The Liberty Stadium outfit head into the final round of Guinness PRO12 fixtures trailing Munster by four points in the race for sixth place and a spot in top-tier European competition.
It means the Ospreys ideally need to beat Ulster at home on Saturday with a bonus-point to give themselves the best possible chance, while they will also be hoping for the Scarlets to do them a favour against Munster in Limerick.
A sluggish start to the campaign has left the Ospreys playing catch up and Rees admits the situation they find themselves in has been self-inflicted, but he believes the performances of several of the younger members of the squad bodes well for the future regardless of this weekend’s outcome.
“We would be disappointed if we do not make it, we have faced up to those demons over the last few weeks and we have kept a positive mindset,” he said.
“We knew we needed 20 point from our last four games of the season, we have got 15 so far, so why not give us a chance to go for those five we need? If it is not enough we will be disappointed, we will manage the summer with our players’ best interests at heart and work to be our best for next year and onwards.
“We only have ourselves to blame, we have put ourselves in a very tricky position but the senior players and young players have done really well and started to witness what being an Osprey is about, driving yourself to be the best you can be.
“Whatever happens this weekend, we can still look forward positively and draw a line in the sand under this season.”
