By Sean Davies

The Ospreys won the Magners League last season, narrowly missed out on the EDF Energy Cup, and confirmed their position as Wales' most powerful regional unit.

OSPREYS PREDICTIONS Celtic League: 1st EDF Energy Cup: Semi-final Heineken Cup: Semi-final Full season preview

But the overall feeling at the Liberty Stadium was one of thwarted ambition, and another summer of heavy spending has only increased the pressure for Lyn Jones to deliver on the European stage.

The coach himself has added to that, calling his squad the best ever assembled in Wales below international level.

The signings of Ian Gough and Mike Phillips created the biggest splash, big-money offers luring the Wales internationals from the Dragons and Blues despite the fact that their starting places will be far from guaranteed.

606: DEBATE What do you think of my predictions? Sean_D

Phillips' battle for the scrum-half jersey with All Black great Justin Marshall is sure to capture the headlines, but the signing of another New Zealand international - flanker Mark Holah - could be the most significant move of the summer.

The Ospreys already had a squad with the talent and depth to challenge the best, and at times last season put together passages of play that the likes of Leicester, Sale and Stade Francais simply could not live with.

Key player: Marty Holah

But they could not sustain the performance for 80 minutes and lacked the big-game nous at crucial stages.

Holah can only help to rectify that, the world class open-side helping new captain Ryan Jones to make the key decisions from the back-row.

The Ospreys will be harder hit than most by international calls during the World Cup, and the start of their league defence could be tricky.

TRANSFER STORIES Ospreys capture All Black Holah Moseley loaned Ospreys fly-half Bees swoop to snap up Griffiths Bishop loaned to Ravens Ospreys sign young fly-half Owen Ospreys youngster forced to quit Blues take Osprey Selley on loan Dragons sign Mustoe Taylor & Spratt join Ospreys Ospreys recruit Phillips & Gough Blues bolster with Spice and Rees

Wales rejects Brent Cockbain, Richard Hibbard, Gavin Henson and Aled Brew have points to prove, though, and the squad should have the depth to weather the storm and point them towards a third Celtic triumph in four years.

A tricky start also awaits the west Glamorgan side in the EDF Energy Cup, Mike Ruddock's Worcester ready to greet them in a big TV game at Sixways Stadium.

With London Irish and Harlequins also in the group and the demands of the Guinness Premiership looming large, the Ospreys could still make a run to the knockout stages of the Anglo-Welsh tournament, though.

One to watch: David Bishop

Lyn Jones will ultimately be measured on his Heineken Cup achievements, and his team have received a tough but manageable draw alongside Gloucester, Bourgoin and Ulster.

The Ospreys should make the knockout stages for the first time in their history and have the ability to go all the way.

But their relative lack of big-game experience is likely to see them fall short when they meet the European elite, a semi-final spot the best I can see them achieving.

In: Aled Brew (back after a season-long loan at the Dragons), Mike Phillips (Blues), Ian Gough (Dragons), Mark Taylor (Sale), Jonathan Spratt (Neath RFC), Gareth Owen, Daniel Biggar, Ryan Bayliss, Kristian Phillips, Ashley Beck, Rhys Webb, Rory Pitman, Ryan Bevington (development contracts), Marty Holah (Waikato & Chiefs)

Out: Lee Beach (Neath RFC), Jason Spice (Blues), Richard Mustoe (season-long loan to the Dragons), Tal Selley (season-long loan to the Blues), Chris Martenko (retired), David Bishop (loan to Bridgend Ravens), Nick Griffiths (Pertemps Bees), Matthew Jones (six-month loan to Moseley)