Collins set to face Ulster

Jerry Collins will start for the champions The Ospreys in their Magners League opener at Ulster this Friday.

The former All Black blindside takes over the captaincy due to Alun-Wyn Jones and Ryan Jones being sidelined at the current time.

Shane Williams and Lee Byrne must make do with bench roles in Belfast as coach Sean Holley has gone with Andrew Bishop and Sonny Parker in the centre and Dan Biggar at out-half.

THE OSPREYS (v Ulster): 15 Gareth Owen, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins (capt), 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Ryan Bevington.

Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Paul James, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 James Goode, 20 Ben Lewis, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Lee Byrne, 23 Shane Williams.