The Guinness PRO12 leaders go back to where it all began on Friday night as they entertain the English heavyweights at the Gnoll.
The likes of James King, Justin Tipuric, Hanno Dirksen, Sam Lewis and Lloyd Peers made their names in the Anglo-Welsh competition. And Habberfield reckons Ospreys’ starlets will have the cutting edge to put the European finalists away.
He said: “The LV= Cup means big opportunities for some of the younger boys in the squad and we have a lot of talent here.
“I know it’s my opportunity and it’s about proving a point, to put a few thoughts in the coaches mind over the next few weeks.”
“If the forwards can match them at the set-piece, I’m confident the backs can finish them off.”
Tandy’s men have won eight of their nine matches this season and are flying high at the top of the Guinness PRO12.
But that one defeat came against English opposition, when George North ran-in four tries to give Northampton Saints a bonus-point triumph in the European Champions Cup.
Saracens are in a similar vein of form. They held on to beat Harlequins at Allianz Park in round one of the LV=Cup to get off the mark. Their 21-11 defeat to Bath is the only blemishh on an otherwise perfect domestic record. But Habberfield says the Ospreys hunger will be too much for the London side.
He said:”We’ve got a tough group with a young side, so each game is almost like a cup final for a lot of the boys with a chance to impress.
“With Rhys Webb playing so well I have a lot to live up to, but I’m up for the challenge. It’s been disappointing not playing so far this year, but I’m excited about the weekend.”
Habberfield captains a new-look Ospreys side from scrum-half as Aled Jenkins, Gareth Thomas, Rory Thornton and Ifereimi Boladau make their debuts.
