Ospreys aim to finish season in style in Dublin

Mark Jones will complete his first full season as Ospreys head coach this weekend [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones is hoping his side can upset Leinster in their United Rugby Championship (URC) finale in Dublin on Saturday (17:15 BST).

Leinster are third in the URC table and face Bordeaux-Begles in the European Champions Cup final next Saturday.

For a second successive season, Ospreys will not make the top eight play-off positions as they currently lie 11th with 39 points and seven wins.

Ospreys finished 12th in the 2024-25 campaign with seven wins and 40 points and Jones hopes to top that tally this weekend.

Jones would view that as some progress given the turmoil the squad has faced this season with question marks over the Ospreys' long-term future.

"We have an opportunity to finish with more wins and more points than we did last year," said Jones.

"That for us will be progress, particularly with everything that's gone on off the field."

The former Wales wing added: "With the league's increased competitiveness, you can see how tight one or two performances can make to the league table and where you finish.

"Unfortunately we are not quite going to make it this year."

Saying goodbye to Jac and 50 up for Edwards

Ospreys will be captained at the Aviva Stadium by flanker Jac Morgan for the final time in this stint before he leaves to join Gloucester, while full-back Jack Walsh is also departing.

"We are looking for a performance that we can all sign off the season with pride," said Jones.

"We also send those players off that are leaving us in style."

Ospreys also start Wales squad call-up Ben Warren at tight-head prop.

Wales fly-half Dan Edwards is staying and will make his 50th appearance for Ospreys, with wing Iestyn Hopkins achieving the same milestone.

Edwards is fresh from his 22-point haul against Scarlets last week.

"There's been lots of progress and growth for him," said Jones.

"He's driving himself to be a better player and leader. He's had a great season."

Edwards is preparing for his 25th start of the season for club and country.

"If you look at his minutes and starts for us, it's been huge because we've had some injuries and haven't been able to rest him as much as we would like to," said Jones.

"His durability and appetite to play regularly, is infectious, the energy and everything he brings to the group is immense.

"He's got a positive view on how the game should be played. I share that view and it's exciting to be able to work with a player like that."

• Who needs what in URC final week to make play-offs?
• Edwards vows to enjoy life at number 10

How they line up

Leinster: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw, Larmour; H Byrne, Gibson-Park; Cahir, McCarthy, Slimani, McCarthy, Mangan, Conan (capt), van der Flier, Culhane.

Replacements: Kelleher, Usanov, Furlong, Deegan, Doris, Gunne, Frawley, Lowe.

Ospreys: Walsh; Giles, Boshoff, Watkin, Hopkins; Edwards, Morgan-Williams; G Phillips, Daniel, Warren, R Davies, Sutton, Ratti, J Morgan (capt), Moriarty.

Replacements: L Lloyd, C Jones, Hire, B Roberts, Deaves, Hardy, P Cokanasiga, L Morgan.

Referee: Ru Campbell (Scotland)

Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland), Dan Carson (Ireland)

TMO: Dave Sutherland (Scotland).

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