Fixture News

Ulster set for Season run-in at Kingspan Stadium

14th March 2023

Currently placed third in the URC standings, Ulster will be aiming to consolidate a top four position that would guarantee a home Quarter-Final, plus push towards a top two spot that would secure home advantage through to the Semi-Finals.

Leinster are currently leading the way, with the DHL Stormers five points ahead of Ulster in second position.

» View the full URC standings

Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland commented on the importance of home advantage in such a competitive league:

“We are in a battle at the top of the league,” said McFarland.

“Our target is the Stormers. We want to finish second. I know that’s not in our control. We are obviously reliant on other results, but that has to be our aim.

“To have a chance of achieving that, we are going to have to win our last three games. That’s going to be really tough, but that’s the objective. The top two has to be the target.

“Getting home ties in the play-offs is important. We understand that. Not having a home semi-final was a big difference last season. We know we can win away from home, but we would much rather be playing in front of our fans.”

The season run-in begins on Saturday 25 March, when Ulster will host South African powerhouses the Vodacom Bulls at Kingspan Stadium. The Bulls are also right in the play-off mix - currently placed sixth - so they are expected to make the trip to Belfast with a fully loaded team.

Ulster will then host Dragons and Edinburgh over the final two weekends under the Friday night lights - 14 and 21 April respectively, with more crucial points up for grabs.