Adam Beard is set to make his long-awaited return to action on Saturday as the Ospreys face Connacht in a crucial United Rugby Championship clash at the Swansea.com Stadium.
The experienced lock, who played a key role for the British & Irish Lions in South Africa in 2021, has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury against Australia in November.
Now, with just a handful of games left before the squad for this summer’s Lions tour to Australia is selected, Beard has an opportunity to prove he still belongs at the highest level.
His return is a welcome boost for the Ospreys, who are pushing for a play-off spot after a strong run of form in recent weeks.
Beard’s second-row partner for the match, James Ratti said: “It’s great to see Adam Beard back because he’s a top-quality player who is always so good to have around the place.
“We’ve all had to step in and step up while he’s been out injured. Players like James Fender have done a great job in leading the line-out and the competition for places is really good.”
Ospreys coach Duncan Jones also highlighted Beard’s leadership and influence within the squad, particularly in continuing the legacy of legendary lock Alun Wyn Jones.
“Adam was lucky enough to learn off someone like Alun Wyn and he carries on that tradition of what we value here,” said Jones.
“It’s not only his playing performance, but the way he helps drive the group. His presence is good and it has been great just to bring back that energy and that other voice.
"He certainly brings that level of experience and knowledge to the playing group which is great. He’s coming back at a good time for us and can hopefully help keep driving performances.
“Our game is growing here, but you can never go too far away from having your foundations around the set-piece and Adam is a top-class operator on both sides of the ball.”
READ MORE: Adam Beard Bristling For Ospreys’ Anglo-Welsh Assault On Gloucester
The Ospreys have been in impressive form, with only one loss in their last six matches.
Their most recent triumph, a dramatic 32-31 victory over reigning champions Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun, showcased their resilience.
They also came close to toppling unbeaten league leaders Leinster in a narrow 22-19 defeat.
Those performances have left them just a single point outside the play-off places, making a home victory against Connacht essential to their post-season ambitions.
Ratti added: “Glasgow was a great win, and we gave a good account of ourselves up there. We are a team that doesn’t give up and you could see that up there.
“We’re coming into a new block where we will have a game every week. We feel we are competitive against any team in the league when we get our game right.
“We need to keep this momentum going because it’s an important part of the season.
“We want to impose our brand of rugby on them, especially at home. It’s another game where we need a big performance because it is so tight in the race for the top eight.
“We have to target every game and against a good Connacht side we know we’ll have to be right on it.”
READ MORE: Mark Jones Hails Ospreys Effort as They Storm Glasgow Fortress
The Ospreys will also be boosted by the return of hooker Sam Parry, who comes back from Six Nations duty to captain the side.
He will be joined in the front row by Garyn Phillips and Tom Botha, while Kieran Hardy starts at scrum-half alongside Dan Edwards at fly-half, both also returning from international commitments.
The Scarlets - who are at home to the Stormers on Saturday afternoon - are boosted by the return of inspirational skipper Josh Macleod for another of this weekend’s games which will be crucial in the ‘Race to the Eight’.
Flanker Macleod - who has scored no fewer than nine tries this season - sat out the last two matches with a hamstring issue, with the west Wales outfit losing to Munster and Ulster in his absence.
“It’s good to have Josh back,” said coach Dwayne Peel.
“I think we missed him in the last two games, just his leadership and the form he’s shown through the season.
“When he plays, it’s not just his performance, but he also lifts the people around him and that’s important for us.
“He demands high standards of the group. He’s the captain of the team as well, so it will be good to have him back in the fold.”
READ MORE: Dwayne Peel’s Scarlets Aim To Chase Down Cardiff As URC Battle Hots Up
Both the Scarlets and the DHL Stormers are just a point off the play-offs going into Round 13.
“It’s so tight and it’s going to go down to the wire,” said former Wales scrum-half Peel.
“We are right in the hunt and it’s still within our hands. This is a big game and it’s key we pick up points. The home support is going to be huge.
“It will be a good test and a good challenge for us. The Stormers will be ready to go. They pose a huge counter-attacking threat. They have got real athletes in their team. If you give them space and kick poorly to them, they can hurt you.”
The visitors’ coach John Dobson, who is targeting a top-six finish, said: “The Scarlets are a team that play attractive rugby, so it should be quite an open game.”
Meanwhile, the Dragons coach Filo Tiatia has paid a glowing tribute to the team’s “inspiring” supporters ahead of the final URC game of the season at Rodney Parade - a clash with Ulster.
The fans haven’t had much to cheer this term with no league wins since the opening day victory over the Ospreys, but they have stuck by the side through thick and thin.
“The crowd at Rodney Parade have been awesome,” said former All Black Tiatia.
“They have been really supportive, a great crowd with the way they get behind the team.
“It’s no different where we are in terms of the scoreboard, they stay in it.
“That mentality to stay with their team, it’s one of the greatest things you can experience if you are a player, but also as a staff and as a coach.
“It’s pretty inspiring that they stick with the team. Our give back to them is the effort, to not give up. It’s to be clinical and to be at our best, so it’s a two-way relationship.
“The players are really respectful of that. They always go around the ground and acknowledge them. It’s something special.”
Tiatia added: “We are looking forward to the game against Ulster. They are a good side with a good set-piece and big ball carriers.
“They have got threats across the park, so it will be a good challenge for us.”
Ulster coach Richie Murphy commented: "If we want to keep our hopes up of playing at the business end of the season, then we need to win, there's no doubt.
"The Dragons' league position shows they are at the bottom, but they have been very competitive, especially at home."
