The Wales and British & Irish Lions back row man has been out of action since the last game of last season against Connacht on 10 May due to shoulder surgery.
That forced him to miss Wales’ summer tour to South Africa, but the 25-year-old openside is ready to resume his battle with Sam Warburton for the Wales No 7 jersey as he seeks to add to the 24 caps he has won to date.
“Tips will be back for this weekend and that will be a real boost for us having an out and out No 7 in our back row,” said Ospreys coach Steve Tandy.
“James King has done a great job for us filling in at No 7, but Tips and Sam Lewis are battle-hardened to the role and will help to make us a stronger team.”
Wales Under 20 cap Lewis has been out of action since the start of the season, but is expected to return within the next fortnight, further strengthening Tandy’s options. Having beaten Benetton Treviso at home, and the Dragons away last weekend, Tandy is hoping to make it three out of three on Sunday.
“We aren’t as bad a team as some people have made us out to be, but we certainly aren’t an amazing team at the moment. We are far from the finished article, but there have been many encouraging signs from our young teams to date,” said Tandy.
“Edinburgh will be a really difficult side to face because they have had more time under coach Alan Solomons. They will be disciplined in their approach, their line-out has improved and they have a good kicking game.
“They are one of those nuggety teams that are always difficult to beat when they are away from home and that’s why I’ve told my players they will have to improve from where they finished in our win over the Dragons last weekend.”
