Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has brought back his big guns for the Heineken Champions Cup clash with Montpellier in Swansea on Saturday (8pm) — but Wales hopeful Keiran Williams is a notable absentee.
There are nine changes from the side that gave Leinster a hurry-up in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.
However, Williams is taken out of the firing line after an ultra-physical effort against the Irishmen which, according to one count, saw him beat 11 defenders, make 73 metres and put in 15 tackles. Booth said he had been “an unbelievable player for us over the last month”, but his physicality last weekend has taken a toll and Ospreys will have to do without him for their date with the French champions.
Joe Hawkins comes into midfield in his place, starting alongside Michael Collins.
Alex Cuthbert, Owen Williams and Rhys Webb also feature behind the scrum.
Up front, rotation sees Gareth Thomas, Scott Baldwin and Tom Botha all come into the run-on side, while Adam Beard returns at lock and Jac Morgan packs down at No. 8 with Ethan Roots injured during the Leinster match and Morgan Morris also bumped and bruised, although he is able to take his place on the bench.
George North figures among the replacements, too, as he returns from the facial injury he sustained against Leicester on December 11.
It’s a big game for all those with ambitions of making Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the Six Nations ahead of the announcement next Tuesday, with scrum-half Webb among those who’ll be wanting to catch the national coach’s eye.
It’s also a key encounter for the Ospreys as they aim to maintain their challenge for a place in the Champions Cup knockout stages. Booth’s team defeated Montpellier in France before Christmas but are expecting the kitchen sink and then a bit more to come their way in the return.
“Last time we played Montpellier Herault our leading players set an example with their performances and their vocality,” said Booth.
“We're expecting a bounce-back performance from Montpellier this week after we won at their place. They're a physical team and will be seeking revenge but we’re only focusing on what we can control.”
Ospreys: Cai Evans; Alex Cuthbert, Michael Collins, Joe Hawkins, Keelan Giles; Owen Williams, Rhys Webb; Gareth Thomas, Scott Baldwin, Tom Botha, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Rhys Davies, Justin Tipuric (capt), Jac Morgan.
Replacements: Dewi Lake, Nicky Smith, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Huw Sutton, Morgan Morris, Reuben Morgan-Williams, George North.
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