Ospreys are in the midst of a recording-breaking Guinness PRO12 run, but head coach Steve Tandy knows continuing that is easier said than done as Benetton Treviso lie in wait this weekend. Table-toppers Ospreys’ only defeat in their last six Guinness PRO12 matches was 46-26 reverse at home to Ulster in round 22 last season, a sequence which has seen them claim a try bonus point in each of those encounters and break the Championship record in the process. No side has ever started a campaign with maximum points after three rounds but that record looks in danger of being broken on Saturday as Treviso have beaten their Welsh opponents just once in the Guinness PRO12, that coming back in August 2012. However, the Italian side have triumphed against Ospreys twice since in Europe, all of which leaves Tandy wary ahead of the Liberty Stadium clash. “The season is all about momentum and we are building nicely off the back of a good summer, and it’s great that we are able to introduce a few more senior boys this weekend who can’t wait to pull the jersey on again,” Tandy said. “The depth we are starting to develop is important for us over the course of a long season. “It’s not going to be straightforward on Saturday. Treviso have posed some real problems for Leinster and Ulster over the last couple of weekends, they will be physical and strong up front. “We need to make sure we are on our game if we want to keep things ticking over, growing that momentum.” Tandy has named Wales internationals Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar on the bench, and they are joined by Keelan Giles who will make his senior Ospreys debut should he see game time. Meanwhile, Tyler Ardon makes his 50th Ospreys appearance at No.8 and Tom Habberfield starts at scrum-half and captains the side again, like he did against Zebre. As for Treviso, they make 15 changes to their last squad, with Luke McLean at full-back and David Odiete and Andrea Buondonno on the wings. Tommaso Benvenuti and captain Alberto Sgarbi are in the centres while there is a half-back pairing of Edoardo Gori and Tommaso Allan. The front row consists of Alberto De Marchi, Roberto Santamaria and Tiziano Pasquali. The locks are Filippo Gerosa and Filo Paulo, while the back row sees Dean Budd, Marco Lazzaroni and Marco Barbini named, with former Ospreys scrum-half Tito Tebaldi on the replacement bench. Ospreys: Evans, Hassler, John, Matavesi, Howells, Davies, Habberfield, James, Parry, Arhip, Ashley, Thornton, King, Tipuric, Ardon Replacements: Baldwin, Thomas, Fio, Jones, Cracknell, Webb, Biggar, Giles Benetton Treviso: McLean, Odiete, Benvenuti, Sgarbi, Buondonno, Allan, Gori, De Marchi, Santamaria, Pasquali, Gerosa, Paulo, Budd, Lazzaroni, Barbini. Replacements: Bigi, Zanusso, Traore, Zanini, Steyn, Tebaldi, McKinley, Pratichetti Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 12, Ospreys won 11, Benetton Rugby Treviso won 1. At Liberty Stadium, 7.35pm. Live on S4C Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU, 13th competition game) Assistant Referees: Graeme Wells (SRU), Leighton Hodges (WRU) Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU) TMO: Neil Paterson (SRU)
