Bad luck can benefit Ospreys

The Ospreys have 12 first-team squad members away from the club due to the autumn internationals, as well as a host of star names sidelined through injury.

Skipper Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones, Duncan Jones, Paul James, Huw Bennett, Craig Mitchell, Dan Biggar, James Hook and Shane Williams are all with Wales, while Tommy Bowe is in the Ireland squad to face Australia and Nikki Walker is involved with Scotland.

And with likely starters Ian Gough, Filo Tiatia and Richard Hibbard the latest to succumb to injury, Johnson is without a staggering 34 players for Saturday's LV= Cup tie at Bath.

But despite their run of bad luck, former Wales and USA coach Johnson hopes that the experience will benefit the region in the long run as they look to regain the Magners League crown they last won in 2007.

"You have to say that the circumstances are providing a great opportunity for some of our younger players," said Johnson, who is in his first season in charge at the Liberty Stadium.

"I think we've got to view this period as an exciting time, a challenge yes, but ultimately a lucky time for us as we get to see the quality of player that we have coming through the ranks.

"The good thing about what we are seeing at the moment is tha,t hopefully, some of the players who are coming to attention during this difficult period will go on and become future Welsh internationals. They will follow in the footsteps of the guys who are away at the moment."

And as well as eventually benefiting the region as a whole, Johnson admits that the current selection problems could and should have a positive impact on his own coaching credentials as he looks to continuing improving in his new role.

"We are in an unusual position at the moment, there's no escaping that. We've got a substantial number of players unavailable for whatever reason," added the Australian.

"It's not the perfect working scenario as a coach - it's clearly far from perfect. But testing a coach's resolve is a good thing.

"We'd planned for this period, and we'd planned to integrate a lot more players into the group. But, if you have a look at our injury list on top of our international duties, you have to say it's an unusual period for everybody."