Ulster welcomes Connacht in an all Ireland URC quarter-final clash. This game is set to be a cracker with both teams in an excellent form. Here is how to watch Ulster v Connacht.
Both teams made it to the top eight with Ulster finishing second and Connacht seventh. This means that these teams would face each other at Belfast in the first playoff round of the URC.
Ulster had a very good season with just a few defeats including two against Leinster. They finished on equal points with South African side the Stormers.
Despite a very poor start of the season, four defeats in five games, Connacht finished the season in tremendous form winning six of their last seven games. That excellent run in form gave them a playoff ticket.
When is Ulster v Connacht?
The game will be played on Friday the 5th of may at 7.35pm. It will be held in the Kingspan Stadium, Belfast.
How to watch Ulster v Connacht?
TG4 will broadcast the event live from 7.20pm ahead of the 7.35pm kickoff.
Form Guide
Ulster managed to win their last five URC games and jumped ahead of the Stormers in the table. Their European journey came to an end in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup as they severely lost to Leinster at the Aviva. Dan McFarland's men could do nothing against Leo Cullen's team as they lost 30-15.
Their last result was a 28-14 win over Edinburgh. Tries from John Cooney, Nick Timoney and Robert Baloucoune secured Ulster their second place in the regular season.
Connacht have been playing beautiful rugby in their recent games. They've won six out of their last seven games. They've only lost to teams ahead of them in the table including two defeats to Ulster and also two defeats to Leinster. Connacht suffered a shock exit to the Challenge Cup as they got hammered by Benetton 41-19 in the round of 16. Andy Friend's players bounced back from that defeat to beat Cardiff in a splendid 38-19 win.
Connacht's last game was a slight defeat 29-27 against Glasgow. Despite playing very well, they fell short to a well-organised and strong Glasgow side. Connacht had a last minute penalty in the middle of the pitch, they chose to go to the corner instead of kicking the penalty from far out.
Team News
Connacht have made three changes from the team that started against Glasgow two weeks ago. Grand Slam winners Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen return to the squad . They will be replacing Cathal Forde and Byron Ralston. Shamus Hurley-Langton coming in for Oisin Dowling is the last change made by Andy Friend
💚 𝐂 𝐎 𝐍 𝐍 𝐀 𝐂 𝐇 𝐓 💚@Genesys | #BKTURChttps://t.co/fKZLefgacY pic.twitter.com/XmEVcTmLYN
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) May 4, 2023
Ulster only made two changes for this game. Rory Sutherland and Stuart McCloskey replace Andrew Warwick and Stewart Moore who played against Edinburgh.
🚨 Team news
Your Ulster side to take on @connachtrugby in our Quarter-Final tomorrow night 🔥
- 2️⃣2️⃣9️⃣ caps for Rob Herring as he equals the all time caps record!
-Jacob makes his 100th appearance for Ulster 💪
🎟️ | https://t.co/AEppY8Wiux pic.twitter.com/n8iJ8doUz9— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 4, 2023
There's all you need to know on this game in between Ulster and Connacht.
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