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
 Johnson has already worked with some of the Ospreys' Wales players |
Sean Holley insists the imminent arrival of new coach Scott Johnson will not distract the Ospreys in a make-or-break two weeks in their season. The former Wales coach is set to arrive at the Liberty Stadium within the next week to become the permanent successor to Lyn Jones who departed last year. The Ospreys' Magners League title hopes would be slim if they lose to Ulster while they play Munster in Europe. "There's no risk of any distractions," said Ospreys stand-in coach Holley. Johnson left his post as USA Eagles coach - to be replaced by former Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan - and the charismatic Australian will start his post as the new director of coaching at the Welsh region immediately. Holley and Jonathan Humphries have been in charge of the team since Jones' departure in May 2008 and has guided the Ospreys to the EDF Energy Cup semi-final and the Heineken Cup quarter-final. The Ospreys were linked with a host of high-profile coaches such as Waikato Chiefs head coach Ian Foster and New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith before Andrew Hore, the Ospreys' director of rugby, revealed Johnson's arrival. The former Australia attack and New South Wales assistant coach was Wales skills chief when Mike Ruddock guided the Welsh to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005. Holley and Humphries, who will both continue in the Ospreys backroom staff when Johnson arrives, are preparing the team for a crunch Magners League game in Ulster.  | Scott will bring a bit of innovation, he'll be somebody who can take a step back and have a look at what we do at this operation and add value - so that can only be good Ospreys stand-in coach Sean Holley |
A defeat at Ravenhill could all but end their league title hopes and a week later the Ospreys travel to European champions Munster in a last eight Heineken Cup clash on 12 April. "We've all worked with our heads down and backsides up all season," said Holley. "It has been a long, hard season, we've worked hard to create a legacy and we're a bit short-staffed. "So we're excited about Scott's arrival, hearing a fresh voice and having new thoughts will be really welcome. "He'll bring a bit of innovation, he'll be somebody who can take a step back and have a look at what we do at this operation and add value - so that can only be good. "We've known he has been coming in for a while but not a lot will distract us from our focus." Ospreys' Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips worked under Johnson during his Wales days and he believes the 46-year-old will be "great" for the Neath-Swansea region. "I've been coached by him in the past," said Phillips. "And he'll be great for us because he is a great coach, who knows his rugby and will be a great addition to the coaching set-up that is already here." | 606: DEBATE |
Holley is still understandably disappointed in the Ospreys' 17-0 EDF Energy semi-final defeat to Gloucester on Saturday but insists the squad retain the confidence to succeed in the league and in Europe. "We want to be competitive on all fronts," said the coach. "It is very difficult but we owe it to our squad and to our fans to succeed in both the Magners league and in the Heineken Cup." Wales star Phillips plays in under-strength Ospreys team in Ulster as captain Ryan Jones, wings Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe and prop Adam Jones are rested. The side is already without injury victims Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Duncan Jones, Ian Gough, Jonathan Thomas, Ian Evans and Nikki Walker. But Phillips, who only returned in December after a nine-month absence due to a serious knee injury, insists he wants to play. "We have two very big weeks," said Phillips. "I personally want to play, I haven't played a lot of rugby this season and I want play every game, I think most players feel the same. "There is a lot at stake for us in the next few weeks and it is a very important time."
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.
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