Fixture News

Match Day Guide | Ulster v Munster

1st January 2023
2023/24 Ulster Rugby Season Ticket sales will close at 5pm this Thursday 9 November.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…

Match Details

🤝 Ulster Rugby v Munster Rugby<br>
🗓 Sunday 1 January, 5.15pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship Round 11<br>
📺 Live on Viaplay, TG4 & URC TV

Tickets

This fixture is now officially SOLD OUT.

Officials

Referee: Andrew Brace<br>
AR: Andrew Cole, Paul Haycock<br>
TMO: Joy Neville

Team News

Munster Team:

(15-9): Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Keith Earls; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson;

(1-8): Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Kiran McDonald; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Cian Hurley, Jack O’Sullivan, Conor Murray, Ben Healy, Patrick Campbell.

Digital Match Programme

Did you know?

• Ulster’s only defeat in their last six United Rugby Championship fixtures at Kingspan Stadium was 13-20 to Leinster in September.

• Munster’s two game winning run in the BKT United Rugby Championship ended with their narrow 19-20 home defeat to Leinster on Boxing Day.

• The Munster men have won their last two away games, at Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship and at Northampton in the European Champions Cup and have not won three in succession on their travels since October 2021.

• Munster have won just one of their last seven fixtures against fellow Irish provinces: 24-17 at home to Connacht at the end of November.

• Ulster have won their last two matches against Munster and have not won three in succession against them since 2009.

• Munster’s only victory in their last six visits to Belfast was 24-17 in April.

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

A free Park & Ride bus will operate continually from 3.15pm 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 3.15pm.

What's on at Kingspan Stadium

Fan Zone

  • The Kingspan Stadium Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open at 3.15pm.
  • Pick up your free flags 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.
  • Keep an eye out for the Britvic giveaway in the fan zone before the game, as their promo team will be handing out samples of their Energise Glucose energy drink & Club Loaded.
  • The Kukri Store will be open from gates open until 30 minutes post-match.
  • The Food Village, Kukri Store and public bars only accept contactless payments.
  • 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.

Horatio's Garden Fundraising Support

  • Ulster Rugby's official charity, Horatio's Garden, will be doing a bucket collection to support fundraising efforts to build a therapeutic garden for spinal injury patients at Musgrave Park Hospital.
  • You can also text donate £5 by texting RUCK to 70450, and all donations made today will be doubled.

Stadium Bars

  • All public bars will be in operation from gates open.
  • Winter warmer mulled wine will be served in the Clubhouse Bar, Spirit of '99 Lounge and A&L Goodbody Lounge.
  • There will be live entertainment from David Wright 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 in the Grandstand will be open with music from local artist Alex Hall. 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. Fairly Local 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

  • Prior to kick-off, there will be a moment's silence to acknowledge the recent passing of former Ulster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions player Ronnie Lamont.
  • At half-time, there will be girls rugby exhibition games from the young players of Armagh, Larne, Letterkenny and Limavady.
  • 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 two brothers from Ballyclare - 7 year old Charlie and 10 year old Lenny Moutray.