And Phillips’ fellow Lion, fly-half James Hook, features among the replacements in Galway.

Wales scrum-half Phillips started all three Tests for the Lions against South Africa this summer, returning home with his reputation enhanced as one of the world rugby’s top number nines.

Explaining their selection, Ospreys head coach Sean Holley said: “Mike only played half a season last year, and James didn’t play as much rugby as some of the others in the Six Nations and on the Lions tour.

“We’ve looked at it, and felt that those two, of the Lions, along with Ryan (Jones), are ready to get into the fray.

“How long they will both play is yet to be seen, but we wanted to get them integrated as soon as possible, at the appropriate time, as will be the case with our other Lions.”

The Ospreys hand Magners League debuts to flanker Jerry Collins - he teams up with his fellow New Zealand international Marty Holah in the back-row - and former Scarlets full-back Barry Davies.