Ulster revival can start today, insists Fitzpatrick

FORMER Ireland prop Justin Fitzpatrick believes today’s Magners League game against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium could be the turning point in Ulster’s season.

The 36-year-old loose-head, one of a number of changes to the Ulster starting line-up due to Ireland call-ups, says the Ospreys are a team to fear.

“It is a massively-important game. Going to Wales and into their den will not be easy,” said Fitzpatrick.

“The Ospreys are a very good side who have come off the back of an excellent victory against Sale in the Heineken Cup.

“We have no illusions of how tough the test is going to be, but I thing we can take a lot of positives out of the last couple of weeks which will put us in good stead this weekend.

“We went to France and we knew how tough that was. But we were within touching distance of a victory. The bounce of a ball, a couple of decisions, individually and collectively, we were on the wrong side of a close call,” said Fitzpatrick who played for Castres in the French league for two seasons.

“The Toulouse guys admitted at the end they were quite relieved to have run away with the game at the end.

“The way we played was a confidence booster, but this weekend is a different test. They have depth in their squad and a plethora of good players playing with a lot of confidence so it is going to be quite a challenge.

“But this time last year, we had to win 10 games to take the title, and we did it. There’s no reason why we cannot do that again.”

Coach Mark McCall recalls flanker Stephen Ferris for his first start for six weeks due to a thumb injury, while Bryn Cunningham returns to the bench after being absent since St Stephen’s Day due to a back injury.

With Matt McCullough sidelined with a neck injury, Tim Barker joins captain Justin Harrison in the second row. Stuart Philpott and David Pollock, two players who captained the Ireland U-21 side last season, are named as replacements and will make their Ulster debut at some stage.

Meanwhile, as expected, the Ospreys have named Gavin Henson at full back.

OSPREYS: G Henson; N Walker, T Selley, A Bishop, R Mustoe; S Connor, J Marshall; A Millward, H Bennett, P James (capt), M Powell, B Cockbain, J Thomas, R Pugh, A Lloyd. Replacements: B Williams, C Griffiths, C Martenko, L Beach, S Tandy, J Spice, S Terblanche.

ULSTER: M Bartholomeusz; T Bowe, P Steinmetz, K Maggs, P McKenzie; A Larkin, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, B Young; J Harrison, T Barker; S Ferris, K Dawson, R Wilson.

Replacements: S Philpott, D Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, D Pollock, P Marshall, S Young, B Cunningham.

Referee: Peter Allen (Scotland).