Ulster give Humphreys more time

FLY-HALF Ian Humphreys has been given a further 24 hours to prove his fitness by Ulster ahead of tomorrow’s RaboDirect Pro12 League clash against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium (4.30pm).

Humphreys took a blow to the shoulder in the win over the Blues and has avoided all contact training since due to severe bruising.

He is expected to travel to Swansea later today, as will his cover Paddy Jackson who has only made one start for Ulster since his debut late last season.

Coach Brian McLaughlin has made only one change from the side that defeated the Blues with young hopeful Luke Marshall replacing the injured Darren Cave in midfield.

Both sides are unbeaten and are locked on 12 league points apiece.

OSPREYS: B Davies; R Fussell; T Isaacs, A Bishop, I Hanno; D Biggar, R Webb; D Jones, S Baldwin, A Jarvis, I Gough, J Goode, T Smith, J Tipuric (capt), J Thomas. Replacements: R Hibbard, C Griffiths, J Rees, J King, J Bearman, M Morgan, S Parker, K Phillips.

ULSTER: J Payne; C Gilroy, L Marshall, N Spence, I Whitten; I Humphreys, P Marshall; D Fitzpatrick, A Kyriacou, J Cronin, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, P Wannenburg, C Henry, R Diack.

Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, W Faloon, B McIlroy, P Jackson, A D’Arcy.