Lydiate returns to starting grid

WALES flanker Dan Lydiate will make his first start in 13 months as Ospreys look to bounce back from their 29-7 defeat at Leinster two weeks ago.

Lydiate, who returned from the bench in that loss after a year on the sidelines with a knee injury, is one of two changes to the starting XV with Rhys Davies returning in the second row.

Scott Baldwin is on the bench and could make his first appearance since rejoining the region from Worcester.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: “Zebre are a massive test for us because it’s a test of our mentality and ability to bounce back from a poor result, so we are focused on what we have to do.

“They are a big physical side with a good set-piece and if we play into their hands they will try and manhandle us. We have to control what we do so we negate their strengths.”

Lydiate starts at blindside with Ethan Roots switching to No.8 in a back row reshuffle that also sees Morgan Morris move to openside and Harri Deaves drop to the bench.

Will Griffiths is also among the replacements as he makes way for lock Davies in the starting XV.

Booth had hoped George North may feature against Zebre, but he is not yet ready, nor Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones.

North, 29, has not played since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament last April, while Jones, 36, has been sidelined since October 2021.

“George is not quite there,” said Booth. “He hasn’t really got the training we want under his belt.”

Zebre are without six players on international duty with Italy and make seven changes to the side defeated 45-7 by the Bulls last week including the return after injury of No.9 Nicholas Casilio.

They are bottom of the URC table and without a victory in any competition for more than a year. Ospreys, in seventh place, are seeking a fourth successive home victory.