But Ubuntu is a supported template - it’s only because of past
stupidity that it’s not included in the Community templates.
You can build Ubuntu templates using Qubes builder - it’s
straightforward, and fully supported.
I make pre-built templates available here:
https://qubes.3isec.org/Templates
On the specific question, current packages cannot be applied to a stock
HVM. It used to work. It doesn’t now.
Because Ubuntu templates are available, and you can also convert a
template based qube to a standalone, (and the packages work there), I
haven’t spent any time investigating.