Ulster make changes ahead of Ospreys game

Coach Matt Williams has cracked the whip in making a host of changes to the Ulster side to play The Ospreys in the Magner's League at The Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Captain Rory Best has been sidelined by injury and the armband goes to Italian lock international Carlo Del Fava, with Nigel Brady steeping into the number two jersey.

The reliable Bryn Cunningham comes in at full-back. Clinton Schifcofske shifts to the wing. Andrew Trimble moves into the centre to partner Rob Dewey.

Ulster and Ireland back-row Stephen Ferris returns to the squad for his first competitive game of the season after recovering from a back injury picked up in the summer.

ULSTER (v The Ospreys): 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Rob Dewey, 12 Andrew Trimble, 11 Clinton Schifcofske, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Kieron Dawson, 6 Matt McCullough, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Carlo Del Fava (c), 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.

Replacements: 16 Stuart Phillpott, 17 Tom Court, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Stephen Ferris, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Paul Steinmetz.