Ospreys head coach Steven Tandy admits the next month is crucial for his side as they prepare to face Edinburgh Rugby in the GUINNESS PRO12 on Friday.

The Welshmen are top of the table by one point and go into this clash having lost just once in their last four league matches.

But while the Ospreys have lost just one in their last four encounters with Edinburgh, they have only won once in their last nine visits to Scotland.

Ospreys face each of their top three rivals after their trip to Edinburgh and Tandy says this will be a challenging period for his side.

“The next month is crucial for us if we want to retain our place in the top four,” said Tandy.

“The fixture list couldn't get more challenging, going away to an in-form Edinburgh before we play the other three teams in the top four.

“It makes for a very difficult few weeks, but everybody involved should be excited about the challenge, players, coaches or supporters.”

Ospreys have 13 players out on Welsh international duty and ten players ruled out injured, including Andrew Bishop, Ryan Bevington and Rynier Bernardo.

Prop Cai Griffiths has been ruled out of the rest of the season after sustaining an army injury in the early stages of last Saturday’s win over Bath.

The injury list and number of players out representing Wales has forced Tandy to make plenty of changes to his side and he says the current squad available will determine the rest of their season.

"Traditionally, it's the Six Nations period, and the squad of players who come to the fore at this time of the year, that shapes our season,” he said.

“This year, that's definitely going to be the case.”

No.8 Dan Baker returns to the bench, having been out for two months with a shoulder injury. James King will also be on the bench after being released from the Wales squad.

Ryan Thornton will make his first GUINNESS PRO12 start for Ospreys on Friday and he will be joined by Fijian Tevita Cavubati, who will make his league debut in the second row.

Elsewhere Sam Davies comes in at fly-half with Martin Roberts his half-back partner in a side captained by Tyler Ardron from No.8.

Edinburgh Rugby will return to Myreside for a Pro12 encounter for the first time since their 27-20 win over Caerphilly in the old Celtic League in September 2001.

The Scots have lost just twice in their last eight matches in all competitions and they are unbeaten at home to Welsh teams this season.

Edinburgh will be without Tim Visser, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and Dougie Fife who are currently representing Scotland on international duty.

Jack Cuthbert, Tom Brown and Damien Hoyland form the back three with Sam Beard and Phil Burleigh in midfield while Jade Te Rure and Grayson Hart are the half-backs.

In the forwards Rory Sutherland, Neil Cochrane and WP Nel are the front-row, Anton Bresler and Ollie Atkins are in the boiler room and Roddy Grant, Hugh Blake and Mike Coman are the back-row.

At Myreside, 8.05pm. Live on BBC ALBA
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 7th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Graeme Wells, Stephen Hart (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU)
TMO: Iain Ramage (SRU)