OSPREYS: Watkin returns to captain 14-change side for Black Lion as Lewis Edwards makes his debut

Owen Watkin returns to captain the Ospreys as Mark Jones makes 14 changes for Saturday’s Challenge Cup opener against Black Lion.

Second row Ryan Smith is the only starter to keep his place from the side that beat the Dragons 38-31 at Rodney Parade.

Lewis Edwards makes his debut at full-back at the Avchala Rugby Stadium in Tbilisi. Kick-off is 1pm UK time.

Owen Watkin back from a calf injury to lead the side

Watkin missed the derby after a heavy blow to the calf in South Africa. Ospreys first team coach Richard Kelly said this week he was “not that far away”.

With his fellow co-captain Sam Parry not in the 23, Watkin leads the side from outside centre.

Lalakai Foketi, who came off the bench at Rodney Parade, partners him in the centre.

Lewis Edwards debut at full-back as Tom Rogers drops out

Edwards gets his chance at 15 a week after Tom Rogers was named man of the match there. Rogers is not in the 23.

Iestyn Hopkins, who wore the 15 shirt in South Africa, starts on one wing, with Luke Morgan on the other.

Morgan-Williams in for the injured Kieran Hardy

Reuben Morgan-Williams starts at scrum-half, with Kieran Hardy facing months out and needing knee surgery.

Lawson Creighton, another replacement in the derby, starts at fly-half in place of Dan Edwards.

A new front row for Tbilisi

Steffan Thomas, Lewis Lloyd and Ben Warren make up a new front row. Lewis Jones joins Smith in the second row.

Huw Sutton and Gwilym Evans are on the flanks, with Morgan Morse at number eight.

Derby try-scorer Morgan Morris on the bench

Morgan Morris, who scored twice at Rodney Parade, is among the replacements. So is Evardi Boshoff, who started at centre in the derby.

Jones said after the derby that his side would look different in Georgia. “We can’t ask the same group of players to go there,” he said.

The Ospreys are in Pool 3 of the Challenge Cup with Black Lion, Edinburgh, Harlequins, Toulon and Vannes.

The Dragons then come to Swansea on 24 October for a United Rugby Championship fixture, the Ospreys’ first game at the rebuilt St Helen’s.

Ospreys team v Black Lion

Ospreys: 1. Steffan Thomas, 2. Lewis Lloyd, 3. Ben Warren, 4. Lewis Jones, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. Huw Sutton, 7. Gwilym Evans, 8. Morgan Morse, 9. Reuben Morgan-Williams, 10. Lawson Creighton, 11. Iestyn Hopkins, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Owen Watkin (capt), 14. Luke Morgan, 15. Lewis Edwards.

Replacements: 16. Efan Daniel, 17. Cameron Jones, 18. Kian Hire, 19. Ben Roberts, 20. Morgan Morris, 21. Luke Davies, 22. Harri Wilde, 23. Evardi Boshoff.