Trimble Returns For Ulster’s Showdown With Ospreys
Ireland winger Andrew Trimble has recovered from injury to be included in the Ulster team to face the Ospreys in Swansea on Friday night (kick-off 7.05pm).
Andrew Trimble underwent surgery on an injured finger three weeks ago and starts on the right wing in place of Tommy Bowe, who has failed to recover from the dead leg he sustained during the bonus point win over Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill last weekend.
Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has made four changes in total. Captain Johann Muller returns in the second row, while Declan Fitzpatrick is selected at tighthead prop having recovered from the injury that he picked up against Connacht in Galway.
In the only other change, Nick Williams, who signed a new two-year deal with the province this week, starts at number 8 with Roger Wilson moving to the replacements bench.
Young Ireland international Stuart Olding is also set fo bench duty and is in line to make his first appearance of the season if called upon.
Ulster beat the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium last year, but the Welsh region have won their last 10 home games and are one of only two unbeaten sides left in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season.
ULSTER (v Ospreys): Craig Gilroy; Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Luke Marshall, Michael Allen; Paddy Jackson, Paul Marshall; Tom Court, Rory Best, Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller (capt), Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Nick Williams.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Black, Bronson Ross, Iain Henderson, Roger Wilson, Michael Heaney, Stuart Olding, Darren Cave.