As trips to North America go, Kieran Marmion’s four years ago wasn’t bad.

The Ospreys ended a run of four straight defeats to put themselves in a good position to reach the Guinness PRO12 semi-finals at the expense of fellow play-off contenders Ulster.

Ulster ended their four-game losing run in all competitions in resounding style by racking up a 24-18 bonus-point victory over Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO12 at the Kingspan Stadium.

Ireland centre Luke Marshall is determined to right recent wrongs this evening when a struggling Ulster side travel to Llanelli to face the Guinness PRO12’s in-form side unbeaten in eight games at Parc y Scarlets (7.35pm).

Ulster stayed on course to make the Guinness PRO12 play-offs by defeating Leinster 30-6 in a pulsating derby clash at the Kingspan Stadium.

Roger Wilson will make his 200th appearance for Ulster when the Guinness Pro12 table-toppers welcome Scarlets to Kingspan Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Treviso 13 Ulster 32: Stuart Olding scored a try on his return to action for Ulster as they secured a bonus-point 32-13 Pro12 victory over Treviso at the Stadio Monigo.

Ulster 56 Oyannax 3: Eight tries, all converted, and a clinically attacking Ulster got the bonus point win over Oyannax on Saturday at the Kingspan Stadium needed to prolong – for 24 hours at least – hopes of a Champions Cup quarter-final spot.

Connacht 3 Ulster 10: Ulster’s European winning form continued in the Guinness Pro12 when they took the spoils in a tight festive derby at the Galway Sportsgound on St Stephen’s night.

Ulster’s new director of rugby Less Kiss has named Rory Best and Ruan Pienaar on the bench for tomorrow’s Guinness PRO12 clash away to Newport Gwent Dragons.

Ireland winger Andrew Trimble can push aside the disappointment of not being on World Cup duty when he becomes Ulster’s most-capped player this evening when Guinness Pro12 rivals Benetton Treviso visit the Kingspan Stadium.

Scarlets made it two Guinness PRO12 wins from two after overcoming a big Ulster side 22-12, despite being reduced to 14 men for 27 minutes in total at Parc y Scarlets.

Ireland international wingers Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble start for Ulster in the pre-season game against Edinburgh at Goldenacre tonight (6:30).

Paul O’Connell’s departure from Munster looks like being a long goodbye but vice-captain Denis Hurley admitted yesterday the loss of their iconic star will probably only sink in after the World Cup.

Ulster 21 Leinster 24: A little half-time word in the ears of his charges gave new Leinster head coach Leo Cullen a perfect start to his tenure with what was in the end a comfortable warm-up victory over Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium last night.

When Ulster coach Neil Doak named 33 players in his matchday panel for tonight’s friendly with Leinster (7.30pm), he said he was throwing down a challenge in his squad.

Ulster head coach Neil Doak has decided that though a win in Glasgow this afternoon is both possible and rich with reward, he’ll put the Top Four play-offs at the top of his list of priorities.

Ulster draw at Ravenhill leaves Munster in need of help elsewhere to secure home semi-final, writes Simon Lewis.

Their chances of a Guinness Pro12 home semi-final have receded since drawing with Munster last Saturday but Paddy Jackson insists Ulster will go to Glasgow Warriors this weekend with only victory in mind.

Ulster 23 Munster 23: It may not have felt like it at the time, as Paddy Jackson’s excellent conversion sent a sold-out Ravenhill into raptures, but it may well be Munster rather than Ulster who finish the season with more to celebrate.

Ireland’s midfield duo Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw will put their growing playing relationship on hold when Ulster face Connacht in what should be a close Pro12 clash in Galway on Saturday.

Ulster have announced the signings of London Welsh players Peter Browne and Paul Rowley.

Guinness Pro12

Craig Gilroy will become the youngest player to win 100 caps for Ulster when he lines out against Benetton Treviso at Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night, kick off 7.35pm.

One of Britain’s most senior police officers attacked retailers after ‘Black Friday’ promotions sparked chaos and violence in stores around the country.

Munster 21 Ulster 20

Rory Best will start for Ulster against Munster in tomorrow's match at Thomond Park while Munster coach Anthony Foley has named a strong squad bolstered by a number of returning internationals.

Internationals Stuart Olding, Craig Gilroy and Darren Cave have been released by Ireland and will boost Ulster’s hopes of dethroning Pro12 table-toppers Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium this evening.

Darren Cave, Stuart Olding and Craig Gilroy have returned to Ulster from Ireland duty and all three start tomorrow night in Kingspan stadium for the PRO12 clash with the Ospreys.

Leicester put indifferent domestic form behind them as they made a strong start to their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign by sinking Ulster 25-18 at Welford Road.