Wales lock Beard to make Ospreys return

Adam Beard is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Montpellier

Wales lock Adam Beard is set to return to action when Ospreys host Connacht in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday (17:15 GMT).

Beard has not played since suffering a knee injury in Wales' autumn series defeat to Australia last November.

But the 29-year-old is in line to play some part as Ospreys look to improve their URC play-off hopes.

"Adam is a top-class operator, someone who is [influential] not only through his playing performance but the way he helps drive the group around that," said Ospreys coach Duncan Jones.

"He certainly brings that level of experience and knowledge to the group which is great.

"He is coming back at a good time for us and can hopefully help us keep driving performances."

While Beard is poised to return, Jones suggested that only some of the Ospreys players who were involved in the Six Nations will go straight back into regional action this weekend.

Prop Ben Warren, hooker Sam Parry and fly-half Dan Edwards were not part of the matchday squad against England.

Captain Jac Morgan started the record defeat against England, while hooker Dewi Lake and prop Gareth Thomas appeared as replacements.

Jac Morgan was the only Ospreys player who started for Wales against England

"I think there'll be a mixture," Jones said.

"Some of the boys who haven't featured as much will be back for selection. Dan's been around us, Ben Warren, Sam Parry - they have all been around us.

"Mark [Jones, Ospreys head coach] has had some other conversations with Dewi, Jac and Gareth Thomas. He has treated them all on an individual basis.

"They are all keen to get back and contribute towards us. Mark has spoken to them and he has got a plan around what suits them and what suits us a club."

Wales finished the Six Nations with the Wooden Spoon for the second year running as their winless Test run stretched to 17 matches.

Former prop Jones, a double Grand Slam winner with Wales, had sympathy with the nation's current crop after another difficult tournament.

"Nobody likes losing do they? Fortunately or unfortunately, I have been in that position," he said.

"It is pretty difficult for them - probably everyone asks them the same question. But I know they are a proud group of men. They want to get better and they work hard every day to improve."

Centre Phil Cokanasiga is another player who is back in contention for the Connacht game after injury, but recent signing Waisea Nayacalevu is once again unavailable.

Ospreys are 11th in the URC table with six games remaining this season, with the top eight sides reaching end-of-season play-offs.