Ospreys, who have already qualified for the knockout stages of Europe, alongside Montpellier, will take on the French side, looking for victory to guarantee a home tie in the last-16.
The Ospreys hooker, though, is unavailable after suffering from a shoulder injury in the 23-19 loss to Zebre in Parma last weekend.
Lake’s absence gives a chance to Lewis Lloyd in the front row as one of 13 personnel changes, with only Jack Walsh, who captains the side, and lock James Fender remaining.
Lloyd, is joined by Sheff Thomas and Rhys Henry in the engine room, with Fender partnered by Rhys Davies in the second row.
The flanks are occupied by South African Marco de Witt, who makes his debut lining up at six, and Gwilym Evans, whilst Morgan Morris continues his comeback from injury, starting at eight.
Reuben Morgan-Williams starts at scrum half with Walsh moving from full back to ten. Phil Cokanasiga is recalled to partner Owen Watkin in the centre.
In the back three, Max Nagy starts at full back, with Ryan Conbeer on one wing and Dan Kasende on the other.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones, speaking ahead of the clash, said:
“We’ve got one more chance to try and secure a home draw. If you said that to me before the tournament, we’d be saying ‘yes, we’ll take that’.
“We know we can go to any place and compete regardless, but we’d love it if people were coming to us, so we can do it in front of our own fans.
“They’ve got a very experienced squad, with high quality and a lot of depth, so we’re going to have to be at our best to compete and win the game.
“We’ve selected a good team that’s got lots of energy and some experience on the bench, it’s an exciting way to end the group.”
Ospreys starting XV:
15. Max Nagy, 14. Dan Kasande, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Phil Cokansiga, 11. Ryan Conbeer, 10. Jack Walsh (captain), 9. Reuban Morgan-Williams, 1. Steff Thomas, 2. Lewis Lloyd, 3. Rhys Henry, 4. Rhys Davies, 5. James Fender, 6. Marco de Witt, 7. Gwilym Evans, 8. Morgan Morris.
Replacements:
16. Efan Daniel, 17. Cameron Jones, 18. Kieran Hire, 19. Lewis Jones, 20. Ross Moriarty, 20. Morgan Morse, 22. Kieran Hardy, 23. Iestyn Hopkins.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
