After Ospreys’ play-off dreams were extinguished last week head coach Steve Tandy insists his side still have a lot to play for in their final RaboDirectPRO12 match of the season.

Ospreys take on Connacht knowing they cannot make the RaboDirect PRO12 top four.

However, they have qualified for next season's European Champions Cup, finishing in fifth place for the second year in succession.

They have lost just one of their last five home games in all tournaments – 11-25 to Munster in the RaboDirect PRO12 at Liberty Stadium on February 23.

And with solid home form behind them Tandy believes his side remain positive for the future of the team.

Tandy admits that all of his side were hugely disappointed to miss out on this season’s top four but will not allow his team to go into their match with Connacht ill-prepared.

“It’s extremely disappointing that we go into Saturday’s game unable to finish in the top four, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to play for,” said Tandy.

“It’s important that we prepare for the match with the right attitude and target a positive finish to the season in front of our supporters who have been excellent all year again.

“To miss out on the play-offs is incredibly frustrating, but we’ve got to use that feeling as motivation to kick on.

“This is a young group of players and for many of them, they wouldn’t have felt disappointment like they did last weekend, but it is all part of the development process and they will learn from this.

“It’s been a difficult year, a transition period, but we will be in a stronger place for the experience.

“With some real prospects coming through the ranks who have benefited from their involvement this season and the additions we have made for next year, I’m genuinely excited about what we can do.

“Saturday is the start of that process and our aim is to put in a performance that our supporters can be proud of.”

The match will see Wales second-row Ian Evans making his final appearance for the club before his move to Toulon.

And Ashley Beck and Justin Tipuric – both of whom are scheduled for surgery – start against Connacht.

A victory for Connacht could see them equal their best ever finish in the PRO12 – eighth placed in both 2011/12 and 2012/13.

Connacht have lost their last four matches since beating the Dragons at Rodney Parade in round 17.

And they have won just one of their last eleven fixtures with Ospreys – 22-10 in Galway in February 2013 and have not beaten Ospreys on their own soil since a visit to the Gnoll in November 2004.

At Liberty Stadium, 6.30pm. Live on BBC Wales
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU, 29th competition game)
Assistant Referees: TBC
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
TMO: TBC