperate to perform. Those that have been selected will want to put in a big performance.
“Welsh derby games are great occasions. A lot of players know each other very well and it often comes down to fine margins on the day as to who wins.
“For us, it’s a matter of working hard and making sure we get the right result back on home soil.”
Dragons RFC: Jordan Williams; Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser; JJ Hanrahan, Gonzalo Bertranou; Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Sean Lonsdale, Rhodri Williams, Sam Davies, Max Clark.
Ospreys : Max Nagy; George North, Owen Watkin, Michael Collins, Luke Morgan; Jack Walsh, Rhys Webb (capt); Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tomas Fancis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Ethan Roots, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris.
Replacements : Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Joe Hawkins.
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