Stockdale back on wing for Ulster

JACOB STOCKDALE will start on the left wing on his return to Ulster action after a lengthy knee injury, writes

GARETH HANNA.

The international star has been out of action since picking up the problem in the win over Munster at the start of the year. Hope amongst the Ireland camp will now be that Stockdale’s return could see the backline star back in the international camp for the final two Six Nations fixtures against Scotland and England.

He replaces Craig Gilroy in the line-up facing Ospreys while Robert Baloucoune could make his long-awaited return from the bench after a serious hamstring injury.

Marcell Coetzee has not been passed fit to play after injury in the win in Glasgow.

Greg Jones replaces him in the back-row with Nick Timoney swapping from blindside to No 8 and Jordi Murphy again captaining the team at openside.

The only other change sees Andy Warwick come in to replace Eric O’Sullivan, who drops to the bench.

Verdict: Ulster

ULSTER – M Lowry; R Lyttle, J Hume, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; I Madigan, J Cooney; A Warwick, J Andrew, M Moore, A O’Connor, K Treadwell, G Jones, J Murphy (capt), Nick Timoney. Reps: A McBurney, E O’Sullivan, R Kane, C Izuchukwu, S Reidy, A Mathewson, M Faddes, R Baloucoune.

OSPREYS – D Evans; K Giles, T Thomas-Wheeler, K Williams, L Morgan; S Myler, R Webb (capt); G Thomas, S Parry, T Botha, L Ashley, R Davies, W Griffiths, O Cracknell, M Morris. Reps: I Phillips, N Smith, M Fia, G Evans, S Cross, S Venter, J Hawkins, Luke Price

REF – S Gallagher (Ireland)

Ulster v Ospreys,

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