Izuchukwu and Bell back for Ospreys match

Lock Cormac Izuchukwu has been named in the starting team for Ulster's Challenge Cup last-16 match with Ospreys on Saturday [20:00 BST].

The Ireland international, who made his Six Nations debut in February against Italy, has not played since he was forced off for a head injury assessment in the win over Edinburgh on 13 March.

His return is one of seven changes made by head coach Richie Murphy for the visit of the Welsh side to the Affidea Stadium.

Australia international Angus Bell and Tom O'Toole come into the front row with Juarno Augustus given a starting position after his impressive performance off the bench against Zebre last week.

Nathan Doak and Jake Flannery return as the half-back pairing while Jacob Stockdale comes in for Zak Ward on the wing.

Ospreys have made four changes to their team from the side that lost to Connacht last week with Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry and Morgan Morris coming into the forwards and Rueben Morgan-Williams the only change in the backline.

Ulster: McIlroy; Kok, Hume, McCloskey, Stockdale; Flannery, Doak: Bell, Herring, O'Toole; Henderson, Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: T Stewart, Crean, Wilson, Irvine, B Ward, McKee, Murphy, Z Ward.

Ospreys: Walsh; Kasende, Watkin, K Williams, L Morgan; Edwards, R Morgan-Williams; G Thomas, Parry, Henry, R Davies, Smith, Sutton, J Morgan (capt), M Morris.

Replacements: Daniel, S Thomas, Botha, Fender, Deaves, Hardy, Boshoff, Hopkins.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)

Ospreys are without injured Wales hooker Dewi Lake but flanker Jac Morgan leads the side as he continues his return from the shoulder problem that forced him to miss the Six Nations.

"We are delighted to have him back," said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.

"I am sure Ulster would have been hoping his name was not on the team sheet this weekend because if I was coaching against him I would be hoping for the same thing. That is the respect people have for Jac.

"It is a big challenge to come back after more than four months out and return to operate at a level he has been.

"That is a sign of class because even the best players sometimes get a while to get warmed up, but Jac has hit the ground running."

Ospreys are struggling to finish in the top eight of the United Rugby Championship (URC) to qualify for the play-offs with the Challenge Cup providing a chance of silverware.

Jones says he has been stopped in the supermarket recently with fans quizzing him about his selections.

"It shows people care," said Jones. "I love to have conversations with people about how we do stuff.

"A couple of people have asked me why we are not picking our best team but what is our best team?

"Selection is a matter of opinion. The one thing I have learned over time is with the travel of the competitions and physicality of games we play, it is difficult to ask the same people to go over and over again.

"We have tried our best to select teams we think will games. One of the biggest markers as a head coach is getting selection right, but also making sure we can sustain it for a whole season and getting the energy levels right throughout."