Ospreys head coach Mark Jones admits his side must raise their game again as they aim to make history in the EPCR Challenge Cup by reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
Having already progressed further than they managed last season — when a quarter-final defeat to Gloucester halted their campaign — the Ospreys are now within touching distance of a European last-four appearance, buoyed by an emphatic 36-14 win over the Scarlets last weekend.
“We played to a very high-level last time out against the Scarlets, but we know we’ll have to improve this week against Lyon,” said Jones.
“They are a very dynamic team, with a lot of athletic players that can create line break opportunities on a moment’s notice.”
The Swansea.com Stadium proved a fortress against the Scarlets, with the Welsh region feeding off the energy of a passionate home crowd.
Jones is hoping for more of the same on Saturday evening when French heavyweights Lyon come to town.
“There was a great atmosphere at the Swansea.com Stadium [against Scarlets] and we're hoping to see something similar this week,” he added.
“It made a massive difference, having everyone get behind the boys, and I know our supporters will get behind them again for this quarter-final.”
READ MORE: Mark Jones Demands More Despite Six-Try Win as Ospreys Cruise Past Scarlets
Jones has made minimal changes to the side that ran in six tries against the Scarlets, with only one switch to the starting lineup.
Wales international Kieran Hardy steps in at scrum-half, replacing Reuben Morgan-Williams, who suffered a head knock last weekend but is fit enough to take a place on the bench. Luke Davies drops out of the squad.
Ospreys come into the clash having secured key victories over Lions, Newcastle, Pau and Scarlets, finishing second in Pool 2 to earn the right to host both the round-of-16 and quarter-final fixtures.
Their opponents, Lyon, arrive in Swansea with pedigree and momentum.
The 2022 Challenge Cup champions sit seventh in France’s Top 14 and earned their quarter-final berth by toppling last season’s winners, the Sharks, in a convincing 34-21 performance.
They’ve also claimed wins over Cardiff, Zebre, and the Cheetahs, dropping only one pool match — away to Connacht.
But the French club have made sweeping changes ahead of the quarter-final clash, revamping seven of their forwards.
Only prop Hamza Kaabeche remains from last week’s pack. Felix Lambey captains the side, while Ethan Dumortier comes in on the wing and Charlie Cassang replaces Baptiste Couilloud at scrum-half.
The prize for the winners is significant — a semi-final showdown against either Connacht or Racing 92, with the final set to be staged at the Principality Stadium on Friday, 23 May.
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Jones is all too aware of how close his side came last year, and what’s at stake this time.
Now, on home turf, with momentum and belief growing, he’s urging his squad and supporters to seize the moment.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (capt), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: George McGuigan, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.
Lyon: Alexandre Tchaptchet; Vincent Rattez, Josiah Maraku, Theo Millet, Ethan Dumortier; Leo Berdeu, Charlie Cassang; Wayan De Benedittis, Sam Matavesi, Hamza Kaabeche, Felix Lambey (capt), Alban Roussel, Steeve Blanc-Mappaz, Beka Shvangiradze, Maxime Gouzou.
Replacements: Guillaume Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Valentin Simutoga, Mickael Guillard, Theo William, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Couilloud, Alfred Parisien.
