Rugby - Team News:Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made several changes to his starting line-up ahead of tomorrow night's Magners League game against the Ospreys at Ravenhil (7.30pm).
In the pack Bryan Young starts at loose head in place of Declan Fitzpatrick, while Dan Tuohy pulls on the number five Jersey with Ryan Caldwell reverting to the bench. Captain Chris Henry starts as open side flanker, with Robbie Diack at number eight.
In the backs, Paddy Wallace starts at fullback, in place of Jamie Smith, with Ian Whitten partnering Darren Cave in the centre.
Ulster assistant coach Neil Doak is confident Ulster’s extended break since their defeat to Cardiff will provide better cover as players return from injury.
"With our last game against Cardiff providing a ten day window to recover and prepare for the Ospreys, it has given us the opportunity to get a few bodies back on board,” said Doak.
“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, 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 League.
“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," added Doak.
After losing to Biarritz in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, there is no let up for the Ospreys with coach Sean Holley selecting all but three of the side that took to the field in San Sebastian.
The Welsh outfit, who face Magners League pacesetters Leinster on Friday, have afforded Andrew Bishop, Paul James and Alun Wyn Jones a break with Sonny Parker, Ryan Bevington and Ian Gough coming into the starting line-up.
“We’ve got to be professional and really show what we are made of by getting straight back into it,” Holley said today. “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 (v Ospreys):Paddy Wallace; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Simon Danielli; Niall O'Connor, Isaac Boss; Bryan Young, Rory Best, BJ Botha; Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy; Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry (Capt), Robbie Diack. Replacements:Andi Kyriacou, Tom Court, Ryan Caldwell, David Pollock, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Nevin Spence
Ospreys:Lee Byrne; Tommy Bowe, Sonny Parker, James Hook, Shane Williams; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Ryan Bevington, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones; Ian Gough, Jonathan Thomas; Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Ryan Jones (Capt).
Replacements:Ed Shervington, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Filo Tiatia, Jamie Nutbrown, Andrew Bishop, Nikki Walker.