Ospreys v Wasps: Teams

London Wasps boss Tony Hanks has rung the changes for Sunday's crucial LV=Cup clash with Ospreys in Bridgend.

Despite losing to Harlequins last time out, the Aviva Premiership club could clinch a place in the knockout stages with a win on their travels.

Hanks has decided to make 10 alterations to the side that came up short in the historic capital clash in Abu Dhabi, including recalling Riki Flutey.

The England international comes into a much-altered backline that also sees Mark Van Gisbergen and Dave Walder return to starting berths.

Meanwhile, Shaun Ruwers, Joe Launchbury, James Cannon, John Hart, Serge Betsen and Joe Ward, who is named as captain, all start in the pack.

Launchbury and Hart both make their first starts this season, the latter being back in action after a long-term injury.

Charlie Beech, Marty Veale, Sam Jones, Mark Atkinson and Jack Wallace all drop to the bench, where there is also a place for scrum-half Jonah Holmes.

Simon Shaw, Joe Worsley, Joe Simpson, Elliot Daly and Christian Wade are all away on England duty.

Another chance

"After the Abu Dhabi experience of last week, which was fantastic to be involved in and, as a club and a team, we achieved a lot in, we were ultimately disappointed with the performance and the loss to Quins," Hanks said.

"This week is another chance for a lot of our younger players to show that they have learned from the experience."

Meanwhile, Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson said this was an important time of the season for his team.

"These players, the young kids involved in the LV= Cup group are our future, and it's important that we get them well drilled in the basics of what it is to be an Osprey, on and off the field, and what is expected of them," he said.

"They are showing good signs of coming together as a team and that is crucial.

"For us to succeed moving forward, for the Ospreys to even begin to achieve what we want to, then it's important that we build a team here, one that plays for the shirt and for each other.

"Everyone has to know their role, what we want from them, and what their teammates want from them. Without that, we can forget success."

The hosts are themselves without a number of players due to international commitments, with no less than 17 unavailable for selection.

Ospreys: 15 Tom Prydie, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Tom Isaacs, 12 Gareth Owen, 11 Hanno Dirksen, 10 Dai Flanagan, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Tom Smith, 7 Justin Tipuric (C), 6 James King, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Craig Cross, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Cai Griffiths,
Replacements:16 Mefin Davies, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Joe Rees,19 Marty Holah, 20 Jerry Collins, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 Dan Biggar. 23 Sonny Parker

Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Charlie Davies, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Serge Betsen, 6 John Hart, 5 James Cannon, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Joe Ward (c), 1 Shaun Ruwers.
Replacements: 16 Michael Mayhew, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Marty Veale, 20 Sam Jones, 21 Jonah Holmes, 22 Mark Atkinson, 23 Jack Wallace