After six months, Ulster Rugby makes their long-awaited return to action with a behind-closed-doors Guinness PRO14 clash with Connacht at Aviva Stadium on Sunday (4.30 pm KO, live on Premier Sport 1/TG4).
Here everything you need to know ahead of the game...
Match Details:
- Date: Sunday 23 August
- Kick-off: 4.30 pm
- Competition: Guinness PRO14 Round 14
- Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU, 33rd competition game)
- Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher (IRFU), Chris Busby (IRFU)
- Media coverage: Live on Premier Sport 1/TG4
Key Stats
- Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record: Played 34, Connacht won 7, Ulster won 26 with 1 game drawn.
- Ulster have lost just once in the last five rounds of the Guinness PRO14: 24-26 at Ospreys on 15 February.
- Ulster’s only victory at Aviva Stadium since they won the European Cup there in 1999 was 22-19 over Edinburgh in the semi-final of the same competition in 2012.
- Ulster have won their last two encounters against Connacht ending a run of three successive Connacht victories in the series.
- This is the first time that the two provinces have met outside of Belfast or Galway.
Premier Sports Offer
Remember that #TogetherUlster Members can enjoy the remainder of the 2019/20 Guinness PRO14 season PLUS the entirety of the 2020/21 season for just £80. Get behind the team and become an #TogetherUlster member today: ulsterrugby.com/togetherulster.Team News
HERE. WE. GO 🔥 Billy Burns will lead the team out on Sunday, while new signings Ian Madigan and Alby Mathewson could make their Ulster debuts off the bench. Sam Carter is also in line to make his first appearance since suffering a shoulder injury in November.
A word from the Head Coach
Head Coach Dan McFarland gives an insight into how team preparations are going ahead of the PRO14 restart, as well as talking about how the squad have adapted to the challenges of recent months. Subscribe to URTV here.Team Talk