Pro 14 Preview & LineUps: Ospreys v Ulster

The third fixture of the round sees Ospreys host Ulster at Liberty Stadium.

Both teams kicked off their campaigns in winning style, Ospreys with a somewhat surprising victory over Edinburgh and Ulster despatching Benetton 35-24.

On a cold and wet evening at Murrayfield, Ospreys took control of the game in the latter stages of the first half and never looked back, indulging in tough, intelligent rugby which would have been encouraging to them and their fans alike.

Although Ulster let Benetton into the game shortly before half-time, the overall performance of the northern Irishmen was a solid one – the brilliance of scrumhalf John Cooney particularly evident – as they ran in five tries against their Italian rivals.

Adding some extra bite to this encounter will be the result which transpired last time these teams crossed swords. In Round 11 of the 2019-20 tournament, Ospreys came out on top in a nail-biter at a cold and wet Liberty Stadium – Luke Price slotting a penalty which took the score to 26-24 with five minutes left on the clock. A war of attrition ensued but Ospreys held fast and pushed Ulster out of the game. It was a brilliant result for Ospreys who were written off by many before kick-off.

The game should be a good one, with both Ulster and Ospreys looking to add to another victory to their respective tallies. At the same time, Ulster will not have forgotten the above-mentioned defeat, and their desire to redeem it will match the Welshmen’s desire to replicate it.

Team News

Ospreys

Head Coach, Toby Booth has named an unchanged side to the team that claimed the victory over Edinburgh last weekend in the opening round of the season. 

Justin Tipuric will lead the side for the 52nd time, where he will move to second place on the most appearances made as skipper. Olly Cracknell and young Morgan Morris join him in the back-row with Adam Beard and Alun Wyn Jones in the second. Nicky Smith, Sam Parry and Tom Botha pack down in the front row with Dewi Lake, Rhodri Jones and Ma'afu Fia providing the cover. Bradley Davies and Dan Lydiate complete the forward contingent off the bench.

In the back line Dan Evans is named at fullback alongside Luke Morgan and last weekend's double try-scorer Mat Protheroe. Owen Watkin and Keiran Williams retain the centre partnership with Stephen Myler and Rhys Webb as the half-backs. Josh Thomas and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler are named on the bench with Harri Morgan coming into the 23 as the only change from round one. 

Ulster

Marcus Rea will make his first start for Ulster on Saturday evening, in the Guinness PRO14 Round 2 trip to play Ospreys at Liberty Stadium.

The 23-year-old – who was Player of the Match in his sole previous Ulster appearance as a replacement against Leinster in April 2019 - has been named at openside flanker. Marcus’s older brother Matty – Player of the Match in last weekend’s bonus point win over Benetton – is named alongside him at blindside, with Marcell Coetzee once again packing down at number eight.  

Jack McGrath, Rob Herring and Marty Moore have been given the front row starting berths, and Alan O’Connor has been selected along with captain Iain Henderson in the second row. 

Matt Faddes returns to the starting side on the right wing and will join Jacob Stockdale at full-back and Rob Lyttle on the left wing. Last week’s midfield duo of Stewart Moore and James Hume has been retained. Ian Madigan comes in to start at fly-half, pairing with John Cooney at scrum-half. 

The coaching team has opted for a 6-2 bench split. Adam McBurney, Eric O'Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Kieran Treadwell, Greg Jones and Sean Reidy provide the forward options, with David Shanahan and Louis Ludik offering back line cover.  

LineUps