Ospreys v Ulster:DARREN CAVE, who was unwell last week and confined to the bench, comes into the Ulster centre as the team heads to Liberty Stadium.
Understatement of the week would be to say that is a tough match. Head Coach Brian McLaughlin also makes changes in the pack, where Ed O’Donoghue steps in for Ryan Caldwell, currently rehabbing after an injury, while Clinton Schifcofske replaces an injured Bryn Cunningham at full-back.
Ulster’s newest signing Tamaiti Horua, starts his first match on the bench. Chris Henry will once again captain the Ulster side in Rory Bests forced absence.
Last time Ulster travelled over for a league match, they were treated to a 43-0 scalping.
For Ospreys Jonathan Thomas returns to action after seven months out through a groin injury, and is joined among the replacements by former Ulster winger and British and Irish Lion Tommy Bowe, who will make his first appearance of the season if he comes on from the bench.
Sonny Parker comes into the squad to replace Jonathan Spratt, who has been rested.
“We’re pretty satisfied with the result in Connacht last week, to come away from what is a difficult place with a win,” said Ospreys coach Johnathan Humphreys.
“We’re very excited about coming back for the start of the season and it’ll be great to see a big crowd waiting for us. A lot of teams talk about fortresses, as long as our mentality is right, as long as we show the pride I expect we’ll be alright and it will set us off in good stead for the rest of the season.”
A back row of Jerry Collins, Marty Holah and Ryan Jones says something about the home side’s strength. Ulster will be looking for a performance after last week’s defeat but it may not be enough.
OSPREYS: B Davis; J Vaughton, S Parker, A Bishop, N Walker; J Hook, M Philips; P James, R Hibbard, C Griffiths, I Gough, A Lloyd, J Collins, M Holah, R Jones (c). Replacements: H Bennet, D Jones, J Thomas, T Smith, J Nutbrown, D Biggar, T Bowe.
ULSTER: C Schifcofske; T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, A Kyriacou, B Botha, D Tuohy, E O’Donoghue, C Henry, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, T Horua, T Anderson, C Willis, N O’Connor, J Shiels
Referee: A Lewis (IRFU).
Previous meetings: Ulster 13, Ospreys 16 (2009); Ospreys 43, Ulster 0 (2008); Ospreys 32, Ulster 7 (2008)
Verdict: Ospreys win.
