CAN ULSTER LIGHT UP THE LIBERTY?

In my first blog post I look ahead to Ulster's game against the Ospreys and whether we can come away with the win...

Ulster head to the Liberty Stadium this weekend in search of what would be a massive morale-boosting victory in the RaboDirect PRO12. But victory in Swansea is easier said than done - just ask the side that returned home on the wrong side of a 32-14 drubbing last season. But as you can tell by the title, I'm not so sure that this is the case this time round...

Party poopers

The head honchos in the awkwardly named Osprey-lia have said this season will be a party season at the Liberty. Whether that be another trophy in the Welsh side's cabinet or an unbeaten home season, we don't know. What we do know is that Ulster have to crash the party before it's even begun. Even before the invitations have been sent out.

But the Ospreys are PRO12 champions for a reason. Winning in the RDS is no mean feat - they were only one of two teams to do it last season (Glasgow being the other). Not even that, but they did it twice. Not even a madman would bet on that. When you see those stats you know you're up against a team that means business.

But most importantly, they're inconsistent. Obviously not inconsistent enough to write themselves off when it comes to competing, but inconsistent enough to lose crucial matches at crucial times. No better example is last weekend when they travelled to Italy and were subsuquently beaten by Treviso 12-6. Everyone knows the key to success is momentum. The Ospreys haven't got that yet.

Couple that with their unbelievably bad discipline and you have a wounded side. They'll be smarting from that defeat against Treviso, their first in Italy ever, and will be looking to avenge that. But Ulster have to take the advantage. Strike first, put the doubt in the home side's minds and then strike again.

Ferris and Trimble will be influential off the bench and will be expected to make their mark on the game late on. Nick Williams will have to be at his bruising best once more to counter-act the Ospreys' back row. Mark Anscombe's subsitutes could prove decisive in how this game finishes up.

But obviously, never write off the Ospreys. Dan Biggar's boot is lethal and the endless number of Jones players on their team are all talented enough to cause big problems. Their back line is experienced and pacy enough to trouble Ulster's young backs which is probably why Darren Cave will start this week ahead of Chris Farrell.

The game is there for the win. No doubt about it. Ulster have to set out with a positive outlook and look to strike first. Use the win last week to push on into this game and snatch the win away from right under the champions' noses. A tough ask, but by no means impossible.

Want to predict it? No, neither do I! Unfortunately since I will (probably) not blog again before the game I think I must, despite not knowing the two teams. As much as I want Ulster to win, the Ospreys on home soil against a still up-and-coming Ulster side should just have enough to sneak it. A bonus point is there for the taking though. Prediction - Ospreys by 4.

Teams

The Ospreys will have lock Ian Evans available despite receiving a red card last Friday.

Ulster have named Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble in their extended squad although neither are expected to start, instead making their impact off the bench. Declan Fitzpatrick is expected to start instead of John Afoa in the front row, while Darren Cave will replace Chris Farrell in the back line. Due to a dead leg sustained in the match last week, Niall O'Connor will replace Paddy Jackson at fly half.

Anscombe off to a flier

If there was a better way to make yourself popular with the Ulster faithful, Mark Anscombe will have to search hard to find it. Two out of three friendly wins, a draw with the most successful English club side and a convincing win in your first competitive game in charge. Not bad, eh?

Before Anscombe arrived there were doubts, but they have been blown out of the water after three fantastic friendly performances, including Ulster's first win ever in France. Then Ulster saw off last season's PRO12 semi-finalsts 18-10 at Ravenhill. Anscombe will no doubt be happy and will want to continue in his good run of form.

No doubt he has endeared himself to the Ravenhill crowd. Now he has to keep it going. A win in Swansea will have Ulster fans singing his praises and that's his goal. Hopefully he can do just so...