Ospreys call on the experience of Michael Collins for their United Rugby Championship clash with Cell C Sharks at Kings Park on Friday (5pm UK kick-off time).
The Super Rugby import missed the tour opener against the Vodacom Bulls last weekend, but he is back to partner Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler in midfield for the encounter in Durban.
The other changes from the side which lost 43-26 to the Bulls see Sam Parry feature at hooker for Scott Baldwin and Rhys Henry come in at loose-head for Garyn Phillips. Henry made an impact off the bench last Saturday, scoring a try and showing up well in all areas.
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“He’s a 10 playing prop — an outstanding rugby player,” said attack coach Richard Fussell. “He loves having the ball in his hands and he has a great rugby brain.” Henry can also play on both sides of the scrum. You can read here about his amazing Welsh rugby debut that prompted cheers from team-mates.
Rhys Webb captains the side, with back-rower Will Hickey set to make his second start in succession for the Ospreys. Hickey made 15 tackles last week against the Bulls without missing one.
Lining up on the left wing, Keelan Giles is one of just four players in the URC to have made more than nine or more line breaks this season.
Sharks lost 35-0 at home to Cardiff last time out and have since sacked coach Sean Everitt, with director of rugby Neil Powell overseeing the remainder of the campaign.
Fussell, whose team picked up a try bonus point against the Bulls, said: “We’re expecting a reaction from the Cell C Sharks after the Cardiff game. Whether it’s a change on the field or an attitude change from them, they’re going to come out all guns blazing. But we’re going to focus on ourselves. As we showed against the Bulls, when we get ourselves right we can be a formidable outfit.”
Ospreys: Max Nagy; Luke Morgan, Michael Collins, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Keelan Giles; . Jack Walsh. Rhys Webb (capt); Rhys Henry, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, Bradley Davies, Huw Sutton, Ethan Roots, Will Hickey, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Jack Regan, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Luke Scully, Cai Evans.
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