This weekendβs trip to The Sportsground comes as Connacht find themselves in a rich vein of form. Last weekend the Westerners had a positive result away from home against Brive in the Heineken Challenge Cup, securing a bonus point in a 24-31 win.
That means Connacht come into the match with six wins from their last eight games.
Match Details
π€ Connacht Rugby v Ulster Rugby <br>
πFriday 23 December, 7 35pm <br>
π The Sportsground <br>
πUnited Rugby Championship <br>
πΊ Live on RTΓ, Viaplay and URC.tv
Team News
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Your Ulster team to face Connacht tomorrow night at The Sportsground! π<a href="<https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTURC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTURC</a>> <a href="<https://t.co/v5LgPrpbkZ">pic.twitter.com/v5LgPrpbkZ</a></p>&mdash>; Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) <a href="<https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/1605896198908411906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December> 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="<https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js>" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">π’ πππΌπ πΌππππππΎπππππ π’<br><br>Here's your squad representing Connacht in tomorrow's vital <a href="<https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTURC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTURC</a>> interpro with <a href="<https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UlsterRugby</a>> π<br><br>Tickets: <a href="<https://t.co/mXZ0kRteR8">https://t.co/mXZ0kRteR8</a><br><br>Story>: <a href="<https://t.co/uGAQz12g3C">https://t.co/uGAQz12g3C</a>> <a href="<https://t.co/f2x5wOoT7Y">pic.twitter.com/f2x5wOoT7Y</a></p>&mdash>; Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) <a href="<https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1605894836833361920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December> 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="<https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js>" charset="utf-8"></script>
Last Time Out
Ulster will be hoping to make it three wins in a row against their Interpro rivals having beaten the Westerners recently in Septemberβs 36-10 victory at Kingspan Stadium.
Their last win in Galway came back in December 2020 which might be remembered for Ian Madigan's kicking accuracy as he scored six from six in difficult conditions.
Familiar Territory
Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland is no stranger to The Sportsground after he spent six years there as a player between 2000- 2006, and an eight-year stint as part of the coaching staff from 2006- 2015.
Player To Watch
Connacht welcome back their in-form Ireland international winger Mack Hansen for the clash after he was out of action in recent weeks with a leg injury.
The 24-year-old has had a year to remember with a World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination and an impressive Autumn International period with Ireland.
URC Table
Ulster sit 4th in the table after eight matches and Connacht are 11th after nine.