A home semi-final may have eluded Ospreys at the last, but having done the double over Munster in the GUINNESS PRO12 this season, Tyler Ardron admits his side will have no fear at Thomond Park. Ospreys’ failure to secure a bonus-point in victory over Connacht last time out, coupled with five-point triumphs for Munster and Glasgow Warriors, booked Steve Tandy’s side a tough trip to Limerick on Saturday. The visitors are boosted by the return of wing Jeff Hassler and Wales flanker Dan Lydiate to the starting XV, while fullback Dan Evans is set to make his 100th career PRO12 appearance. While Munster are unbeaten in their last five GUINNESS PRO12 encounters, Ospreys were one of only two sides with Edinburgh to beat Anthony Foley’s side at Thomond Park this year, securing a 19-14 triumph in round four. A 26-12 win at the Liberty Stadium in March saw Ospreys complete the double, leading Ardron to believe his side can reach their first PRO12 final since 2012. And the young second row is also relishing his personal battle against Munster legend Paul O’Connell on his own first visit to Thomond Park. “I’ll enjoy going up against Paul O’Connell – he’s one of the best. Technically, his set-piece is up there with the best in the world, and even in the later stage of his career he seems to have upped his attacking game,” said Ardron. “I have missed our games at Thomond Park two years in a row. The boys tell me it’s a great atmosphere, that even if you are an away team, you draw from it. “I don’t think we’ll get intimidated by it. It’s a young team and we are more excited about the prospect of going there rather than intimidated. “They are well-rounded, a well-drilled team with a few guys across all positions who can pose serious threats. “But we are very confident, whatever the outcome it is going to be a very good experience for this group of guys. We are going to have fun and go out and enjoy it.” Despite making the PRO12 top four in five of the last six seasons, Munster have won only one of their last nine semi-finals in all competitions since 2008 – an 18-11 win against Ospreys in 2011. The hosts’ chances of improving that record are enhanced by the return of captain Peter O’Mahony and fellow Ireland international Simon Zebo from their respective injuries. Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer join Eusebio Guinazu in the front row, while Donnacha Ryan reverts to the second row to partner O'Connell, with Paddy Butler and CJ Stander making up the rest of the back row. And fullback Felix Jones is confident his side can negate the talents of Ospreys’ own international stars to reverse recent history between the sides. "It's great to be in the play-offs and to be playing at Thomond Park,” said Jones. “Ospreys are an impressive side with talent right across the pitch including some world-class Welsh internationals. “They're a proven side who have already beaten us twice this season and are themselves unlucky not to have a home semi-final. “It could very easily have been us travelling over there this weekend. Things will be very tight again at Thomond Park. "To ship a defeat so early in the season was a tough one to take but that is testament to how good a side Ospreys are. There were no complaints that day, they turned up and were the deserved victors. “We have grown since then and we get another chance at them this weekend so it's important that we turn up and put in the performance that we're capable of." At Thomond Park, 2.30pm. Live on Sky Sports, TG4 and S4C Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 126th competition game) Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Ian Davies (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: TBC (SRU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU) 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
