Richie Murphy's team hope to finish the season on a high, with a victory crucial for potentially finishing within the top eight of the league.
In Ulster's final home match of the season in Round 16, the South African side, Hollywoodbets Sharks, edged a close contest at 19-22.
Ulster lead at the break after a superb opening half, with tries from Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite and Nathan Doak pushing Ulster into a 19-5 lead at the break. The Sharks came out strong in the second half, with two converted tries from Tshituka and Julius making it all square.
A late penalty from Jordan Hendrikse made the difference on the night and the scoreboard.
The province find themselves in 12th position in the table on 38 points.
Munster sit just outside the top eight in ninth position on 41 points.
Both sides will be vying for a win that could propel them into Champions Cup qualification places.
How things stand
Match Details
🤝 Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby
🏟️ Thomond Park
📅 Friday 9th May
🕰️ 7.35pm
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 17
📺 Premier Sports
Last time out
Ulster's last trip to Thomond Park resulted in a thrilling battle in the final regular fixture of last season, but sadly the Ulstermen were pipped to victory with Munster winning by 29-24.
In a back and forth encounter, Ulster had went into the lead at half-time after converted tries from Rob Herring and David McCann.
The home side would narrow the score quickly in the second half before a Matty Rea try put the away side back in front. With the home side rallying at a packed at Thomond, two tries from Shane Daly and Eoghan Clarke gave the red army the advantage, with Jack Crowley's late penalty giving Munster the victory by six points.
Players to watch
Jack Crowley:
Pulling the strings at ten for Munster and a mainstay of the Ireland international side, Jack Crowley is one of the biggest talents in Irish Rugby. Crowley helped to play a pivotal role in Munster's 2022/23 URC title win, with his drop-goal against Leinster at Aviva Stadium in the URC Play-Off Semi-Final living long in the memory.
Crowley was named the URC Next-Gen Player of the Season in 2024 and was included in the URC Elite XV. He committed his future to Irish Rugby recently by signing a new deal, keeping him at Munster until at least 2027.
Thomas Ahern:
25 year-old forward, Tom Ahern, is a huge, physical presence for Munster and is a big threat on both sides of the ball. Ahern is a good carrier and is a big disrupter around the lineout. Ahern is fast for a man of his size and fits the hybrid forward mould, being able to play at lock or flanker.
A towering presence with growing experience, Ahern is poised to become a mainstay in Munster's forward pack in the coming years.
Tadhg Beirne:
Munster's captain and one of the first names on the Ireland international teamsheet, Tadhg Beirne is a leader for both his province and his country.
Capable of playing in the second row or in the back-row, Beirne is a menace around the breakdown and has a great knack of making vital turnovers for his team.
The 33 year-old is a powerful presence and has excellent positional sense in defence and attack. Beirne is widely tipped for another call-up to the British and Irish Lions touring squad for this summer, having been involved in the 2021 tour.