Following confirmation of an away friendly game with Exeter Chiefs, Ulster Rugby has today announced that BKT United Rugby Championship opponent, Benetton Rugby, will make the journey to Belfast ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly will see the province face the Treviso-based club, who they most recently faced in Round 15 of the URC and secured a 38-34 victory over – one of a run of four successive recent wins for newly-confirmed Head Coach, Richie Murphy.
Currently sat four points apart in this season’s league, Ulster also faced Treviso in a pre-season friendly at the start of this season, which saw a narrow defeat for the travelling team.
To secure your place at every home fixture for the 2024/25 season, plus avail of a host of additional benefits including the friendly home fixture, book your Season Ticket at ulster.rugby/seasontickets
On news of the fixture’s confirmation, Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment, Bryn Cunningham, said:
“We are looking forward to facing Benetton in this year’s Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly in front of a home crowd.
“It’s an important time of the year to try out what the coaches and players have been working-on throughout the summer months – and with a young squad going into the new season, it will also provide valuable match minutes against opposition who always prove competitive.
“As a club, we feel we are at the beginning of something exciting, and we look forward to our supporters helping us to start next season competitively after what will hopefully be a strong end to the current one.”
George Higginson, Managing Director NI & UK Strategic Partnerships, Bank of Ireland UK, added:
“Bank of Ireland’s commitment to Ulster Rugby has steadily grown since 1997. Through our sponsorship we aim to support the growth and development of the game, building on existing successes and investing at all levels to support future talent.
“The pre-season fixture will offer an exciting glimpse into what we hope will be a successful season for Ulster Rugby.”
Save the Date – Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly
Ulster Rugby versus Benetton Rugby
Saturday 7 September
KO 5pm
Kingspan Stadium
Full ticketing information for the Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly will be released in the coming months.
