Ulster v Ospreys team news: Hume returns for final pre-season test
James Hume returns to Ulster’s starting XV for Friday night’s home pre-season meeting with Ospreys at Affidea Stadium, with Richie Murphy reshuffling both the pack and midfield for the province’s final warm-up before the new United Rugby Championship campaign.
Eduardo Bello starts at tighthead after coming from the bench against Edinburgh, while Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form a new second row. David McCann moves to blindside flanker, Martin Moloney starts at openside and James McNabney is named at number eight. In the backs, Matthew Devine remains at scrum-half, Jack Murphy starts at 10, Jamie Benson moves to inside centre and Hume comes in at 13.
Ulster v Ospreys: match details
- Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Ospreys
- Date: Friday 11 September 2026
- Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
- Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
- Competition: Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly
- Watch: Ulster Rugby Live (£7.50)
For the permanent fixture information and Match Hub, see our Ulster v Ospreys pre-season fixture guide.
Ulster team v Ospreys
Starting XV
- Eric O’Sullivan
- James McCormick
- Eduardo Bello
- Ben Donnell
- Eli Snyman
- David McCann
- Martin Moloney
- James McNabney
- Matthew Devine
- Jack Murphy
- Aitzol Arenzana-King
- Jamie Benson
- James Hume
- Chay Mullins
- Michael Lowry
Replacements
Tom McAllister, Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Daniel Hawkshaw, Ben Carson.
What has changed from Edinburgh?
Hume returns in midfield: Hume comes into the starting side at outside centre, with Benson moving from fly-half to number 12 and Jack Murphy taking over at 10. Daniel Hawkshaw and Ben Carson move to the replacements.
Bello gets the tighthead start: Argentina international Eduardo Bello moves into the starting front row, with Tom McAllister among the replacements. Eric O’Sullivan and James McCormick continue at loosehead and hooker.
A new-look back five of the scrum: Donnell and Snyman start together in the second row, while McCann, Moloney and McNabney make up the back row. Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop and Tom Brigg all move to the bench.
Continuity in the back three: Aitzol Arenzana-King and Chay Mullins remain on the wings, with Michael Lowry again at full-back. Devine also keeps the scrum-half jersey after starting the pre-season win in Edinburgh.
How to watch Ulster v Ospreys
The match kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Friday. Ulster Rugby’s official live streaming service is carrying the Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly for £7.50.
The Ospreys fixture is Ulster’s final pre-season test before the competitive campaign begins at home to Edinburgh on Friday 25 September.