A crucial Challenge Cup match is on the horizon, but the Ospreys will be without a key player. Wales captain Dewi Lake will unfortunately miss the Ospreys' home game against Montpellier this Saturday.
Lake sustained a shoulder injury during the match against Zebre, where the Ospreys were defeated 23-19. While the injury occurred in the first half, head coach Mark Jones has stated that it isn't serious. Jones also mentioned that Lake was considered for selection this weekend.
"He just took a bang onto his AC joint, which has been grumbling on for a period of time," Jones explained. However, Jones reassured fans, saying there shouldn't be any long-term concerns for Lake.
The team will see 13 changes in personnel. Only James Fender and Jack Walsh, who is moving from full-back to fly-half and will captain the side, will remain from the team that started in Parma.
Adding to the team is South African flanker Marco de Witt, who signed a short-term deal in December 2023 to provide cover for the injured Jac Morgan. This will be de Witt's debut for the Ospreys.
Considering the Ospreys' previous performance in the league before their European run, Jones expressed satisfaction with his team's current position, playing for a last-16 home tie in their final pool game.
Before their recent success, the Ospreys had only won one United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture. They then secured maximum points in their first two Challenge Cup outings against Connacht and Montauban. Despite the setback against Zebre, a losing bonus-point ensured their place in the knockouts before Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Montpellier in Bridgend (20:00 GMT).
A victory would guarantee the Ospreys home advantage in the round of 16, with the possibility of topping the pool as well. Jones shared, "We've got one more chance to try and secure a home draw, if you said that to me before the tournament, we'd be saying 'yes, we'll take that'." He added, "We know we can go to any place and compete regardless, but we'd love it if people were coming to us, so we can do it in front of our own fans."
There won't be a reunion with former Ospreys lock Adam Beard, who joined the French Top 14 outfit at the end of last season. Beard is still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in December but is expected to return soon. Scotland and British and Irish Lions back Stuart Hogg will play at fly-half.
However, Jones acknowledges that Montpellier will bring a strong team to the Brewery Field. "We know they've got a very experienced squad, with high quality and a lot of depth, so we're going to have to be at our best to compete and win the game," he stated. He continued, "We've selected a good team that's got lots of energy and some experience on the bench, it's an exciting way to end the group."
Number eight Morgan Morris has positive memories of facing Saturday's opposition, having scored a try in a player-of-the-match performance when the Ospreys achieved a historic Champions Cup double at Montpellier in 2023. "They're a great outfit, we had a great year against them beating them twice, it's exciting to go against them again," Morris said. "They're going to be a big physical pack and they're going to try and dominate us up front. That's the big challenge for us, to deal with that, and then give the ball to our backs, because we've got an exciting back line."
Ospreys Team: Nagy; Kasende, Watkin, Cokanasiga, Conbeer; Walsh (capt), Morgan-Williams; S Thomas, L Lloyd, Henry, R Davies, Fender, de Witt, G Evans, Morris. Replacements: Daniel, C Jones, Hire, L Jones, Moriarty, Morse, Hardy, Hopkins.
Montpellier Team: Taofifenua; Ducros, Darmon, Cadot, Rates; Hogg, Bernadet; Welsch, Uelese (capt), Tolofua, Tauleigne, Uhila, Becognee, Masibaka, Gleeson. Replacements: Akrab, Erdocio, Hounkpatin, DuGuid, Shand, Baraer, Coly, Tangata.
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Ita)
Assistants: Franco Rosella (Ita), Luca Bisetto (Ita)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Ita).
The Ospreys are facing a tough challenge. Do you think they can overcome Montpellier without Dewi Lake? Share your thoughts below!
