ULSTER V OSPREYS
PRE-SEASON FIXTURE
AFFIDEA STADIUM
11Th september 2026
Ospreys try scorers: Rhys Davies, Sam Parry, Luke Morgan, Evardi Boshoff.
Conversions: Harri Wilde (4)
Ospreys scored four tries in our final run out of pre-season, putting vital minutes in the legs for 30 players. A frenetic first half saw seven tries across both teams as Ulster turned on the burners out wide.
The Ospreys forwards evened the game up and put in a strong performance at the set piece, but some unlucky missed opportunities deined us the chance to close the gap with the home side.
The Ospreys got off to a positive start on the ball as Lalakai Foketi burst through with a tenacious carry that shed multiple Ulster defenders. But, the first try of the game went to the home side. A quick break through the middle had the Ospreys on the back foot and Arebzaba-King finished a few phases later on the right touchline. Conversion successful. Ulster 7 - 0 Ospreys.
Ulster got their second try not long after the first. A break down the right touchline by David McCann was just about brought to a halt by a great cover tavkle from Keelan Giles, but McCann popped it to Mckee to finish. Conversion successful. Ulster 14 - 0 Ospreys.
TRY OSPREYS! Lineout, maul, and a beautiful dart from Luke Davies sent Rhys Davies powering over. Harri Wilde converted. Ulster 14 - 7 Ospreys.
Ulster answerred straight back with their third. The ball worked its way out to Arenzana King who broke down the right touchline once again to finish. Conversion missed. Ulster 19 - 7 Ospreys.
TRY OSPREYS! A penalty in the 22 gave us the opportunity to return to the maul, and this time it was too much for Ulster as co-captain Sam Parry bundled over the line. Harri Wilde converted. Ulster 19 - 14 Ospreys.
Ulster’s next opportunity came from a lineout in the Ospreys 22. They went straight to the backs, but were held out on first attempt. They appeared to open up a half gap in the next phases, but a well-timed hit from Ross Moriarty dislodged the ball and won the Ospreys a scrum.
A forth try for the home team was inevitable as the Ulster hooker found himself in space on the wing.Tom Rogers scrambled well to force a decision from the ball carrier, but a well timed pass to McCannsaw him finish untouched. Conversion good. Ulster 26 - 14 Ospreys.
The set piece was a clear area of strength for the Ospreys in the first half as they won all of their own ball at lineout and scrum timeand continually disruppted the opposition when given the opportunity. But, with half-time approaching Ulster sent Arenzana-King over from a deft overlap. Conversion wide. Ulster 31 - 14 Ospreys.
HALF TIME: ULSTER 31 - 14 OSPREYS.
The two teams went for different stratergies in the second half, with the Ospreys making wholesale changes to the 15 and Ulster choosing to make just three.
Desipte some big defensive sets from the boys following the break, Ulster got the first score of the second half. A few phases near the Ospreys tryline opened up a half space on the left wing for Chay Mullins who finished well. Murphy continued his excellent showing off the tee and converted. Ulster 38 - 14 Ospreys.
The action slowed down after the score as the Osprey defensive line organised itself and the forewards imposed themslves on the Ulster attack. Lew Lloyd occupied every space he could in defence, making big hits by the dozen and timing his bursts well from the line.
TRY OSPREYS! A superb strike play ran straight off the lineout opened up a gap for Luke Mogan who put the burners on and ran around the 15 to finish untouched. Wilde converted. Ulster 38 - 21 Ospreys.
It looked like the Ospreys were going to add another almost instantly when a Lewis Lloyd hit dislodged the ball and Gwilym Evans grubbered it into an empty field, but the ref brought it back for a knock on.
TRY OSPREYS! A similar situation to the last opportunity, but this time it was Evardi Boshoff kicking it into the green space and recovering to sail in for the score. Wilde converted. Ulster 38 - 28 Ospreys.
The Ospreys set piece momentum continued into the second half, with the lineout and scum bearing fruit aplenty. The replacement front row made a particualr impact on the scrum.
There was real end to end rugby to close out the game as both teams cahsed final scores. An Ospresy break sent Gwilym Evans down the middle who went went within inches of sending the last pass into the breadbasket of Lewis Lloyd, but the ball was wide. Ulster took advantage of loose play and went straight up the other end to score with the clock in the red.Conversion made. Ulster 45 - 28 Ospreys.
FULL TIME: ULSTER 45 - 28 OSPREYS.
Now, it's all eyes on the start of the season as the boys get ready for an away tour to South Africa.
Make sure you're there when we finally welcome them home to St Helen's in October. .
We're assembling a squad of local Welsh talent backed by huge international signings like Marika Koroibete.
And now we're waiting for you to take your place and help us Paint It Black ⤵️
