MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Ravenhill Date: Friday, 3 April Kick-off: 1935 BST Coverage: Live on BBC TWO Wales, Radio Ulster medium wave and online, score updates on BBC Sport website

Mark McCrea has been added to the Ulster squad

Fly-half Niall O'Connor and winger Mark McCrea have been added to the Ulster squad for Friday night's Magners League game against the Ospreys at Ravenhill.

The pair are added to the 22 who lost to Leinster on Sunday, but Stephen Ferris, Bryn Cunningham and Paul Steinmetz are all still out injured.

Ospreys have opted to rest captain Ryan Jones and wing Shane Williams from the side that lost in the EDF semi-finals.

Gavin Henson and Ian Gough were injured in the Gloucester loss and miss out.

Lock Gough is expected to make a swift recovery from a haematoma in his hip region and should be fit to face Munster in the Heineken Cup on 12 April, as should full-back Lee Byrne (foot ligament).

However, Henson has suffered damage to the ligaments on both the lateral and medial sides of his right ankle.

The utility back is expected to be out for between four and six weeks with the injury, which could jeopardise his Lions selection chances.

Duncan Jones could return before the end of the season, but Jonathan Thomas, Ben Lewis, Ian Evans, Nikki Walker, Lyndon Bateman and Kristian Phillips are unlikely to be fit until next term.

In all the Ospreys make 10 changes from the Gloucester defeat, with Gareth Owen given the chance to impress at full-back due to the injuries suffered by Byrne and Henson.

However, Ulster coach Matt Williams is taking nothing for granted despite the Welsh region's weakened state.

"The Ospreys are a fantastic team and physically massive. No-one expects us to win so there isn't much pressure on us," said Williams.

"They are individually the best team in the competition with a big squad of very high quality players so it could be our toughest game at Ravenhill this season."

Ulster squad:

Forwards: Brendon Botha, Tom Court, Bryan Young, Ed O'Donoghue, Matt McCullough, Carlo del Fava, Chris Henry, Nigel Brady, David Pollock, Rory Best, Ryan Caldwell, Robbie Diack.

Backs: Simon Danielli, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Cillian Willis, Niall O'Connor, Clinton Schifcofske, Ian Whitten, Isaac Boss, Ian Humphreys, Timoci Nagusa, Mark McCrea, Paddy Wallace.

Ospreys: Gareth Owen; David Bishop, Jonathan Spratt, Andrew Bishop, Jonny Vaughton; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Paul James (capt), Huw Bennett, Cai Griffiths, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Lloyd, Tom Smith, Steve Tandy, Filo Tiatia.
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Ryan Bevington, Filipo Levi, Marty Holah, Jamie Nutbrown, Dan Biggar, Sonny Parker.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version