Celtic League Previews: Thrashed 43-6 by Cardiff at the Arms Park last weekend, Ospreys coach Lyn Jones was looking for culprits and alighted on Gavin Henson. There isn't a better place-kicker in the competition but Henson incurred Jones's wrath and is demoted to the bench.
Jones has other problems, notably in the front row, where he has named six players and won't decide on its composition until this evening.
Connacht's display in a 25-20 defeat by Llanelli at Dubarry Park was anaemic, the final scoreline flattering them somewhat and coach Michael Bradley will be keen for the team to rediscover winning habits.
Seven changes, two positional, some governed by injury, others by rotation, means it's difficult to know how Connacht will fare this evening. How the visiting pack matches up will be central to the outcome. It's a youngish crew that'll look to Bernard Jackman and Dan McFarland for leadership and the back row of Johnny Muldoon, Michael Carroll and Paul Neville for drive.
The senior figure of Eric Elwood will be asked to control the game from the outhalf pivot and may favour a more one-dimensional kicking game. Certainly putting your leading try scorer, wing Conor McPhillips, on the bench, seems a strange choice.
The Irish province's good start to the season has faltered in recent weeks and Bradley will be keen to arrest the slide. Unfortunately that may not be enough at St Helen's this evening where the Ospreys will be warm favourites.
NEATH-SWANSEA OSPREYS: A Durston; D Tiueti, J Storey, S Gibbs (capt), G Morris; S Connor, S Williams; Front row from: A Clatworthy, P Jones, C Wells, A Wynn-Davies, C Griffiths, A Millward; A Newman, L Bateman; G Thomas, N Bonner-Evans, R Pugh.
CONNACHT: D Hewitt; T Robinson, M Mostyn, T Allnutt (capt), W Munn; E Elwood, M Walls; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke; D Browne, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, M Carroll, P Neville.
Referee: D Changleng (Scotland).
Last time out: Neath-Swansea Ospreys lost to Cardiff (a) 43-6. Connacht lost to Llanelli (h) 25-20.
Leading points scorers: Neath-Swansea Ospreys: Gavin Henson 97. Connacht: Eric Elwood 38.
Verdict: Neath-Swansea Ospreys.
Neath-SwanseavConnacht
St Helen's, 7.05
On TV: TG4
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