ULSTER v Ospreys
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
AFFIDEA Stadium
4TH APRIL 2026
Ospreys try scorers: Reuben Morgan-Williams, Dan Kasende, Penalty Try
Conversions: Dan Edwards (2)
Penalties: Dan Edwards (1)
Ospreys arrived in Belfast alongside Storm Dave, ready for European knockout rugby. The action matched the conditions and the lead changed hands several times in a tense encounter.
Scores from Reuben Morgan-Williams, Dan Kasende and a penalty try powered by Luke Morgan meant it was all to play for in the final ten. But, a heartbreaking disallowed try put paid to an Ospreys victory and saw Ulster come away with the win.
The home side had all the adventages in the opening stages, winning a penalty from a scrum on halfway after the wind took the kick-off awry. Home territory came from the tap and go, and another penalty followed shortly after. Ulster went for the corner and whilst the Ospreys pack halted the maul, they regrouped to bundle Izuchukwu over for the first score a few phases later. Doak added the extras. Ulster 7 - 0 Ospreys.
Ospreys got their heads up in answer, and marched down the other side of the field to earn their first opportunity of the game, eventually winning a penalty on the Ulster five.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! We opted for the tap and go and Reuben Morgan-Williams deftly handed off to Sam Parry. The pack put the pressure on and Reubs was back at the heart of it to snipe over for the score shortly after. Ulster 7 - 7 Ospreys.
The Ospreys score seemed to dent Ulster’s early ambitions of a controlled first half and a few errors forced their way into the game. Their penalty count was growing, as were handling mishaps. Ospreys were asking questions of the Ulster defence on all fronts and winning the territory battle.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! A penalty gave Ospreys a lineout halfway into the Ulster 22. The maul did some damage before Reubs peeled off the side, beat the defender and offloaded to the Postman with perfection, who duly delivered. Dan Eds converted. Ulster 7 - 14 Ospreys.
With the wind on their side, Ospreys continued to control the first half. A scrum penalty saw us opt for the three, and Dan Eds hit a solid strike from around 40 metres out. Ulster 7 - 17 Ospreys.
The extended lead was short-lived though, as a successin of Ospreys penalities gave Ulster the field position for McCann to force his way over for the try. Doak added the extras again. Ulster 14 - 17 Ospreys.
A quality first half showing from the boys, but the scores remained within three as we went in.
HALF TIME: ULSTER 14 - 17 OSPREYS
Ulster came very close to starting the second half as they did the first as they took possession on the Ospreys line, but a massive defensive set from the boys eventually saw the ball held up.
But, at the second time of asking, Ulster got what they wanted and a well-executed move by their backline saw Jacob Stockdale break through for the finish. Doak converted. Ulster 21 - 17 Ospreys.
The Ulster score galvanised Ospreys, who were putting in monstrous hits on their opposite numbers. The pick of the bunch came from Sam Parry who absolutely melted an Ulsterman on the attack.
The next opportunity went to Ospreys, with a lineout on the Ulster five. The maul once again did some damage and got us close to the line, but the ball was held up a few phases later.
With their next opportunity, Ulster hit back. After an extended spell of pressure, Timoney broke down the left touchline to finish well in the corner. Doak added the extras. Ulster 28 - 17 Ospreys.
Ospreys were then reduced to 14 following the score as the TMO picked up a high tackle in the build-up and sent Jac Morgan to the sidelines.
Despite the disadvantage in numbers, Ospreys continued to test Ulster. The boys forced their way into the redzone again, but the Ulster defence stood firm to win the turnover.
Luke Morgan, who gave a superb account of himself throughout, was imperious under the highball, beating multiple Ulster defenders across several runs.
With Ospreys returned to 15, the backs were on the charge. A snipe from Kirean Hardy was offloaded to Dan Eds, who shipped it onto Luke Morgan to run away with it once again. Morgan crossed in the corner, but a high tackle from Ulster illegally denied the try. Ulster saw yellow and a penalty try was awarded. Ulster 28 - 24 Ospreys.
Ten minutes to go and four points in it! The boys were giving it everything even as they played into the worsening wind. An Ulster knock on in the Ospreys 22 gave us the scrum, and a much-needed penalty saw Dan Eds hammer it into the opposition half.
Every attacking player was hitting the Ulster defensive line at full-tilt, until finally Owen Watkin was on the break! He got the offload to Kieran Hardy who did brilliantly to absorb a tackle and roll over for the score. But, it was agonisingly called forward by the TMO. No try.
The two teams traded possession in the final minutes, but there would be no more changes to the score line. With the clock in the red, Ulster cleared from the ruck and it was full time. Heartbreak for the Ospreys.
HALF TIME: ULSTER 28 - 24 OSPREYS
Next up, we return to URC action at the Electric Brewery Field and welcome Hollywoodbets Sharks on April 18th.
Be there to cheer on your Ospreys team!
