Ospreys team to face Connacht

15 Richard Fussell
14 Tom Habberfield
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Jonathan Spratt
11 Ben John
10 Matthew Morgan
9 Kahn Fotuali'i

1 Duncan Jones
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 James King
6 Joe Bearman
7 Sam Lewis
8 Morgan Allen

REPLACEMENTS
16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Marc Thomas
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Lloyd Peers
20 Jonathan Thomas
21 Arthur Ellis/Sam Davies
22 Rhys Webb
23 Ross Jones

Tom Isaacs makes his 50th Ospreys appearance
Arthur Ellis and/or Sam Davies will make their PRO12 debuts if they come off the bench

10 players were unavailable for selection because of international duty with Wales senior and sevens squads

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Ian Gough - Calf
Andrew Bishop - Back
Ashley Beck - Ankle
Hanno Dirksen - Knee
Tom Smith - Groin
Joe Rees - Neck
Aaron Jarvis - Knee

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:

"It's really important that we back up last Friday's win in Ulster with some good performances over the next couple of weeks. We need to make sure we show the same attitude, commitment and application against Connacht, Edinburgh and Munster, and if we do that, we should get our rewards.

"We've got no room for error in the end of season run-in. Three defeats in our first three games mean that we have had to play catch-up, and with more away games than home games remaining, it makes it doubly difficult.

"We are used to facing challenges though, and this group has real character so we are looking forward to the tests that we've got coming up. We know that it's going to be a difficult evening in Galway where the conditions will play a big part like they always do, and we know that we have to be thoroughly professional.

"If we can put together the right level of performance and take from the game what we need, then it will set up Edinburgh at home next weekend lovely. It will be great to be able to go back home to the Liberty for the first time in a while, in front of our fans, for a game that is crucial if we are going to finish in the top four. We need to win that one and hopefully our supporters can acknowledge and identify with how the players are doing their bit for the cause, and will want to do their bit as well. We need them to be with us for that one."

Forthcoming Fixtures

Fri 22 Feb - 20.00 KO - Ospreys v Edinburgh- RaboDirect PRO12
Sat 2 Mar - 18.30 KO - Munster v Ospreys - RaboDirect PRO12
Fri 22 Mar - 19.05 KO - Ospreys v NG Dragons - RaboDirect PRO12
Sat 30 Mar - 17.15 KO - Cardiff Blues v Ospreys - RaboDirect PRO12