After two tough defeats against Toulouse and Bordeaux in the opening rounds of the Investec Champions Cup pool stage, Ulster aim to get back on track in the URC, with two interprovincial derbies to see out a whirlwind 2024.
Before the post-christmas day trip to Galway to face Connacht, Ulster take on Munster in the final home match of 2024.
Be there for the final home match of 2024!
Tickets for this unmissable crunch encounter are still available and can be purchased via the link below:
The province will be hoping to flip the script, after suffering two losses against Cardiff in Wales and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in the previous rounds.
With a number of challenges on the injury front, Murphy has had to shuffle the deck, with a number of players gaining experience in recent weeks. Wing, Zac Ward, made his Senior side debut against Bordeaux-Begles, with Academy back three player, Rory Telfer, also making an appearance from the bench.
Richie Murphy's team face a Munster side who have recently changed their head coach, with Ian Costello taking over as Interim Head Coach after the departure of Graham Rowntree.
Munster come into the match on the back of a tight defeat away to Castres in the Champions Cup. Flanker John Hodnett scored two tries for a Munster side who had to contend with injury issues to Craig Casey, Thaakir Abrahams and Peter O'Mahoney in the match.
In Munster's last URC Fixture, they beat Emirates Lions by 17-10 at Thomond Park after tries from Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly and Alex Kendellen secured the win.
That Round 7 victory was the perfect tonic for the Red Army, after suffering three losses in succession against Leinster at Croke Park, DHL Stormers in Cape Town and at Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.
How it stands
Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Munster<br>
🗓 Friday 20th December, 7.35pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏉 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 8<br>
📺 Live on BBC NI, Premier Sports, BBC Sounds, RTE Radio
Foundation Day
Coming along to the interpro clash?
Get involved in our inaugural Ulster Rugby Foundation Day, in partnership with PizzaExpress!
We'll be fundraising on the night with our goal of supporting grassroots rugby programmes and inclusive initiatives across the community.
Ahead of the Foundation Day, we are holding an online auction to raise funds, with a load of great items up for bidding. You can view them here.
Last time out
Last year's interprovincial clash against Munster at Kingspan Stadium was a cracker, with the Ulstermen edging the contest by 21-14.
The match might be remembered as the special night that Rob Herring broke the all-time Ulster appearance record from the bench, marking his 230th Ulster cap. Tighthead prop, Scott Wilson, would also appear from the bench for his senior men's debut.
Ulster went into HT behind at 8-14, after two well- taken snipes over the whitewash from scrum-half, Craig Casey.
A pinpoint cross-field kick from Billy Burns was collected and scored by Jacob Stockdale to get Ulster on the scoresheet.
In the second half, two penalties from Nathan Doak levelled the scoreline and the home side made the crucial breakthrough, with Nick Timoney going over after a scrum in the Munster 22.
With the clock in the red, Rob Herring, was the man of the moment, making a crucial turnover jackal with the away side attacking in the Ulster 22.
Players to watch
Jack Crowley:
The 24 year-old is a nailed on starter in the Munster ten jersey, and has been given the nod in the green ten jersey for some huge matches in 2024, playing every match as Ireland won the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. Crowley is a good leader of the attack, with his speed of pass and line breaking runs both big strengths. Crowley is also a reliable goal-kicker, making him a very well-rounded number ten.
Calvin Nash:
An athletic wing who was seen to be unlucky not to get more game-time for Ireland over the Autumn internationals, Nash is a consistent performer for Munster. Nash's physicality and try-scoring ability are be a big area of focus for opposition defences.
Alex Nankivell:
The powerhouse New Zealander is a big presence in the midfield for Munster. In his first season at the province last year, he was named in the URC's Elite XV for his performances. Nankivell is a dominant ball carrier and a threat on both sides of the ball. The big centre will look to punch holes in the Ulster rearguard with his carries.
