Following a tough Interpro fixture, which saw the province come away with a losing bonus point, Ulster are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend in front of a home crowd.
The Ospreys, who secured their first league win of the season against Glasgow Warriors last weekend, will be looking to avenge Ulster’s 21-7 victory over them behind closed doors back in February 2021.
This time the Ulster men will have the Kingspan Stadium faithful to spur them on, with Assistant Coach, Dan Soper, saying the emphasis for the squad throughout the week has been working on their own game:
“We know some of what Ospreys are going to bring, but we’re putting ourselves under the microscope. The main focus for us is getting our game better.”
Tickets are still available for Friday’s game at ulster.rugby/buytickets.
Vermeulen returns from international duty
Following his involvement in The Rugby Championship, Duane Vermeulen has swapped his Springbok jersey for an Ulster one as he makes a welcome return to the province’s starting line-up at Number 8.
Alongside Vermeulen in the back row will be Ireland international, Nick Timoney, who put in a Player of the Match performance the last time the Welsh side were at Kingspan Stadium. He’s joined by fellow flanker, Jordi Murphy, who captained the province to victory against Ospreys that day.
Alan O’Connor will again skipper the side this week, and he is joined in the second row by Wallaby, Sam Carter, in a team that sees nine changes from last week’s starting line-up.
The pack is completed by props, Eric O’Sullivan and Marty Moore, who will work alongside hooker, John Andrew, who made his mark on last week’s game with a try-scoring performance.
The highest points-scorer in the league so far this season, with a haul of 38 points, John Cooney retains his place at scrum-half, and is paired-up with fly-half, Ian Madigan.
In a mix-up of the back three, Rob Lyttle and Craig Gilroy will line-out on the wings with Michael Lowry at full-back.
Stuart McCloskey will partner up again in the centre with Luke Marshall, who hit 150 caps for the province against Leinster.
Declan Moore, Andy Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Frank Bradshaw-Ryan, who is set to earn his first Ulster cap if called upon, and Marcus Rea will provide the forward cover. David Shanahan, Billy Burns, and Aaron Sexton will form the backline bench.
Ulster team to play Ospreys, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4, Saturday 8 October at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on BBC2 NI from 7 10pm, Premier Sports, TG4, S4C & URC.tv.
(15-9): Michael Lowry, Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Ian Madigan, John Cooney;
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Sam Carter, Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Declan Moore, Andy Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Frank Bradshaw-Ryan, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Billy Burns, Aaron Sexton.
The Opposition
🏉TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
— Ospreys (@ospreys) October 7, 2022
Here is your Ospreys team to face @UlsterRugby in round 4 of the @URCOfficial on Saturday evening, K.O 7:35pm#OurJourneyTogether pic.twitter.com/YAJZwUiAlf