Henson misses out after suffering minor ankle ligament damage during his club’s European Cup quarter-final defeat to Saracens last weekend.

He is replaced by Andrew Bishop in midfield, although the Ospreys expect Henson to be fit for next Saturday’s league appointment with Munster.

Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones said: “It is disappointing news that we have to go into the game without Gavin Henson.

“He is still suffering from the ankle injury he picked up at Saracens, and although he just failed to make it for this weekend, we are confident he will be fit for selection next week.

“As is always the case, his absence provides someone else with an opportunity.

“In Andrew Bishop, we have a talented youngster who has a considerable amount of experience for a 22-year-old.

“As part of the match-day squad who lost out to Leicester last season, he is looking forward to the opportunity to put the record straight.”

Bishop’s selection represents a solitary change behind the scrum, but Jones has changed half the pack following Ospreys’ surprise European exit.

Wales internationals Duncan Jones, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough and Jonathan Thomas all drop to the bench, with Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans and Filo Tiatia their respective replacements.

Tiatia’s call-up means skipper Ryan Jones moves from number eight to blindside flanker.

Head coach Jones added: “Saturday is another big day, another landmark occasion in the short history of the Ospreys.

“Everybody in the camp is looking forward to going back to Twickenham to face Leicester in a repeat of last year’s classic encounter.

“Leicester are a very wise side who have been there and done it many times over the last 11 years.

“They may not have made it into the latter stages of the Heineken Cup this season, but we still regard them as one of the big four in Europe.

“It is going to be a real test of our physical and mental stamina, following on from the boys’ RBS 6 Nations success and then the disappointment of last weekend.”