Stuart McCloskey and Emerging Ireland pair return for Ulster

Ulster have been boosted by the return of several key players for Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm), with Stuart McCloskey among those to come into the starting team.

The Ireland international missed the last two games due to ankle and knee injuries picked up against the Lions three weeks ago, but comes in as one of nine changes from last week’s 32-27 win against Connacht.

As well as McCloskey’s return, head coach Richie Murphy has been able to draft Cormac Izuchukwu and Harry Sheridan into to his starting side after they completed their Emerging Ireland commitments, with Scott Wilson and Jude Postlethwaite also available off the bench.

Captain Iain Henderson misses out due to concussion, while Nick Timoney is also absent from the matchday squad, although Ulster are yet to confirm whether or not he is unavailable due to injury.

Six of the nine changes to the side come in the forwards, with Eric O’Sullivan and James McCormick coming into the front row to pack down alongside Tom O’Toole.

Alan O’Connor comes in for Henderson and also captains the side in the second row, while Sheridan starts ahead of Kieran Treadwell, who is among the replacements.

Davis McCann keeps his place in the back row but shifts from flanker to number 8, with Izuchukwu and Marcus Rea either side of him at scrum-time.

It’s an unchanged half-back pairing as John Cooney and Aidan Morgan team up, while McCloskey has Ben Carson for company in the centre.

Ethan McIlroy misses out due to an ankle injury at full-back, with Mike Lowry replacing him, while Jacob Stockdale and Werner Kok retain their places on the wing.

Ulster: Mike Lowry; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan,