The Ospreys have already been on the receiving end of a pumped-up performance when Ulster triumphed 20-16 at the Liberty Stadium earlier in the season.

And McLaughlin is determined his side build on their success against Munster by making it back-to-back victories at Ravenhill.

He said: “We have to make sure we are up for the game, we have to compete and we have to make sure we beat them at Ravenhill.

“We have to go to town with them up front and we have to show that we are more than capable of dealing with them.

“Although we gained victory over Ospreys at the start of the season, we all know not to under estimate them. Ospreys are a dangerous side, who can and do compete at the highest level, we need to ensure we give them nothing to play with.

“It’s vital for our Magners League campaign that we win our home games and build a solid platform from them.”

McLaughlin has named an extended 28-man squad including the likes of Ireland internationals Stephen Ferris and Paddy Wallace who were both feared to have injured themselves in the win over Munster.

Dungannon rookie Ali Birch is also included and could fill the breach in the troublesome back-row area for McLaughlin who will name his match-day squad on Thursday.