myself and one of the lads should be up just after 2 and I'd say we will be hitting the town for a few before the match not a clue of any good pubs to head to though any ideas? Havent bought the tickets yet but just checked ulsters website there and tickets will be available to buy at the gates on saturday so ill pick them up then.

The Crown Bar is probably the most famous old pubs in central Belfast, worth a visit I understand (my NI'sh other half is yet to indulge me).

Some of the lads on UAFC (Ulternative Alster Fan Club - the original Ulster suporters site) are meeting for a pre-game warmup (and believe me at Ravers any time spent in a heated environment is welcome)

Connacht Match Thread - www.uafc.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13290&p=275782#p275782

UAFC HwoodMike2umate wrote: Some of us are meeting in Pavilion Bar ( a few yards from the Errigle Inn mentioned above) on the Ormeau Road, about 2.30pm

Connacht Team Named

Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will take on Ulster tomorrow evening (Ravenhill, Belfast, kick-off 17.35)
The side sees 6 changes to last week's team, 2 in the pack and 4 in the backline.
Eoghan Grace will earn his 1st cap for Connacht when he lines out at openside flanker. The 6'2, 100kg former Munster Academy player-of-the-year played for Rockwell College and Shannon, as well as being part of Eric Elwood's 2007 grand slam winning Ireland U20's team. He played for Ireland 7's in 2009 alongside team-mate Brian Tuohy in their famous victory over Australia.
TJ Anderson returns to face his former team at blindside. The 24 year old Magherafelt born back rower has featured in 5 of Connacht's games so far this season, including their victory over the Dragons in the Sportsground.
There is a new half-back pairing of Paul O'Donohoe and Miah Nikora. O'Donohoe has played in all bar 1 of Connacht's games this season and, along with Miah NIkora who made his comeback from injury last weekend, will make their 1st starts in the RaboDirect PRO12 tomorrow evening.
Dave McSharry partners captain Gavin Duffy in the centre. McSharry earns his 1st full cap having  impressed selectors when he came off the bench against Leinster.
Fetu'u Vainikolo and Brian Tuohy line up on the wings while the versatile Tiernan O'Halloran moves to full-back where he shone in Irelands Junior World Cup in Italy earlier this year.

Connacht XV to face Ulster (Ravenhill, Belfast, kick-off 17.35 -live on RTÉ 2)
15 Tiernan O'Halloran
14 Fetu'u Vainikolo
13 Gavin Duffy (C)
12 Dave McSharry
11 Brian Tuohy
10 Miah Nikora
09 Paul O'Donohoe
01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Adrian Flavin
03 Rodney Ah You
04 Michael Swift
05 Mike McCarthy
06 TJ Anderson
07 Eoghan Grace
08 George Naoupu

16 Ethienne Reynecke
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Dylan rogers
19 Dave Gannon
20 John Muldoon
21 Frank Murphy
22 Niall O'Connor
23 Matthew Jarvis



Any word on how badly O'Connor is hurt??

Right, spur of the moment/day purchase.

Ticket bought for the terrace. Going to be in Belfast around 3:30. Anyone going for pints near the train station early, let me know where the place to be is. Otherwaie, I'm strolling down to Ravenhill, and going for a few in there

myself and one of the lads should be up just after 2 and I'd say we will be hitting the town for a few before the match not a clue of any good pubs to head to though any ideas? Havent bought the tickets yet but just checked ulsters website there and tickets will be available to buy at the gates on saturday so ill pick them up then.

RUAN PIENAAR OUT

Right, spur of the moment/day purchase.

Ticket bought for the terrace. Going to be in Belfast around 3:30. Anyone going for pints near the train station early, let me know where the place to be is. Otherwaie, I'm strolling down to Ravenhill, and going for a few in there

Heart still a bit broken but all will be forgotten come 5:30 on Saturday.Please Jesus and baby Jesus and whoever else will listen,a scalp here is needed.

I always feel reassured when i see Swift and Macca in 2nd row .They can do no wrong.They must be looking forward to getting a rest as they're pretty much ever present and never far from the action.

They got 2 weeks rest before Cardiff. We need them now more than ever and they know that. Up against the big games in Muller and Tuohy, we need a big performance. And I'm sure we'll get it

Heart still a bit broken but all will be forgotten come 5:30 on Saturday.Please Jesus and baby Jesus and whoever else will listen,a scalp here is needed.

I always feel reassured when i see Swift and Macca in 2nd row .They can do no wrong.They must be looking forward to getting a rest as they're pretty much ever present and never far from the action.

JOC said on twitter that he would be fit for the weekend. Id say since we are not stuck and have ray fit too that he does not want to take any chance's and keep joc for the heineken cup

Heard Johnny would be fit, maybe no chances being taken with the HC coming up

No sign of Johnny Concrete....must be serious enough after all

Squad for the Ulster match

Forwards: Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, Stewart Maguire, Dylan Rogers, Rodney Ah You, Ethienne Reynecke, Adrian Flavin, Michael Swift, Dave Gannon, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, TJ Anderson, Ray Ofisa, Eoin Grace, George Naoupu

Backs: Paul O'Donohoe, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, Brian Tuohy, Matthew Jarvis, Niall O'Connor, Gavin Duffy, Dave McSharry, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Tiernan O'Halloran, Henry Fa'afili, Eoin Griffin, Mark McCrea

Read more: www.breakingnews.ie/sport/rugby/connacht...6.html#ixzz1ce1jgyUU

Tempted to travel up and down on the day for this. Wonder how easy it is to get from the train station to Ravenhill. Time to do some research

From UAFC site wrote: OK I’ve made it to Belfast - now what?

Ravenhill is in East Belfast tucked away in leafy suburbia and about 1.5 miles form the City Centre. If you’re travelling by car on match nights you are probably best to use the park‘n’ride service because there are severe parking restrictions in the vicinity of the Ravenhill Ground. Ulster Rugby operates two free of charge Park 'n' Ride facilities on match days:

1) The Ozone Centre (Ormeau Embankment)
Supporters can park their cars in the car-park of the Ozone Centre and take the bus heading directly to Ravenhill, dropping off at the main entrance to the ground at Onslow Parade/Ravenhill Park

2) Montgomery Road/Alanbrooke Road/Castlereagh Road
Supporters can park their cars along the the Montgomery Road, the Alanbrooke Road and Ladas Drive and the Park 'n' Ride bus will pick up at various points along these roads.

(You can contact Ulster Rugby with any queries on the Park and ride facility at 028 9049 3222)

Alternatively you could take the Metro Bus service - 6A takes you from the City Hall up the Cregagh Road, you need to get off at Bellsbridge and then walk up Onslow Parade. Better still a Taxi will take you direct from the city centre to the ground for around a fiver.

www.uafc.co.uk/travel/belfast.htm

Tempted to travel up and down on the day for this. Wonder how easy it is to get from the train station to Ravenhill. Time to do some research

Sweet! Was worried when he came off last week... he had quite the grimace on his face from what I was told.

It's time we put one over on Ulster !! Come on Connacht.

Good news, Johnny Concrete will be fit to play at the weekend