Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Scarlets<br>
🗓 Saturday 1 March, 5.15pm <br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 12<br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports and BBC 2 NI
We're celebrating the BKT URC Origin Round!
This Saturday we host our BKT URC Origin Round fixture. Origin Round brings together all URC teams and supporters to celebrate the clubs and volunteers who have played and continue to play a pivotal role in introducing our players, staff, and supporters to the game of rugby throughout the province.
To help to celebrate all rugby clubs throughout Ulster, we're asking supporters to don their club colours at this Saturday's fixture, so get your shirts, hats, coats, and scarves at the ready and show your appreciation for the clubs that have supported your love for rugby.
Officials
Referee: Sam Grove-White<br>
Assistant Referees: Padraic Reidy, Paula Haycock<br>
TMO: Rob McGreer
Team News
James McNabney has returned from the Ireland training camp and starts in the back-row, while 23-year-old Development scrum-half Conor McKee will make his first start for the province.
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 James Hume, Q&A with Scott Wilson, an in-depth look at our opponents, the latest news plus all the usual stats and information on both team
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.
Park & Stride
We 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 and will be operational from 12.30-9pm. The cost is just £5 per car which can be paid by contactless payment on arrival or you can pre-book online.
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 4pm until 90 minutes after the final whistle.
City Centre Shuttle Bus
Free City Centre shuttle buses will also leave from Mount Merrion Avenue after the Park & Ride shuttle services end, approximately 45-60 minutes 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 3.45pm.
- The Cool FM Roadshow will provide the pre-match tunes and fan competitions as supporters warm up for the game.
- Put your rugby skills to the test with the Kingspan Scrum-Half Challenge, and you could win some great prizes, including a Ulster jersey signed by the entire Senior Men's squad.
- 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.
Player Meet & Greet Opportunities:
- 4.15-4.45pm: In the Castore shop.
- 4.15-4.45pm: At the Cool FM Roadshow in the Fan Zone.
- 4.30pm-5.00pm: At the Kingspan Scrum-Half Challenge in the Fan Zone.
- 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.
Ulster Rugby Foundation
- The Ulster Rugby Foundation will be raising funds to support grassroots rugby programmes and inclusive initiatives that make a difference across our community with a match-night raffle this Saturday.
- Our Foundation volunteers will be selling tickets throughout the fan zone with amazing prizes up for grabs, including signed Ulster merchandise and match tickets.
Stadium Bars:
- All public bars open at 3.45pm, with live music in the Clubhouse Bar from Juke Box Jurors before and after the match.
- We have added a covered outdoor bar in the Fan Zone, bringing the number of stadium bars to six.
- 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 two mini rugby exhibition games: Omagh v Ballynahinch at the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End and Virginia v Lurgan at the Nevin Spence Memorial Stand End.
- Also at half-time, an Ulster player will be doing a live interview and tossing mini rugby balls into the crowd at the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand.