The 29-year-old second row has not played since suffering a knee injury in Wales’ autumn series defeat to Australia last November but is in line to play some part against the Irish province.
The Ospreys are 11th in the URC table with six games remaining this season and are amongst a cluster of teams around the top eight placings.
Mark Jones’ side will be looking to carry on where they left off a fortnight ago after their dramatic last-gasp victory against champions Glasgow shortened the gap to eighth-placed Emirates Lions to just one point.
In all, just three points separate positions 6-13 as the race to end-of-season play-offs hots up in the final block of fixtures.
Assistant head coach Duncan Jones feels being able to call upon the experience and influence of Beard will give the Ospreys a massive boost come Saturday.
“Connacht are a very difficult side to play and score a lot of points. We are under no illusions of the challenge they are going to bring.
“It gets to this stage of the season, and it sounds a cliche, but every game is important from here on in. I can’t remember a league being so tight.
“Any result that doesn’t go your way doesn’t mean you are out of it, but it certainly makes it a bit more difficult.
“Adam is a top-class operator, someone who is [influential] not only through his playing performance but the way he helps drive the group around that.
“He certainly brings that level of experience and knowledge to the group which is great.
“He is coming back at a good time for us and can hopefully help us keep driving performances.”
Prop Ben Warren, hooker Sam Parry and fly-half Dan Edwards of the Ospreys Wales contingent were not part of the matchday squad against England and are likely to come back into starting contention this weekend.
Jones, however, would be coy over the involvement of captain Jac Morgan, whilst front-row duo Dewi Lake and Gareth Thomas who both appeared as replacements in Cardiff’s minutes are likely to be limited.
“I think there’ll be a mixture of some of the boys,” said Jones.
“Some who haven’t featured as much will be back in for selection. Dan’s [Edwards] been around us, as has Ben Warren and Sam Parry.
“Mark [Jones] has had some other conversations with Dewi [Lake], Jac [Morgan] and Gareth Thomas. He has treated them all on an individual basis. They are all keen to get back and contribute towards us. He has got a plan around what suits them and what suits us a club.
“Everyone is chomping at the bit to be given the opportunity to play which is always difficult when the people in the jersey are taking their chance.”
Centre Phil Cokanasiga is another player who is back in contention for the Connacht game after injury, but recent signing Waisea Nayacalevu is once again unavailable.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Great player Peel was but as a manager he is rubbish