In a crucial match-up of the teams lying in fifth and seventh place in the league’s standings, both sides will be looking to gain a victory to further strengthen their chances of a place in the end of the season play-off placings.
With just four points separating fourth position to tenth, however, all is still there to play for with eight rounds remaining.
The return of three-time player of the season Morris will be a massive boost having been out of action for three months since the Ospreys URC 43-34 victory over Benetton in December.
Breakout star Morgan Morse has stepped in valiantly in the number eight’s absence but with games coming thick and fast Booth has spoken previously of the need to protect the Wales under-20 star.
Davies, another who hasn’t featured since the turn of the year will provide much-needed depth against a physical Edinburgh pack, whilst Williams who has had a stop-started season with injuries restricting the fly-half’s appearances will be pushing Dan Edwards for the start at ten against the Scottish outfit.
Nagy will not be involved this weekend but has now resumed light training duties. Booth is confident the 24-year-old full back will be back involved in selection thought around a similar timeframe Wales’ international group return after the Six Nations.
That is likely to be for the double header against Munster and then the Emirates Lions a week later at the Swansea.com Stadium at the end of March.
“Morgan Morris, Rhys Davies, Owen Williams will be back [from injury this weekend], said Booth.
“There are a few coming round the corner towards the end of the Six Nations period also.
“We’re hoping to be boosted by the returnees but also by people on schedule like Max Nagy, Hugh Sutton, Garyn Phillips and Dewi Lake who will be there and thereabouts.
“It will be good because if we can maintain some momentum and stay in the hunt you want all your experience and competition for places.
“He [Dewi Lake] is not training yet but is on track to be. Max Nagy trained this week, which was good and Hugh Sutton, so they are probably the next two that are coming.
“As you can imagine though we have to put some load and some effort into them to get them match-ready.”
Another player back in the fray for a first start of the season is winger Alex Cuthbert. The veteran Wales back made his return from a year out injured in the 19-17 triumph over Ulster, playing a key part in the win as a replacement in the last-gasp victory at the Swansea.com Stadium. Booth feels Cuthbert’s influence and physicality will be important for his side in the remainder of the campaign.
“Cuthy [Alex Cuthbert] is great and his influence in the group is really supportive,” continued Booth.
“He challenges well in a nice way to almost feel like you’re apologising for someone picking your pocket.
“He has got his delivery right around young players and demands an area of standards because he has been there and done it.
“Having him around the group and back playing is great. He brings different things to this team from a physical point of view.
“When you go away from home you need a bit more of that. Sometimes it is not just about outthinking it is about out working and outdoing.
“I’m really pleased for him; he’s been through one hell of a journey throughout his career. We are owning part of it.
“He has had to come through adversity a lot and he is an intelligent rugby player that deserves a lot of credit.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
