Connacht v Ulster
Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 3
Saturday 21st September
Kick Off 18:45
On TV: RTE / BBC NI



Connacht and Ulster meet in the first interprovincial clash of the season on Saturday. Ulster have made a stuttering start to the season but the Sportsground will hold little fear for them as they enjoyed a comfortable 34-18 bonus point victory on their last visit. Connacht's defeat (and the manner of the performance) at Cardiff last Friday evening did a lot to dampen pre-season enthusiasm. With both sides in need of a result its unlikely to be a game for the faint hearted. Below are some stats on Ulster:

Ulster Stats
Founded: 1879
Ground: Ravenhill, Belfast
Capacity: 13,500
Captain: Johann Muller
Coach: Mark Anscombe

Positions
Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2012/13: Finalists 1st Points 81 (Lost Final to Leinster 24-18)
Heineken Cup: Quarter Finalists: 1st in Pool 4 Points 23 (Lost Quarter Final to Saracens 27-16)
ERC European Ranking 7th (20 pts)

Previous Results
Dragons 15-8 Ulster
Ulster 12-13 Glasgow

Next League Fixture:
Friday 17th September 2013 19.30 (local time) Ulster v Benetton Treviso @ Ravenhill

Heineken Cup (Pool 5)
Benetton Treviso
Montpellier
Ulster
Leicester Tigers

Players In
Bronson Ross (Coventry R.F.C.) (Prop)
James McKinney (Rotherham R.U.F.C.)(Out-Half)
David McIlwaine (Bristol Rugby) (Wing)

Players Out
Nigel Brady (Stade Aurillacois) (Hooker)
Ali Birch (Rotherham R.U.F.C) (Flanker)
Blane McIlroy (TBA) (Scrum-Half)
Niall O'Connor (Jersey R.F.C.) (Out-Half)
Adam D'Arcy (Bristol Rugby) (Full-Back)

Previous Meetings

Friday 19th April 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Connacht 18-34 Ulster
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12355.php

Friday 5th October 2012 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Ulster 25-0 Connacht
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2452.php

Saturday 14th April 2012 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Connacht 26-21 Ulster
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2358.php

Saturday 5th November 2011 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Ulster 22-3 Connacht
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2662.php