No extra spice in Ospreys-Scarlets URC derby

Ospreys insist off-field uncertainty has not given any extra edge to their derby with Scarlets as they bring an end to a turbulent season in Bridgend.

Mark Jones' side play their final fixture at Brewery Field (17:30 BST) before next season's return to Swansea at a revamped St Helen's.

Bridgend has been the scene of protests by Ospreys supporters due to Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) plans to cut a professional team.

The club's future was also at risk when owners Y11 Sports & Media made a bid for rivals Cardiff, one that they withdrew last month.

The WRU still intends to press on with their proposal to go down to three clubs and, down the line, that could pit Ospreys against Scarlets to be Wales' western representative.

The rivalry will continue in 2026-27 and home assistant coach Richard Kelly insists the off-field chaos will not add any extra spice.

"I think there's enough edge in Ospreys-Scarlets derbies anyway. It's always a special occasion," said Kelly, who played for both clubs.

"If anything, there's probably a little bit of understanding from both groups on the ground of what everyone's going through. I think everyone's in a similar boat really."

Ospreys have had a solid season on home soil with six wins, a draw and three defeats in Bridgend.

They have already beaten Cardiff and Dragons at Brewery Field and hope to make it a derby hat-trick in a farewell game for Wales captain Jac Morgan.

"The atmosphere is great and it's good to have all the supporters so close to the field," said the Gloucester-bound flanker.

"You can really hear them chanting and supporting us. It's great being able to hear them get behind us."

Ospreys will win the Welsh Shield, leapfrogging play-off hopefuls Cardiff, if they secure a derby double over Scarlets.

Scarlets make the short trip fuelled by the desire to climb above Dragons in the battle to avoid being Wales' lowest-placed side.

It will be an emotional occasion for Ospreys but interim head coach Nigel Davies believes his players will not lack enthusiasm.

"It's been interesting this week because it's the first time I've seen a few scuffles in training," said Davies, who took the reins in January.

"That's a good thing because it shows the boys are getting mentally prepared for what's ahead."

There were fears that this could be the last edition of the western rivalry but it will continue into next season, to the delight of Davies.

"It brings that level of intensity, that passion, the identity. We are nearest and dearest rivals but we wouldn't be the same without each other," he said.

"It's great to have that level of competition. This game is really going to test us and it's a good challenge to have.

"I want to see every single player being competitive in every single moment.

"You can't afford to go to the Brewery Field and have players who aren't prepared to give everything they've got for the whole 80 minutes."

Morgan is joined in a home farewell by full-back Jack Walsh while Iestyn Hopkins comes in for suspended wing Dan Kasende.

Kieran Hardy gets the nod ahead of fellow Wales scrum-half Reuben Morgan Williams while the pack is unchanged from the defeat by Cardiff in the capital.

Scarlets are boosted by the return of Wales internationals Josh Macleod and Tom Rogers, who will move to Ospreys in the summer.

Flanker Macleod has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury but lock Sam Lousi misses out with a back issue, with Jac Price starting alongside Max Douglas.

Ospreys: Walsh; Hopkins, Watkin, K Williams, L Morgan; Edwards, Hardy; S Thomas, Parry, Botha, R Davies, Smith, Ratti, J Morgan (capt), Morris.

Replacements: L Lloyd, G Phillips, Warren, Sutton, Moriarty, Morgan-Williams, Giles, Boshoff.

Scarlets: Murray, Rogers, J Roberts, James, Page; Hawkins, Blacker; Mathias, Elias, Henry Thomas, Price, Douglas, Plumtree, Macleod, Anderson.

Replacements: Harry Thomas, J Morse, Harri O'Connor, Davis, Taylor, A Hughes, Leggatt-Jones, I Jones.

Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)

Assistants: Carwyn Sion & Gareth Newman (Wales)

TMO: Keith David (Wales)