Ospreys v Dragons: Teams

The Ospreys have named as full a strength team as possible to face the Dragons in the Magners League on Thursday, as they seek to chase second spot in the Magners League, if not first.

James Hook is in the unfamiliar position of outside centre, while injuries mean a rare start at flanker for Tom Smith and a possible debut off the bench for young scrum-half Tavis Knoyle.

"Although we have to accept that it is now unlikely that we will be able to overcome Munster at the top of the table, there is still a lot to play for in these final three games, as individuals and as a team," said head coach Sean Holley.

"We have two home games remaining, starting on Thursday evening and we owe it to our supporters to go out on a high so we will be giving it everything to try and give them the performances that they expect."

Meanwhile, Welsh international lock Luke Charteris will captain the Dragons at the Liberty Stadium.

The side sees four changes to the starting line-up which defeated Connacht at Rodney Parade on Sunday with Steve Jones starting at hooker whilst Jamie Ringer joins the back row.

Rory Sidey comes into the centre and Shaun Connor starts at outside half.

After losing at home to Edinburgh on Saturday evening, the Ospreys could hand the Magners League title to Munster if they fail to achieve a maximum point victory against the Dragons.

Their form against fellow Welsh sides is good, having won their last three encounters.

The Dragons ended a two-game losing streak with their 27-14 victory over Connacht at Rodney Parade on Sunday, but their only away win in their last nine outings in all competitions was at Glasgow in January.

The Dragons have won their last two games against Ospreys, however, and are going for a first ever season's double over their neighbours - although they have lost all five previous matches they have played on Ospreys soil.

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 James Hook, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Tom Smith, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.

Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Paul James, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Filo Tiatia, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Jonathan Spratt, 22 Gareth Owen.

Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Gareth Wyatt, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Shaun Connor, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Joe Bearman, 7 Jamie Ringer, 6 Danny Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris (capt), 4 Hoani Macdonald, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Adam Black.

Replacements: 16 Tom Willis, 17 Nigel Hall, 18 Hugh Gustafson, 19 Lewis Evans, 20 Andrew Hall, 21 Phillip Dollman, 22 Alex Walker