Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has described his side’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash with Sale Sharks as “exciting” because there are “no second chances” in knockout rugby.

Ospreys are the only Welsh region out of the four to still be standing in European competition this season and Booth spoke about having a “cup final mentality” in his side.

“We are flying the flag for Wales,” he said.

“We like being a team that people can get behind, instead of focusing on the gloom around Welsh rugby, we can be something to celebrate.

“We’re hoping that we get a good crowd and people come out and support us.

“I think there’s a massive mutual support and empathy for Welsh rugby and certainly region to region.

“We support each other because ultimately we want to do well because it’s good in the big picture and we can all benefit from it.”

Ospreys are playing Sale at Brewery Field, the home of Bridgend Ravens, their second game there this season after hosting Cardiff Rugby for a dramatic 27-21 victory on New Year’s Day.

While Ospreys were able to attract over 8,000 fans to Cardiff match, the condition of the pitch and facilities were put under scrutiny.

“There’s a lot of reasons not to take it there, as well,” Booth said.

“But we had a great derby experience there and a very good emotional experience.

“I quite like the earthiness of it all. It has the feel of effectively an old school rugby club and we are a team that works hard and has got a lot of grit and, at the moment, [playing at Brewery Field] suits this sort of fixture.”

Booth pointed out that the decision to play in Bridgend had “nothing to do with Sale”.

“It’s more to do with the experiences we’ve had,” said the Englishman.

“There could be an argument that says it actually suits them but ultimately, we want to focus on ourselves.

“I appreciate that coaches and teams think that we’ve done it for some master tactical reason, but we haven’t. We’ve just done it because we’ve got good memories there of playing well, fighting, and competing and in cup rugby, that’s what you need.”

Sale Sharks are Ospreys’ opponents on Saturday and go into the game having soundly beaten fellow play-off chasers Exeter Chiefs 41-5 last Sunday.

“We know that Sale are going to offer a huge physical battle, pressure, commitment and competitive edge,” he said.

“You just have to see the way they dismantled Exeter last weekend to see that.

“It was a very professional, robust, competitive performance. They are going to be a very tough team to beat for sure. They are a very tough team that are not going to go away. So it’s going to come down to key moments.”

Sale will be without George Ford on Saturday, as the England fly-half is being rested by the RFU.

Booth, though, has implored his side to remain focused and spoke about the strengths of Ford’s deputy, Rob du Preez.

“As one door shuts, another door opens and du Preez probably has greater physicality,” said the former Harlequins coach.

“George is probably one of the best game managers out there with an ability to unlock a defence. The challenge moves to a different form, but it is still going to be a difficult challenge.”