Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🗓️ Saturday 25 March<br>
⏰ 7.35pm<br>
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship Round 16<br>
📺 Live on BBC NI, RTÉ, Viaplay and URC.tv
Tickets
Limited tickets are available via the link below.
Officials
Referee: Craig Evans<br>
AR1&2: Andrew Cole, Barry Kieran<br>
TMO: John Mason
### Form Guide:
Both Ulster and the Bulls are right in the mix for securing a top four, or better, spot in the URC standings that would earn an all-important home quarter-final.
Ulster are currently in third position behind the DHL Stormers and Leinster, while the Bulls are occupying sixth place.
With Ulster due to play the final three regular season games at home against Bulls, Dragons (14 Apr) and Edinburgh (21 Apr), their destiny is very much in their own hands.
Team News
Former Bulls player Duane Vermeulen will captain an Ulster team that sees Rob Baloucoune return to action and Kieran Treadwell back from Ireland's Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam success.
For the Bulls, South African internationals Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie are back into the starting XV.
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 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, a Q&A with Duane Vermeulen, 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’s only defeat in their last five first team fixtures was 11-17 to Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun in Round 14 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
· The Ulster men have won all three fixtures they have played against South African opponents this season.
· Ulster have won all seven previous fixtures against South African visitors to Kingspan Stadium in the United Rugby Championship.
· Vodacom Bulls have won only one of their last six United Rugby Championship encounters: 29-14 against Dragons RFC in Newport in Round 12. Bulls only other victory outside of South Africa this season was on a trip to Benetton on 21 October.
· Bulls have faced Irish provinces on seven previous occasions, six of those going with home field advantage, except their 27-26 victory over Leinster in Dublin in last season’s semi-final.
· The two sides have met just once before, in Pretoria last April, with the home side winning 34-16.
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 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.
Family Activity
- For the first time, Bank of Ireland's unique catching challenge will be available for supporters to try, from 6.05-6.45pm at the 3G pitch located behind the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand. Access via Gate A at corner of the Grandstand and Family Stand.
Stadium Bars
- All public bars will be in operation from gates open.
- There will be live music from The Lively Lads 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.
- 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 gin tasting for Lounge guests.
- Drinks can be consumed inside the public bars, within the Fan Zone or in your seats / terrace.
Also on the Pitch
- Around five minutes before kick-off, two contestants will go head-to-head in Bank of Ireland's unique high ball challenge, The Catch.
- At half-time, there will be mini rugby exhibition games from the young players of Civil Service, Newry, Ophir and Donaghadee.
- 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 12-year-old Ollie Patterson from Belfast and 10-year-old Stephen Reilly from Drung, County Cavan.
