2009 Lion Alun Wyn Jones has urged the Ospreys to make history by successfully defending the PRO12 crown.
Jones led the Ospreys to glory last season but in 11 years of the cross-boarder competition, in its various guises. no team has won back-to-back titles.
Twice the Ospreys have finished seventh the season after claiming the top spot but the Wales second-row is determined to improve on that record.
"It's a case of pushing on and trying to do the title back to back," said Jones, whose side kick-off against Benetton Treviso.
"Last year we played simple rugby and thrived on it as a team. That was evident towards the end of the season.
"I'm not going to be brazen enough to say we'll be flying at the start, but we're going to be working towards that. After the first few games, we'll see where we are.
"Hopefully we can give a decent defence of this PRO12 title and do a bit better in the Heineken Cup. It's going to be a big season."
The Ospreys get their campaign underway in northern Italy on Friday night and Jones hopes they can start the new season the way they finished the last under Steve Tandy.
"Steve had a lot of success in the few months he had towards the tail end of the season," he added.
"He didn't change much, simplicity and desire was what was in our game.
"With front-foot rugby you get that element of freedom. You can't be too robotic about it, when the breaks come, you play, and that's what we did.
"We've not had any change since. It's just a case of working a bit better with what we've got and being more efficient."
