Last season’s Wales U20 full back Lewis Edwards will make his Ospreys debut in Tbilisi in his side’s EPCR Challenge Cup opener against Black Lion on Saturday 17 October (1.00pm).
Edwards gets his chance of putting in a string of impressive performances for Swansea in the Super Rygbi Cymru competition. He is one of a number of changes from the side that picked up a first win of the season at the Dragons last weekend.
Head coach Mark Jones has rung the changes given the vast amount of travel his team has had to undergo to date this season. After two weeks in South Africa they are now heading to Georgia.
With a large number of Georgian internationals in their ranks the Black Lion side will be hoping to build on their previous form in Europe that has already seen them time beat Montauban last season and the Scarlets 23-7 in Llanelli in 2023. They also led eventual winners Montpellier 13-0 at half- before going down 24-13 last season.
With Wales scrum half Kieran Hardy ruled out for a lengthy period after undergoing knee surgery, fellow international Reuben Morgan-Williams takes over at No 9. Edwards will become the 34th player used by the Ospreys to date this season.
“Every team we have put out has been with a view of winning the game. It has certainly not been about sacrificing results,” said assistant coach Richard Kelly in explaining the team changes.
“There are 22 games guaranteed plus any European knockouts, so you have to make changes during the season and trust the squad.
“We’ve got to try and make sure that when we need the players, they are all ready to go so you have to give them opportunities to show what they can do.”
TEAMS
Black Lion: Luka Tsirekidze; Akaki Tabutsadze, Luka Tabatadze, Data Akhvlediani, Romani Makhatadze; Giorgi Babunashvili, Giorgi Spenderashvili; Dato Abdushelishvili, Irakli Kvatadze, Nika Khatiashvili, Mikheil Babunashvili (captain), Michael Curry, Luka Narsia, Lasha Tsikhistavi, Potu Leavasa
Reps: Jincharadze, Giorgi Mamaiashvili, Giorgi Chkhartishvili, Lato Chachanidze, Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, Otar Giorgadze, Temur Dzodzuashvili, Otar MetreveliOspreys: Lewis Edwards, Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin (captain), Lalakai Foketi, Iestyn Hopkins; Lawson Creighton, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Steff Thomas, Lewis Lloyd, Ben Warren, Lewis Jones, Ryan Smith, Huw Sutton, Gwilym Evans, Morgan Morse
Reps: Efan Daniel, Cam Jones, Kian Hire, Ben Roberts, Martyn Morris, Luke Davies, Harri Wilde, Evradi BoshoffReferee: Benoit Rousselet (France)