Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🤝 Ulster Rugby v DHL Stormers<br>
🗓 Friday 27 January, 7.35pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship Round 13<br>
📺 Live on BBC NI & Viaplay
Tickets
Limited tickets are available via the link below.
Officials
Referee: Mike Adamson<br>
AR: Andrew Cole, Paul Haycock<br>
TMO: Andrew McMenemy
### Form Guide:
The Stormers head into the match on the back of two wins in the Heineken Champions Cup, beating London Irish away 14-28 and backing that up with a 30-16 home victory against ASM Clermont Auvergne last weekend.
The South African team currently sit second in the URC table and will be looking to close the gap on Leinster at the summit.
Ulster will be aiming take forward momentum from Saturday's crucial Heineken Champions Cup victory against Sale Sharks into the URC this week.
Ulster sit in fourth position in the URC table and will seek to potentially leapfrog the Vodacom Bulls into third place with a win.
Team News
There are just three changes to the Ulster team from last week's victory over Sale Sharks, with Eric O'Sullivan, Ben Moxham and Stewart Moore all coming into the starting XV.
Both the Ulster and Stormers match day squads can be viewed in our match programme below 👇
Digital Match Programme
Our official digital match programme includes an exclusive interview with Tom Stewart, a Q&A with Dan McFarland, 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?
• Ulster have won all six home games they have played against South African opponents in the Championship.
• DHL Stormers five game winning run in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship ended with their 17-24 defeat at Glasgow in Round 12.
• Stormers have not won outside of South Africa in the Championship since their trip to Zebre in early October.
• The South Africans have won their last four fixtures against Irish provinces.
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 6.05pm 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 & Exiting the Stadium
Turnstiles will be open from 6.05pm.
What's on at Kingspan Stadium
Fan Zone
- The Kingspan Stadium Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open at 6.05pm.
- Pick up your free Ulster flag at the turnstiles 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 new Kingspan 'Try-Cycle' challenge - see how many metres you can make in one minute and try to earn your place on the leaderboard!
- 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.
Stadium Bars
- All public bars will be in operation from gates open.
- There will be live music from The Untouchables with Brian Griffen & Jamie Brown in the Clubhouse Bar both pre and post-match.
- Members of the Ulster squad will be in the Heineken Quarter Bar from 6.45-7.15pm to meet-and-greet supporters.
- The 1924 Bar in the Grandstand will be open for pass holders only. Light food provided by The Yellow Door will be available.
- The newly refurbished Spirit of '99 Lounge will be open with music from local artist Dan Mulligan. Admission is for pass holders only and it is sold out for this fixture.
- Gourmet burgers will be served by Yellow Door in the A&L Goodbody Lounge in the Premium Stand. The String Ninjas will be providing the live entertainment in the A&L Goodbody Lounge, and there will also be complimentary cocktail tasting for Lounge guests.
- Local artist Adam Skinner will be showcasing some of his artwork in the Corporate Boxes and A&L Goodbody Lounge. Adam is a Belfast based artist who studied at Belfast School of Art. Adam focuses on portraits and figures which he conveys vividly through various avenues of paint application. More info at adamskinnerart.co.uk.
- 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 young players of Finn Valley, Monaghan, City of Derry and Lurgan.
- Also at half-time, an Ulster player will be doing a live interview on the pitch before helping Sparky and Abbey to throw signed rugby balls into the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand, so get ready to catch and see which player has signed yours!
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 Nathan from Tandragee and 12-year-old Conor from Lisburn.
