Richie Murphy's Ulster side will be aiming to get a first win of the Champions Cup campaign against a strong Leicester Tigers side.
After two tough opening defeats against the reigning champions, Toulouse, and fellow TOP14 high-flyers, Bordeaux, Ulster will look to go one better against the Gallagher Premiership side this weekend.
After a well-earned victory against Connacht in the BKT United Rugby Championship with a much-depleted backline, Ulster look to take the confidence boost into the clash this weekend.
Michael Cheika's Leicester Tigers go into the weekend hoping to make it back-to-back home victories in the competition, after they put the Hollywoodbets Sharks to the sword with a 56-17 Round 2 win.
That victory sent the Tigers to third position in Pool 1.
They also are going into the fixture in a confident mood, after victory last weekend against Exeter Chiefs, winning a competitive encounter by 28-15 and leaving them in fourth spot in the Premiership league table.
With a host of big name international players in the side such as Springbok World-Cup winner, Handre Pollard, and Argentine captain, Julián Montoya, the Tigers will be a tough test for the Ulstermen.
How things stand - Pool 1
Match Details
🤝 Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby <br>
🗓 Saturday 11th January, 8pm<br>
🏟 Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium <br>
🏉 Investec Champions Cup <br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports, BBC Sounds
Last time out
Ulster's last trip to Welford Road ended in a thrilling 33-24 defeat in the EPCR Challenge Cup Semi- Finals.
The Tigers would go on to be edged by a point by Montpellier in the final.
Ulster had the lead going into half-time after tries from Billy Burns and Iain Henderson with a John Cooney penalty gave Ulster a scoreline of 6-17 at HT.
The Tigers came out strong for the second half and scored minutes in through a converted try from Jasper Wiese. A George Ford penalty then brought it to within a point at 16-17.
Tigers then took the lead, after prop, Ellis Genge, went over, with the conversion taking it to 23-17.
Ford then added another three with a drop goal to take the scoreline beyond a converted try.
Nick Timoney would add Ulster's third score, making the last few minutes a close fight but the Tigers saw the game out with a late score through Guy Porter to see out the contest at 33-24 and book their place in the Challenge Cup final.
You can read the match report from the semi-final here.
Players to watch
Freddie Steward: The England international full-back has over 30 caps at the age of 24 years-old, showing how much experience he has for his young age. Steward is known for his strong ability under the high ball. He has been named the Rugby Player Association's England Men's Player of the Year twice and is a consistent performer for the Tigers.
Handré Pollard:
The Springbok ten is one of the key reasons Rassie Eramus's South Africa team completed two consecutive Rugby World Cup victories. Pollard was the 2019 Rugby World Cup's leading points scorer and more recently, he scored all of South Africa's points in the 2023 final against New Zealand.
A clinical kicker and a smart reader of the game, Pollard is a player who can be relied upon in extreme pressure moments.
Tommy Reffell:
The Welsh international forward is a vital member of the back-row for both club and country. Reffell is a work-horse at flanker, and is known for making crucial turnovers and tackles in his defensive work.
