Ex-Wales flanker Tipuric has taken back leadership duties on the field this weekend in the absence of national and club captain Jac Morgan who is amongst five absentees for the visit of seventh-placed Benetton to Swansea.
In a crucial contest before the end of the block before the start of the Six Nations, the Ospreys have made six changes from the Challenge Cup win in France against Section Paloise as they look to close the five-point gap on the top-eight placings.
Number eight Morgan Morris returns, as does wing Keelan Giles, full-back Jack Walsh, centre Keiran Williams and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams in the starting XV.
Owen Williams switches from centre to fly-half with Dan Edwards unavailable after linking up with the national training squad alongside fellow Ospreys players Owen Watkin, Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry and Morgan.
Benetton meanwhile are also missing their Italian internationals before the Six Nations begins on 31 January.
“You only have to look at his performance’s to see he’s probably one of the best players in the competition whatever age he is,” said Jones about Tipuric in his pre-match press conference.
“His humility is incredible considering how good he is and how good he has been.
“He just wants to keep getting better, if you think of what he’s achieved in the game, the trophies he’s won and the kudos he’s got, where he sits with his peers in terms of how they rate him.
“He is always willing to help the young players who are after his shirt, the little bits of detail he gives, the intellect he’s showing them, the shortcuts he’s teaching them before they work them out themselves.
“The one thing I’d say about Tips is he’ll help anybody as much as he can, but he won’t give his shirt to them.
“They’ll have to take the shirt, that’s quite a powerful thing, where you’re prepared to tell everyone what they need to know, but they have still got to outwork him.”
On Benetton Jones feel Ospreys will have to be at their best to clinch a vital victory, but feels his side can triumph to close the gap on the URC’s playoff contenders.
“Benetton are a hugely competitive team and are always in and around the top eight of the URC. Last weekend’s game against La Rochelle has proven they’re one of the best sides in the competition.
“They are a really dangerous team, and all I can say is we’ve prepared for the best possible Benetton side they have available, and we won’t be underestimating them. Both teams know it’s a big fixture.”
Ospreys XV:
Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams
Garyn Phillips, Lewis Lloyd, Tom Botha, Will Spencer, James Fender, James Ratti, Justin Tipuric (captain), Morgan Morris.
Replacements:
Ethan Lewis, Cam Jones, Ben Warren, Harri Deaves, Morgan Morse, Kieran Hardy, Tom Florence, Iestyn Hopkins.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
