Luke Marshall continued his impressive form from the start of the season by scoring two tries as Ulster dominated an under-strength Ospreys in Belfast.
Marshall has been hitting the ground running since returning from injury and he crossed at either end of the first half to help Ulster lift to second in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Sam Carter also used a brace with John Andrew, Stuart McCloskey and substitute Marcus Rea also crossing in the rout at seven tries.
Marshall and McCloskey’s midfield partnership continues to pay off, with the former’s running lines and trouble-shooting work to the latter’s strong carrying and offloading ability proving a formidable combination. Quick-footed Michael Lowry was a constant threat while Springbok Duane Vermeulen worked hard on his return to Ulster colours.
The Ospreys arrived without seven Welsh internationals, whose minutes are being managed ahead of next month’s Autumn Test, and they were forced into two late changes after captain Dan Lydiate and running back Stephen Myler were both ruled out once. hour before kick-off.
Things got even worse two minutes after kick-off when prop Gareth Thomas, who was making his 100th appearance for the club, also left injured.
Ulster have not lost successive league matches at Kingspan Stadium since December 2010 and a strong start ensured that run continued.
The patched-up Ospreys started nervously, with half-back Jack Walsh deflecting a kick into touch after a misplaced pass in their own 22, and those errors were made up for by Ulster.
With Centurion Thomas injured, Ian Madigan sent Marshall charging through a hole in the Ospreys defense to land within two minutes, John Cooney converting.
They doubled their advantage within eight minutes when a superb kick chase and tackle from Marty Moore, and a Jackal from Marshall, put Ulster within goal range. Andrew was in the back of a driving maul to score his second try in as many games.
Moore left soon after for an HIA and did not return. The Ospreys fought back through Jac Morgan, who was aided by three teammates as he burst in from close range.
Nick Timoney had a try scored by TMO, who ruled he failed to put the ball on the ground after charging down the line with three defenders for company, but Ulster didn’t have to long wait for a third try.
Andrew, McCloskey and Timoney combined a lineout and after a series of pick and drives, Carter fought his way between the posts.
Walsh replied with a penalty for the Ospreys after Eric O’Sullivan lost his link in a scrum, but they let a fourth down slip away in the 34th minute when a McCloskey-branded carry sucked the defenders in and Marshall ran a great line to take Cooney’s pass and score his third of the season.
Ulster were forced into a half-time change after Ian Madigan left with a suspected knee injury following a friendly shot with Carter, but they extended their lead within two minutes of the reboot.
Madigan’s replacement Billy Burns found the electric Michael Lowry on the left, who engaged Luke Morgan before unloading on the unmarked McCloskey.
A series of changes disrupted the flow of play, with Burns also forced off on the hour mark, but Ulster crossed twice more in the final quarter, with Carter and substitute Marcus Rea both crossing at close range, while Morgan Morris scored a late consolation for the visitors.
Dan McFarland’s side travel to South Africa next week for back-to-back games against the in-form Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle; Ian Madigan, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Marty Moore; Alan O’Connor (captain), Sam Carter; Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Tom O’Toole for Moore (12), Billy Burns for Madigan (ht), Aaron Sexton for McCloskey (44), Frank Bradshaw-Ryan for O’Connor (53), Andrew Warick for O’Sullivan (53), Marcus Rea for Vermeulen (62), Dave Shanahan for Burns (62), Declan Moore for Andrew (79).
Ospreys: Max Nagy; Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Michael Collins, Keelan Giles; Jack Walsh, Ruben Morgan Williams; Gareth Thomas, Lake Dewi, Tom Botha; Rhys Davies, Huw Sutton; Will Griffiths (captain), Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Nicky Smith for Thomas (3), Jack Regan for Griffiths (53), Scott Baldwin for Lake (62), Rhys Henry for Botha (62), Joe Hawkins for Collins (62), Cai Evans for Nagy (62), Harris Deaves for Morgan (66), Rhys Webb for Giles (71).
Arbitrator: Ben Blain (SRU).
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