JONATHAN Humphreys has told the Ospreys to focus fully on the challenge Zebre will present on Friday.
The Ospreys will be hot favourites when the lowly Italians arrive at the Liberty Stadium.
Zebre have yet to win a league match since being admitted to the RaboDirect Pro12 and have accumulated just five points all season.
They are already nine points adrift of the Dragons.
But Humphreys, the Ospreys' forwards coach, insists none of that matters as his side prepare for Friday's encounter.
And he is aware Zebre will be going into the clash fresher than the Ospreys, who had a tough battle before seeing off the Dragons 14-3 at Rodney Parade on New Year's Eve.
"We've got a real short turnaround, it's a real massive game for us on Friday night," said Humphreys.
"Zebre possess a physical challenge. They gave us a real tough game out there earlier in the season and we are expecting the same again on Friday.
"We won't be taking them lightly at all.
"It's important that we keep our momentum going with some big challenges, including Europe, ahead of us.
"It's important now that we don't undo the good work of the last month or so by not going into this game with the right focus, and although we've only got a few days to prepare, we'll be drilling that into the players.
"We have enjoyed some big crowds and great atmospheres at the Liberty over the last few weeks and we'd love the same again on Friday.
"It's not on TV and there's a great ticket deal available, so hopefully we'll have plenty of fans there."
