Ospreys v Tigers: Teams

Gavin Henson has lost his battle to be fit in time for Ospreys' EDF Energy Cup final clash against Leicester at Twickenham on Saturday.

Henson will miss the crucial showdown after he suffered a minor injury to his ankle ligament during his club's defeat to Saracens in last weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-final.

The Wales star will be replaced by Andrew Bishop in midfield in what is the only change to Ospreys' back line for the game.

"It is disappointing news that we have to go into the game without Gavin Henson," said Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones.

"He is still suffering from the ankle injury he picked up at Saracens, and although he just failed to make it for this weekend, we are confident he will be fit for selection next week.

"As is always the case, his absence provides someone else with an opportunity.

"In Andrew Bishop, we have a talented youngster who has a considerable amount of experience for a 22-year-old."

Changes

Jones has made extensive changes to his pack following Ospreys' surprise European exit, with half the forwards from that game starting on the bench.

Wales internationals Duncan Jones, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough and Jonathan Thomas make way for Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans and Filo Tiatia in Saturday's starting line up, while skipper Ryan Jones moves from number eight to blindside flanker

Leicester coach Marcelo Loffreda has named 13 players from last season's winning side in the squad for his first cup final with the Tigers.

Geordan Murphy, Lewis Moody, James Hamilton, Marco Wentzel and Luke Abraham miss out through injury and Seru Rabeni is serving a suspension.

Harry Ellis and Andy Goode remain at half-back while Aaron Mauger returns to partner Dan Hipkiss at centre with Johne Murphy, Ollie Smith and Alesana Tuilagi making up the back three.

In the pack Boris Stankovich George Chuter and Martin Castrogiovanni line up in the front row, with Louis Deacon and Ben Kay at lock.

The back row sees skipper Martin Corry joined by Ben Herring and Jordan Crane while England internationals Julian White, Tom Croft and Tom Varndell start on the bench.

Leicester: 15 J Murphy, 14 O Smith, 13 D Hipkiss, 12 A Mauger, 11 A Tuilagi, 10 A Goode, 9 H Ellis, 1 B Stankovich, 2 G Chuter, 3 M Castrogiovanni, 4 L Deacon, 5 B Kay, 6 M Corry (c), 7 B Herring, 8 J Crane.
Replacements: 16 B Kayser, 17 J White, 18 R Blaze, 19 T Croft, 20 C Laussucq, 21 S Vesty, 22 T Varndell.

Ospreys: 15 L Byrne, 14 J Vaughton, 13 S Parker, 12 A Bishop, 11 S Williams, 10 J Hook, 9 J Marshall, 1 P James, 2 R Hibbard, 3 A Jones, 4 A-W Jones, 5 I Evans, 6 R Jones (c), 7 M Holah, 8 F Tiatia.
Replacements: 16 H Bennett, 17 D Jones, 18 I Gough, 19 J Thomas, 20 G Owen, 21 J Spratt, 22 A Brew.