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Ulster Make Four Changes For Ospreys Match

Head coach Jono Gibbes has confirmed the Ulster team to host the Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium in round 20 of the GUINNESS PRO14 on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm).

The province’s starting XV features four personnel changes to the team that recorded an impressive win away to Edinburgh. Props Callum Black and Ross Kane are given starting spots either side of captain Rory Best in the front row. Ulster v Ospreys match tickets are available to buy online here.

Kieran Treadwell is drafted in to partner Iain Henderson, who touched down late on for the bonus point try last week, in the engine room. In the back row, Sean Reidy comes into the side at number 8, with Jean Deysel switching to openside flanker and Matthew Rea continuing at blindside.

The back-line, which contributed 27 of the 32 points at BT Murrayfield, remains unchanged. Johnny McPhillips and John Cooney, the Championship’s current top scorer with 141 points, continue their half-back partnership, while the centre pairing of Stuart McCloskey and Darren Cave, who contributed so effectively in both attack and defence in the last round, is retained.

Despite being withdrawn due to a back injury last time out, Louis Ludik has recovered to take his place on the right wing, with Jacob Stockdale on the left and full-back Charles Piutau completing the back-three.

Young tighthead prop Tom O’Toole, who impressed on his debut outing against Edinburgh, is in line for his second cap from the bench, while Tommy Bowe will also be hoping to be called upon against the club with whom he enjoyed a four-year spell. Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney are the other forward replacements, while David Shanahan and Luke Marshall provide the additional back-line cover.

ULSTER (v Ospreys): Charles Piutau; Louis Ludik, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny McPhillips, John Cooney; Callum Black, Rory Best (capt), Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson, Matthew Rea, Jean Deysel, Sean Reidy.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Luke Marshall, Tommy Bowe.