There are seven changes to the team for the visit of Connacht on Boxing Day. Paddy Jackson and Wiehahn Herbst have returned from injury and will start at outhalf and tighthead prop respectively. Ruan Pienaar has been ruled out with a knee injury and is replaced by Paul Marshall at scrumhalf, while Ireland internationals Rory Best and Tommy Bowe have been rested. The match will be Roger Wilson’s 300th professional outing. The game will be shown live on BBC 2 NI.
TICKET UPDATE
The match is now completely sold out. Please ensure you check you have your ticket with you before you leave the house. Tickets that are due to be collected can be picked up at the Ticket Booth located at the Onslow Parade entrance from 5.15pm. You can CLICK HERE to buy tickets for the upcoming games against Leicester Tigers (24th January), Treviso (13th February) and Scarlets (27th February).
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
At the Connacht game we are joining with other clubs and stadiums across Europe in holding a short celebration to mark the centenary of the 1914 Christmas Truce - a remarkable event when a carol and sport combined to create a moment of peace. Get in the terrace or your seat early as the celebration will start at around 5.45pm, with music from Downshire brass band.
RORY McILROY
Golf superstar Rory McIlroy will attend the game and will bring the Claret Jug he won at this year’s Open Championship. The trophy will be in the Heineken Quarter bar between 5.30pm and 6.45pm for supporters to have their photo taken with it.
SANTA HAT GIVEAWAY
We’re giving away SUFTUM Santa Hats to the first 400 people to enter the stadium. Get here early!
MATCH PROGRAMME
The Ulster Rugby match programme will be on sale inside the stadium from 5.15pm. The programme contains match information, player profiles, partner competitions, local rugby news and a review of the year with Ruan Pienaar. For those of you who can’t make it to the game… why not download a digital programme? Visit www.ulsterrugbydigital.com to pre-register now.
ULSTER RUGBY CALENDARS
We will have volunteers selling Official Ulster Rugby calendars at the match, with all profits going to Mencap NI. The calendars, which cost £10 and feature playing images, will be available in the Ticket Office, in the Kukri Store and around the ground.
COMPETITION TIME
Kingspan is offering one lucky Ulster fan, plus a friend the opportunity to train with the Ulster squad simply taking a selfie of you/your friends enjoying the action against Connacht and tweet the image to @KingspanStadium with the #SUFTUM before midnight on Sunday 28th December. The winner will be announced by Frank Mitchell on U105 on Monday and also via Twitter. For full Ts&Cs please click here.
ULSTER RUGBY VALUES
We are proud that a night at Kingspan Stadium watching the Ulster Rugby team play is a safe, enjoyable, inclusive experience for people of any age. We have a number of traditions that we believe make our stadium one of the best places in Europe to watch live rugby. Here are our Ulster Rugby values and we ask all our fans to support them throughout the season:
- We are passionate in our support of the Ulster team
- We are silent during kicks at goal by both teams
- We respect the match officials’ decisions
- We drink responsibly
- We are mindful of our language, especially when there are children and young people near us
- We do not tolerate sectarian, homophobic or derogatory language
- We respect the opposition players, supporters, management and officials
If you are attending the match and do have an issue, please contact your nearest steward. Following the game, you can email any observations, complaints or issues to standup@ulsterrugby.com. Thank you and enjoy the match.
TRAVEL UPDATE
Why not try the bus? Operating on match days are Translink's Metro Rugby Bus and also Match Day Park and Ride Services. For more travel information please visit www.ulsterrugby.com/Tickets/Travel.