Ulster play in the BKT URC for the first time since the interprovincial derby win against Leinster at the RDS Arena on New Year's Day.
Since that victory, the province headed into the international break on the back of two tough Champions Cup defeats against Toulouse and Harlequins which meant that Dan McFarland's team would enter the last 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup in April.
With a trip to Montpellier confirmed for the last 16, focus now turns to building momentum in the league, with only six points separating 4th to 11th in the table.
Ospreys head into the fixture in fine form, with four wins in their last four matches in all competitions. Before the international break, Ospreys recorded a memorable 28-38 EPCR Challenge Cup away victory against Emirates Lions at Ellis Park Arena.
Toby Booth's side also have a formidable home record this season, winning four out of five URC games at home.
The Welsh side sit in 8th place in the table, just three points behind Ulster after they recorded five wins from the opening nine rounds.
How it stands
Match details
🏟️ Swansea.com Stadium
📅 Sunday 18th February
🕰️ 3pm
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 10
📺 ViaPlay
Last time out
Ulster's last visit to the Swansea.com Stadium ended in a 19-13 BKT URC defeat at the hands of the Welshmen.
Ulster had made the better start with an early penalty try awarded after a deliberate knock-on from David McCann's pass. However, the home side pushed their way back into it after a good drive to the line from Morgan Morris, who finished well with one hand.
The home side would go on to punish Ulster errors, with each team conceding penalties to chip away at the scoreline. However in the end it was too many costly errors for Ulster, with penalties giving the Ospreys the win by six points at the end of the contest.
Players to watch
Morgan Morse is earmarked for a big future in Welsh rugby, with the 19 year old back rower showing some real potential in an Ospreys jersey. The powerful forward scored two great individual tries in recent matchweeks, from almost 50 metres out against Cardiff in a mud filled Brewery Field and another in South Africa against Emirates Lions, after he intercepted a Lions pass and broke away down the pitch, showing good speed and endurance.
Keelan Giles, or otherwise referred to as 'Wheelin Giles' is a fleet-footed winger who is constantly looking for breaks in defensive lines. His speed is an important weapon for the Welshmen, with Giles one of the main threats of the Ospreys attack.
Jack Walsh is a utility back who can play at either fly-half or full-back. The Australian joined Ospreys from Exeter Chiefs and has shown his handling skills, running ability and kicking. 24 year old Walsh has scored two URC tries this season, with 51 points scored overall and 306 metres gained for his side.
Did you know?
- Ospreys have won their last two BKT United Rugby Championship matches against Scarlets and Cardiff and have not won three in succession in the Championship since May 2022.
- Ospreys have not lost at home in any competition since Glasgow were the visitors in Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship.
- Ulster have won their last two BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures since their 24-27 defeat at home to Edinburgh in Round 7.
- Ulster’s only defeat to a Welsh region since February 2020 was 13-19 to today’s opponents, Ospreys, at Swansea.com Stadium in December 2021. Since then, Ulster have won their last seven matches against Welsh regions.