The Ospreys host Cardiff at the Brewery Field on New Year’s DayCardiff prop Keiron Assiratti (left) receiving his 100th club cap from Wales legend Sir Gareth Edwards(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Wales prop Keiron Assiratti has returned from injury to take his place in the Cardiff side to take on the Ospreys at the Brewery Field on New Year’s Day.

The 28-year-old has recovered from a calf complaint and is the only change to the match-day 23 that claimed a Boxing Day victory over Dragons. Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl has made five changes to the side that beat the Dragons on Boxing Day.

On top of Assiratti second-row George Nott, No 8 Alun Lawrence, loosehead prop Danny Southworth and scrum-half Johan Mulder come into the starting XV.

Mason Grady gets an opportunity to build on an excellent performance on Boxing Day and is joined in the back-three by Cam Winnett and Josh Adams, while Ben Thomas and Harri Millard are the centres.

Liam Belcher captains the side from hooker, while Nott and Josh McNally form a strong second-row partnership.

Alex Mann and Dan Thomas are in the back-row alongside Lawrence.

The Blue & Blacks have again opted for a 6-2 split on the replacements’ bench with the likes of James Botham, Taulupe Faletau and Aled Davies providing experience.

“We were obviously pleased to get the win against Dragons on Boxing Day but it was a frustrating performance,” said van Zyl.

“We left some opportunities out there in the second half and let them back into the game.“But that’s given us plenty to work on and a sharpened focus this week, and we are all very aware that we will need to be much better on Thursday.“The Ospreys are a quality team and enjoyed an impressive win over the Scarlets.

“We will have to match their physicality, set-piece and manage the middle third of the pitch well. It’s a challenge we are looking forward to.

“We talk a lot about growth and going away to the Brewery Field gives us the chance to test our game in a different environment in what will be a tough game”.

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones has chosen utility back Jack Walsh and hooker Sam Parry as co-captains of the side, with Dewi Lake named on the replacements’ bench.

He is joined in the back-three by Iestyn Hopkins and Keelan Giles, with Owen Watkin and Keiran Williams teaming up in midfield.

Kieran Hardy and Dan Edwards are the half-backs.

Up-front Sam Parry starts ahead of Lake, with Garyn Phillips and Tom Botha joining him in the front-row.

Rhys Davies and Ryan Smith are in the second-row while James Ratti, Harri Deaves and Morgan Morris form a dynamic back-row.

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Iestyn Hopkins, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Garyn Phillips, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Ryan Smith, James Ratti, Harri Deaves, Morgan Morris. Replacements: Dewi Lake, Steffan Thomas, Rhys Henry, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Gwylim Evans, Phil Cokanasiga, Max Nagy.

Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady, Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder, Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, George Nott, Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence. Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Rhys Barratt, Javan Sebastian, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau, Aled Davies, Jacob Beetham.