Lyn Jones is hoping that he has shored-up the weaknesses that beset his side during a topsy-turvy last season with his new signings.
A run of ten straight losses in a bleak mid-winter put paid to any chances of success for the Neath-Swansea coalition, but this year they will be aiming to lay those ghosts to rest and again challenge for top spot status.
Jones, however, has not made wholesale knee-jerk changes to his squad but has instead made a handful of shrewd acquisitions that should help to improve consistency.
Wales star centre Sonny Parker is one of the hottest properties in British rugby and his capture represents a major coup for the Ospreys who also managed to hold onto wing wizard Shane Williams.
Lineout force Brent Cockbain is seen as the perfect replacement for departed lock Gareth Llewellyn while experienced Super 12 scrum-half Jason Spice will bring stiff competition for Andy Williams following his transfer from Wellington Hurricanes.
The Ospreys should give away little at the set-pieces with two huge targets for hookers Barry Williams and Huw Bennett to aim for in Cockbain and Jonathan Thomas and the Jones boys – props Adam and Duncan – beefing up the scrum.
This season could well see the emergence of centre David Bishop and No 8 Ryan Jones, two immensely promising youngsters both from the Warriors, who are ideal additions to a team brimming with youth and talent.
In: Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones, David Bishop, Sonny Parker (all Celtic Warriors), Jason Spice (Wellington), Matthew Jones (Neath), Aled Brew
Out: Gavin Thomas (Scarlets), James Storey (Munster), Gareth Swales, Chris Wells (Aberavon), Rob Sweeney (Caerphilly RFC), Gareth Llewellyn (Narbonne), Gareth Morris (becomes Neath RFC captain)
