Zebre v Ospreys - RaboDirect PRO12 match preview

Zebre have named an experienced line-up for their penultimate game for the season against the Ospreys on Thursday.

The Italians are targeting their third win this season against Welsh opposition – having already registered victories over Cardiff and the Dragons.

As a result Mauro Bergamasco, Salvatore Perugini and Marco Bortolami all return to the Zebre line-up for the clash, along with Dion Berryman and Kameli Ratuvou.

Tommaso Iannone, George Biagi and Matias Aguero drop to the bench, with Leonardo Sarto and Filippo Cristiano omitted from the squad completely.

The Ospreys have also made a number of changes to their line-up as they desperately bid to clinch a top-four finish.

Steve Tandy’s side are currently five points adrift of Ulster with two games to play and are in danger of missing the play-offs.

Sam Davies, Aisea Natoga and Andrew Bishop come into the back division, while James King, Ian Evans and Nicky Smith are named in the pack.

"This is a crucial game for us," said Tandy.

"If we want to extend our season beyond next weekend we know that we have to go to Parma and win, there are no ifs or buts about it. We've had a good week preparing for it, there is a positive mood in the group and everybody knows what's at stake over the next ten days.”

Zebre: 15 Odiete, 14 Berryman, 13 Ratuvou, 12 Garcia, 11 Venditti, 10 Orquera, 9 Brendon Leonard, 1 Perugini, 2 Giazzon, 3 Chistolini, 4 Geldenhuys, 5 Bortolami (c), 6 Bergamasco, 7 Van Schalkwyk, 8 Vunisa.
Replacements: 16 Manici, 17 Aguero, 18 Ryan, 19 Biagi, 20 Ferrarini, 21 Palazzani, 22 Iannone, 23 Trevisan.

Ospreys: 15 S Davies, 14 Dirksen, 13 Beck, 12 Bishop, 11 Natoga, 10 Biggar, 9 Habberfield, 1 Smith, 2 Baldwin, 3 Jarvis, 4 I Evans, 5 AW Jones (c), 6 King, 7 Tipuric, 8 Baker.
Replacements: 16 Otten, 17 Thomas, 18 A Jones, 19 R Jones, 20 Bearman, 21 Lewis, 22 Tebaldi, 23 Hassler.