Ulster prepared for tough test from Ospreys

 Ulster v N/S Ospreys: After a fortnight of pure domesticity, at last we have a meaty Irish-Welsh contest to get tucked into; easily the most eye-catching and revealing thus far. Ulster were Ireland's standard bearers in this league last season and the high-flying Neath-Swansea Ospreys have rapidly emerged as Wales's leading contenders in place of the faltering champions Llanelli.

Ulster will have a burning desire to atone for a rare under-par performance against Leinster - of all teams - in their last home outing, and third against first should fire up their fans. With that in mind, one ventures that psychologically this evening's outcome could have significant consequences.

Having made such a good fist of Friday nights under lights at Ravenhill, a second defeat in two outings at Saturday tea-time might henceforth leave Ulster with a collective mental block over the TV-enforced switch.

The Ulster Branch seems to work more harmoniously with its clubs than do the other provinces, laying on buses to transport supporters from club games to Ravenhill and back. Nevertheless, "it's a battle," says Mark McCall of the difficulties this new slot presents.

He might just as easily have been forecasting this tie. The Ospreys have been the form team to date, accumulating 11 tries and conceding merely two in three handsome wins to date. The gifted if mercurial Gavin Henson - he of the cement-based hair gel - has been in sparkling form in racing to 51 points, whether at full back or reverting to his initial position of outhalf, where he lines out this evening.

"Henson is on fire," agrees McCall. "We all know he's a very good rugby player. He's had a reputation for having a temperamental edge, but he was always capable of being a match-winner, and now he seems to be much more consistent.

"Jason Spice, their ex-Wellington scrumhalf, is a great linkman and Shane Williams is a dangerous runner. They're also very strong up front.

"Barry Williams and Duncan Jones have been doing a lot of ball-carrying for them. They're a bloody good team and it's going to be a huge challenge for us."

But knowing that in advance is half the battle. If their lineout continues to improve, Ulster have a more balanced backline than last season given the addition of Kevin Maggs's straight running to David Humphreys's all-round game, as well as the new-found pace out wide in Andrew Maxwell and the seriously talented Tommy Bowe.

The Ospreys show goes on without Brent Cockbain, whose one-year-old son tragically passed away a week ago, and Lynn Jones has also rested the influential Duncan Jones (bruised leg), and flanker Jonathon Thomas.

The Ospreys' good start also comes with the rider that their one away game has been at neighbouring Llanelli.

Recalling how each of last season's meetings went comfortably to the home team with bonus points, in five treks to Ireland last season the Welsh side won only once, 18-16 against Munster in Cork. Sowing seeds of doubt in their visitors, a good Ulster start could thus be critical.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, J Bell, K Maggs, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, N Doak; S Best, P Shields, R Moore, M Mustchin, M McCullough, A Ward (capt), R Wilson, N Best. Replacements: N Brady, R McCormack, R Frost, C Feather, K Campbell, P Wallace, T Howe.

N/S OSPREYS: A Durston; D Tiueti, S Parker, D Bishop, S Williams; G Henson, J Spice; P James, B Williams (capt), A Jones, A Newman, L Bateman, A Lloyd, S Tandy, R Jones. Replacements: A Williams, R Mustoe, A Millward, M Davies, L Tait, J Bater, R Pugh.

Referee: David Changleng (SRU).

Formguide - Ulster: 17-16 v Edinburgh (a); 15-26 v Leinster (h); 19-13 v Connacht (a). Ospreys: 34-17 v Munster (h); 23-6 v Llanelli (a); 39-3 v Cardiff (h).

Leading points scorers - Ulster: Paddy Wallace 14. Ospreys: Gavin Henson 51.

Leading try scorers - Ulster: Andrew Maxwell 2. Ospreys: David Bishop, Henson 2 each.

Previous meetings: (2003-2004) CL Ospreys 41 Ulster 30; Ulster 31 Ospreys 19.

Forecast: Ulster to win.

Also playing: Llanelli Scarlets v Edinburgh Rugby, Stradey Park, (5.30pm).

Bye week: Munster.