Ulster v Ospreys: Teams
Ulster will be buoyed by the return of a number of players for the rearranged game against Ospreys on Tuesday.
Last Updated: 15/04/10 10:06am
Ulster will be buoyed by the return of a number of players for the rearranged game against Ospreys on Tuesday.
The initial meeting was postponed after the Ospreys were unable to field a front-row for the clash, with the Welsh side awaiting to hear if they will face punishment.
As a result, though, the rearranged game will play into Ulster's favour as they go into the game on the back of a 10-day break whereas the Ospreys were toppled by Biarritz on Saturday.
Ulster will include Bryan Young, Dan Tuohy, captain Chris Henry, Robbie Diack, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten and Darren Cave in their line-up.
And Ulster assistant coach Neil Doak insists the break has done the squad a power of good.
Doak said: "With our last game against Cardiff providing a ten day window to recover and prepare for the Ospreys on Tuesday night, it has given us the opportunity to get a few bodies back on board.
"We have to see how things work out with regards to fitness, but the aim is to push to win all the remaining games. We have two games at home and two away left, so we have got to make sure we are ready to put in a performance, in what is sure to be a very physical challenge tomorrow night.
"The Ospreys are on a mini-tour, they are out of the Heineken Cup, having narrowly lost to Biarritz on Saturday, so now they will be focused on getting a top four finish in the Magners.
"We are expecting a high quality side to take the field tomorrow and we have to be ready to make our home advantage count. If we can get a few early points on the board, then we can settle into the game and play a bit of rugby," continued Doak.
Disappointment
The Ospreys will go into the game on the back of their controversial defeat to Biarritz.
However coach Sean Holley insists his side needs to focus on the future, particularly with a clash against Leinster set to follow their trip to Ravenhill.
"After the disappointment of Saturday, we've got to be professional and really show what we are made of by getting straight back into it," said Holley.
"With two tough games this week we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We've put ourselves in a position where we are challenging for one of the play-off spots, so our focus has to be on that now.
"It's a quick turnaround from Saturday, which will be a test of our fitness and conditioning, as well as our character and spirit. It's never easy going out to Ravenhill, where we can expect a passionate crowd and a side that will make life very difficult for us.
"We've shown in that past that we can win out there, and we know that's what we've got to do if we want to reach the play-offs."
Ulster: 15 Paddy Wallace, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry (c), 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Rory Best, 1 Bryan Young.
Replacements: 16 Andi Kyriacou, 17 Tom Court, 18 Ryan Caldwell, 19 David Pollock, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Nevin Spence.
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington 17 Paul James 18 Alun Wyn Jones 19 Filo Tiatia 20 Jamie Nutbrown 21 Andrew Bishop 22 Nikki Walker.