By Sean Davies BBC Sport

The 2004/5 Celtic League champions suffered a severe form of 'second-season syndrome' last year, crashing out of both cup competitions at the group stages and struggling in the league.

OSPREYS PREDICTIONS Celtic League: 1st Powergen Cup: Semi-final Heineken Cup: Group stage Full season preview

A crippling injury list stymied their chances, but tactics also needed review as the opposition had worked out coach Lyn Jones' aggressive blitz defence.

A rampant end to the season showed the true quality in the squad, though, and a major summer recruitment drive and inspiring new captain in Duncan Jones has raised expectation at the Liberty Stadium.

The recruitment of Justin Marshall and Lee Byrne showed the aspirations of the team, while fully fit Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones and Gavin Henson will seem like new signings.

But such is the expectation that anything less than a lightning start to the season will see Lyn Jones' position being questioned, as has happened to his football counterpart at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett.

Key player: Justin Marshall

The west Wales region will fancy their chances in an attractive Anglo-Welsh Cup group containing west country sides Bath, Gloucester and Bristol.

Their squad looks to have the depth and quality to see them through the long league season, and they are a good bet to regain their Celtic crown from Ulster.

But the Heineken Cup is the measure of the true European rugby superpowers, and the Ospreys have yet to show maturity on that stage.

A 'pool of death' awaits them this year, with Sale and Stade Francais in their group.

Marshall will bring the drive and nous needed to succeed at such an elevated level, but fellow All Black Jono Gibbes seems unlikely to be joining him in west Wales.

TRANSFER STORIES Ospreys sign Ravens duo Bater switches to Scarlets Doubt over Gibbes move Exiles recruit Osprey Rees Ponty duo get regional deals Glasgow snap up Newman Cashmore forced to retire Ospreys sign All Black back-rower Ospreys loan Brew to Dragons Williams commits to Ospreys Ospreys recruit Byrne and Selley Ospreys net fly-half Hook Marshall makes Ospreys switch Wells joins Pirates Reivers winger joins Ospreys

His absence significantly limits Jones' options in the second and back row, but it is the steel he would add to the pack that may be most missed.

The area most likely to be targeted by the opposition is outside-half, though.

James Hook has been brought up to the regional squad from Neath and is ear-marked as the next star of Welsh rugby.

But the 21-year-old Wales international has yet to start a competitive regional game and carries a weight of burden in the crucial playmaking role.

Back-up is thin on the ground, Shaun Connor failing to make the grade last season and Wales keen to see Henson playing in his international position of inside centre.

One to watch: Paul James

The presence of Henson and Marshall should divert the flak from the fly-half channel, though, and Hook has shown few signs of flapping in his fledgling career.

The Ospreys have yet to win a competitive game on French soil and Stade look favourites to advance to the Heineken quarter-finals, but the presence of Calvisano in the pool at least offers hope of a best runners-up spot.

In: Nikki Walker (Borders), Justin Marshall (Leeds Tykes), James Hook (Neath), Filogia Tiatia (Toyota Verblitz), Lee Byrne (Scarlets), Tal Selley (Scarlets), Chris Martenko (development contract, Pontypridd RFC), Mike Powell (Bridgend), Nicky Griffiths (Bridgend)

Rumoured transfer targets: Jono Gibbes (Waikato and Chiefs)

Out: Rhodri Wells (Cornish Pirates), Aled Brew (season-long loan to Dragons), Adrian Cashmore (retiring), Andy Newman (Glasgow), Richie Rees (London Irish), Damian Karauna (released), Leigh Davies (released), James Bater (Scarlets), Des Dillon (returned to Leinster at end of loan)