Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Dragons<br>
🗓️ Friday 14 April<br>
⏰ 7.35pm<br>
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship Round 17<br>
📺 Live on Viaplay
Tickets
Limited tickets are available via the link below.
Officials
Referee: Ben Blain<br>
AR1&2: Eoghan Cross, Padraic Reidy<br>
TMO: Andrew McMenemy
Race to the URC Play-offs
The Ulster men go into Friday's game sitting third in the URC standings and already guaranteed a top four spot - and therefore a home quarter-final on the weekend of 5/6 May. However, they will be continuing to push for a top two spot that would secure home advantage through to the semi-finals.
Second place is currently occupied by the DHL Stormers, just two points ahead of Ulster, who will be hoping interprovincial counterparts Munster will do them a favour when they take on the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
Ulster are also at home in the final regular season round, when they will take on Edinburgh at Kingspan Stadium on Friday 21 April.
The outlook is somewhat different for the Dragons, who are languishing second from bottom of the championship with just three wins from 16 outings. Dan McFarland's troops will still want to avoid complacency against a side that has plenty of international experience among their ranks.
Team News
Scrum-half John Cooney returns to a strong looking Ulster XV, which will be captained by Alan O'Connor.
Both the Ulster and Dragons match day squads can be viewed in our match programme below 👇
Digital Match Programme
Our official digital match programme includes an exclusive interview with Stewart Moore who is set to earn his 50th cap tonight, a Q&A with Craig Gilroy, 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 Rugby have won their last three BKT United Rugby Championship matches since their 11-17 reversal to Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun on 17 February.
· The Ulstermen have lost just twice at Kingspan Stadium in the Championship this season, to Leinster in September and to Munster on New Year's Day.
· Ulster have won their last six fixtures against Welsh regions since their 13-19 defeat to Ospreys in Swansea in December 2021.
· Dragons RFC have slipped to nine straight defeats in the BKT United Rugby Championship since beating Zebre Parma 47-7 at Rodney Parade on 29 October.
· Dragons only victory away from home in any competition this season was 21-15 at Pau in the European Challenge Cup on 13 January.
· Dragons record against Irish opponents this season is won one, lost two.
· Ulster have won their last six matches against Dragons since the 32-all draw at Rodney Parade in December 2017, whilst Dragons most recent success over the Ulstermen was 22-9 in Newport in September 2011.
· Dragons have not been successful at Kingspan Stadium since a 16-14 win in September 2008.
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.
Celebrating Ireland's Grand Slam Heroes
After Ireland's incredible Six Nations success last month, the men's Six Nations trophy, Triple Crown and U20 Six Nations trophies will be at Kingspan Stadium tonight.
Supporters can get their photograph taken with the trophies in the Heineken Quarter Bar from 6.05pm until 7pm.
Around five minutes prior to kick-off, some of Ulster's international heroes will be welcomed on to the pitch for the home support to show their appreciation.
Find a lucky spud and win!
Thanks to our partners at Tayto, up to 200 lucky supporters will take home a prize tonight, including a top prize of £500!
To win a prize, simply pick up one of the 200 numbered potatoes placed throughout Kingspan Stadium - from gates open at 6.05pm until the end of half-time interval - and take it to the Tayto promotional kiosk in the Fan Zone. Your potato number will then be checked and you will win the prize associated with that number.
Among the prizes are the top prize of £500, a signed Ulster Rugby shirt, Tayto branded merchandise and Tayto crisps / snacks.
What else is 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.
Family Activity
- Bank of Ireland's unique catching challenge will be available for supporters to try, from 6.05-7.35pm 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 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
- At half-time, there will be disability rugby exhibition games from the players of Ballymena Bears, Donaghadee Sharkies and Portadown Panthers.
- 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 10-year-old Harley Davis from Belfast and 12-year-old Riley Hoy from Ballymena.
