Match Details
🤝 Northampton Saints v Ulster Rugby
<br>🗓 Sunday 16 January, 3.15pm
<br>🏟 Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens
<br>🏆 Heineken Champions Cup
<br>📺 Live on BT Sport
Officials
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
<br>AR 1: Luc Ramos (Fra), AR 2: Flavien Hourquet (Fra))
<br>TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (Fra)
Tickets
Friday's game will be the first European fixture in front of a significant crowd at the home of Ulster Rugby in almost two years, and tickets are selling fast.
Several sections of the stadium are now sold out, with only limited availability remaining in the other sections.
Christmas Fixture
Friday's game will be Ulster Rugby's annual Christmas fixture, with plenty of festive-themed fun for all the family from gates open at 6.00pm.
• At the turnstiles, supporters can pick up their free Ulster Rugby flags and the early arrivers can also claim a free junior supporter goodie bag.
• A new stretch tent will be situated in the Fan Zone, where supporters can make use of the Express Bar and enjoy a covered, well ventilated space.
• The Cool FM Crew will provide the Christmas soudtrack for the Fan Zone as supporters warm up for the game.
• Local singer, Stevie Cummings will be providing the live entertainment in the Clubhouse Bar.
• In the Heineken Quarter Bar, Cool FM's Pete Snodden will be hosting a live Q&A with Ulster legend Stephen Ferris.
• Heineken will also be giving away bottles of alcohol-free Heineken 0.0, so keep an eye out for their promo team.
• Santa himself will be out and about in the Fan Zone handing out goodies and posing for selfies with Sparky and supporters.
• Bangor RFC's topless carol singers will be braving the cold, performing to raise funds for Ulster Rugby's official charity partner Extern’s Safe Haven Christmas Appeal.
• At half-time, the recently retired Louis Ludik will make his return to Kingspan Stadium to get a proper send-off from the Ulster supporters. Pete Snodden will interview Louis on the pitch during the interval.
• Louis will then assist Sparky and Abbey in throwing signed rugby balls into the Abbey Autoline Family Stand, so get ready to catch and see which player has signed yours!
• Also at half-time, the mini rugby players from Holywood, Ballynahinch, Civil Service and Academy will take part in an exhibition game.
Campaign so far
The Ulster men opened their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a superb 23-29 victory away to ASM Clermont Auvergne - a first ever victory in the iconic Stade Marcel Michelin.
Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney touched down for the all-important tries, while John Cooney was unnerving off the tee and Duane Vermeulen made his first appearance for the province.
Northampton were also in action against French opposition in Round 1, and will be hurting from the 14-45 defeat by Racing 92 at home.
Flanker Wenceslas Lauret scored a hat-trick of tries, while Finn Russell was mercurial at out-half for the visitors.
Ulster's Heineken Champions Cup Fixtures
ASM Clermont Auvergne 23 Ulster Rugby 29
<br>Saturday 11 December, Stade Marcel Michelin
Ulster Rugby v Northampton Saints
<br>Friday 17 December, 8.00pm, Kingspan Stadium
<br>» BUY TICKETS
Northampton Saints v Ulster Rugby
<br>Sunday 16 January, 3.15pm, cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens
Ulster Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne
<br>Saturday 22 January, 5.30pm, Kingspan Stadium
<br>» BUY TICKETS