With a top eight finish in Ulster's sights, Richie Murphy's team will look to quickly bounce back from a disappointing weekend in Clermont, where the province's European campaign was ended at the Quarter-Final stage in a tough 53-14 defeat.
The home match this Friday sees a welcome return to Kingspan Stadium in front of the Ulster supporters, having not played in Belfast since the URC Round 11 victory over Dragons at the start of March.
It will be Richie Murphy's first home match in charge of the team since his announcement as interim Head Coach.
Get your tickets!
Help roar the Ulstermen on as we return to Kingspan Stadium under the Friday night lights for some crucial URC action against Cardiff Rugby.
The team have faced four tough away fixtures on the trot, with two Challenge Cup matches in France following an intense South Africa tour that saw two defeats against Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers.
Ulster face a Cardiff team who are searching for their first victory of 2024, after a seven game losing streak in all competitions.
Cardiff have been extremely competitive in recent fixtures against top opposition, with Munster and Connacht edging narrow victories in recent URC Rounds.
In Cardiff's last outing, against Munster at Thomond Park, the away side put in an impressive display, restricting the home side to a penalty score in the first half before taking the lead in the second half after two tries. Munster closed out the win but it was a well-fought game, with the Welsh side showing a steely defence.
Form Guide: (Last three URC fixtures)
Munster 20-15 Cardiff
Glasgow Warriors 17-13 Cardiff
Cardiff 20-33 Leinster
Match Details
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium
📅 Friday 19 April
🕰️ 7.35pm
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 14
📺 BBC Sport NI, ViaPlay, URC.tv
How it stands
Last time out
In Cardiff's last visit to Kingspan Stadium in 2022, Ulster put on an impressive performance in a seven try 48-12 bonus point URC victory.
Wing, Rob Baloucoune, got the home side off to the perfect start, collecting a cross field kick from Billy Burns that bounced lovingly into the Enniskillen man's hands, and he drove inside to finish well.
James Hume also got a memorable score, intercepting a pass on his own 22m line before sprinting clear. Fellow centre, Stuart McCloskey, added a score of his own before the half ended.
Four more were added in the second half, with Nick Timoney, Baloucoune, Aaron Sexton and Tom Stewart crossing the whitewash.
It was a night to remember for both Sexton and Stewart, who celebrated their first tries for the senior team.
You can check out the match report from the night here.
Players to watch
Josh Adams
A destructive, smart winger, Adams is a Welsh international (59 caps) who is one of the most important players for his club and country.
Adams made his international debut in the 2018 Six Nations and has remained a mainstay in the Wales set-up since. Adams started every game of the 2019 Grand Slam-winning Championship campaign and bagged crucial tries against England, Italy and Scotland.
The wing became top try scorer at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, helping Wales to a semi final by crossing the whitewash on seven occasions. Adams is one of the most experienced players in a young Welsh side who showed glimpses of potential during the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.
Cam Winnett
This exciting young full-back is one of the top talents in Welsh rugby who has burst onto the scene over the past season. His fine form at the back for Cardiff caught the eye of fans and Welsh management alike to be one of five uncapped players named in Warren Gatland’s 2024 Wales Six Nations squad. Winnett impressed during the tournament with his speed, kicking and ability under high ball.
Alex Mann
Mann was a talented young centre back with Cardiff City and spent time in their academy before switching back to rugby.
Mann came through the ranks of his hometown club of Aberdare and has progressed with his home region while also representing Wales at Under-18 and Under-19 level. He is one of the few players to have represented Wales at U19 level before U18.
He captained Wales for two seasons at U20 level, he made his debut for the Blue and Blacks off the bench against Harlequins in December 2021.
He scored a try on debut after coming on as a second half replacement against Scotland in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
