Gareth Anscombe will feature on the bench for the Ospreys when they take on Saracens in Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup last 16 encounter at the StoneX Stadium in Barnet (3pm).
There had been fears the shoulder injury the 31-year-old suffered playing for Wales against Australia last November might keep him out until well into the summer, potentially threatening his World Cup hopes.
But Anscombe has defied those concerns.
Now the 35-cap fly-half will want to help the Ospreys take another step on the European road while also signalling to Warren Gatland that he is determined to feature for Wales at the global tournament in France this autumn.
He is part of a powerful matchday 23 that features 16 internationals, with 11 of those starters.
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There are six changes from the side that defeated the Dragons 37-18 last weekend.
Back into the run-on XV come Michael Collins, Owen Williams and Rhys Webb behind, with Tomas Francis, Adam Beard and Justin Tipuric returning up front.
A strong bench includes Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate and Anscombe, internationals all.
Keiran Williams plays his 50th game for the Ospreys,
All on duty will know it’s the kind of match that can seriously enhance international prospects, with Gallagher Premiership leaders Saracens seen as one of European rugby’s top clubs: a player who delivers against them can shine against pretty much anyone, the thinking might be.
There again, the priority will be to deliver for the team.
The Ospreys have worked hard to make it into the Champions Cup knockout stage for the first time in 13 years, chiselling out a double over French champions Montpellier and an away success over English title holders Leicester, and are keen to do themselves justice against Saracens.
That said, head coach Toby Booth was happy to heap the pressure of favouritism onto their opponents, hailing all things Saracens. If he didn't quite pledge to take his holidays in Barnet this summer, he certainly feels Mark McCall's side have a lot going for them.
“Saracens are the best team in the Gallagher Premiership at the moment, and real contenders for the Heineken Champions Cup,” said Booth.
“They don’t have many weaknesses, so we know it is a very difficult challenge. They are very efficient, and if they get their tails up they can be very difficult. They are used to winning and are used to being in these fixtures, and the biggest thing to get past first of all is the mindset of what they’ve got.
“They are very competitive, they will be in your face and very aggressive and you have to deal with that pressure.
"We know we’re down as the underdogs, but that tag has served us well so far in the competition. We’ve trained well and we’re prepared for a tough fixture.”
Owen Farrell has recovered from a bump last weekend to take his place at fly-half and as Saracens captain, with Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola featuring up front.
Saracens: Alex Goode; Max Malins, Alex Lozowski, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland; Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Marco Riccioni, Maro Itoje, Hugh Tizard, Andy Christie, Ben Earl, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Tom Woolstencroft, Eroni Mawi, Alec Clarey, Nick Isiekwe, Jackson Wray, Aled Davies, Duncan Taylor, Alex Lewington.
Ospreys: Michael Collins; George North, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Luke Morgan; . Owen Williams, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Ethan Roots, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Iestyn Hopkins.
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