Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy has backed Lions prop Adam Jones to shine with the captain’s armband in their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Zebre on Friday.

Jones leads the team in the absence of Alun Wyn Jones, who remains sidelined with a shoulder problem, while Samoan scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i drops to the replacements bench.

Ashley Beck is missing as he awaits the results of a scan on an ankle problem while Justin Tipuric is absent for his second consecutive game.

Outside-half Matthew Morgan is selected at full-back with Richard Fussell among the substitutes while back rowers Joe Bearman and Ryan Jones are rested.

The reigning champions have won their last eight games in all competitions at the Liberty Stadium but suffered their first ever defeat to an Italian team at Benetton Treviso on August 31.

Though the Ospreys did triumph 34-16 when the sides met in round six, and Tandy insists Jones is the right man to lead them to another victory over the Italians.

“Adam will lead the team on Friday night. He’s a true Osprey and anyone who has watched him during the Scarlets and Dragons games will understand what it means to him to play for his region,” said Tandy.

“He’s got plenty of experience, and has the respect which comes from his achievements with the Ospreys, and he will make a good captain.

“We’ve built up some good momentum over the last few weeks which have put us in a decent place in terms of pushing into the top four of the PRO12 and keeping our European hopes alive.

“We mustn’t let that hard work and effort go to waste now though, and it’s important that we perform well against Zebre on Friday night.

“As with any Italian team they are a tough, physical bunch and going into the game on the back of two Welsh derbies in five days we need to use the squad as much as we can for this one.

“We know that they will make life difficult for us but we have to focus on our own game, and concentrate on what we need to do to ensure we get the performance levels we expect from the group.”

Zebre field a completely new back line with Paolo Buso and Alberto Chillon pairing up in the halves while Giovanbattista Venditti and Samuele Pace take their place on the wings.

Full-back Alberto Benettin earns his third RaboDirect PRO12 start of the season while skipper Gonzalo Garcia is alongside Roberto Quartaroli at centre. The latter is back after recovering from a knee injury suffered against Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of August.

Italian-South African duo Quintin Geldenhuys and Michael van Vuren make the second row while Davide Giazzon starts at hooker with Andrea De Marchi and David Ryan at prop.

Zebre are still without a win in the RaboDirect PRO12 but head coach Christian Gajan insists they are very much focused on ending the unwanted run against Ospreys.

“We want to show everybody that we can do well at this level and achieve our goal of the first win soon. Discipline and a correct approach of the game will be the keys to our good performance,” said Gajan.

“Ospreys won’t underestimate this game although they’ve got a crucial Heineken Cup clash against Leicester Tigers next weekend.

“They will search to continue their good momentum helped by the usual big crowd of the Liberty Stadium.

“For us it’s always great to play in front of a big amount of supporters, thought we always have big reasons and expectations.

“Ospreys grew very much since our first meet in Parma in October – we’ll travel to Swansea presenting several players who played less into our roster to take advantage of their good will.

“This is a normal development in the way of our focus to bring all the players to a higher level of experience.”

At Liberty Stadium , 7.05pm.
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 46th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Neil Perkins (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Russell Howard (WRU)