With captain and first-choice No. 2 Barry Williams unable to play with a shoulder injury, the 21-year-old has been handed his first game of the season.
‘It’s been very frustrating missing the games so far, especially with the Ospreys doing so well and the Wales squad being named. It’s been hard but now I’m feeling good and ready to prove to everyone, including myself, that I’m fit and ready,’ said Bennett. ‘The hooker position is particularly competitive at the Ospreys with a British Lion (Williams) and Wales international (Davies) so I’m just happy to be back in the starting team.
‘After the summer tour I was really looking forward to getting a good start to the season and perhaps making a strong claim for Wales, but it just hasn’t worked out like that. So effectively, my season begins today. I’ve had a few injuries over the past 12 months but all I want to do now is get a good run of games.’
Remarkably Bennett, capped nine times, will this evening make only his sixth start in the Celtic League. Meanwhile his selection is also sure to further frustrate training partner Davies at not having a regional contract.
Davies, who has a part-time contract with feeder club Neath, has been included in Ruddock’s 29-man squad along with Blues hooker Gareth Williams, but his lack of first match practice threatens to undermine his Test chances.
Asked whether there has been pressure from Ruddock over selecting Davies, Ospreys coach Lyn Jones replied: ‘Any conversations are between myself and Mike.’
However he added: ‘We’re constantly talking to the Welsh management about what’s best for the players. We’re conscious that we have a role to play not just for ourselves but also the wider picture.
‘Mefin was unfortunate not to get a regional contract but has an ideal opportunity here to play while Huw just needs a lot more games under his belt.’
The competition Jones must manage is indicative of the strength in depth at the Ospreys that has allowed him to make seven changes for the trip to the Borders.
Duncan Jones, Bennett, Adam Jones, Luke Tait, James Bater, Richard Pugh are all in while Jason Spice returns to captain the side.
Borders: S Moffat; J Steel, C MacRae, C Hore, N Walker; A Warnock, B McKerchar; P Thomson (capt), R Ford, B Douglas, S MacLeod, M Blair, S Gray, W McEntee, K Brown
Replacements: S Scott, G Cross, C Stewart, A Miller, I Fairley, S Cranston, G Morton
Ospreys: A Durston; R Mustoe, D Bishop, Sonny Parker, S Williams; G Henson, J Spice (capt); D Jones, H Bennett, A Jones, B Cockbain, L Tait, J Bater, R Pugh, R Jones
Replacements: A Williams, M Jones, E Seveali’i, P James, M Davies, A Newman, N Bonner-Evans
Referee: David Keane (IRFU)
