Anscombe makes three changes for visit to Ospreys

Head coach Mark Anscombe has continued to rotate his squad as Ulster prepare to face The Ospreys in the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (6.30pm).

Declan Fitzpatrick, Niall O'Connor and Darren Cave all come into the starting XV for the RaboDirect PRO12 fixture.

The Ulster coach has been boosted by the return of Ireland internationals Andrew Trimble and Stephen Ferris, who are named on an experienced replacements' bench.

The only change up front sees Fitzpatrick replace John Afoa at tighthead prop, where he is joined in the front row by hooker Rob Herring and Callum Black.

Captain Johann Muller and Lewis Stevenson continue their partnership in the second row, while the loose forward trio of Sean Doyle, Robbie Diack and Nick Williams will be hoping to continue their impressive form from last week.

With Paddy Jackson still not fully recovered from his calf injury, O'Connor will start ahead of Paddy Jackson at flyhalf, with Michael Heaney retaining the number 9 jersey.

Darren Cave has been promoted from the bench to start at outside centre at the expense of Chris Farrell. Luke Marshall, Michael Allen, Craig Gilroy and Jared Payne complete the backline.

Anscombe knows the importance of having players with the experience and ability of Ferris and Trimble back in his squad.

"When you bring players of that calibre back into the mix it gives everyone a lift,” he said.

“The two boys haven't played much rugby in a while so you have to put that in perspective and not expect too much from them this early.

“Putting them on the bench is a good way of easing them back in.

Ulster got their season off to a winning start at home to Glasgow last weekend but Anscombe insists there are plenty of areas to work on.

"There are a lot of areas to improve on but you would expect that and the main thing is that we're progressing.

“Over the next few weeks we'll keep integrating players back into the team and that will allow us to keep developing and growing our game.

“Its early days and we've just got to keep our feet on the ground and know where we're at."

Ulster (v Ospreys): J Payne; C Gilroy, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; N O'Connor, M Heaney; C Black, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller ©, L Stevenson, R Diack, S Doyle, N Williams.

Replacements: N Brady, T Court, J Afoa, N McComb, S Ferris, P Marshall, P Jackson, A Trimble.