Ulster go into the Quarter Final in top form, having won 5 out of the last 5 BKT URC fixtures. The Ulstermen secured a second placed finish that guarantees a home Semi-Final, should the province see off the Westerners in the Quarter Final.
Ulster will feel confident playing at Kingspan Stadium as they ended the regular season with two strong home performances against Dragons RFC and Edinburgh Rugby. The Ulstermen scored an impressive 68 points across the two matches, showing their attacking threat.
They face a Connacht side who they have already beaten twice this season but know all too well that in the play-off stages and in any interpro derby - anything can happen.
Want to be there?
Tickets are still available for Friday's big game. Full ticketing details, including corporate hospitality options, can be viewed at ulster.rugby/urcquarterfinal
So, what about our opposition's form?
The Galway side finished 7th in the BKT URC league table, securing their place in next season's Heineken Champion's Cup. The Westerners strengths this year can be found in their abilities at lineouts and scrums as they rank 2nd and 3rd respectively in the league for successes.
Connacht's Niall Murray was ranked the highest in the URC at stealing lineouts with an impressive 16 steals across the campaign. A strength the away side will hope to use well, given Ulster's try scoring threat from lineout mauls.
Connacht go into the match with mixed form, they have three wins in their last five URC matches but ended the campaign with a narrow 29-27 away defeat to Glasgow Warriors.
Last Time Out
Ulster will hope to make it four wins on the trot against the Galway side, with their last encounter at the formidable Sportsground Stadium proving a tight encounter, in a 20-22 morale boosting win.
Ulster had matched the home side physically and took the lead through a clever try from winger Rob Lyttle. Connacht's Jack Carty made sure the match was in the balance at half time, with Ulster only two points to the good.
The second half got off to a bright start for Ulster, with Tom Stewart scoring two tries and Cooney adding extra points from the conversion and a penalty. Connacht fought back into the game through tries from Blade and Butler and then in the dying moments the game was in Connacht's hands to snatch a result from Ulster. Adam Byrne darted across the line to bring the Westerners to within two points with Carty knowing a conversion would win them the match. The kick however, much to the delight of Ulster, was missed in the difficult conditions and Ulster left Galway with a hard contested win.
Player to watch
Connacht have a number of players who Ulster will need to keep a keen eye on. Ireland internationals Finlay Bealham, powerhouse centre Bundee Aki and flying winger Mack Hansen were all important members of the Grand Slam winning Ireland side and will look to assert themselves away from home.
Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland, speaking at a Ulster Fan's Forum event highlighted Connacht's captain, Jack Carty, as one of the leading out-halves in the league, with an extremely strong kicking game.
Carty is known for his excellent kicking skills, accurate passing, and clever decision-making on the field. He is equally comfortable as a playmaker, distributor, or finisher and possesses a sharp rugby mind that enables him to outsmart opponents and create opportunities for his team.
Carty has 85 points from 13 URC matches this season.
Did you know?
· Ulster have won their last five BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures since their 11-17 defeat at Glasgow in Round 14.
· Ulster have not been defeated at Kingspan Stadium in any competition since Munster were the visitors on New Year's Day.
· The Ulstermen have never lost a United Rugby Championship play-off game in Belfast.
· Connacht’s six game winning run in the BKT United Rugby Championship ended with their 27-29 reversal at Glasgow in Round 18.
· This is Connacht’s first United Rugby Championship play off fixture since they were defeated by Ulster in Belfast in the 2019 quarter final.
· Ulster have won their last three fixtures against Connacht whilst Connacht’s most recent victory at Kingspan Stadium was in the Rainbow Cup in May 2021.