Ulster v Ospreys: The whole notion of Ulster's invincibility at Ravenhill loses some of its lustre here as the Ospreys came over last November and spoiled the Belfast Friday night experience.
Mark McCall's team did atone for this defeat in the final seconds of last season when a David Humphreys drop goal at Liberty Stadium snatched the Celtic League title from Leinster's grasp.
The Ospreys were caught by Connacht earlier this month and are experiencing a hooking crisis, to add to another five injuries, including Kiwi backrower Filo Tiatia, as their clustered fixtures list has already exacted a toll.
Having to play three games in eight days is down to the WRU's decision to reap the financial benefits of the Anglo-Welsh Cup so there is no sympathy from an Irish perspective.
Not that their coach Lyn Jones is complaining: "We are now in stronger shape going back to Ireland than we were two weeks ago. We always look forward to the challenge at Ravenhill as it is consistently the best venue to play Magners League rugby."
It will be worth tuning into Setanta Sports simply to see the Ospreys All Black scrumhalf Justin Marshall attempt to gel the talents of Gavin Henson, Stefan Terblanche, Shane Williams and Sonny Parker.
Ryan Jones is back at number eight after a write-off post-Lions season, while a grizzled front five including Brent Cockbain and Barry Williams should deliver a decent ratio of possession for the talent behind.
Ulster's Justin Harrison returns to lock, at the expense of Matt McCullough, Justin Fitzpatrick starts at loosehead and Kieron Dawson gets an opportunity to nail down the number-seven slot. But watch out for 21-year-old blindside flanker Stephen Ferris who impressed at the tail-end of last season.
With Tommy Bowe back on the bench after receiving early release papers from the international players' pre-season and Paddy Wallace continuing a renaissance at inside centre Ulster have enough options and inventiveness to ease home.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; M Bartholemeusz, P Steinmetz, P Wallace, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best (capt), B Young; J Harrison (capt), T Barker; S Ferris, K Dawson, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields, D Fitzpatrick, M McCullough, N McMillan, K Campbell, K Maggs, T Bowe.
OSPREYS: S Terblanche; N Walker, S Parker, G Henson, S Williams; J Hook, J Marshall; D Jones (capt), B Williams, A Jones; B Cockbain, I Evans; J Thomas, L Beach, R Jones. Replacements: E Shervington, P James, A Wyn Jones, R Pugh, M Roberts, A Bishop, L Byrne.
Referee: P Allan (SRU).
Formguide: Ulster v Edinburgh 15-20; v Dragons 32-25; v Llanelli Scarlets 36-16. Ospreys v Border Reivers 30-13; v Cardiff Blues 18-16; v Connacht 10-15.
Previous Meetings: May 24th, 2006, Ospreys 17-19 Ulster, Liberty Stadium; Nov 4th, 2005, Ulster 12-23 Ospreys, Ravenhill.
Leading points scorers: Ulster - David Humphreys 48; Ospreys - James Hook 29.
Leading try scorers: Ulster - B Cunningham two tries; Ospreys - A Jones, S Terblanche, T Selley, R Pugh, R Jones, S Williams, J Marshall and L Byrne try each.
Forecast: Ulster.
