Lyn Jones’s side have their sights on a EDF Energy and Heineken Cup double but could face a showdown against Italy’s third-best team for a place in Europe next season.
The star-studded Ospreys lie just two points and one place above Wales’s bottom representative Newport Gwent Dragons in the Magners League table. And coach Jones insists they will not take the Irishmen lightly at the Liberty Stadium.
He said: “It’s a huge game for us because we need to start moving up the table. We’ve played Ulster three times this season and although we won convincingly at home in the Heineken Cup, they are usually tight affairs.
“We’re under no illusions that this will be a difficult game. Ulster have turned the corner and have picked up some big wins in recent weeks. But the squad are buzzing after last weekend’s win over Saracens and we want that to continue.”
The Six Nations trophy will be on show in Swansea as Wales heroes Shane Williams, James Hook, Sonny Parker, Duncan Jones, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Ian Evans and Jonathan Thomas are all involved.
Wales contingent Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones and skipper Ryan Jones have been rested with the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens just nine days away.
The Ospreys will have to play that match without Mike Phillips who has damaged knee ligaments and will be out for six months.
Ospreys: J Vaughton; N Walker, S Parker, A Bishop, S Williams; J Hook, J Marshall; D Jones, H Bennett, C Griffiths, I Gough, I Evans, J Thomas, F Tiatia (Capt), B Lewis
Replacements: R Hibbard, P James, AW Jones, T Smith, R Webb, S Connor, J Spratt
