Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Bulls<br>
🗓️ Sunday 29 October<br>
⏰ 5.00pm<br>
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship Round 2<br>
📺 Live on BBC NI, Viaplay & TG4
Tickets
Tickets are still available. Note that tickets must be purchased in advance and can not be purchased at the gate.
Officials
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi<br>
AR1&2: Andrew Cole, Robbie Jenkinson<br>
TMO: Stefano Roscini
What's at stake?
Though we are only into the second round of the new URC season, both Ulster and the Bulls will be keen to maintain winning form as both recorded bonus point wins in round one.
The Ulster men edged Zebre Parma 36-40 in Italy and the Bulls emphatically beat Scarlets 63-21 in Pretoria.
Team News
Tom O'Toole, Rob Baloucune and Billy Burns are among those returning to the Ulster starting XV.
There will be a familiar face leading out the opposition as former Ulster fan favourite Marcell Coetzee returns to Belfast as captain of the Bulls.
Both the Ulster and Bulls match day squads can be viewed in our match programme below 👇
Digital Match Programme
Our official digital match programme includes an exclusive interview with Dave Ewers who will make his first appearance at Kingspan Stadium, a Q&A with Kieran Treadwell, an in-depth look at our opponents, plus all the usual latest news, stats and information on both teams.
View it for FREE here:
Did you know?
• The home side has always won this fixture. The Bulls have played Irish provinces in Ireland five times, only winning once.
• Ulster scored more maul tries than any other team last season (16). When they won, they averaged a maul try per match and 27.9 maul metres, compared to 0.5 maul tries and 18.3 maul metres when they lost.
• When Ulster won last season, they made an average of 11.9 more carries per 80 minutes and 100.8 more carry metres.
• The Bulls made the most post contact metres in Round 1 (216), but Ulster conceded the fewest contact metres per carry last weekend (0.57).
• The Bulls made the most lineout steals in Round 1 (three).
Download the official Ulster Rugby app
Whether you are at Kingspan Stadium or following along from home, the official Ulster Rugby mobile app delivers the most immersive live match stats straight to your hand.
You can also enable push notifications so you never miss a score!
Getting to Kingspan Stadium
A free Park & Ride bus will operate continually from 90 minutes prior to kick-off from Pirrie Park (alight at Onslow Parade) and Montgomery Road (alight at Mount Merrion Avenue). These will return from the same locations after final whistle.
Free City Centre shuttle buses will also leave from Mount Merrion Avenue after the game and up to one hour after full-time.
Translink will be operating Rugby Special buses, traveling to and from the Europa Buscentre. For more information, visit translink.co.uk/ulsterrugby.
A new secure match day parking facility at Belfast Metropolitan College Castlereagh campus has also been introduced, which is just a 10 minute walk from the Mount Merrion Avenue entrance to the stadium. The cost is £5 per car which can be paid by contactless payment on arrival.
Entering the Stadium
Turnstiles will be open from 3.30pm.
See below details of our Digital Ticketing Guide.
Kingspan Stadium now features contactless ticket entry for enhanced security and quick access.
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) October 29, 2023
Simply save your digital ticket into your phone wallet and present it at the contactless reader at the turnstile.
More info 👇https://t.co/KPqUxq0Rx6 pic.twitter.com/VFWpR4iRpM
What else is on at Kingspan Stadium
Fan Zone
- The Kingspan Stadium Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open at 3.30pm.
- Look out for our Welcome Team, pick up your free Ulster flag and make some noise for the Ulster men!
- The Cool FM Crew will provide the pre-match soundtrack as supporters warm up for the game.
- Check out the Kingspan 'Try-Cycle' challenge - see how many metres you can make in one minute and try to earn your place on the leaderboard. There are some fantastic prizes to be won.
- The Kukri Store will be open from gates open until 30 minutes post-match.
- Our team mascot Sparky will be in position around the stadium bowl.
- Audio descriptive match commentary earpieces to enhance the match experience for people affected by sight or hearing loss will be available from the Admin Building reception.
- The Food Village, Kukri Store and public bars only accept contactless payments.
Halloween Activity
- Sunday's game will be our annual Halloween fixture, with lots of Halloween themed fun planned. The Nevin Spence Centre will host a range of Halloween-themed games and face painters. In the Fan Zone there will also be Halloween characters roaming around, as well as Logy the Fire Performer!
Stadium Bars
- All public bars will be in operation from gates open.
- There will be live music from The Steve Watters Duo in the Clubhouse Bar both pre and post-match.
- Drinks can be consumed inside the public bars, within the Fan Zone or in your seats / terrace.
Also on the Pitch
- At half-time, there will be mini rugby exhibition games from the players of Holywood, Bangor, Academy and Malone.
- Also at half-time, an Ulster player will be doing a live interview at the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand, and will be tossing mini rugby balls into the crowd.
Post-Match
- Members of the playing squad will meet supporters, sign autographs and pose for photos outside the player’s entrance at the back of the Grandstand, from approximately 15 minutes after full-time.
Official Mascots
The official match mascots will be 11 year old Niall Smyth from Aghagallon and 10 year old Noah Teggart.
