Ulster v Ospreys

ULSTER FACE an immediate test of their new-found optimism and heightened ambitions when the champions call to Ravenhill on Magners League opening night.

It was the Ospreys’ bonus point victory here which helped propel them to completing a clean sweep of four wins on Irish soil in last May’s Grand Final at the RDS.

The home crowd will have decidedly mixed feelings that Tommy Bowe, scorer of the bonus point try that night, is not amongst the star-studded Ospreys. Despite missing a dozen players in total, they are still able to name a side containing 10 internationals.

Trialist Adam D’Arcy retains his place at fullback for Ulster, Tommy Seymour switches to the right wing in place of the injured Craig Gilroy, David McIlwaine comes in on the left wing while Paul Marshall returns at scrumhalf after a shoulder injury.

Up front, there is no change to the starting line-up that defeated Leeds in the final pre-season friendly last week.

ULSTER: A DArcy; T Seymour, D Cave, I Whitten, D McIlwaine; N O'Connor, P Marshall; B Young, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller, T Barker, S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg. Replacements: N Brady, T Court, P McAllister, R Caldwell, R Diack, I Porter, P Wallace, J Shiels.

OSPREYS: G Owen; N Walker, S Parker, A Bishop, R Fussell; D Biggar, J Nutbrown; R Bevington, M Davies, C Mitchell, I Gough, I Evans, J Collins, M Holah, J Thomas. Replacements: H Bennett, P James, C Griffiths, J Goode, B Lewis, R Webb, Lee Byrne, S Williams.

Referee: Peter Allan (SRU).

Betting: 4/5 Ulster, 20/1 Draw, Evens Ospreys. Handicap odds (Ospreys +1 pt) 10/11 Ulster, 22/1 Draw, 10/11 Ospreys.

Forecast: Ulster to win.