Ospreys will have Wales prop Adam Jones returning for his first RaboDirect PRO12 start of the season against Zebre – a most welcome return according to forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.

Jones has missed the start of the season with a knee injury but, after coming off the bench in last week’s win over Munster, is fit to start in Italy.

With Wales’ autumn internationals looming Jones’ return will bring a smile to the face of Warren Gatland but Humphreys admits he is equally excited.

"It's good news for us," said Humphreys. "It's great he's back and great for Adam because his form has been so good."

And Jones himself admitted his delight at being back in the fold as Ospreys look to make it three wins on the spin after their nightmare start to the season.

The reigning champions lost their opening three games, including one in Italy against Treviso and Jones said: “I feel pretty good now.

“The knee still feels a bit sore at times but, if I manage it, I should be OK.

“It was frustrating because I picked up the injury the week I was supposed to come back anyway. I had a month off and I could not get back running. But injuries happen in rugby and it is nothing to worry about.”

But while Jones returns there are some big-name absentees for the Welsh region with flanker Justin Tipuric ruled out with a hip injury.

Another pre-match injury concern in the back row is Joe Bearman who has been deemed fit enough for a spot on the replacements bench.

Richard Hibbard will make his 150th Ospreys appearance if he comes off the bench.

In Zebre, Ospreys face a team who claimed their first-ever RaboDirect PRO12 points with a losing-bonus last week in their 22-19 loss against Glasgow Warriors.

Their cause has not been helped by the absence of their go-to fly-halves Luciano Orquera and Paolo Buso who have ankle trouble meaning Alberto Chiesa will play at No. 10.

In the forwards Emiliano Caffini is going to start at flanker in place of Filippo Cristiano while Italy international Giovanbattista Venditti comes back into the side on the wing.

And Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy is certainly not taking the challenge lightly after their Italian humbling at Treviso earlier this season.

“It’s the first time for us to play Zebre but as a group we are all well aware of the threat they’ll pose,” he said.

“We’ve struggled in Italy before, not least the defeat to Treviso at the start of this season so we know that we will have to approach the game just like we did the Scarlets and Munster matches and be at our very best, before coming home to kick-off Europe against Treviso at the Liberty Stadium the following Friday.”

At Stadio XXV Aprile, 7.05pm local time (6.05pm UK & Ireland).
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 44th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Stefano Penne, Filippo Bertelli (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Alberto Recaldini (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Marrama (FIR)

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