Ospreys v Benetton Match Preview

Ospreys v Benetton Rugby, 7.35pm, Friday

Having been handed the Ospreys No 10 jersey following Dan Edwards’ “deserved” Wales call-up, Owen Williams is aiming to make the most of the opportunity.

The 21-year-old Edwards is one of two uncapped players in Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad - along with Scarlets wing Ellis Mee - and will be hoping to make his Test debut in next week’s Championship opener against France in Paris.

In his absence, the versatile Williams switches from inside centre to fly-half for the meeting with in-form Benetton in Swansea.

Giving his thoughts on Edwards, the ten-times capped Williams said: “Dan is a very good player. He can’t do anything wrong this season. He’s gone really well and he fully deserves it.

“So it’s down to me when I get an opportunity to take my chance. I want to string a couple of matches together and get some game-time.”

Williams, who won the last of his Wales caps in a World Cup warm-up against England at Twickenham in August 2023, says the Ospreys are putting a big focus on their meeting with Benetton.

They come into the game on a high having claimed a thrilling 38-21 Challenge Cup victory away to Pau to book a mouth-watering last 16 home tie against arch rivals the Scarlets in April.

When it comes to the league, they are currently down in 14th spot in the table, but only five points off the top eight as they set their sights on reaching the play-offs for a second successive season.

“We’re not out of the BKT URC,” declared Williams, who will turn 33 next month.

“We have still got some big games coming up which can shape our season. We are still targeting that.

“We have gone well the last four weeks. Mark (Jones) has stepped up (as head coach) and done a great job. We are trying to move the ball a little bit more and we are digging in for each other, playing for the guy next to us.

“We targeted this block as a big one for our season and it’s gone well so far.”

On Benetton, he said: “They are a very strong side. They turned over La Rochelle last weekend. It’s going to be a tough outing for us.”

With Jac Morgan having headed off to captain Wales in the Six Nations, the 35-year-old Justin Tipuric comes in to take his place on the openside and skipper the team.

Commenting on the veteran flanker - who is in his final season before hanging up his boots - head coach Mark Jones said: “He's probably one of the best players in the competition whatever age he is.

"I've always admired him from afar and it’s a privilege to now work with him and watch how he operates. His humility is incredible considering how good he is and how good he has been.

“If you think of what he's achieved in the game, the trophies he's won and the kudos he's got, where he sits with his peers in terms of how they rate him. Yet he is still asking to be coached, still wants feedback, positive and negative, because he still thinks he can get better, which tells you you're a humble person."

Benetton have been boosted by the release of four players from the Italy Six Nations squad, with Matt Gallagher and Alessandro Izekor starting on the wing and blindside flank respectively, while prop Giosué Zilocchi and lock Riccardo Favretto are among the forward replacements.