Play is brought back by Craig Evans for a knock on by Montoya in an earlier phase, so Ulster have the scrum on their own 22 metre line....and they win the penalty from it!

It's all going their way so far.

Finn Carnduff can't believe it! Leicester look to move it wide but it's thrown straight into touch by the back row when they just needed one more pass!

The Tigers have it and are chipping their way towards the Ulster 22.

The visitors are holding firm so far.

Now it's Leicester's turn to race forward through Josh Bassett but the wing is chopped down outside the 22!

This has been a lightning start!

Ian Humphreys
Former Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys on BBC Radio Ulster

That's a perfect start for Ulster. That will give Ulster the belief they can keep building.

That was a gimmie and Nathan Doak delivers.

Ulster take an early lead at Welford Road.

Jude Postlewaite does well to force a penalty off Fin Carnduff just outside the 22.

It's dead centre and very kickable. Nathan Doak points to the posts.

Ulster have done well to get up to halfway after some good work by Zac Ward.

It's a first proper period of possession for the Irish province but the Tigers are doing well to slow it down.

It looks like Leicester are guaranteed a try as Josh Bassett grabs the ball out wide...but he stumbles at the crucial moment!

He is dragged over the line but Ulster get the penalty for not releasing the ball.

That's a huge let off!

Leicester have the throw off the back of a 50/22 and are looking to build from the maul!

There's a bit of back and forth in the early stages here, which ends with Hassell-Collins dinking the ball through and the wing just can't reached it before it goes into touch.

Tigers look to break down the left but Ollie Hassell-Collins kicks the ball straight into touch and Ulster have the throw just inside their own half.

Nathan Doak tries to kick clear from his 22 but it bounces off the back of Scott Wilson in the ruck and the ball bobbles up to the 10 metre line.

The hosts will have the throw.

Off we go!

Ulster receive the kick-off from Handre Pollard.

Julian Montoya and Iain Henderson lead out the teams are a freezing Welford Road, with pyrotechnics adding some much-needed heat to a bitterly cold night.

Kick-off is just around the corner.

It's almost showtime in Leicester as the teams are getting some final words in the changing rooms.

A win tonight and Leicester will book a knock-out spot.

Ulster, after a difficult start against the French giants, are waiting for that first European win.

A special jersey on a special night for Freddie Steward.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Nothing to see here, just Richie Murphy about to drop the hottest album of 2025.

It's a cold one! How big a role will the conditions at Welford Road play this evening?

Image source, Getty Images

Even when Ulster were in the middle of a difficult run of form before Christmas, a ray of light had been the emergence of back row James McNabney.

The 21-year-old says his confidence "is growing week by week" as he continues to establish himself as a regular starter in head coach Richie Murphy's team this season.

He made three appearances for the Irish province in the 2023-24 campaign but has featured in seven games to date this term, including six starting roles at either flanker or number eight.

McNabney has been on the field from the start in the wins over Glasgow Warriors and Connacht, as well as defeats by Bulls, Leinster, Toulouse and Munster.

"I knew within myself I had the capability, I just needed the opportunity," said McNabney before Saturday's Investec Champions Cup pool game against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

"Week by week confidence is growing and you can probably see that in my performances. As you get to know the players more the more you feel you can fit in and play round them."