After making it two wins from the opening two fixtures so far this season, Dan McFarland's men face another tough battle this week, as they prepare for the first interprovincial match of the season against Connacht Rugby.
Ulster go into the match week with confidence, after a battling 26-19 victory at Kingspan Stadium over Vodacom Bulls. The match marked the first time Ulster had played at home in front of the home crowd and the first match played on the new 3G pitch surface.
The Ulstermen will play on a similar surface in this fixture, with Connacht also playing on a synthetic pitch at the Sportsground Stadium.
The Westerners have also made a strong start to the campaign under their new Head Coach, Pete Wilkins, sitting with Ulster on nine points, after two tough wins against Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors.
Both matches were won by the same score of 34-26.
Both sides will relish the chance to contest each other, after both sides beat one another away from home in last season's campaign.
Ulster's squad have spoken about how the hurt of last May's narrow defeat in the BKT URC Play-Off Quarter-Final drove them on in pre-season training as they seek to kick on.
Both sides will be without their Ireland internationals for the clash, with Connacht's key men, Mack Hansen and World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, Bundee Aki, still having time off after Ireland's Quarter-Final exit against New Zealand.
Match Details
📅 Saturday 4 November
⏰ 7.35pm
🏟️ Sportsground Stadium
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 3
📺 TG4, Viaplay and URC.tv
Last Time Out
Ulster's last trip to the Sportsground Stadium was a successful visit to Galway, with Dan McFarland's side edging a tight 20-22 victory in horrible, wet conditions.
Former Ulster winger, Rob Lyttle, got the province up and running with a great finish in the first half.
The second half got off to a great start for the away side as two Tom Stewart maul tries sent the Ulstermen into a 3-19 lead, only for Connacht to claw their way back into the contest with two tries from Caolin Blade and Jarred Butler.
Winger Adam Byrne managed to break down Ulster's rearguard with the clock in the red, but with everything riding on the conversion, Connacht captain Jack Carty's miss from the kick meant Ulster travelled back up to Belfast with a win on the road.
Players to watch
With Ireland internationals out, Connacht have shown the strength in their young talent with some exciting players coming to the fore with the key absences.
With Mack Hansen out, the name on every Westerner fan's lips is 23 year- old, Diarmuid Kilgallen, after the strong winger scored two impressive tries against Glasgow.
Kilgallen's first try at the weekend was one to savour, as he showed excellent anticipation to gather the ball after Caolin Blade's cross kick.
Another young player, Cathal Forde, has also shown plenty of talent, with his versatility proving to be a real strength in the 21-year-old's locker. Forde's favoured position is inside centre however he showed against Glasgow that he is accurate with his boot, after scoring two conversions and two penalties. Forde was also lauded by Connacht fans for getting involved in scrums during the match, showing the breadth of his game.
Back-Rower, Cian Prendergast, is another putting his stamp on Connacht's first XV, with the 23 year-old flanker no doubt gaining a boost of confidence following his involvement in the Ireland World Cup training camp and making his first international start against England in the Nations Series.
Did you know?
- Connacht have begun their 2023/24 BKT United Rugby Championship campaign with a pair of victories at the Sportsground with an identical scoreline 34-26, beating Ospreys and Glasgow. It is their best start since 2014/15.
- Connacht have been defeated just once at the Sportsground in any competition in the last twelve months and that was to today’s opponents, Ulster, in the URC on 23 December.
- Ulster’s only loss in their last eight BKT United Rugby Championship matches was 10-15 at home to today’s opponents, Connacht, in last season's quarter final.
- Connacht have won only one of their last four encounters with Ulster whilst the Ulstermen have won on their last two visits to Galway.
Don't miss out on Ulster's first home interpro!
Ulster take on Munster at Kingspan Stadium on Friday 10 November, in what is set to be a monumental home battle between the two interprovincial sides.
Get your tickets for the vital clash via the button below.