Rugby

Ulster v Munster: Match details, kick-off time and how to watch as the Christmas inter-pro derbies get underway

Both provinces sit outside the play-off places ahead of their meeting at Kingspan Stadium

Nick Timoney scores a try
Ulster Rugby's Nick Timoney scores a try against Union Bordeaux-Begles during Saturday's Investec Champions Cup Round 2 match at Kingspan Stadium. PICTURE: Brian Little
By Liam Grimley

ULSTER Rugby takes on Munster in their third and final inter-pro derby of this half of the season this Friday in Belfast.

The Ulstermen currently sit in 10th place in the United Rugby Championship after seven games, with three wins under their belt and five bonus points.

They are back in URC action after their opening two Investec European Champions Cup fixtures against French juggernauts Toulouse and Bordeaux Bégles.

After six losses on the bounce, Ulster are still trying to turn fortune in their favour and with Munster, Connacht and the two Italian sides, (Zebre and Benetton) up next, they will be hoping that this weekend’s derby against fellow Irish strugglers Munster can start the dynamic shift.

Munster’s European fixtures went a little better for them, winning their opening game against Stade Français before falling just short of Castres, another French outfit.

In the URC, the southern province has been struggling for form, losing three on the bounce before winning their last match against the Emirates Lions.

Ulster Rugby have a number of injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s game against Munster.

Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Werner Kok, Nathan Doak and Aidan Morgan all picked up injuries against Bordeaux that are being monitored through training this week to ascertain their fitness to play in Friday’s fixture.

Ireland’s Cormac Izuchukwu, with ball, made his Ireland debut against Fiji
Recent Ireland debutant Cormac Izuchukwu is among those being monitored ahead of Ulster's clash against Munster

There are also ongoing doubts around the availability of Ben Carson, who has just signed on for three more years and Stewart Moore, who were both injured in the Champions Cup Round 1 game against Toulouse.

When and where is the URC match between Ulster and Munster?

Ulster Rugby will play Munster Rugby on Friday, December 20, at Kingspan Stadium, in Belfast.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:35pm.

Where can I watch the Ulster v Munster game?

The game will be broadcast on Premier Sports