The Ospreys hand a debut to New Zealander Marty McKenzie as they attempt to check a six-game losing run in all competitions.
The brother of All Blacks ace Damian McKenzie lines up at No. 10 for the Heineken Champions Cup date with Racing 92 in Swansea on Saturday (5.30pm).
His brief will be to give the Welsh region the direction they have lacked during a traumatic start to the season.
The former New Zealand U20s player has joined from the Chiefs on a deal through to the end of the season.
McKenzie partners Aled Davies at half-back in a side bolstered by the return of three other Wales men who were on duty against the Barbarians last weekend, with Owen Watkin featuring ni the centre and Bradley Davies and Adam Beard packing down at lock, while Nicky Smith is also restored to the starting line-up.
There’s another start for tighthead Ma’afu Fia after a strong effort against the Cheetahs last weekend, while Dan Lydiate, Olly Cracknell and Morgan Morris are retained en bloc in the back row, the strongest area for the Ospreys this season.
The Ospreys are winless in the Champions Cup this term, having lost to Munster at home and to Saracens on the road.
Earlier this week, the Welsh region brought in Mike Ruddock in a consultancy role.
It will be the job of all at the Ospreys to work out how to combat a back division that looks as dangerous as any in European rugby.
Ospreys: D. Evans; H. Dirksen, O. Watkin, S. Williams, L. Morgan; M. McKenzie, A. Davies; N. Smith, S. Otten, M. Fia, A. Beard, B. Davies, D. Lydiate (capt), O. Cracknell, M. Morris.
Replacements: I. Phillips, G. Thomas, G. Gajion, M. Orie, S. Cross, S. Venter, L. Price, T. Thomas-Wheeler.
Racing 92: S. Zebo; T. Thomas, V. Vakatawa, Henry Chavancy (capt), J. Imhoff; F. Russell, M. Machenaud; Ben Arous, Baubigny, C. Gomes Sa, B. Le Roux, D. Ryan, W. Lauret, W. Palu, A. Claassen.
Replacements: K. Le Guen, H. Kolingar, A. Oz, F. Sanconnie, Y. Tanga, T. Iribaren, B. Volavola, O. Klemenczak.
