Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy says he will discover whether his side are up for the GUINNESS PRO12 fight against Treviso on Friday.

Top of the table Ospreys have won their last five GUINNESS PRO12 matches since Zebre beat them in Parma on May 1.

Ospreys have won three of the last four encounters with the Italian side but have only outscored them by nine tries to eight on aggregate in those fixtures.

But after an impressive start to the campaign, Tandy is keen to see more from his troops at the Stadio XXV Aprile.

"This is another test for us, another 80 minutes where we will find out a lot about the character of this squad,” said Tandy.

“It was a good result in Munster and the attitude and desire displayed was first class.

"There's been a lot of hard work and some home truths spoken this week, to make sure everyone realises where we need to improve going into this game.

“In fairness to the group, they are well aware of the need to keep striving for improvement and there is a good attitude in the squad.

“If we can harness that, keep working hard as a collective, then the squad can continue improving week on week.”

Tyler Ardron (ankle), Ashley Beck (hip), Ryan Bevington (groin), Aaron Jarvis (hamstring), Ross Jones (ligaments), Tom Smith (knee), Justin Tipuric (concussion) and Eli Walker (shoulder) are all missing from the Welsh side’s starting XV.

But Jonathan Spratt captains the Ospreys, who have won only once outside Wales in any tournament over the last 12 months – 19-14 against Munster in Limerick last weekend.

Zebre ended a run of four successive GUINNESS PRO12 defeats with their 13-6 win at home to Ulster on Saturday.

Zebre have lost only once at Stadio XXV Aprile in their last six matches, 26-41 to Cardiff Blues on the opening weekend of this season, and lock Marco Bortolami will make his first official appearance of the season after having fully recovered from his injury.

Head coach Andrea Cavinato said: "Against Ulster we improved the defence while we were too hasty in our possession.

“It was an important win. We are calm: the positive atmosphere of the club helps us to do well and remain absolutely humble with our feet firmly on the ground.”

At Stadio XXV Aprile, 8.35pm local time (7.35pm UK & Ireland). Live on BBC Wales
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU, 4th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Elia Rizzo, Carlo Damasco (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Stefano Roscini (FIR)