Skipper Justin Tipuric sits out the Ospreys’ BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Glasgow Warriors at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday (3.05pm).
But Toby Booth welcomes back three other Wales internationals into his starting line-up among four personnel changes from the side that lost to the Emirates Lions.
Owen Watkin comes into the centre, Gareth Anscombe resumes at fly-half and Jac Morgan takes over from Tipuric, with Ethan Roots packing down at No. 8.
With no mention in their pre-game press conference of an injury to Tipuric, it is assumed his absence is related to the need to manage his game time — only this week Cardiff team boss Dai Young revealed an international such as Taulupe Faletau was allowed to play just 17 games regional games across the season and a maximum of five on the bounce.
Tipuric's absence means Morgan wears the No. 7 shirt for the first time this season after starting with a No. 6 on his back against the Scarlets in the opening game of the campaign. He showed up well in that match, and will be looking to bang in another eye-catching performance in the run-up to Wales’ autumn series squad announcement.
George North switches from centre to wing, with Watkin returning at 13 and Michael Collins staying at No. 12.
Collins has also started the season with some fizz, making more carries (23) than any other Wales-qualified player over the first two rounds of URC matches. The former Super Rugby man also helped set up a try for Rhys Webb with a sublime back-of-the-hand offload.
He can also fill in at full-back. “You need multi-position players — people who can fill in to a high standard and not just be utility players,” said Booth.
“I see Mikey as a centre; that said, he’s played a number of Super Rugby games at full-back and can play there to a good standard. With Dan Evans sidelined by injury, we need people who can go in there.
“We have a lot of young players in that position. Sometimes you need more of an old head and a bit more stability.
“What’s great about Mikey is that he’ll do what’s best for the team. He’s not precious about it. As a result we get another very good player onto the pitch.”
But this week Collins operates in his favoured position in midfield.
While he’s another player Wales head coach Pivac will doubtless be running the rule over, the priority for all concerned at the Ospreys will be to deliver against a Glasgow Warriors team that hammered Cardiff 52-24 last time out.
By contrast, the Ospreys have still to get off the mark in terms of wins on the board.
But they were pleased with their attacking game against the Lions and will be this week looking to cut out the errors that gifted the South Africans the verdict.
Head coach Booth said: “Glasgow were very disappointed after their round one match but they responded well as good sides do going into round two. We’re looking for a similar response ourselves from an outcome point of view. Our performance needs to be more consistent in order for us to play against a team who are very positive and very ambitious. It’ll be a good contest between two teams who are going to go for it.”
Ospreys: Max Nagy; George North, Owen Watkin, Michael Collins, Keelan Giles; Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Webb (capt); Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan, Ethan Roots.
Replacements: Dewi Lake, Rhys Henry, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Will Griffiths, Reuben Morgan Williams, Jack Walsh, Luke Morgan.
Glasgow Warriors: Cole Forbes, Sebastian Cancelliere, Sione Tuipulotu, Sam Johnson, Rufus McLean, Tom Jordan, Ali Price (CAPT), Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Richie Gray, Gregor Brown, Thomas Gordon, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: George Turner, Oli Kebble, Simon Berghan, JP du Preez, Sintu Manjezi, Ryan Wilson, Sean Kennedy, Domingo Miotti.
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