THE Ospreys are set to thrust on-trial lock James Goode straight into the first team fray against Bath in the LV= Cup on Saturday.

Former Blues player Goode only returned to Wales in search of a club last week after a spell playing Air New Zealand Cup rugby for Manawatu Turbos.

But he was quickly snapped up by the Ospreys on a trial basis as they look to combat a crippling injury crisis. Ian Gough, Filo Tiatia and Richard Hibbard joined the region's long queue for the treatment room after the 19-17 loss to Northampton last Thursday.

Locks Andy Lloyd, Conor McInerney, Lyndon Bateman, Ian Evans and Richard Kelly are also sidelined, while Alun Wyn Jones and Jonathan Thomas are on international duty with Wales.

"We're very depleted in our front five and at scrum- half," said forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys. "We've got boys going out there like James Goode, James King and Justin Tipuric who will make their first start for the Ospreys.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for James who only came off the plane from New Zealand this week to make a statement here."

The Ospreys are also expected to be littered with players from their feeder clubs for the match at The Rec.

"Young kids don't have that much fear, they're just looking forward to going out and giving it a crack. And we're looking forward to seeing how they do," added Humphreys. "We have a very competitive squad, you can see that by the number of lads involved at international level and it's a chance for these kids to really have a good go.

"We saw it from the start as an opportunity to develop our squad. It's a chance for boys in the Premiership to step up to this level."

Stephen Ware