Captain Alun Wyn Jones out of Ospreys opener with Treviso

Alun Wyn Jones will lead Ospreys for a fourth successive season in 201-15

Ospreys have rested captain Alun Wyn Jones for the first match of their 2014-15 Pro12 campaign, at home to Treviso on Friday.

The decision has been taken because of the 29-year-old Wales and British and Irish Lions second row's heavy playing commitments.

"He's got a big year," said assistant coach Gruff Rees.

"We obviously want the best for us regionally, but we are trying to work for his own career."

Fellow Lions forwards Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Ian Evans and Ryan Jones have left Ospreys during the off-season.

Jones was part of the successful British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013, leading them in the decisive third Test.

He went on to play regularly for both his region and Wales in the season that followed, ending with the national side's tour to South Africa in June 2014.

With the 2015 World Cup looming in autumn next year, Ospreys are determined to give Jones the best chance to perform at his peak.

"There's a World Cup around the corner," said Rees.

"He hates talk like that. We do want to have a partnership around him being involved with the decision-making, but also trying to help him to be the best he can be over the longer period of time as well, so we don't want to rush him back."