Referee Andrew Brace blows his whistle and Ulster's Aidan Morgan gets us underway.

Iain Henderson leads Ulster out onto the park wearing their new provincial kit.

It's a nifty little black number with red trimming.

Lets hope it brings Ulster a change in fortune after two-defeats in South Africa.

Both teams are now back in the changing rooms having completed their warm-ups.

The excitement continues to build as we edge closer to kick-off of Ulster's first inter-pro of the season.

Don't forget you can watch this one live this evening.

A play button should magically appear on this very page in the coming minutes - or if you're near the TV, then switch over to BBC Two NI or search "Ulster Rugby" on the BBC iPlayer

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made seven changes to the Ulster starting XV as the province seek to get back to winning ways after two defeats.

John Cooney, John Andrew and Kieran Treadwell are among those making a return while Jude Postlethwaite also starts after his early release from the Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa.

Connacht arrive in Belfast high in confidence following two wins from their last two outings against the Sharks and Scarlets respectively.

Argentine full-back Santiago Cordero forms part of an exciting backline that includes Irish internationals Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki.

There is also a start at scrum-half for Ben Murphy, son of Ulster head coach Richie.

Ulster: Ethan McIlroy; Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (capt), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.

Connacht: Santiago Cordero; Mack Hansen, Piers O'Conor, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (capt) Sean O’Brien, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Temi Lasisi, Oisin Dowling, David O’Connor, Caolin Blade, Cathal Forde, Conor Oliver.

There's no better way to follow one Irish inter-provisional match-up then with another one!

It's almost time for Ulster against Connacht live from Belfast.

Team news coming up next...

The referee calls time after a fiercely contested Irish interprovincial in front of a record 80,000 crowd for the United Rugby Championship at Croke Park.

The damage was done in the first 15 minutes with tries by James Lowe, Caelan Doris and Hugo Keenan.

Calvin Nash's disallowed try was a significant moment but after Sean O'Brien did manage to cross, RG Snyman's score against his former team on the stroke of half-time ensured a bonus-point success for Leinster.

Mike Haley's try reduced the deficit but Munster ultimately left empty-handed as they suffered a second defeat in three URC outings.

For Leinster, this is a fourth bonus-point win in a row to start the new campaign and they move back to the top of the table.

Into the final minute of the game and Leinster are in possession...

Leinster are awarded another penalty and this time it's the turn of Ciaran Frawley to try his luck from long range.

His kick rebounds off a post however - another opportunity to increase Leinster's advantage goes begging.

Replacement Ross Byrne attempts to extend Leinster's lead with a penalty but his effort sails wide of the posts so it's still 14 between the sides as we enter the final six minutes.

Leinster are in the ascendancy as they try to execute the coup de grace in this game but Munster are given a penalty on their own 22 metre line and clear.

As we approach the hour mark in this game, Leinster are awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck and clear their lines.

The first points of this second 40 still elude us but it's not for the lack of any physicality of effort from either side.

A ferocious battle out there on the pitch in front of this massive 80,000 crowd.

The attack falters after Calvin Nash's pass to the wing is clearly a forward one.

Good fast hands from Munster but you get the feeling they are just trying to force it that little bit too much as they chase the game with the clock ticking down.

The referee awards a scrum for an earlier knock-on in the build-up.

Leinster fight back but concede territory after being penalised for rolling the scrum.

Munster mount another attack and move to within two yards of the Leinster line...

Munster prop Jeremy Loughman comes off after sustaining a nasty looking facial injury.

It's all a bit disjointed at the moment, which will suit Leinster just fine.

Munster sweep forward but Leinster's defence stands firm and there is no way through at the moment for Graham Rowntree's charges.

We still wait the first points of what has been a hugely physical second half so far.

RG Snyman is replaced by Ryan Baird to differing receptions from the two sets of supporters.

Munster start brightly and advance on the Leinster line but the attack breaks down and the hosts clear their lines.

Garry Ringrose then knocks on and it's a scrum for Munster.

A busy start to the second period.

Munster know they will need to be quicker out of the blocks in this second half if they are to have any chance of salvaging something from this game.

They really need the first score of the second half to keep within striking distance of their Irish interprovincial rivals.