European Challenge Cup: No home knockout amenities for Welsh teams

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said he had no regrets about his selection after his side’s 31-26 loss to Montpellier in the Challenge Cup in Bridgend on Saturday.

The defeat means Ospreys will now face an away trip in the round of 16 when a win over the French side would have resulted in a home match.

Jones made 13 changes to the side that lost to Zebre and did not include Wales internationals Dewi Leake, Dan Edwards, James Rattie, Kieran Williams, Keelan Giles, Harry Davies, Australian Ryan Smith or Tom Botha in the squad.

“I think there will be people who look at the selection and wonder why you didn’t pick the so-called more established players in the game,” Jones said.

“The reality is that we played these players over the Christmas period during a difficult period, short shifts, and a lot of them had knocks or were ill.

“We have a short period of transition ahead of us. I think we have played seven games in the quarter-finals, so the rest and recovery is a result of the brutality of these games.

“If you play with the same players all the time, they will end up leaving before the end of the season.

“It was important that we revamp the group, not only to deliver an energetic performance, but also to develop some depth in the group.

“We need to learn more about some of these young players and what they can and can’t do. Part of my job is to grow the depth of the team.

“I did my best to strike the right balance around trying to win the game. We almost won the game. I don’t regret the choice.

“It was done with good thought and process behind it, and I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the result.”

The Ospreys looked set to claim a home draw after taking 10 points from their matches in December, but must now continue their travels.