Experienced Wales star Beard, returns after overcoming a foot problem and is amongst five changes to Mark Jones’ Ospreys lineup for the must-win clash against the lowly Dragons.
Whilst there was good news regarding the second-row, who is set to end his 14-year spell in South Wales to move to France this summer, retiring flanker Tipuric’s pectoral injury keeps him out. It will now be a race against time to see whether the former Wales and British & Irish Lions man features in the mini-tour of South Africa in the region’s last two URC games before hanging up his boots in the summer.
Jac Morgan skippers the region with all the changes seen in the forward line.
In the back row, Gareth Thomas starts for the Ospreys at loosehead, with Dewi Lake and Ben Warren coming into the front three.
Will Spencer and Adam Beard form an all-changed second row with versatile James Ratti moving to six. Morgan takes up the other flank, and Morgan Morse once again starts at eight in absence of Morgan Morris.
Kieran Hardy is preferred to Reuban Morgan-Williams at scrum half with Dan Edwards his half-back partner at ten. South African Evardi Boshoff once again partners Keiran Williams in midfield.
In an unchanged back three, in-form Jack Walsh starts at full back, with Keelan Giles on one wing and Dan Kasende on the other.
Ospreys are currently 13th in the URC table and have a faint chance of play-off qualification with victories in their final three games against the Dragons and also the Sharks and Lions on their own patch.
Jones’ side are looking to avoid three successive league defeats for the first time since October, having lost to Cardiff and Scarlets in their last two URC outings.
“It is looking like we need three wins from three games,” said Jones.
“It is a very congested league table and one win throws you up four or five places.
“We said before last weekend we needed three wins from four matches and now there are only three games left so the maths is pretty simple.”
Ospreys XV to face Dragons:
Jack Walsh, Daniel Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy
Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Ben Warren, Will Spencer, Adam Beard, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (captain), Morgan Morse.
Replacements:
Sam Parry, Steffan Thomas, Tom Botha, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
