Morgan misses Ospreys trip to Montpellier

Jac Morgan captained Wales in three games at the 2023 World Cup

Wales captain Jac Morgan misses the Ospreys' European Challenge Cup trip to face Montpellier on Sunday.

Full-back Jack Walsh, wing Mat Protheroe, prop Nicky Smith and flankers Tristan Davies and Harri Deaves start with Iestyn Hopkins, Luke Morgan, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Davies and Morgan dropping out of the starting XV.

Number eight Morgan Morris captains the side for a fourth successive week.

There is no place in the Montpellier squad for Wales tight-head prop Henry Thomas but they do include England duo Sam Simonds and Harry Williams, Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi, France lock Paul Willemse and South Africa scrum-half Cobus Reinach.

Ospreys opened the European campaign with a 43-34 win against Benetton, which included four tries for Wales hooker Dewi Lake, while Montpellier defeated Newcastle.

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Booth's side will be looking for another away win in Montpellier after defeating their French hosts last season in the Champions Cup.

"This is a good opportunity for us to go abroad and test ourselves against a French powerhouse team," said Booth.

"There's a new coaching group at Montpellier so we'll be wary of a new coach-bounce, but the main focus for us is on ourselves and making sure we bring the right levels of energy."

Montpellier: Anthony Bouthier (capt); George Bridge, Pierre Lucas, Jan Serfontein, Ben Lam; Paolo Garbisi, Leo Coly; Baptiste Erdocio, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Williams, Marco Tauleigne, Tyler Duguid, Yacouba Camara, Clement Doumenc, Sam Simmonds.

Replacements: Vano Karkadze, Enzo Forletta, Tito Lamositele, Paul Willemse, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Cobus Reinach, Louis Foursans, Auguste Cadot.

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Mat Protheroe, George North, Owen Watkin, Keelan Giles; Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Fender, Adam Beard, Tristan Davies, Harri Deaves, Morgan Morris (capt).

Replacements: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Henry, Lewis Jones, Morgan Morse, Luke Davies, Dan Edwards, Luke Scully.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng)

Assistant referees: George Selwood & James Clarke (Eng)

TMO: David Rose (Eng)