Ulster hope to bounce back from their opening 37-14 Round 1 defeat against Bath Rugby, as Dan McFarland's team get ready to take on French Top 14 giants, Racing 92.
The Parisians are also after their first Champions Cup win of the season, after they were narrowly beaten by fellow Pool 2 opponents, Harlequins, in a 28-31 thriller at the Paris La Défense Arena.
Domestically Racing 92 are sitting at the summit of the Top 14 with 29 points after 9 matches, with a renewed confidence after strengthening their roster in the summer with South Africa World Cup winning captain, Siya Kolisi.
The French side have clocked up some impressive victories, such as a 32-10 home victory over reigning European champions, La Rochelle.
Racing will have been disappointed with their last domestic outing, after being beaten by a five point score away to Clermont Auvergne who won 23-18.
Ulster are also look to regroup after three losses in succession has dented the early momentum of the strong start.
The province will look to recreate another big European night under the lights at Kingspan Stadium to hit back with the roar of the Ulster faithful.
Make it a European night to remember!
Make sure you don't miss out on a night to remember as Ulster welcome French Top 14 leaders, Racing 92, to Belfast. With pool points on the line, everything is to play for in one of the standout fixtures of the season!
Fans can also purchase an Ulster Rugby Game Pass, where fans can cement their spot at Ulster's five confirmed home fixtures in 2024.
Match Details
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium
📅 Sat 16th December
🕰️ 8pm
🏆 Investec Champions Cup
📺 TNT Sports
Last time out
The last time Racing came to Belfast in 2019, Ulster edged a famous 26-22 victory, with Jacob Stockdale scoring two outstanding tries.
Ulster started the match off quickly, with Billy Burns kicking an early pen and European debutant Rob Baloucoune finishing off a fantastic attacking phase on the wing for the home side.
Dan McFarland's side added to the early lead, after quick ball from McCloskey and Will Addison released Stockdale who sprinted clear to dive over.
Racing would hit back with two quick tries from Virimi Vakatawa and Irish international Simon Zebo.
After half time, with a 16-10 lead, Jacob Stockdale scored a brilliant second try of the match, as he chipped the ball over the away side's backline and chased after to collect and score a huge try.
The away side dug in, and made it a one point game after slick tries from Brice Dulin and Oliver Klemenczak. Scottish Fly-half Finn Russell missed conversions that were key in the scoreline being kept in Ulster's favour.
With the clock running out, Ulster edged out in front after a pressured penalty from Will Addison and secured a famous win at Kingspan Stadium.
Players to watch
One of the most iconic players in world rugby, Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, is as big a presence off the pitch as he is on it.
One of the only players to have captained his nation to two Rugby World Cups, 32 year old Kolisi is a powerful back row from Zwide, Port Elizabeth and is an icon in South Africa.
Kolisi joined Racing 92 from South African side, The Sharks, immediately making an impact.
Last weekend he set up a brilliant team try against Harlequins, all starting with a break that conveyed both his power, ball- carrying and pace.
Saturday's match will see him go up against his Springbok teammate, Steven Kitshoff.
21-year-old scrum-half, Nolann Le Garrec, from Vannes, France, has been at Racing 92 since 2020, and has really grown in confidence over the past season.
Last weekend Le Garrec was a constant threat to Harlequins, picking-up a brace of tries with some quick thinking and fast play. He also leads the stats table for most passes (72) and is second for Points scored (18) in Round 1.
France international stalwart, Gaël Fickou, is one of the finest centres in world rugby. Capped 85 times for France Fickou is proven at the highest level and has been a key member of the French team, who won the 2022 Six Nations and made the Quarter-Finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Racing 92 also added England speedster, Henry Arundell, to their ranks in the summer after London Irish went into administration. Arundell is one of the quickest players in the game and has already made an incredible solo try against Toulon on his Racing 92 debut.