Ulster confirmed their place in next season's Champions Cup with a 35-17 victory over Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium.

Craig Gilroy scored a try either side of half-time to put Ulster -- who lost Charles Piutau in the warm-up -- in control before Kieran Treadwell and Jacob Stockdale both crossed the whitewash.

Scrum-half John Cooney added 15 points from the kicking tee as the hosts maintained their proud record of having competed in the top tier of European club competition every season since its inception.

Ospreys had garnered 18 fewer points than Ulster during the PRO14 regular season but were granted a place in the playoff for the league's seventh and final Champions Cup place as the Cheetahs are not eligible.

The visitors scored the game's first try through Alun Wyn Jones, while Jeff Hassler and Dan Biggar added second-half scores.

However, Biggar had an afternoon to forget with the boot and he was unable to keep his side in real contention during the second half.