The UAFC

Addison, Moore and Timoney out of Friday's game according to early reports. Chat that Ulster have secured a short term cover signing for Moore for their 2 game tour in South Africa.

Big Bad Bradley Davies is on his way to Japan.

He’s either touring with Queens of the Stone Age or joining up with Gatland’s squad.

Either way, they’re missing three second row forwards now.

Ulster v Ospreys – KO 19:35
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 91st Championship game)
AR1: Sean Gallagher (IRFU), AR2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)

Neutral referee appointments have been confirmed for the first six rounds of the Guinness PRO14 as the new season kicks off this weekend.
All seven appointments for Round 1, which have been made by Elite Referee Manager, Greg Garner, are neutral and this will continue right up to Round 6.

Baloucoune joining Addison, Moore and Timoney missing Friday's game along with the longer term guys.

Bobby B’s injury has gone from his knee on the UR website to his ankle in the BT.

I bet his toes are worried.

Should be able to get a good win, home game, first full pre season with McFarland, not that many people lost to Ireland.

For the record, and Lest We Forget, I am reliably informed that it will be DAY 4633.

Anyone fancy a guess at the team and subs?

A supplementary question. Are Marshall, Ludik and Murphy all fit to play?

I'd imagine so given their names weren't on the injury list.

Ulster team to play Ospreys, Guinness PRO14 Round 1, Friday 27 September 2019 at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm):

(15-9): Matt Faddes; Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall, James Hume, Rob Lyttle; Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Jack McGrath, Rob Herring (Capt), Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, Matthew Rea, Jordi Murphy, Sean Reidy.

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, Greg Jones, David Shanahan, Michael Lowry, Louis Ludik.

Bookies like Ulster by 14. McCloskey apparently has a minor injury.

The Ospreys team to play Ulster at The Kingspan Stadium, Belfast on Friday 27th September, K.O 7:35pm is as follows:

15. Dan Evans 14. Luke Morgan 13. Cory Allen 12. Scott Williams 11. Keelan Giles 10. Luke Price 9. Matthew Aubrey 1.Rhodri Jones 2. Sam Parry 3. Tom Botha 4. Lloyd Ashley 5. James King 6. Dan Lydiate © 7. Olly Cracknell 8. Gareth Evans

16. Scott Otten 17. Gareth Thomas 18. Gheorghe Gajion 19. Sam Cross 20. Dan Baker 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams 22. Cai Evans 23. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler

The following players were unavailable for selection due to international duty:

Adam Beard, Aled Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, George North, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric and Owen Watkin (All Wales); Lesley Klim (Namibia) Ma’afu Fia (Tonga)

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:

Gareth Anscombe - ACL, Will Griffiths – Shoulder, Dewi Lake – Ribs, Harri Morgan – Groin

Good to see Lowry covering 10- hopefully he gets some decent gametime from the bench.

Quite a decent team, McBurney hasn't overtook Andrew, McGrath ahead of O'Sullivan, Lowry on the bench. I guess on all three the coaches have went for the safe option with the only risky option O'Toole ahead of Kane. Will be pretty disappointed if we don't win this by more than a couple of tries.

Anyone a terrace ticket for sale?