Here is everything you need to know about the game…
### Match Details
- Date: Saturday 11 December 2021
- Kick-Off: 6.30pm local time / 5:30pm UK/Irish time
- Venue: Stade Marcel Michelin
- Competition: Heineken Champions Cup Round 1
- Referees: Ref: Wayne Barnes (England) Assis Ref 1: Hamish Smales (England) Assis Ref 2: Jamie Leahy England) TMO: Tom Foley (England)
- Live TV: BT Sport
### Team News
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣! 📥<br><br>Your team representing Ulster in our first game of the 2021-22 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeinekenChampionsCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HeinekenChampionsCup</a> versus <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMOfficiel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMOfficiel</a> has been named 🤩<br><br>Full story ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/fr4kce0JEb">https://t.co/fr4kce0JEb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASMvULS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASMvULS</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SUFTUM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SUFTUM</a> ⚪️🔴 <a href="https://t.co/qSkHOgyhMU">pic.twitter.com/qSkHOgyhMU</a></p>— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) <a href="https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/1469275786649690118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Our Opposition:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">𝙇𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙤 💛💙<br>📢 Auvergnats, Auvergnates voici votre XV de départ face à l Ulster Rugby <br><br>📍Samedi à 18h30 au <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Michelin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Michelin</a> 🔥<br><br>👉 plus d'infos <a href="https://t.co/h0w1yDU65Z">https://t.co/h0w1yDU65Z</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASMvsULS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASMvsULS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowArmy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowArmy</a> <a href="https://t.co/J2Y51wOrbG">pic.twitter.com/J2Y51wOrbG</a></p>— ASM Rugby (@ASMOfficiel) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMOfficiel/status/1469272756302848003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
### Key Stats
- This will be the seventh clash between Clermont and Ulster in the Heineken Champions Cup, the previous six have all been
pool stage meetings and all won by the home side on the day.
- Clermont have lost their last three home games in a row in the Heineken Champions Cup, their worst ever such run and as
many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 41 home games.
- Ulster have not won an away game in France in the Heineken Champions Cup since January 2016 (v Oyonnax).
### Inside Training | Clermont Preparations
### Exclusive Full Media Briefing | Clermont v Ulster Rugby
Watch the full media briefing with Stuart McCloskey, Dan McFarland and Kieran Treadwell.
### Key Quotes
“Ulster have made great progress over the last two years. They have just finished a cycle with a group of experienced players, and, over the last two years, they’ve established another cycle with a younger group. They’ve really created a collective force, and there’s trust between them. Their style is one where it’s all about the team being the core, rather than the ‘individual X Factor’. So, yes, that’ll be a difficult first match.”
### Upcoming Home Fixtures
The Ulster men have some huge games coming up at Kingspan Stadium, starting with the eagerly anticipated Heineken Champions Cup tie against Northampton Saints on Friday 17 December.
Over the festive period, Ulster will have two home interprovincial derbies against Connacht and Leinster on Boxing Day and New Year's Day respectively.
Then, on Saturday 22 January, French giants ASM Clermont Auvergne are in town for the potentially crucial final Champions Cup pool stage game.