Adam Beard will once again lead the region in the absence of Justin Tipuric and Morgan Morris.
Rhys Henry starts at loosehead with Gareth Thomas not travelling after a knock last time out, with Sam Parry lining up at hooker and Tom Botha completing the front three.
James Ratti partners with Beard at lock. Will Hickey lines up at six, with Harri Deaves returning to the team on the other flank, whilst after his latest impressive performance last weekend against Perpignan, Morgan Morse starts once more at eight.
Reuben Morgan-Williams gets the start at scrum half, with Dan Edwards partnering him at 10. Wales call-up Owen Watkin starts in midfield with regular centre partner George North.
In the back three, Iestyn Hopkins after staring with two tries last weekend once again starts at full back, with Keelan Giles on one wing and Mat Protheroe on the other.
Prop Cameron Jones takes up a place on the bench and could be in line to make his first appearance for the Ospreys.
Ospreys XV to face Emirates Lions:
15. Iestyn Hopkins 14. Mat Protheroe 13. George North 12. Owen Watkin 11. Keelan Giles
10. Dan Edwards 9. Reuban Morgan-Williams
1. Rhys Henry 2. Sam Parry 3. Tom Botha 4. James Ratti 5. Adam Beard (captain)
6. Will Hickey 7. Harri Deaves 8. Morgan Morse
Replacements:
16. Ethan Lewis 17. Cam Jones 18. Ben Warren 19. Lewis Jones 20. Tristan Davies
21. Cameron Jones 22. Jack Walsh 23. Keiran Williams
Head Coach, Toby Booth, said:
“The Lions play a slightly different game when they’re at home. They have a stronger understanding of the conditions which they’ll use to their advantage, especially in the kicking game.
“Often games like this one are about whether you can deal with the environment and whether you can adapt quickly, that will be the challenge. Last week against Perpignan we adapted brilliantly at half-time in order to be strategically smart in the second-half, and credit to the boys for that.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
