Ulster may be taking red-hot Guinness PRO12 form into a clash with Ospreys this weekend but Jared Payne claims there are still improvements to be made. The Irish province have lost just one of their last nine league matches – a 30-18 reverse to Leinster in last season’s semi-finals – and have started this campaign with four wins on the spin. That’s their best start to a season since setting the Guinness PRO12 record by winning their first 11 games back in 2012-13, with the latest victory being an impressive 22-17 triumph over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun. Payne played at full-back in that clash but moves to outside centre for the visit of Ospreys with Charles Piutau switching from wing to full-back and Craig Gilroy claiming the No.14 shirt. Every back in the Ulster 23 for Saturday’s clash – bar Louis Ludik and Brett Herron – has earned international honours and Payne claims it is that sort of ability that has stood them in such good stead so far this term. “There is some serious talent across the back-line, we’re lucky to have such a wealth of international quality there,” he explained. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve played one game or 100 – if you’re not playing well you won’t get in the team. “We are doing some good things but some poor things too. We are addressing as we go along, we know we are not the finished package. “I don’t know if it is the most talented Ulster team I have played with but it is definitely the most honest; they are really good at addressing what has gone wrong regardless of the result. “Everyone is keen to get better. It’s exciting to believe that there is more to come even though we are winning matches.” Rory Best will make his first start of the season at hooker and is joined in the front row by the returning Kyle McCall, while 67-cap Ireland international Tommy Bowe could make his first Ulster appearance in five months from the bench. Ospreys had recorded maximum league points after three rounds of Guinness PRO12 action before going down 31-19 to Leinster last time out and Steve Tandy has made six personnel changes form that clash. Dan Evans is recalled at full-back with Eli Walker coming in on the wing, while a major pack reshuffle has seen four further alterations. Hooker Sam Parry, lock Bradley Davies, No.8 Dan Baker and prop Nicky Smith – who will make his 50th Ospreys appearance – are all inserted into the starting XV. Ospreys have won just once at the Kingspan Stadium since 2010, a 16-12 triumph in February 2013, and their only victory in their past five encounters with Irish provinces came over Connacht in round 2. But the overall Guinness PRO12 head-to-head between Tandy’s men and Ulster is locked at 13 wins each and the head coach is looking for a reaction following last weekend’s defeat. “It was extremely disappointing last weekend in Dublin, a frustrating evening all round, but we have to react positively,” said Tandy. “We were up against a very good Leinster team but we didn’t impose ourselves on the game in the first half like we have done this season, away to Connacht in particular. “When you look at the penalty count and error rate in the first half, there is the story of the game. “We need to be better in all aspects if we’re going to get anything this Saturday. Start like that again and we’ll have the same result. “Ulster is always a tough place to go and we know what to expect, but it shows how the PRO12 is growing and getting more competitive when every week you are faced with a real challenge.” Ulster Rugby: Piutau, Gilroy, Payne, Cave, Ludik, Jackson, Marshall, McCall, Best, Ah You, O’Connor, Van der Merwe, Henderson, Reidy, Wilson Replacements: Andrew, Black, Kane, Treadwell, Diack, Pienaar, Herron, Bowe Ospreys: Evans, Hassler, John, Matavesi, Walker, Biggar, Webb, Smith, Parry, Arhip, Davies, Wyn Jones, King, Tipuric, Baker Replacements: Baldwin, James, Fia, Thornton, Cracknell, Ardron, Habberfield, Davies Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 26, Ulster won 13, Ospreys won 13. At Kingspan Stadium, 6.30pm. Live on Sky Sports Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 29th competition game) Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell (WRU), Paul Haycock (IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eddie Wigglesworth (IRFU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU) Guinness PRO12 Final 2017 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 adults and €5 child, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie. For further information visit http://www.pro12rugby.com/final
