Only Ian Gough from the RBS 6 Nations-winning Wales squad will not figure after being rested, with Huw Bennett likely to be named on the bench.

“Ian Gough has had a particularly heavy affair over the last six weeks or so, so it’s in the best interests of Ian and the Ospreys that we give him a week off to recuperate and come back a bit stronger and to be at his best,” said Jones.

“Likewise we have a plan for all the boys who played five games throughout the Six Nations to give them a break over the next few weeks.

“After every Six Nations you have to judge each case on its individual merits and on this occasion the players have been very successful, they are very buoyant and very confident.

“Perhaps if we were going to the Shetland Islands to play a Shetland Invitational XV it might be a difficult game for them to pick themselves up to play.

“But on this occasion they are going back to the Millennium Stadium which holds a lot of good memories for them.

“It’s a high profile competition and this bunch of players are highly motivated and well-disciplined.

“It’s back to ground zero and time to move on to another competition. They are keen boys who want to do well for the Ospreys, and I’m sure there will be some disappointed players if they are not selected on Saturday.”

Saturday’s second semi-final against Saracens is the start of a busy period for the Ospreys, as they are due to clash with the Vicarage Road-based club again in the Heineken Cup quarter-final on April 6.

“It’s an extremely difficult and unique position for us,” admitted Jones.

“We have almost back-to-back games with Saracens. In between we have a hugely motivated Ulster side coming (to the Liberty Stadium). After that we have a potential EDF final or a derby against the Dragons.

“So we appreciate the enormity of the next four weeks. Believe you me it has taken a lot of discussion and a lot of thought to get through this period as successfully and as efficiently as we possibly can and coming out the other end with a clean bill of health and a healthy result line as well.”

Much is being made of Saturday’s match being a dress rehearsal for the Heineken Cup last eight clash two weekends later.

And Ospreys assistant coach Sean Holley said: “The first game will be quite open and Saracens will be interested in an open game I imagine and the second game (the Heineken Cup quarter-final) will probably be a much more cagey affair.2

With Shaun Connor nursing an eye injury the deputy fly-half berth has gone to 18-year-old Wales Under-20 sensation Dan Biggar.