Ospreys travel to Scottish capital for the resumption of the URC this weekend with more than half of the squad unavailable.
Jones says he is without 22 players, including the dozen that are with Wales for Saturday’s final autumn Test against South Africa.
The game falls outside of World Rugby’s international window, which means clubs outside Wales are not obliged to release players.
That has left Welsh regions – who have an agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union on player release for Wales duties left to fill the gap.
“We are utalising everybody on the factory floor, there’s no doubt about that,” said Jones.
“I don’t like it from a regional perspective because the Ospreys badge doesn’t have its best players and more experienced players available.
“It is what it is, and we know as a team we’re committed to supplying players to the national team, that’s the agreement we’ve got in place.
“But the challenges we have faced [previously] the players have been incredible in terms of their mindset.
“The challenge now though is having depth and creating meaningful opposition when you’ve got injuries and bumps to create 15 on 15.
“We have 22 out at the moment, so it is a challenge, but it gives opportunity. We have had some academy guys come up and some transition guys coming into the environment.
“It is a real test of our depth, and a real test of our environment of how we get the most out of these boys over the next few weeks.
“There will be a little adaption from some of the players but nothing that our players can’t do. We have pretty mobile hookers and athletic locks who can play in the back-row.
Ospreys are also without captain Jac Morgan as he faces four to five months out after dislocating his shoulder on Wales duty.
“He’s had his operation, it’s all gone really well and he’s on the road to recovery. He’s in that race now to get back as soon as he can.
“It will be four to five months based on what we’ve heard, but obviously those things can change, we’re just working off that at the moment.”
Jones said the next few weeks will be real test of their depth as they seek to rise from 14th in the URC table.
Sam Parry and Jack Walsh co-captain the side on Saturday, with lock Ryan Smith set for his long-awaited Ospreys debut after picking up a knock in the warm-up last time out.
Cam Jones is at loosehead, with Parry lining up with Tom Botha in the front three.
Smith and Huw Sutton start in the second row, Lewis Lloyd is moved from his usual position of hooker and is joined in the back-row by experienced number eight Ross Moriarty. Gwilym Evans taking up the other flank.
A new half back pairing is formed with Luke Davies at scrum half with Jack Walsh covering at ten. Phil Cokanasiga is partnered with Evardi Boshoff in the centre.
In the back three there is a start for Max Nagy at full back, with Iestyn Hopkins and Dan Kasende on the wings.
“We’re going to a really tough place in the Hive. They’ve got a very good forward pack and set-piece, it’s right up there with the top teams in the league,” continued Jones.
“They have had some narrow losses as well with one win and three losses in their four games and have been right in them – apart from the Benetton one, which was a bit of a blow-out.
“They have been competitive and similar to ourselves in a lot of ways. We know what the challenge that is coming and have set some expectations set.
“We’ve given Edinburgh the respect they deserve, but our focus is on ourselves with all the changes, we’ve got to deliver on our game and be the best we can be.”
Ospreys Starting XV:
Luke Davies, Jack Walsh (co-captain), Iestyn Hopkins, Phil Cokanasiga, Evardi Boshoff, Dan Kasende, Max Nagy, Cameron Jones, Sam Parry (co-captain), Tom Botha, Ryan Smith, Huw Sutton, Lewis Lloyd, Gwilym Evans, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Steffan Thomas, Kian Hire, Lewis Jones, Will Greatbanks, Scott Whitlock, Luke Morgan, Harri Houston.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
