Clermont host Ospreys in Champions Cup live on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 22/11/15 2:09pm
Captain Alun Wyn Jones says Ospreys are confident they can end Clermont Auvergne's formidable home record with a win in Sunday's European Rugby Champions Cup clash, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 12.30pm.
The Welsh region opened their European campaign with a 25-13 win over Exeter Chiefs thanks to a strong second half from their forwards.
The battle up front will once again be key when they take on last season's losing finalists, who will be playing their first game of this season's competition after their opening fixture against Bordeaux-Begles was postponed.
Clermont have not lost a European game at the Stade Marcel Michelin since 2008 and Ospreys have not had much success in France, winning just one of 14 games across the Channel.
But with the momentum of a strong victory over a Chiefs side who are causing waves on the domestic scene, Wales and Lions lock Jones is excited about the prospect of playing one of France's top sides.
"We can travel with confidence, it has been a good start for us," said Jones. "It will be tough out there in a difficult environment and with the quality of the squad they have and the rugby they play.
"But we came through an opening game that could have gone either way, so it gives us something to build on."
Head coach Steve Tandy believes his men travel with the pressure off their shoulders, having taken four match points and denied Exeter a losing bonus point in a closely contested pool.
"We had opportunities in the second half which we took and remained in the ascendancy and kept ourselves ahead, which is a good sign," said Tandy.
"Everyone knows how important it is to win your home games and now it is about seeing what you can pick up on the road.
"We did not give Exeter a bonus point, which was a boost, and we want to go out there, score some points, and see where that takes us."
Clermont Auvergne: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 David Strettle, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra; 1 Thomas Domingo, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 6 Damien Chouly (c), 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 8 Fritz Lee.
Replacements: 16 Marthinius van der Westhuizen, 17 Raphael Chaume, 18, Daniel Kotze, 19 Flip Van Der Merwe, 20 Vito Kolelishvili, 21 Ludovic Radoslavjevic, 22 Brock James, 23 Albert Vulivuli.
Ospreys: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Thomas Grabham, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard; 1 Paul James, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 4 Lloyd Ashley, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 James King.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Thomas Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Hanno Dirksen.
Watch Clermont Auvergne v Ospreys live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Sunday from 12.30pm. Watch live on NOW TV for £6.99. No contract.