The Premiership won the war of attrition at a rain soaked Gnoll last Friday to claim a 21-9 victory. But they have the chance to put-right that result at Bridgend’s Brewery Field when they welcome the Dragons, who also suffered London woes in round one.
They led heavyweight Harlequins 21-8 at half-time before Connor O’Shea’s men stormed back to claim a 31-21 victory at the Twickenham Stoop.
Rob Dudley-Jones makes his Ospreys debut from open-side flanker in an Ospreys team that blends youth and experience.
Last week’s captain Tom Habberfield is replaced by Martin Roberts and Ashley Beck continues his injury comeback at inside centre.
Lewis Evans makes his 150th appearance for the region in a strong Dragons side. Tyler Morgan makes his return from injury on the wing and experienced Boris Stankovich lines up in the front-row alongside new signing Brok Harris.
Rees said: “We have a lot of good young players coming through. Of course it was disappointing to lose as we did to Saracens. They the conditions better and deserved their victory.
“I can remember a time when there were only around five or six youngsters in the mix for LV= Cup games, but times change and we are now blooding far more at this time of year. As coaches, we are excited about four young props going at it hammer and tongs in training, three second rows shaping up and a nice mix to the backline players.”
Dragons flanker James Benjamin is keen to press his case for the number seven shirt, he said: “Game time is massive and the more that I play the more confident I feel on the pitch, it gives you the chance to learn and improve your decision-making, which is massive for an open-side.
“The choices that you make in a split second at the breakdown have an impact a couple of phases later on. It’s all about the top two inches.
“There’s really tough competition at seven so you have to try and make the most of every chance that you get.”
