Trial by Jamie Roberts
Ospreys centre Ashley Beck is gearing up for a trial by combat against Jamie Roberts ahead Racing Metro's trip to Swansea in the European Champions Cup.
Beck, 24, has never faced the Wales colossus despite starting his Ospreys career as a 17-year-old back in 2007.
He may finally get the chance to stake a claim for the Wales No.12 jersey when the European Rugby Champions Cup returns to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
"It is always nice to play against someone who is currently playing for Wales as it allows you to measure yourself against them and see where you have to be," he said
"If I get picked, it would be great to play against Jamie.
"I thought he did very well against the All Blacks and did everything that Wales expected of him in keeping Sonny Bill Williams quiet.
"That's a tough ask. I have never played against Jamie before. Every time we played the Cardiff Blues, he seemed to have a niggle."
Roberts heads into Champions Cup action fresh from starring in Wales' first win against South Africa for 15 years whilst Beck is just hitting his straps after a long-term injury problem.
He is back in an Ospreys shirt after returning from a hip problem that had sidelined the 7-cap international for six months.
He has turned to his regional centre partner Andrew Bishop for advice on how to give the doctor a taste of his own medicine.
"Andrew Bishop has played against him, though, and he has done enough in the games to know how to keep Jamie quie," Beck said
Ospreys need a home win to get their Pool Five campaign back on track after George North ran riot in their 6-34 defeat to Northampton Saints.
But they will have to do it against a Racing side who have inside knowledge, with former Osprey Mike Phillips and Wales lock Luke Charteris amongst their ranks.
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