Ospreys earnt a crucial bonus point win against Lions on Saturday which gives them a shot at finishing in the top eight of the United Rugby Championship.

Should they manage it, they will take part in the end of season play-offs and also take part in next season’s Champions Cup.

As things stand, the battle for the play-offs is incredibly tight with only five points separating Lions in 11^th and Stormer in fifth, with Munster a further four points ahead in fourth.

Ospreys currently sit seventh, level on points with Ulster who are a place below them and only a point above Edinburgh, Connacht and Lions.

The Ospreys face an uphill battle to make the play-offs, particularly in their next three league games, firstly against the Stormers and Bulls in South Africa before they travel to Leinster.

Ospreys do have recent form both in South Africa and away at Leinster, with recent comeback wins against the Lions away from home in the European Challenge Cup and a 19-24 win the last time they in Dublin.

Head coach Toby Booth is under no illusions over how hard a challenge it will be to get away results against three of the top five sides in the league.

“It’s extremely difficult, we’re going away to South Africa, we’re away to Leinster, we know how difficult this is going to be,” said Booth.

“No one gave us a chance when we went to South Africa last time, different competition, same side and you saw how good they are on Saturday and what they did to Connacht.

“We’re very aware of what we are as a team and what it takes to be us and you need things to go your way because there’s a lot of talent in a lot of different teams but one thing you’ll agree with me on is the effort, fighting spirit and cohesiveness as a group is very strong and that can take you a long way.”

Following their trips to South Africa and Ireland, Ospreys will face consecutive Welsh derbies in the league, at home to Dragons before they face Cardiff for judgement day.

In all likelihood, they will require at least two wins from those games to secure their place in the top eight and will be hoping they don’t regret not grabbing a late win at Edinburgh two weeks ago and missing out on two bonus points at home to Munster.

“The one that got away, not getting anything last week, those two points might be important, the Edinburgh last minute as well,” said Booth.

“We know we’re in the hunt and can go toe-to toe with teams and that’s the exciting bit and at the start of the year no one would have said that.

“No one plays this sport to come second, and this group are competitive, enjoying themselves and we’re here to try and be the best we can be.”

For the time being Ospreys can focus on Europe as they Sale in the European Challenge Cup last 16 at the Brewery Field on Saturday and hooker Sam Parry, who made his 150^th appearance for the region against the Lions, is looking forward to continuing their European adventure.

“As you get older, you realise these knockout games they don’t come around often so enjoy the game, enjoy the occasion,” said Parry.

“It’ll be a good atmosphere it is whenever Premiership teams coming down, if you can’t get excited for this then what can you and I’m looking forward to it.

“Sale are a big strong team and it’ll be a real test and I’m really looking forward to it with a different experience down the Brewery field again so it should be really good.”