The region were hit by a double blow this week, with Wales pair Gavin Henson and Jonathan Thomas being ruled out for the rest of the season.
Flanker Thomas has suffered a recurrence of a long-term groin problem, and has been advised to take three months recovery, while centre Henson was withdrawn during Saturday’s semi-final against Gloucester and will out until early May.
Ian Gough was also taken off against Gloucester, suffering a haematoma in his hip, and will miss the Ulster clash but hopes to be fit for next weekend’s match with Munster in the Heineken Cup quarter-final.
Lee Byrne remains on the sidelines as he recovers from damaged ligaments suffered in Wales’s Six Nations finale against Ireland, while two other Welsh internationals in Shane Williams and captain Ryan Jones will not travel with the side to Northern Ireland.
Host Ulster had found form during the Six Nations break, having won both of their matches in this period, although like the Ospreys lost to Leinster in their last Magners League game.
Coach Matt Williams will be without Stephen Ferris, Bryn Cunningham and Paul Steinmetz but can call upon NiallO’Connor and Mark McCrea, who have been added to the squad for Friday night. And Williams is taking nothing for granted despite the Welsh region’s weakened state.
“The Ospreys are a fantastic team and physically massive. No-one expects us to win so there isn’t much pressure on us,” said Williams.
“They are individually the best team in the competition with a big squad of very high quality players so it could be our toughest game at Ravenhill this season.”
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.
