Ospreys return for Wales prop Thomas against Dragons

Wales prop Gareth Thomas will make his first appearance since the start of December for Ospreys against Dragons, a week before the start of the Six Nations.

The loose-head, along with scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams, has been released from Test camp to get game time for Mark Jones' side in the United Rugby Championship (URC) derby against Dragons in Bridgend.

Both start, but Ospreys are without six Wales internationals in centre Owen Watkin, fly-half Dan Edwards, scrum-half Kieran Hardy, hooker Dewi Lake, lock Rhys Davies and flanker Harri Deaves prior to the Six Nations opener away to England.

In-form Dragons - who are hunting their first URC away win since April 2022 - are denied the services of two internationals: number eight Aaron Wainwright and lock Ben Carter.

Thomas has not played since 7 December because of a calf injury and will aim to impress Steve Tandy before the Wales head coach makes his first Six Nations selection.

The prop, who faced New Zealand and South Africa in the autumn, is battling with Nicky Smith and Rhys Carre for international action while Morgan-Williams is behind Tomos Williams and Hardy in the pecking order.

The pair boost an Ospreys side who start round 11 of the URC in eighth place despite uncertainty over their future.

They are fresh from a spirited 24-24 draw against Lions at Brewery Field in the week when it was announced by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) that owners Y11 Sport and Media are the preferred bidder to take over rivals Cardiff.

"That tells you everything about the people in the building. It would have been easy to use it as an excuse," said hooker Sam Parry.

"I am proud of the way that the group handled it and stuck together. It shows a lot of good people that we have here."

Ospreys supporters plan further protests at the game against Dragons, while the current team will be cheered on by a contingent of former players.

The likes of Shane Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Gavin Henson, Ryan Jones, James Hook and Ian Gough have signed a document urging the WRU to have a rethink of plans to cut from four professional sides to three.

Ross Moriarty is named at open-side flanker to form a heavy back row with James Ratti and Morgan Morse.

Phil Cokanasiga, Jack Walsh and James Fender also come into the starting line-up while scrum-half Cormac Foley, who signed from Leinster on a short-term deal this week, could make a debut off the bench.

Dragons have won their last four games in Newport but, after an agonising 22-20 loss to Munster in Cork last weekend, are still chasing an elusive away success in the URC.

They have not won away in the competition since beating Scarlets in April 2022.

Filo Tiatia's side have climbed the URC – they start the weekend four points off the play-offs – and qualified for the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

"If we get an outcome this weekend, I'd say it's been a successful block for us," said defence coach Dale MacLeod. "We've definitely grown as a group."

Dragons make three enforced changes because of the absence of Carter and Wainwright as well as an injury to prop Rodrigo Martinez.

Loose-head Wyn Jones, lock Seb Davies and blind-side flanker Ryan Woodman, who was rested last weekend, come into the XV while Harri Keddie shifts to number eight.

Tonga centre Fetuli Paea is set for a return off the bench having been out since breaking his right arm on an impressive debut against Sharks in October.

Dragons have won just twice on their travels to Ospreys in the league – a 31-20 success in Bridgend in March 2021 and a 21-16 win in Swansea in October 2010.

Ospreys: Hopkins; Kasende, Cokanasiga, K Williams, Giles; Walsh (co-capt), Morgan-Williams; G Thomas, Parry (co-capt), Botha, Fender, R Smith, Ratti, Moriarty, Morse.

Replacements: L Lloyd, S Thomas, Henry, De Witt, G Evans, Foley, Nagy, Houston.

Dragons: O'Brien (capt); Richards, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; De Beer, Hope; W Jones, Coghlan, Hunt, Douglas, S Davies, Woodman, Beddall, Keddie.

Replacements: Burrows, Morris, Dlamini, Lewis-Hughes, Minto, R Williams, Paea, C Evans.

Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)

Assistants: Ben Breakspear & Carwyn Sion (Wales)

TMO: Jenny Davies (Wales)