Saturday's return to action marks the first time the team has played a pre-season friendly at Kingspan Stadium since September 2022, when Exeter Chiefs came to Belfast.
With an exciting squad, who finished last season with strong momentum in securing Champions Cup rugby, Murphy and his staff will be looking to Saturday's match as an important opportunity to further preparations for the new season, which kicks off later this month against Glasgow Warriors at home.
It is sure to be a strong challenge for Ulster and a chance for Ulster supporters to see the team in action before the season curtain-raiser later this month.
Tickets for this Saturday are available now at ulster.rugby/buytickets or by using the link below. Tickets are priced from £15 for Adults and £10 for Juniors. The friendly is included as part of our 2024/25 Season Ticket packages.
Where to watch
Can't make it to the game? This weekend's match will be available to watch on Ulster Rugby Live.
With live match day commentary, the game can be streamed from £7.50.
Our opposition
Benetton go into the new campaign on the back of a season where the Italians established themselves as a strong side in the United Rugby Championship, finishing 7th in the table.
Head Coach Marco Bortolami boasts a number of Italian internationals in his squad as well as new additions to the team such as Louis Lynagh and Matt Gallagher, who joined from Harlequins and Bath respectively.
Los Pumas scrum-half, Lautaro Bazán Vélez, has also made the move to Benetton for the new season.
The newcomers join a strong squad that boasts the Italian captain, Michele Lamaro, and exciting centre, Thommaso Menoncello, who was the 2024 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Tournament.
Last time out
The previous encounter between both sides was earlier this year in Belfast, where Ulster edged an exciting contest to win by 38-34 in the URC.
Both sides scored five tries a piece, in the thrilling contest, with Tom Stewart, Reuben Crothers, Jacob Stockdale, Will Addison and Cormac Izuchukwu scoring tries for the home side.
For both Crothers and Izuchukwu, it was a first try in an Ulster jersey for the young talents.
Ulster's accuracy from the tee and the boot of Player of the Match, John Cooney, provided the winning margins on the scoreline.
Team News
Follow our social media channels and website for our team announcement on Friday at 12pm.