Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🤝 Ulster Rugby v Sale Sharks<br>
🗓 Saturday 21 January, 8pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 Heineken Champions Cup Round 4<br>
📺 Live on BT Sport
Tickets
Several sections of the stadium are now sold out. Remaining tickets are available via the link below.
Officials
Referee: Pierre Brousset<br>
AR: Vincent Blasco Baqué, Flavien Hourquet<br>
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
### What's at Stake:
With both Ulster and Sale presently sitting just outside the top eight in Pool B, the Ulster men will be hoping that a home win, along with favourable results in the fixtures involving Montpellier and ASM Clermont Auvergne, would secure a place in the knockout stages of European rugby’s premier club competition for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
The stakes are similarly high for the Sharks, who will be aiming to extend a European run alongside an excellent domestic campaign that sees them currently placed second in the Gallagher English Premiership.
Team News
Stuart McCloskey returns to the Ulster team, which will be captained by Alan O'Connor in the absence of Iain Henderson.
Both the Ulster and Sale match day squads can be viewed in our match programme below 👇
Digital Match Programme
Our official digital match programme includes an exclusive interview with Jacob Stockdale, Q&As with Harry Sheridan and Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 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?
• Andrew Warwick and John Andrew have both made a competition-high six guard tackles.
• Jonny Hill has missed more tackles than any other player in the competition (nine).
• Gus Warr is the only player in the tournament to have kicked two 50/22s.
• Rob du Preez has made five break assists with his passing, as many as any other player in the competition (equal to Stade Toulousain’s Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack).
Player to watch: Robert du Preez
One of the key players in the Sharks team, South African fly-half du Preez is the top scorer in the Gallagher Premiership with 133 points and recently was awarded the league’s player of the month award for December. He is known for his kicking accuracy and has recently been in try scoring form.
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 6.00pm 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 6.00pm.
What's on at Kingspan Stadium
Fan Zone
- The Kingspan Stadium Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open at 6.00pm.
- 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.
- Grab a free Heineken 0.0 sample from the Heineken team at the pop-up stall opposite the Heineken Quarter bar before kick-off.
- Our resident trumpeter and 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 with live music in the Clubhouse Bar both pre and post-match.
- 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.
- Drinks can be consumed inside the public bars, within the Fan Zone or in your seats / terrace.
Also on the Pitch
- Around 10 minutes prior to kick-off, 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!
- At half-time, there will be mini rugby exhibition games from the young players of City of Armagh, Strabane, Omagh and Ballymoney.
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 8-year-old Sonny from Newtownards and 9-year-old Micah from Dromore.
