Glasgow Warriors have made a number of changes for Sunday’s GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Ospreys and head coach Gregor Townsend is convinced the hunger of the players coming in will stand his side in good stead.

Just one place and one point separates the sides in the table as Ospreys continue to recover from their slow start to the season with five wins from their last six league games.

Reigning GUINNESS PRO12 champions Glasgow have had an up-and-down year to date but history is on their side for Sunday as they’ve won their last five encounters with Welsh regions in all tournaments.

Townsend welcomes back Rob Harley to the starting XV after he missed the last six weeks with a thumb injury while Josh Strauss has recovered from his concussion to return to the bench after a four-week absence.

Full-back Peter Murchie makes his first start since September and first appearance since early January after recovering for an elbow injury while the likes of wingers Lee Jones and Rory Hughes, back-rowers Chris Fusaro and Ryan Wilson and front-rowers Ryan Grant and Pat MacArthur all come in.

And Townsend is expecting a tough clash at the Liberty Stadium.

"We're going up against an Ospreys side who are a point above us in the league and have won five out of their last six games in the PRO12, so we're well aware of the challenge we face on Sunday,” he said.

"We're delighted to welcome Rob (Harley) and Josh (Strauss) back into the squad after missing our last few games because of injury.

"What has been pleasing over the past few weeks has been the determination of a number of players to seize their playing opportunities.

"A few of our squad this weekend have been waiting for a while to get their opportunity and we're looking forward to them being positive and committed in their play."

Ospreys have won just one of their last nine fixtures with the Warriors but their recent home record gives hope – having lost just once at the Liberty Stadium in their last seven matches.

They are missing a slew of players to international duty, including the likes of Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, James King and Dan Biggar.

That means players such as Sam Davies, Joe Bearman, Sam Underhill and Dan Baker all get starts against Glasgow and head coach Steve Tandy knows how important the upcoming period is for his troops.

"This game marks the start of the next phase of the season for us. We've got a tough run of games during the Six Nations that will push us but we have to rise to the challenge if we want to get the outcome we want.

“We have a very young group of players that we are turning to during this period but they are excited about the opportunity to really push the team up the table,” said Tandy.

“Some of them have already gained great experience in Europe and the league this season while others are really itching to pull the shirt on and show what they are about during this period.

"There's no margin for error, we have to get the performance level where it needs to be if we're going to get the right outcome.

“Youth and inexperience isn't going to be an excuse, this is their time. We know that with Glasgow just behind us in the table they'll target this match as one where they can push ahead of us and damage our hopes, so it has the makings of a great contest.”

At Liberty Stadium, 2.30pm. Live on S4C/BBC Alba
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 67th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)