Ospreys boss Steve Tandy admits his side will need to find an extra gear if they are to make it four wins from four in the GUINNESS PRO12 on Saturday. After seeing off Benetton Treviso, Newport Gwent Dragons and Edinburgh to sit top of the table after three rounds, the Welsh outfit visit Munster this weekend. They are seeking to record a third straight win against Irish provinces for the first time since February 2013 – and a fifth straight GUINNESS PRO12 win altogether. Ospreys’ only win in Limerick since April 2010 was a 17-13 triumph in October of the following year and Tandy has made three changes from the side that thrashed Edinburgh in an attempt to double that tally. Andrew Bishop comes in for Jonathan Spratt at outside centre, while Hanno Dirksen makes way for Eli Walker on the left wing and the only change in the pack sees Joe Bearman replace James King on the blindside. And after that eye-catching 62-13 win against Edinburgh last time out, Tandy has urged his players not to take their feet off the gas at Thomond Park. “Although we've got three wins from three, we realise that the performances have been far from perfect in many respects,” he said. “Looking at the weekend's game, it'll be a big step up from what we've had so far in terms of intensity. Munster at Thomond Park is always a difficult environment for an away team, so we know that we will have to prepare properly and be on top of our game out there. “There'll be tough moments, especially for a young team, but we know that they will give nothing less than 100 per cent for the cause, whatever the outcome. “It's going to be a fantastic experience for some of these young men who are still learning their trade, and is another big step forward in their development.” Munster – chasing a third straight GUINNESS PRO12 win for the first time since February – will be captained by Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray. Prop Dave Kilcoyne makes his first start of the season and Donncha O’Callaghan forms a highly-experienced second row with Paul O’Connell. Simon Zebo, who scored a hat-trick of tries last time out against Zebre, makes way for a fit-again Gerhard van den Heever, making his first start of the season on the left wing. And there are further changes in the back line, with Ian Keatley in at fly-half, Ivan Dineen joining Denis Hurley in the centres and Andrew Conway and Johne Murphy at 14 and 15 respectively. The Munstermen had an enviable record against Welsh regions last season, winning seven of their eight clashes, and they are unbeaten in their last three encounters with the Ospreys. But Hurley is expecting a nip-and-tuck encounter in Limerick, as Munster seek to become the first team to topple Ospreys this season. “This weekend against Ospreys we know it's going to be a lot harder with the type of game plan in defence they throw up against you,” he said. “The space will be a lot more squeezed so it will be a tighter game. “There was a big change in them last year. They were struggling with a few results, made a few changes, and by the end of the season they were a top performing outfit. “The type of game they play is very attractive and very effective which will keep our hands full this weekend.” At Thomond Park, 6.30pm. Live on Sky Sports Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 20th competition game) Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, Nigel Correll (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Gordon Black (IRFU) TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU) Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12
