Ospreys v Aironi: Teams

The Ospreys will be looking to make a winning start under their new coaching staff when they host Aironi in the Pro12 at Liberty Stadium on Friday.

Steve Tandy takes charge of his first game as head coach after the midweek departure of Sean Holley and Scott Johnson.

The Welsh side is second in the table at the moment while Aironi are seeking their first victory in Wales and well as their first win on the road this season.

There are 16 Ospreys players absent on international duty with Wales, Ireland, Wales U20, and Scotland U20.

Character

"We had a good win up in Edinburgh last weekend, showing great character to tough it out, but it won't mean anything if we don't back it up with a good performance this Friday," said Tandy.

"We won't read anything into Aironi's league position, they're a well coached, dangerous team capable of hurting the opposition so we know we're going to have to play well as a team.

"With Ulster away next weekend, it's important that we build some momentum, some form, and start to get some real confidence.

"We're all looking forward to focusing on the rugby again, and hopefully starting a new era for Ospreys Rugby on a winning note."

Will Taylor will make his PRO12 debut if he comes off the bench

Injuries

Aironi coach Rowland Phillips has been forced to make a number of changes due to injury and because of Italy's request to rest the Internationals.

Of the 10 Aironi players in the Italy squad, only Giulio Toniolatti, Simone Favaro and Mauro Bergamasco are cleared to play Friday.

Favaro starts at number eight, Joshua Furno returns from injury and retakes his place in the second row alongside Carlo Del Fava. Hooker Roberto Santamaria will skipper the team.

Amongst the replacements, there is a first call up for Antonio Denti, a 21-year-old hooker born and raised in Viadana.

Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Joe Bearman, 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Tom Smith, 5 James King, 4 Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 3 Joe Rees, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Ryan Bevington
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Will Taylor, 19 James Goode, 20 George Stowers, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Tom Isaacs

Aironi: 15 Alberto Benettin, 14 Giulio Toniolatti, 13 Gilberto Pavan, 12 Gabriel Pizarro, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Simone Favaro, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Nicola Cattina, 5 Carlo Del Fava, 4 Joshua Furno, 3 Lorenzo Romano, 2 Roberto Santamaria (capt), 1 Matias Aguero
Replacements: 16 Antonio Denti, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Salvatore Perugini, 19 George Biagi, 20 Filippo Ferrarini, 21 Tyson Keats, 22 Riccardo Pavan, 23 Matteo Pratichetti