After a turbulent campaign which saw five defeats in the first seven outings and the premature departure of head coach Toby Booth, the Ospreys improved after the Christmas period.
The promotion of former Scarlets wing Mark Jones from number two to the top job early brought a more expansive attacking game that oversaw a turn in form.
Four wins in six, including an impressive triumph against champions Glasgow, provided hope for a similar top-eight finish.
But after flirting with the playoff placings coming into the final block of fixtures, regional defeats against Scarlets and Cardiff all but ended a disappointing campaign, before a final mathematical nail in the coffin was sealed by last weekend’s defeat against Sharks in Durban.
Ospreys arrive in South Africa looking for their fourth victory on the trot against the Lions, having triumphed on their last visit to Johannesburg in the Challenge Cup in January 2024.
Morgan-Williams feels that inconsistencies have been his side’s major downfall, but finishing with a win against the Lions (13th), placed two spots lower than the Ospreys (11th) in the table, is achievable to end a long campaign on a high.
“We are looking forward to another game this weekend,” said the scrum-half.
“Obviously, we are disappointed by last week and haven’t been able to qualify for the top eight. It’s been tough competition, and we just have to move on now.
“We haven’t been as consistent as we have wanted to be, and that’s why we are where we are in the league table.
“There were games that we lost that we feel we should have won. I wouldn’t say it was too much of a mountain to climb, but there were definitely games we targeted wins in and didn’t get over the line.
“We have put in some good performances, and then some that we are not happy with. If we had put more of a run together, we would be more where we want to be.”
Ospreys have made seven personnel changes for the clash this weekend with hooker Dewi Lake leading the side with captain Jac Morgan left out the squad completely prior to British & Irish Lions duty.
Flanker Harri Deaves replaces Morgan in the back-row alongside incoming blind-side Will Griffiths. James Ratti switches to lock, where James Fender also replaces the departing Adam Beard.
Prop Steffan Thomas replaces cousin Gareth Thomas at loose-head.
Behind the scrum, Morgan-Williams takes over the nine jersey from Kieran Hardy, while Luke Morgan and Ryan Conbeer rotate in onto the wings in place of Daniel Kasende and Keelan Giles.
Twenty-year-old prop Kian Hire could make his debut off the bench.
“They [Lions] are a dangerous team,” continued Morgan-Williams.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is [to win in South Africa], but we’ve done it before, and we are all looking forward to the game.
“It’s always nice to come over here to this part of the World, it’s a great country. It isn’t quite as warm at the moment though, which will suit some of our boys.”
Ospreys XV to face Emirates Lions:
Jack Walsh, Luke Morgan, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Ryan Conbeer, Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams
Steffan Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Tom Botha, James Ratti, James Fender, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Morgan Morse.
Replacements:
Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Kian Hire, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
