Ulster welcome back Emerging Ireland trio to squad for Ospreys clash

Forwards Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu will start the game at tighthead lock and blindside flanker respectively as two of nine changes to the team that defeated Connacht a week ago, with tighthead prop Scott Wilson named on the bench.

There is also a quicker than expected return to the starting line-up for Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey, who has recovered from a right ankle and knee problem picked up in round two against the Lions to be named in the run-on team.

With captain Iain Henderson out having failed an HIA in last week's inter-provincial tie, fellow second row Alan O'Connor wears the captain's armband, while Jacob Stockdale and Aidan Morgan continue their runs as the only players to start all five of Ulster's game thus far this season.

Stockdale continues on the left wing in a back three that sees Mike Lowry drafted in at full-back for Ethan McIlroy while Werner Kok is retained on the right wing, with centre Ben Carson handed only a second start of his Ulster career at outside centre alongside McCloskey.

Scrum-half John Cooney rounds off the back line by partnering Morgan in the half-backs, with hooker James McCormick handed just a second start of his career alongside loosehead prop Eric O'Sullivan, who is back from injury to start ahead of Andrew Warwick, and Ireland tighthead prop Tom O'Toole.

O'Connor and Sheridan form a new second row pairing, with Henderson out and Kieran Treadwell dropping to the bench, while Izuchukwu returns to a back row that sees openside flanker Marcus Rea make his first start of the season as Ireland international Nick Timoney is given a rest, with the pack completed by number eight David McCann.

Tourist Wilson is the notable name on a strong bench for Murphy's side, with hooker Tadgh McElroy in line for a second appearance for the province and loosehead prop Callum Reid included among the replacements for the second week in a row.

Treadwell and Matty Rea will also try and make an impact in the pack late in the game, while Nathan Doak, James Humphreys and Jude Postlethwaite, who has shrugged off a niggle to be included, round off the match day squad.

Ulster: (15-9) M Lowry; W Kok, B Carson, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; A Morgan, J Cooney; (1-8) E O'Sullivan, J McCormick, T O'Toole; A O'Connor (captain), H Sheridan; C Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, D McCann.

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

Ospreys: (15-9) J Walsh; D Kasende, E Boshoff, O Williams, K Giles; D Edwards, K Hardy; (1-8) G Thomas, S Parry, B Warren; W Greatbanks, L Jones; L Lloyd, J Tipuric, M Morris (captain).

Substitutes: E Lewis, G Phillips, M Iorwerth-Scott, R Thomas, D Gemine, R Morgan-Williams, T Florence, M Nagy.