Jones calls for 'extra dimension'
Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones believes his players are ready for the "extra dimension" of a Heineken Cup showdown with French championship leaders Stade Francais.
The Welsh region will move top of Pool Three if they can repeat last season's Liberty Stadium success against Stade on Sunday, although their quarter-final hopes could still hinge on beating English champions Sale Sharks in Stockport next Saturday.
Jones said: "All games are big, but this match clearly has an extra dimension given the closely-contested nature of this group and the quality of our opposition."
He added: "Stade will be doubly determined to set the record straight after last season's result at the Liberty Stadium, but we go into this game knowing it is within our capability to win it.
"We can have confidence approaching this fixture, not just off the back of last year's result, but also on the back of the narrow defeat in Paris last October.
"It was one of our better performances, although without success, but it indicated that we can match the best teams in European rugby."
Ospreys wings Shane Williams and Nikki Walker face late fitness tests - Richard Mustoe and Stefan Terblanche are on standby - but Wales pair Sonny Parker (knee) and Jonathan Thomas (shoulder) both require another week's recovery from their injuries and miss out.
Jones added: "Being successful in Europe is all about the majority of your squad being injury-free, as this stage - the Heineken Cup - is totally unforgiving of any weakness in your line-up.
"We will have to perform across the park, as we did last year at the Liberty Stadium, if we are to get anything out of this match."
