Ospreys host Munster at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday at 5.15pm in a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash with the away side looking for their ninth consecutive Guinness PRO12 victory.

What’s at stake?

Separated by a single point at the top of the Guinness PRO12 table, hosts Ospreys go into the tie in second place and will be as hungry as ever to knock Munster off their perch. There’s pressure from behind, too. A slip up from either side would allow Leinster in third to creep up and threaten the top two if they were to beat Edinburgh at home.

Ospreys Team News: Keelan Giles has recovered from a hamstring injury to make the starting XV alongside seven Wales squad members released from international duty.

The 19-year-old winger had been sidelined for the past month with an injury that ruined his chances of appearing in the Six Nations.

He’s joined in the starting line-up by Welsh internationals Sam Davies, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Rhodri Jones, Rory Thornton, Olly Cracknell and James King.

Munster Team News: Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has made five changes to the side that dispatched Newport Gwent Dragons 45-17 last week.

Ireland squad members Ian Keatley, Billy Holland and John Ryan have been brought straight into the starting XV after being freed from Six Nations duty.

The other two changes see Francis Saili recalled at centre and Darren O’Shea moving into the second row.

Talking points: Munster travel to the Liberty Stadium in a rich vein of form following some impressive results in both league and Champions Cup matches. The Irish side haven’t lost in the Guinness PRO12 since October and are currently on a seven game win streak in all competitions. Ospreys were thrashed 33-0 the last time the two sides met at the Irish Independent Park, so the Welsh side will be out for blood in what’s finely poised to be a blockbuster clash.

Key battle: Sam Davies v Tyler Bleyendaal

This intriguing match-up at ten could prove pivotal in the chase for top spot. Ospreys fly-half Davies will be brimming with confidence after giving his national coach a real dilemma following his performance against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations. The Welshman is also five points ahead of his opposite number in the overall standings. Despite being edged out, New Zealand international Bleyendaal has become a force at ten with his strength in the tackle and ability to test opposition defensive lines. Given the magnitude of the game, it could all boil down to who keeps their composure with the boot which could decide the tie.

Key stat: Despite getting comprehensively beaten in their last outing, Ospreys hold the bragging rights overall with 15 wins, including one draw, in the 30 Guinness PRO12 meetings between these two giants.

Did you know?

In spite of his injury, Ospreys young winger Keelan Giles is still the club’s leading try scorer with 11 in nine games in all competitions.

Ospreys: D Evans; K Giles, K Fonotia, A Beck, H Dirksen; S Davies, T Habberfield; N Smith, S Baldwin, R Jones, L Ashley, R Thornton, O Cracknell, S Underhill, J King.

Replacements: S Parry, P James, D Suter, T Ardron, D Baker, B Leonard, L Price, B John.

Top points scorer: Sam Davies 71pts Top try scorer: Ben John 5

Munster Rugby: I Keatley; D Sweetnam, F Saili, R Scannell, R O’Mahony; T Bleyendaal, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, R Marshall, J Ryan; D O’Shea, B Holland; D O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, J O’Donoghue.

Replacements: K O’Byrne, P McCabe, S Archer, D Foley, C Oliver, A Griesel, D Goggin, A Conway.

Top points scorer: Tyler Bleyendaal 66pts Top try scorer: Ronan O’Mahony 5

At Liberty Stadium, 5.15pm. Live on Sky Sports
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 62nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Claudio Blessano (FIR), Stuart Kibble (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Ray Wilton (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)