Connacht v Ospreys preview

Ospreys great Justin Tipuric makes his 200th appearance for the region as he captains them from the openside flank at the Galway Sportsground.

Meanwhile, centre Tom Farrell brings up the century for Connacht, who have Englishman Pete Wilkins at the coaching helm following his move up from an assistant’s role.

Ospreys coach Toby Booth said: “We know Galway is a very difficult place to go for lots of reasons. Conditions-wise, it’s sometimes challenging there and they are always a very committed bunch. They play a positive style of play and they will want to impose themselves on us, as we will look to do to them.”

His counterpart Wilkins said: “We’ve never come up against an Ospreys team that isn’t unbelievably physical and well organised. That’s part of their DNA over the years and what Toby Booth brings to the table. So we will have to front up physically and play really well.

“Being at home, we will want to assert our own style of play and make a statement about what we want to do this season, but we know it will be a big challenge.”

• Last season’s semi-finalists, Connacht, have lost two of their last three matches in the Championship, slipping up at Glasgow in Round 18 and to the Stormers in Cape Town in the last four. 
• Connacht have won their last four BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures at the Sportsground since Ulster beat them there last December. 
• The Irishmen have won their last six fixtures against Welsh regions. 
• Ospreys only victory in their last five BKT URC encounters was 37-18 at home to Dragons RFC in March. 
• Ospreys won twice on the road in the Championship last season, on successive trips to Cardiff and Zebre in January. 
• Ospreys have lost their last five fixtures against Irish provinces since they beat Ulster at Swansea.com Stadium in December 2021. 
• Connacht have lost just one of their last six clashes with Ospreys: 20-26 behind closed doors at the Sportsground in January 2021.