Ulster to face champions' backlash

RABODIRECT PRO 12 Ospreys v Ulster:THE MAIN problem with tonight's game for Ulster is the RaboDirect Pro 12 champions lost their opening fixture to Treviso.

With Ruan Pienaar away on Springbok duty, it is an opportunity for Paul Marshall to direct this process and get some game time at scrumhalf but Michael Heaney must be dislodged first.

The rise of Heaney’s fellow Methody halfback Paddy Jackson has also been momentarily stalled by a calf strain, although he makes the bench. It means Niall O’Connor starts with Darren Cave returning at centre, while it seems certain that frontline internationals like Stephen Ferris, John Afoa and Andrew Trimble will be required off the bench. With Robbie Diack injured, Mark McComish starts at six as Ferris is being eased back into action.

The Ospreys are without the injured Ryan Jones but have an even more valuable nine-ten combination to come into the game in Kahn Fotuali’i and Dan Biggar, who will want to atone for last week’s kicking display.

“Over the next few weeks well keep integrating players back into the team and that will allow us to keep developing and growing our game,” said Mark Anscombe.

“It’s early days and we’ve just got to keep our feet on the ground and know where we’re at.

This performance will tell more about where they are at under the new regime.

OSPREYS: R Fussell; H Dirksen, A Bishop, A Beck, T Isaacs; M Morgan, R Webb; R Bevington, R Hibbard, A Jarvis; I Gough, A Wyn Jones (capt); J King, J Tipuric, J Thomas. Replacements: S Baldwin, D Jones, J Rees, G Stowers, J Bearman, K FotuaIi'i, D Biggar, T Grabham.

ULSTER: J Payne; C Gilroy, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; N OConnor, M Heaney; C Black, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick; J Muller (capt), L Stevenson; M McComish, S Doyle, N Williams. Replacements: N Brady, T Court, J Afoa, N McComb, S Ferris, P Marshall, P Jackson, A Trimble.

Referee: N Paterson(Scotland).

Verdict: Ospreys to win.