Ulster welcome Franco Smith's side to Kingspan Stadium to kick off the 2024/25 season. It's all shaping up to be a challenging game between two teams who often have tight encounters when locking horns with each other.
You can be there to back the Ulstermen into the new campaign by grabbing a ticket via the button below.
Richie Murphy's side concluded pre-season preparations at the weekend, after playing Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park. The match was a tight affair for most of the match, until three late tries gave the home side the victory. The weekend before saw another good workout for the squad against Benetton Rugby in Belfast, with Ulster coming out the better side of the scoreline that ended 26-19.
Glasgow have also had two pre-season friendlies under their belt in the lead up to Saturday. Their opener saw a 31-0 defeat to Zebre Parma in Italy, and concluding their preparations with a tight 21-28 test against Connacht at Scotstoun Stadium.
Tom Jordan, Angus Fraser and Gregor Brown each crossed for a score and their new summer signing, fly-half and Scotland international, Adam Hastings, contributing three conversions on his own return, after re-joining from Gloucester Rugby.
Match Details
🏆 Ulster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 1
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium
📅 Saturday 21 September
🕰️ 7.45pm
💻 Premier Sports, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds
Team News
Follow our social media channels and website on Friday as we announce the team at 12pm ahead of the match.
Last time out
Last time Glasgow Warriors came to Kingspan Stadium, it resulted in a thrilling bonus-point victory for the Ulstermen to kick-start their 2021/22 season.
Ulster took home the five points in a 35-29 game on a fantastic night in Belfast.
After an early penalty try, Brad Roberts, Marty Moore, Nick Timoney and Nathan Doak were all on the scoresheet that night, with Nathan's marking his first try for the senior team.
You can read the report from that night here.
Players to watch
Stafford McDowall:
The 26-year-old inside centre and Scotland international is a key man for Glasgow, with his performances instrumental in the Warriors URC title run. McDowall has captained the team on a number of occasions, and leads with his explosive and energetic performances. He is a strong ball carrier and offers a physical presence.
Johnny Matthews:
Like Ulster's Tom Stewart, Glasgow hooker, Johnny Matthews, has proven to be an excellent finisher and threat at set-pieces for his club. Matthews finished the 2023/24 BKT URC season as top try-scorer, breaking his own club record by scoring 14 tries to top the standings in an historic title-winning campaign for the Warriors. Matthews also holds the Glasgow record for most tries in a match - after scoring five against Dragons in 2023.
Sione Vailanu:
The Tongan international number eight is a huge presence in Glasgow's strong back row. The powerful forward is a unit at 127kg and is a hard man to stop with ball in hand. He is very strong in the breakdown for Glasgow and adds to their power up front.
Adam Hastings:
The Scottish international fly-half made headlines around rugby when it was announced he would be returning to Glasgow following a three year stint at Gloucester Rugby. Hastings is a point socring machine, with an excellent kicking game to match his rugby IQ. With 30 caps for Scotland, Hastings, is an ideal addition to Franco Smith's team ahead of the new season.