Ospreys v Clermont Auvergne: Champions Cup preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 19/01/16 10:12am
Knockout rugby comes two rounds early for the Ospreys when they face Clermont Auvergne in Friday's crucial Champions Cup tie.
The Welsh region trail leaders Clermont by two points in Pool 2 and need a victory at the Liberty Stadium to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
All previous five meetings between the sides have been won by the home team and head coach Steve Tandy says "destiny is very much in our own hands" as the Ospreys attempt to progress from their pool for the first time in six seasons.
"It's a really exciting time and this is probably the biggest game we've had at the Liberty for four or five years," said Tandy.
"We all know what Clermont are about and the quality they have right through their squad, but going head to head with a team that were French and European runners-up last season is something to whet the appetite and it should be a fantastic occasion for supporters, players and coaches to enjoy on Friday night.
"There is absolutely no margin for error now, we are playing knockout rugby two rounds early. It's not just going to be a test of our ability it's a test of our mental toughness and character."
Tandy welcomes back Josh Matavesi after he missed the defeat to Leinster with a calf injury. He starts at inside centre with captain Alun Wyn Jones restored to the second row.
Justin Tipuric returns at openside flanker while Sam Underhill switches to the blindside following an impressive display against Leinster. Hooker Scott Baldwin makes his 100th Ospreys appearance.
Clermont are without the hamstrung Nick Abendanon for the trip to Wales. He is replaced by France full-back Scott Spedding and they make three further changes to their pack.
Hooker Benjamin Kayser is promoted to the starting line-up with Loic Jacquet and Fritz Lee named at lock and No 8 respectively.
"It's a massive game for us because if we do manage to beat Ospreys it puts us in a very strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals with a home game still to come," said Wales centre Jonathan Davies, who retains his place in the Clermont midfield.
"We don't want to rely on getting a result in that last week, we want to take things into our own hands on Friday. They've got as much to play for as we do, it's shaping up to be a thrilling contest.
"We know that it's about more than a victory though. We want to go out there, put in a performance and build some momentum for the rest of our season by beating one of the top sides.
"I haven't got too many good memories of the Liberty Stadium, I think I've only won there once, so I'm certainly hoping to get the win."
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard; 1 Paul James, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Lloyd Ashley, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 6 Sam Underhill, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 James King.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Owen Watkin.
Clermont Auvergne: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 David Strettle, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra; 1 Raphael Chaume, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Daniel Kotze, 4 Loic Jacquet, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 6 Damien Chouly (c), 7 Viktor Kolelishvili, 8 Fritz Lee.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Michael Simutoga, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Camille Gerondeau, 21 Ludovic Radosavljevic, 22 Brock James, 23 Albert Vulivuli.
Watch Ospreys v Clermont Auvergne live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Friday from 7pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.