A trip down memory lanepublished at 19:19 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2024
19:19 GMT 29 November 2024
Ulster v Leinster (19:35 GMT)
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Ulster beat the Wallabies at Ravenhill in November 1984
Ulster are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Kingspan Stadium this evening with what was then known as Ravenhill hosting its first game in January 1924.
Perhaps the single most famous result in the stadium's history was the northern province's victory over the 'Grand Slam' Wallabies 40 years ago this month.
BBC Sport NI's Jonathan Bradley spoke to two of the stars of that team about the unforgettable win.
Murphy on busy Ulster schedule, Izuchukwu and Leinsterpublished at 19:18 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2024
19:18 GMT 29 November 2024
Ulster v Leinster (19:35 GMT)
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Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy
Before tonight's match, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy sat down with BBC NI's Gavin Andrews to discuss how things have been going at Kingspan Stadium.
Busy upcoming schedule against top teams:
"I think the lads are excited. I think everyone knows what we are getting into. Facing teams like Leinster, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Munster and obviously Connacht on the back end of that, but also some very tight turnarounds involved.
"We know what’s coming, we know our squad depth is going to be tested. We are also carrying a few injuries at the moment but we are working hard to be the very best we can be on those particular nights."
Cormac Izuchukwu’s Ireland debut against Fiji:
"Delighted for Izzy to get his first cap – he’s been in a fair few camps over the last nine months – when you’re in there you can feel the relief of a player when he gets his first cap. Let’s hope he can kick on."
Ireland internationals returning to Ulster:
"You just want them to come back with an energy and enthusiasm for what we’re doing here."
On facing Leinster:
"Leinster at this moment are definitely the top team in our league. They’ve won six from six – they’re conceding very few points this year and they’re probably a different Leinster to what we have seen previously.
"It’s hard to pick holes in how they defend, so lots of pressure in and around the breakdown, lots of pressure at set-piece, both scrum and lineout.
"We’ll have to be very clever in relation to how we use the ball and we also need I suppose the ref to be strong in those areas.
"It’s definitely a good time to play them because they’re missing maybe 18 players but with the 18 players they’re missing they just replace them with very, very good players."
You can watch live coverage of tonight's game on BBC 2 NI, BBC iPlayer or right here by clicking the button at the top of the page.
Presenter Gavin Andrews is joined in studio by former Ulster and Ireland flanker Chris Henry and Exeter Chiefs league and Champions Cup winner Gareth Steenson.
Come kick-off, commentator Oisin Langan has Ulster centurion Ian Humphreys alongside him.
Team newspublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2024
19:10 GMT 29 November 2024
Ulster v Leinster (19:35 GMT)
There are plenty of players unavailable tonight thanks to Ireland's fourth and final autumn international against Australia tomorrow.
But there's still plenty of talent on show in Belfast this evening.
Nick Timoney has been released from Andy Farrell's camp to feature for Ulster who also have tight-head Scott Wilson making his first start of the season.
Leinster, who provide 11 of Ireland's starting team against Australia, are able to recall Jimmy O'Brien, Jordan Larmour and Jack Conan after injuries, while Springbok RG Snyman is on the bench after his own international duty this month.
Ulster: Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.
Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (capt)
Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Scott Penny.
Good evening!published at 19:04 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2024
19:04 GMT 29 November 2024
Ulster v Leinster (19:35 GMT)
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Ulster host Leinster in their second interpro of the season
Hello and welcome to our coverage of another big interprovincial derby at Kingspan Stadium.
The autumn internationals aren't quite over - Ireland host Australia in their final game of the month tomorrow - but we're back into URC action already.
Ulster will, of course, be looking to get back on the horse after surrendering a 19-point lead to lose to Cardiff.
They'll not find much more daunting opposition as they try to get back to winning ways, Leinster remain unbeaten this season, having dropped only one point so far when failing to get the bonus point against Lions.
We'll have live-text coverage of the game from now to finish, and you can watch live on BBC 2 NI, iPlayer and here on the website from 19:15 GMT.