GUINNESS PRO14 Preview: Ospreys v Ulster

Having slipped to fifth place in the Conference B table, Ulster will want to claw back lost ground when they visit the Ospreys in Bridgend, looking to claim their first win in four GUINNESS PRO14 road trips.

GUINNESS PRO14: Friday, February 15

OSPREYS (3rd, Con A) v ULSTER (5th, Con B), Morganstone Brewery Field, 7.35pm (live Premier Sports 1/eir Sport 2/BBC Radio Ulster)

Team News: Ireland international Stuart McCloskey will make his 100th Ulster appearance in tonight’s GUINNESS PRO14 encounter with the Ospreys at Morganstone Brewery Field. The 26-year-old centre, who made his debut against the Dragons in February 2014, has accumulated 17 starts in the current campaign.

Ulster and Ireland have also received a boost with the return of Iain Henderson from a finger injury. The talismanic forward, who missed the opening two Guinness Six Nations games against England and Scotland, will partner Ulster captain Alan O’Connor in the second row.

The province’s tight five is completed by Academy prop Eric O’Sullivan, who has played in 18 of Ulster’s 20 games so far this season, and Ireland internationals Rob Herring and Martin Moore. Starting for the first time this season, Clive Ross is joined in the back row by Nick Timoney and Jordi Murphy.

The latter has been released from Ireland duty, as has scrum half John Cooney who appeared off the bench against both England and Scotland, and scored his first international try against the current Six Nations leaders. Partnering Cooney will be 20-year-old Academy talent Michael Lowry, who makes his first start in the out-half position.

McCloskey, who becomes Ulster’s latest centurion, will combine with Darren Cave in midfield and together they boast 319 Ulster caps. Peter Nelson, Angus Kernohan and Louis Ludik make up the back-three for the round 15 tie.

Meanwhile, former Ulster assistant coach and Academy manager Allen Clarke welcomes back Bradley Davies for the Ospreys’ second game of the season in Bridgend. He is one of three personnel changes to the side that lost 9-3 to Glasgow Warriors last time out.

Samoan prop Jordan Lay, who has signed on a one-month loan deal from Bristol Bears, solves the Ospreys’ loosehead crisis as he makes an immediate debut in the number 1 jersey. Nicky Smith is away with the Wales squad, Rhodri Jones and Gareth Thomas are both injured, Paul James retired in December and their Academy props are also unavailable.

Nineteen-year-old Neath-born centre Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler comes in at inside centre with Cory Allen on his outside, with the back-three anchored by Dan Evans who makes his 100th PRO14 appearance for the Ospreys. Davies’ inclusion in the second row sees James King shift to the number 8 position, with Rob McCusker dropping to the bench.

OSPREYS: Dan Evans; Hanno Dirksen, Cory Allen, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Luke Morgan; Sam Davies (capt), Tom Habberfield; Jordan Lay, Scott Baldwin, Tom Botha, Lloyd Ashley, Bradley Davies, Olly Cracknell, Sam Cross, James King.

Replacements: Scott Otten, Rowan Jenkins, Ma’afu Fia, Will Griffiths, Rob McCusker, Matthew Aubrey, Luke Price, Keelan Giles.

ULSTER: Peter Nelson; Angus Kernohan, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik; Michael Lowry, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Martin Moore, Alan O’Connor (capt), Iain Henderson, Clive Ross, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan, James Hume, Robert Lyttle.

Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones, Ben Breakspear (both Wales)
Television Match Official: Tim Hayes (Wales)

Match Odds (Paddy Power): Ospreys to win: 8/13; Draw: 14/1; Ulster to win: 13/10

Pre-Match Quotes: Alan O’Connor (Ulster) –

We didn’t want to be drawing with Benetton and we were actually lucky enough not to lose that. So I think everyone is looking forward to righting that wrong (against the Ospreys) and producing a performance worthy of the Ulster jersey.

