Celtic League leaders Ulster will be keen to continue their tenure at the head of affairs and would also love to turn over the Welsh side, a desire that dates back to an earlier meeting this season.
After beating the Irish province the Neath-Swansea coach Lynn Jones ventured: "We did not put in a great display, but I expected that given this is really our first time together. But Ulster were shocking. They looked stale and I expected much better of them. They have more problems that we do."
There won't be much need for a team talk in the home dressing-room. Coach Alan Solomons makes a few changes to the side that last week defeated Llanelli. Paddy Wallace comes into the centre - Shane Stewart was punched by Llanelli wing Salesi Finau and had to be helped off; his assailant got a 21-day ban. Neil Doak is back at scrumhalf. Matt Sexton returns to the front row and Gary Longwell starts beside Matt McCullough.
The Ospreys are without 12 first-choice players for a variety of reasons. Five are on international duty. They have prevailed upon former Lions and Wales centre Scott Gibbs to come out of retirement for this match. He will partner Dave Tieuti in the centre in a back line that also contains point-kicking machine Gavin Henson and former Springbok wing Stefan Terblanche.
Ravenhill has been a fortress this season and that shouldn't change tonight.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, P Wallace, P Steinmetz, S Young; A Larkin, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, R Moore; M McCullough, G Longwell; A Ward (capt), R Wilson, N Best.
NEATH-SWANSEA OSPREYS: G Henson; S Terblanche, D Tieuti, S Gibbs, G Morris, S Connor, A Williams; T Evans, B Williams (capt), A Millward; A Newman, L Tait; J Bater, A Lloyd, S Tandy.
Referee: R Dickson (Scotland).
Verdict: Ulster.
Ulster v Neath-Swansea
Ravenhill, 7.30
