A year ago, the Ospreys were knocked out at the quarter final stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup in what was their first knock out game in Europe since the days of the Gallacticos (Saturday, 12 April – 5.30pm kick-off / S4C).
Twelve months on their revenge win over the Scarlets last weekend has given them a great chance to shoot for a semi-final spot for the first time – and the opportunity to take one step closer to reaching the final in Cardiff at Principality Stadium next month.
This year they will have home advantage against Top 14 side, and former champions, Lyon, who reached the last eight by knocking out last year’s winners The Sharks, 34-21. With a crowd of 5,000 or more at the Swansea.Com Stadium then things might be different this time around.
That 23-13 defeat at Gloucester at the quarter-final stage last year was a real blow, but they hit back to finish as the runners-up in Pool 2 to earn home games in the Round of 16 and quarter final. Whoever wins will then meet the winners of Connacht or Racing 92.
Wins against the Lions, Newcastle Falcons, Pau and Scarlets have pushed the Ospreys into the final eight. Now they have to make home advantage pay.
“We played to a very high-level last time out against the Scarlets, but we know we’ll have to improve this week against Lyon,” said head coach Jones.
“They are a very dynamic team, with a lot of athletic players that can create line break opportunities at a moment’s notice.
“There was a great atmosphere at the Swansea.com Stadium last weekend and we’re hoping to see something similar this week. It made a massive difference having everyone get behind the boys, and I know our supporters will get behind them again for this quarter-final.”
Jones has made only one change to the side from the one that ran in six tries against the Scarlets in last weekend’s 36-14 win. Kieran Hardy comes in at scrum half for Reuben Morgan-Williams, who drops to the bench.
Lyon are currently seventh in France’s Top14 league and have already beaten Cardiff, Zebre, Cheetahs and Sharks. They have made wholesale changes to their side with Ethan Dumortier coming in for Italian international Monty Ioane on the wing and Charlie Cassang taking over from Baptiste Couillourd at scrum half.
Felix Lambey will lead the side in place of Arno Botha in a pack that shows only one survivor from last week’s starting XV in prop Hamza Kaabeche.
TEAMS
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (captain), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris
Reps: George McGuigan, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn HopkinsLyon: Alexandre Tchaptchet; Vincent Rattez, Josiah Maraku, Theo Millet, Ethan Dumortier; Leo Berdeu, Charlie Cassang; Wayan De Benedittis, Sam Matavesi, Hamza Kaabeche, Felix Lambey (captain), Alban Roussel, Steeve Blanc-Mappaz, Beka Shvangiradze, Maxime Gouzou
Reps: Guillaume Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Valentin Simutoga, Mickael Guillard, Theo William, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Couilloud, Alfred ParisienReferee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)