“It’s always good to see the (ireland) lads and they always bring energy and buzz about the place and that’s what you want. You want guys coming in and adding value to the jersey and it’s really good to have them back.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Allen Clarke’s side and he’ll have some tricks up his sleeve. We’ll be ready. We know him pretty well obviously (with him being involved with Ulster as a player and coach before), and he knows us pretty well too, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Allen Clarke (Ospreys) –

Our last game in Bridgend, against Connacht in October, was an excellent occasion on and off the field. The crowd were fantastic, getting behind the team right up to the final play which earned us a bonus point win. We’re looking forward to going back there and appreciate the support we get, hopefully we can make it another memorable occasion on Friday.

“Points are precious for all teams with this period of the season going a long way to define league positions and subsequent play-off spots. It’s great to have Bradley Davies back to bolster the team who collectively and individually have a clear understanding of what is required during this mini Six Nations block.”

Top Scorers – 2018/19 GUINNESS PRO14: Ospreys – Points: Sam Davies 124; Tries: Luke Morgan 7; Ulster – Points: John Cooney 62; Tries: David Shanahan 5

2018/19 TEAM FORM: Ospreys – Played 14, Won 8, Lost 6, 38 Points;  W 17-13 v Edinburgh (home), W 46-14 v Toyota Cheetahs (home), L 49-13 v Munster (away), W 27-10 v Benetton Rugby (home), W 22-8 v Zebre (away), L 20-17 v Scarlets (away), W 22-17 v Connacht (home), L 29-20 v Glasgow Warriors (home), L 52-7 v Leinster (away), W 43-0 v Zebre (home), W 19-12 v Scarlets (home), L 23-23 v Dragons (away), W 20-11 v Cardiff Blues (home), L 9-3 v Glasgow Warriors (away); Ulster – Played 14, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 5, 35 Points; W 15-13 v Scarlets (home), W 30-29 v Edinburgh (home), W 28-7 v Isuzu Southern Kings (away), D 39-39 v Toyota Cheetahs (away), L 64-7 v Munster (away), L 22-15 v Connacht (home), W 36-18 v Dragons (home), W 15-10 v Benetton Rugby (away), L 29-12 v Scarlets (away), W 16-12 v Cardiff Blues (home), W 19-12 v Munster (home), L 21-12 v Connacht (away), L 40-7 v Leinster (away), Drew 17-17 v Benetton Rugby (home)

RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:

Friday, September 4, 2015 – Ulster 28 Ospreys 6, Kingspan Stadium
Saturday, May 7, 2016 – Ospreys 26 Ulster 46, Liberty Stadium
Saturday, October 1, 2016 – Ulster 9 Ospreys 7, Kingspan Stadium
Saturday, April 29, 2017 – Ospreys 24 Ulster 10, Liberty Stadium
Friday, April 13, 2018 – Ulster 8 Ospreys 0, Kingspan Stadium
Sunday, May 20, 2018 – Champions Cup Qualification Play-Off: Ulster 35 Ospreys 17, Kingspan Stadium

MATCH FACTS:

– The Ospreys’ last six matches in the GUINNESS PRO14 have all been won by the home side on the day

– The Ospreys’ only home defeat in the Championship since November 2017 was when Glasgow Warriors visited the Liberty Stadium last November

– The Ospreys have played two previous PRO14 matches at Morganstone Brewery Field, beating Celtic Warriors there in October 2003 (an away game) and overcoming Connacht 22-17 last October

– Ulster are unbeaten in their last three matches in all tournaments since losing heavily to Leinster at the RDS on January 5

– The Ulstermen have lost their last three away games in the PRO14 since beating Benetton Rugby in Treviso in round 8

– Ulster have lost just one of their last eight fixtures against Welsh regions in all competitions

– Ulster’s only loss in their last six encounters with the Ospreys was 24-10 at the Liberty Stadium in April 2017

– Ulster have visited Bridgend just once before, beating Celtic Warriors there 28-0 in March 2004