URC: Lions opt for consistency as they host wounded Ospreys

Both players were in involved in last week's Mandela Challenge Plate match against the Wallabies Down Under and have been included in the squad for the weekend.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made small tweaks to his match 23 after last week's 27-26 victory over defending champions Leinster in a nail-biting battle going beyond the full 80.

An adjusted loose trio sees Siba Qoma come in for bruiser Batho Hlekani. JC Pretorius slots into the number 6 jersey ahead of Siba Mahashe, who'll be called upon to provide impact from the bench.

Henco van Wyk is sidelined this week after he suffered a head knock in the opening stages of last week's opener. Junior Bok powerhouse Ethan Adams replaces him in the starting XV.

Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie said despite last week's victory, there were still improvements his side needed to work on ahead of their dual with the Welsh outfit.

"There were still a lot we needed to work on this week after last Saturday's match against Leinster," the former Springbok centre told the Lions' website.

"We need to reset because we know Ospreys will bring a different challenge come Saturday but we've had a good week of preparations, so we are excited for what's to come."

The Mark Jones led Ospreys side put up a brave fight against the Durbanites last week and Fourie warns that they are side that don't easily go away.

"Ospreys are tough side here at home and when we play them overseas," he added.

"They have a big pack of forwards, they maul and scrum well - especially against the Sharks we saw how that aspect of their game has improved. They never go away; they play for 80 minutes so we need to be clinical and put them under pressure with and without ball in hand."

Lions - 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Dylan Sjoblom, 22 Morne vd Berg, 23 Quan Horn.