Ulster 45–28 Ospreys

Ulster will head into the new United Rugby Championship campaign with confidence after completing an unbeaten pre-season with an entertaining 45–28 victory over Ospreys at Affidea Stadium.

Photo: Ulster Rugby on X

Seven tries, a hat-trick for Aitzol Arenzana-King and two more from Chay Mullins gave the Belfast crowd plenty to enjoy on Friday night, although a spirited Ospreys fightback after the break ensured Richie Murphy’s side were tested before eventually putting the game to bed.

For a final pre-season fixture, that was probably exactly what Ulster needed.

There were periods of genuinely exciting attacking rugby, particularly during an impressive first half, but there were also enough warning signs to give Murphy and his coaching staff plenty to work on before the serious business begins.

Arenzana-King steals the show

Ulster wasted little time getting into their stride.

James McNabney provided some early power through the middle before Michael Lowry helped create the opening for Arenzana-King, who crossed for the first of what would become a memorable three-try evening.

Ulster quickly struck again through Conor McKee, with Jack Murphy converting to establish an early 14-point advantage.

Ospreys responded through Rhys Davies, but Ulster’s attack continued to cause problems.

Lowry was lively whenever he found space and another flowing Ulster move eventually released Arenzana-King for his second try.

The Welsh visitors weren’t prepared to let Ulster disappear over the horizon and Sam Parry’s score reduced the deficit, but Ulster soon rediscovered their momentum.

David McCann was rewarded for an energetic performance with Ulster’s fourth try before Arenzana-King completed his hat-trick before the interval.

The young winger’s finishing was one of the biggest positives of the night. Three tries in the final warm-up match is certainly one way to make sure the coaches remember your name when competitive selection begins.

Ulster went into half-time firmly in control at 31–14.

Mullins joins the party

The home side continued where they had left off after the restart.

This time it was Chay Mullins who found his way over the line, with Jack Murphy’s conversion stretching Ulster’s advantage to 38–14.

At that stage, it looked as though the scoreline could become considerably more comfortable.

But this was pre-season, and the inevitable wave of substitutions changed the rhythm of the contest.

Ospreys began to find more space and enjoyed greater success at scrum time. Luke Morgan crossed before Evardi Boshoff capitalised on a loose Ulster pass, suddenly reducing what had been a commanding advantage to just ten points at 38–28.

It was a useful reminder for Ulster that switching off against stronger opposition in the URC will be punished.

The hosts eventually regained some control and Mullins provided the final flourish, crossing for his second try before Jake Flannery converted to complete the scoring at 45–28.

Plenty to like – but plenty still to improve

Nobody should read too much into a pre-season result, but there was plenty here for Ulster supporters to enjoy.

Arenzana-King’s hat-trick will understandably attract the headlines, while Mullins’ two tries demonstrated the threat Ulster possessed on both wings.

Lowry looked dangerous, McCann was heavily involved and McNabney again showed the kind of physicality that could make him increasingly important this season. Jamie Benson also produced encouraging moments in an Ulster backline that looked particularly sharp during the opening 40 minutes.

Perhaps the biggest positive was the willingness to attack.

When Ulster moved the ball quickly and got runners into space, Ospreys struggled to contain them. Seven tries against a side preparing for the same URC campaign is certainly not something to dismiss simply because there were no league points at stake.

There were concerns too.

The second-half drop in intensity, coupled with Ospreys gaining the upper hand at the scrum, demonstrated that Ulster remain a work in progress. The large number of replacements obviously disrupted the contest, but protecting leads and maintaining control when momentum changes will become considerably more important once the competitive season starts.

McNabney appearing to leave the action with some discomfort will also be something Ulster supporters hope proves insignificant.

Our view

Pre-season victories don’t win trophies, but winning is still a useful habit.

Ulster have now beaten Edinburgh away and Ospreys at home, completing their warm-up programme with two victories and, importantly, producing stretches of rugby that suggest there is real attacking potential in this squad.

The first half against Ospreys was particularly encouraging.

There was pace, ambition and support running, and Ulster looked dangerous when they attacked from different areas rather than simply trying to overpower the opposition.

The second half arguably provided something equally valuable: a warning.

Ospreys showed how quickly a comfortable advantage can disappear when possession becomes loose and control at the set piece begins to slip.

Richie Murphy therefore gets the best of both worlds from the evening – a convincing victory and plenty of footage showing exactly what still needs tightening up.

Now the scoreboard begins to matter.

Ulster’s next match is the real thing, with Edinburgh visiting Affidea Stadium on Friday, 25 September for the opening round of the United Rugby Championship.

After an unbeaten pre-season and seven tries under the Belfast lights, Ulster have given supporters reason to look forward to it.

Final score: Ulster 45–28 Ospreys

Ulster tries: Aitzol Arenzana-King (3), Chay Mullins (2), Conor McKee, David McCann.

Love Belfast will be following Ulster throughout the new season.

For every Ulster game this season, with kick-off times and scores, see our Ulster Rugby fixtures and results 2026/27 guide.