Ulster ring the changes for Ospreys clash

Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy has made nine changes to his side which defeated Connacht last weekend.

TEAM NEWS: Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy has rung the changes to his side that defeated Connacht for their URC clash against Ospreys on Friday at the Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm). Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy has rung the changes to his side that defeated Connacht for their URC clash against Ospreys on Friday at the Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm).

Alan OConnor will captain the side and is joined in the second row by Harry Sheridan who joins the team following Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa.

Eric O'Sullivan returns from a shoulder injury to start at loosehead prop.

James McCormick starts at hooker and Tom O'Toole completes the front row.

Cormac Izuchukwu also returns from the Emerging Ireland tour to start at blindside flanker with Marcu Rea making his first start this season at openside and David McCann starts at number eight.

John Cooney and Aidan Morgan continue their partnership while Jacob Stockdale and Werner Kok retaining their places on the wings.

Sturt McCloskey returns from injury to joine Ben Carson in a new look centre partnership. Mike Lowry completes the starting XV at full-back.

Murphy has gone for a 5-3 split on the bench with Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea the forward options with Nathan Doak, James Humphreys and Jude Postlethwaite the back options.

ULSTER (v Ospreys): M Lowry, W Kok, B Carson, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, A Morgan, J Cooney; E O'Sullivan, J McCormick, T O'Toole, A O'Connor (c), H Sheridan, C Izuchukwu, M Rea, D McCann.

Replacement: T McElroy, C Reid, S Wilson, K Treadwell, M Rea, N Doak, J Humphreys, J Postlethwaite.