Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Ospreys<br>
🗓 Friday 18 October, 7.35pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏉 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 5<br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports<br>
🔓 Gates open at 6.05pm
Tickets
Click the link below to secure your seats and join us for an unforgettable night of rugby!
Officials
Referee: Andrea Piardi<br>
Assistant Referees: Andrew Cole, Andrew Fogarty<br>
TMO: Matteo Liperini
Team News
Head Coach Richie Murphy has included Stuart McCloskey in the starting XV. Cormac Izuchukwu and Harry Sheridan also return from Emerging Ireland duty and will both start the game.
View both match day squads in the official digital match programme below 👇
Digital Match Programme
Our official digital match programme includes an exclusive interview with Alan O'Connor, who racked up his 200th Ulster cap last weekend, an in-depth look at our opponents, the latest news plus all the usual stats and information on both teams.
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!
» Download from the Apple App Store
» Download from the Google Play Store
Getting to Kingspan Stadium
Kingspan Stadium is located in a residential area with parking restrictions and road closures in the immediate area on match-day.
Please do not park in the streets around the stadium, which are required for safe egress and emergency vehicles. Illegal parking will result in ticket fines.
Free Park & Ride
A free of charge Park & Ride service is provided on match days by Ulster Rugby, operated by Translink, located at Pirrie Park (Methodist College Playing Fields car park) on the Ravenhill Road side of the stadium and also along Montgomery Road (opposite Podium for Sport) on the Mount Merrion side of the stadium. There are plenty of car parking spaces available and free buses run constantly along these routes from 90 minutes prior to the game until 90 minutes after the final whistle.
Park & Stride
We also have a secure match day parking facility at Belfast Metropolitan College Castlereagh campus, which is a 10 minute walk from the Mount Merrion Avenue entrance to the stadium. The cost is just £5 per car which can be paid by contactless payment on arrival or you can pre-book online.
City Centre Shuttle Bus
Free City Centre shuttle buses will also leave from Mount Merrion Avenue after the game and up to one hour after full-time.
Public & Special Event Bus
Translink will be operating Rugby Special buses, traveling to and from the Belfast Grand Central Station. For more information, visit www.translink.co.uk/ulsterrugby.
At the Stadium
FAN ZONE:
- The Kingspan Stadium Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open at 6.05pm.
- Look out for our Welcome Team, pick up your NEW 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.
- We'll also have an inflatable rugby darts fun game, so make sure to give that a go.
- Keep an eye out for several street artist performers who will amaze you with their unique talents!
- The Castore Store will be open from gates open until 30 minutes post-match.
- Our team mascot Sparky will be in position around the stadium bowl.
- The Food Village, Castore Shop and public bars only accept contactless payments.
- 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 up for grabs.
PASSING CHALLENGE:
- On the Aquinas 3G pitch - which can be accessed via the corner of Grandstand and Family Stand - we will have the Kingspan Passing Challenge in operation. This fun challenge is open for all ages and abilities to test your passing skills or pick up some tips from Ulster Rugby players and coaches.
ULSTER RUGBY FOUNDATION
- You can support the work of the Ulster Rugby Foundation by purchasing a raffle ticket from Foundation volunteers who will be around the stadium. The draw will be made at half-time with fantastic prizes including a signed Ulster jersey and match tickets.
SPAR GIVEAWAY
- Thanks to our partners at Spar, several lucky supporters will be taking home some prizes on Friday night. Take a look under your seat or along the terraces for a golden envelope - if you find one, take it to the Spar pop-up stand at the corner of the Memorial Arch to redeem your prize!
PLAYER MEET & GREET OPPORTUNITY
- 15 mins after full-time: Members of the playing squad will meet supporters, sign autographs and post for photos outside the players entrance at the back of the Grandstand.
STADIUM BARS:
- All public bars open at 6.05pm, with live music in the Clubhouse Bar from The Untouchables before and after the match.
- We have added a new express bar in the Fan Zone serving pints only, bringing the number of stadium bars to six.
ALSO ON THE PITCH:
- At half-time, there will be disability rugby exhibition games from the players of Portadown, Ballymena and Donaghadee.
- In the middle of the pitch, we are delighted to be welcoming the Ulster U18 Boys team who recently won the U18 Schools Interprovincial Championship. Get ready to show your appreciation for them!
- Also at half-time, an Ulster player will be tossing mini rugby balls into the crowd at the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand.