It's been quite a week for Stuart Olding, a try scorer for Ireland against Georgia as a second-half replacement and now tonight swapping a role in the centre for one at fullback, where he has played for his province before.
It underlines both his quality and versatility and also acknowledges that Ulster coach Neil Doak wants to find a place for another promising young player in Stuart McCloskey. The latter plays alongside Darren Cave in the centre, another who wore the green jersey last weekend, as did Craig Gilroy.
Louis Ludik is selected on the right wing – he has played mostly at fullback – in an Ulster three-quarter line that boasts oodles of talent and pace.
Paddy Jackson will be keen to remind onlookers of his ability in a match that sees Ulster host the unbeaten Guinness Pro12 leaders, the Ospreys.
Roger Wilson captains the side from number eight in a backrow in which Sean Reidy and Clive Ross are given an opportunity.
Ulster’s opponents are looking to maintain their 100 per cent record and even though they are without 20 players, they still present a formidable prospect.
Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy admitted: “We know that going there missing more than 20 players will make a difficult task even harder, but we’ve got to look beyond that. These boys have to take responsibility for what we are trying to achieve, and have to realise that this is a fantastic opportunity for them to really make a positive impression in the shirt.”
The Welsh side make five changes from the team that beat Connacht. Ulster offer a better representation of what constitutes a full team and with the benefit of home advantage should be able to inflict a first Pro12 defeat on the visitors.
