Last season felt like a missed opportunity for Ospreys after they beat Scarlets in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup but were then edged out by Lyon in Swansea.
This year Mark Jones’ side will go up against familiar URC foes in Connacht and Zebre, hosting the Irish province and travelling to Italy.
They face French opposition in rounds two and four with an away game at Montauban, who are one from bottom of the Top 14 and more concerned with relegation, and then a home finale against Montpellier.
Ospreys have made a slow start to the URC, so Europe provides a chance to make a statement amid uncertainty over their future due to the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) plans for the west.
Jones has had to reintegrate 11 players that were missing because of Wales’ Test against the Springboks into a squad that fought impressively in a 19-17 defeat to Edinburgh.
Hooker Dewi Lake and fly-half Dan Edwards are back in club colours after starting all four November internationals.
Getting off to a strong start will be key to hopes of not only making the knockout stages – when they will hope talisman flanker Jac Morgan is fit again – but earning a home tie at the Brewery Field.
