Ulster v Ospreys: Teams
Ulster make seven changes after heavy defeat, while Ospreys break from tradition to name the same side for successive matches.
Last Updated: 13/12/07 1:34pm
At Ravenhill, Friday Dec 14, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm
Ulster coach Steve Williams has reacted to his side's 48-17 hammering by the Ospreys by making seven changes to his starting line-up.
The biggest casualties see the half-back pairing of Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace dropped to the bench.
Niall O'Connor and Kieran Campbell replace Wallace and Boss respectively, with Rob Dewey also coming into the backline in place of Paul Steinmetz.
In the forwards, Bryan Young moves to tighthead prop to accommodate Justin Fitzpatrick, while Ryan Caldwell partners Justin Harrison in the second row. In the back row, David Pollock makes way for Keiron Dawson.
Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones has opted for continuity as he looks for his side to repeat the seven-try thrashing of Ulster from Saturday at Ravenhill.
The star-studded Welsh region were at their irrepressible best as they racked up a 48-17 victory at home.
And having been so impressed with that display, Jones has kept the same line-up for the return fixture.
"It is not often we field the same side on two consecutive weeks, indeed, this will only be the second time in our short history that we have been in a position to do it," said Jones.
"It is no coincidence that the other time this happened was also in back to back Heineken Cup fixtures, being against Leicester in the 2006 season. This fact alone demonstrates the importance of this weekend's match.
"We recognise there are areas we urgently need to improve on as Ulster crossed for two tries and we are conscious of the fact that they will also be looking for a huge improvement in their performance."
Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Trimble, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Kieran Campbell, 1 Bryan Young, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 4 Justin Harrison, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 6 Neil Best, 7 Kieron Dawson, 8 Matt McCullough.
Replacements: 16 Tom Court, 17 Matt Miles, 18 Carlo Del Fava, 19 David Pollock, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Paddy Wallace, 22 Mark McCrae.
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Mark Taylor, 12 Sonny Parker, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Filo Tiatia (c), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements:16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Hale T-Pole, 20 Mike Phillips, 21 Shaun Connor, 22 Andrew Bishop.