Ospreys coach Sean Holley has warned fans and TV viewers to expect fireworks in Sunday’s Heineken Cup cracker against Leicester Tigers.
The Welsh region face the two-time European champions in the potentially explosive Pool 3 opener at Welford Road.
It is a repeat of last year’s pool match which saw former England skipper Martin Corry handed a six-week ban for eye-gouging Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard.
But Holley insists he expects the clash between the two giants to be every bit as feisty and bloody as their last clash at the Liberty Stadium back in January.
Holley said: “I hope there are fireworks as long as we are in control of them. There’s a healthy rivalry between the two sides born out of fiesty encounters in 2005, two close EDF finals and two competitive games last season.
“It’s a new season with slightly new regimes and players but it’s not a grudge match. Both sets of players will give their all and it will be good viewing.
“We need to be focussed on and be clear in our strategy on how we win.”
The fierce history between the Anglo-Welsh rivals dates back four years after exiled Ospreys star Gavin Henson broke the nose of Leicester prop Alex Moreno with his elbow.
Henson was banned for seven weeks and joined on the sidelines by team-mate Ian Evans who received an eight-week suspension for stamping in the same match on Harry Ellis.
But, while sparks are expected to fly, Holley insists he is more focussed on facing the current Leicester set-up.
He said: “Leicester are difficult to beat and we must remember they got to the final again last year. They have massive names and a team full of internationals.
“They are street-wise totally committed and talented throughout the team who are perennial finalists or winners and it’s where we aspire to be.
“But we are growing all the time and we’re getting more confident each year. We’re ready to give it a big shot.”
British Lions Tommy Bowe and Lee Byrne are expected to shake off injury niggles but prop Duncan Jones is a doubt with a thigh strain.
