Nathan White's misfortune in sustaining a tendon injury in his arm that will keep him sidelined for up to 16 weeks brings sharply into focus the performance of Rodney Ah You.
The tighthead prop trained with Ireland during the week and assuming he is not a late withdrawal at the behest of the national squad management, his performance against former Welsh international loosehead Duncan Jones, will be closely monitored. It would be timely for Ah You to turn in an eye -catching performance.
There'll be no shortage of interest also in the first of Connacht's three New Zealand recruits to take the pitch in centre Bundee Aki. He gets his chance a little sooner than planned according to Connacht coach Pat Lam.
“With Robbie (Henshaw) away in Ireland camp Bundee (Aki) gets his opportunity a bit earlier than expected after just arriving in the country ten days ago.
“We were initially looking at Bundee for our next game with Zebre but it’s great that he’s been keen to get going as soon as possible. He’s been very open to learning quickly in training and has made a big effort in getting to know his team-mates . . . .”
On the issue of the nine changes he made to the team from that which lost to the Exeter Chiefs in the European Rugby Challenge Cup last weekend, Lam continued: "We've made a good few changes this week and injuries and international call-up considered, we believe we have the strongest squad possible going out there.
"We're going down to play the top team in the league on their home ground. It is our biggest challenge of the season so far. Ospreys are a well-coached, well-drilled side with strike power all over the field. We know we will have to raise our standards considerably from last week . . . . ."
Shane Layden is a fine footballer and gets a rare chance at fullback while the return of Matt Healy and the halfbacks Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion introduces plenty of pace. Lam has gone for a big backrow by including Eoin McKeon, normally a number eight at flanker and also including birthday boy, Quinn Roux.
The squad includes 21-year-old Mayo born prop Jamie Dever on the bench and JP Cooney, who is set to make his first appearance of the season if he comes on.
Ospreys position at the top of the table underlines the quality of their performances to date and they’ll be strong favourites to continue that run even without their Welsh international contingent. Lam will know a little bit more about the depth of his squad after tonight.
