THE Ospreys have sent out a warning to the Newport Gwent Dragons ahead of their Magners League showdown at Swansea's Liberty Stadium on Friday night.

Wales Grand Slam heroes Shane Williams, Ryan Jones, Gavin Henson, Alun Wyn Jones, Lee Byrne and ex-All Black stars Justin Marshall, Marty Holah and Filo Tiatia are all included in their 24-man squad.

And Ospreys coach Lyn Jones said his team go into the game as if it was a European match as they target automatic Heineken Cup qualification.

The match could also see the in-form Ian Gough play his first game against his old region following his move west from Rodney Parade at the end of last season.

The EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup winners are six points ahead of the Dragons in the Magners League table and look favourites to clinch the last automatic Heineken Cup spot and save them from a play-off against an Italian side Both Welsh rivals had miserable results last week with the Ospreys going down 9-8 to Munster in Cork and the Dragons crashing at home 13-11 to Irish minnows Connacht.

Ospreys head coach Jones said: "Let's not beat around the bush, the Dragons are not at the top of their game at the moment, but the local derbies do bring out the best in players and they have nine players who have played international rugby within the last two years.

"They will be disappointed to have lost to Connacht and we are expecting a particularly difficult night which is reflected in our selection."

He said the Ospreys mean business on Friday: "We are going to go into this game with the mentality of any European fixture or EDF Cup game we have played this year.

"We are targeting the next two games in particular to make sure of qualification."

Ospreys assistant coach Sean Holley said: "If you look at the Dragons' performances in depth, if they had been a bit more clinical, they could be in a far better position in the Magners League.

"They also seem to play with a bit more free spirit away from home. They are tough and uncompromising up front and have some good runners behind."

Henson is having a late fitness test on an ankle problem and is rated 50-50 to start.