Tag Pre-season

It is matchday at Affidea Stadium. Ulster host Ospreys tonight in their final pre-season fixture before the United Rugby Championship campaign begins, with kick-off in Belfast at 7.45pm.

The game is also available to watch live through Ulster Rugby’s official streaming service, giving supporters a final chance to see how Richie Murphy’s side is shaping up before competitive rugby returns.

Ulster v Ospreys: match details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Ospreys
• Date: Friday 11 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly
• Watch: Ulster Rugby Live (£7.50)

What to watch tonight

James Hume is back in the midfield

One of the most encouraging selections is the return of James Hume at outside centre. Jamie Benson moves to inside centre and Jack Murphy starts at fly-half, giving Ulster a different midfield combination to the one used in Edinburgh last week.

Hume’s return gives Ulster another experienced attacking option in a backline that also includes Matthew Devine at scrum-half and Michael Lowry, who captains the side from full-back.

A new-look pack gets its chance

Eduardo Bello starts at tighthead, while Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form the second row. David McCann, Martin Moloney and James McNabney make up the back row, with McNabney wearing number eight.

Pre-season is about more than the final score, so the set piece, defensive organisation and how quickly the new combinations settle should all be worth watching closely.

One final rehearsal before the URC

This is Ulster’s last warm-up before the competitive season starts at home to Edinburgh on Friday 25 September. That makes tonight a useful final opportunity to sharpen combinations, build match fitness and put pressure on the selection picture before the league opener.

Ulster team v Ospreys

Ulster’s starting XV is Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, David McCann, Martin Moloney, James McNabney, Matthew Devine, Jack Murphy, Aitzol Arenzana-King, Jamie Benson, James Hume, Chay Mullins and Michael Lowry.

For the full replacements list and the selection changes from last week’s Edinburgh game, see our Ulster v Ospreys team-news guide.

How to watch Ulster v Ospreys

Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST. The match is being streamed live on Ulster Rugby Live, with the official stream listed at £7.50.

For supporters heading to the ground, the fixture is at Affidea Stadium in Belfast.

What are you watching for?

Hume’s return, the Murphy-Benson combination, the new-look pack and the battle for places all give Ulster supporters plenty to keep an eye on. What do you most want to see from the final pre-season hit-out?

James Hume returns to Ulster’s starting XV for Friday night’s home pre-season meeting with Ospreys at Affidea Stadium, with Richie Murphy reshuffling both the pack and midfield for the province’s final warm-up before the new United Rugby Championship campaign.

Eduardo Bello starts at tighthead after coming from the bench against Edinburgh, while Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form a new second row. David McCann moves to blindside flanker, Martin Moloney starts at openside and James McNabney is named at number eight. In the backs, Matthew Devine remains at scrum-half, Jack Murphy starts at 10, Jamie Benson moves to inside centre and Hume comes in at 13.

Ulster v Ospreys: match details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Ospreys
• Date: Friday 11 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly
• Watch: Ulster Rugby Live (£7.50)

For the permanent fixture information and Match Hub, see our Ulster v Ospreys pre-season fixture guide.

Ulster team v Ospreys

Starting XV

1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. James McCormick
3. Eduardo Bello
4. Ben Donnell
5. Eli Snyman
6. David McCann
7. Martin Moloney
8. James McNabney
9. Matthew Devine
10. Jack Murphy
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
12. Jamie Benson
13. James Hume
14. Chay Mullins
15. Michael Lowry

Replacements

Tom McAllister, Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Daniel Hawkshaw, Ben Carson.

What has changed from Edinburgh?

Hume returns in midfield: Hume comes into the starting side at outside centre, with Benson moving from fly-half to number 12 and Jack Murphy taking over at 10. Daniel Hawkshaw and Ben Carson move to the replacements.

Bello gets the tighthead start: Argentina international Eduardo Bello moves into the starting front row, with Tom McAllister among the replacements. Eric O’Sullivan and James McCormick continue at loosehead and hooker.

A new-look back five of the scrum: Donnell and Snyman start together in the second row, while McCann, Moloney and McNabney make up the back row. Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop and Tom Brigg all move to the bench.

Continuity in the back three: Aitzol Arenzana-King and Chay Mullins remain on the wings, with Michael Lowry again at full-back. Devine also keeps the scrum-half jersey after starting the pre-season win in Edinburgh.

How to watch Ulster v Ospreys

The match kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Friday. Ulster Rugby’s official live streaming service is carrying the Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly for £7.50.

The Ospreys fixture is Ulster’s final pre-season test before the competitive campaign begins at home to Edinburgh on Friday 25 September.

Ulster return to Affidea Stadium on Friday 11 September for a pre-season friendly against Ospreys, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

Ulster v Ospreys: fixture details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Ospreys
• Date: Friday 11 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm UK/Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: Pre-season friendly

Ulster’s next pre-season test

The Ospreys game follows Ulster’s trip to Edinburgh on 4 September and gives the province another important opportunity to build combinations and match sharpness before the competitive campaign begins.

For supporters, it is also the first home fixture in this short pre-season run. With the match at Affidea Stadium, the emphasis should be on how the squad develops from the Edinburgh outing and which combinations are beginning to settle ahead of the United Rugby Championship.

What to watch

Selection will be one of the main talking points. Pre-season gives the coaching staff room to balance established players, summer arrivals and Academy talent while managing minutes across the squad.

Rather than reading too much into the result, the more useful signs will be continuity, defensive organisation, set-piece progress and which players put themselves in contention for the opening competitive fixtures.

Latest team, TV and match information

The Match Hub on this page is the source for the latest confirmed fixture information. Team news, broadcast details and any important changes can be added there as they are confirmed, without changing this permanent fixture URL.

Tickets

Tickets are listed through Ulster Rugby’s ticketing channels for the home pre-season fixture at Affidea Stadium. Supporters should check the official club ticket route for the latest availability and matchday information.

What comes next?

Ulster’s first confirmed United Rugby Championship fixture is also at home, against Edinburgh on Friday 25 September. That makes the Ospreys game a useful final home-stage test before the league campaign gets under way.

Ulster are back in match action tonight, with Michael Lowry captaining a 27-player squad for the pre-season trip to Edinburgh Rugby at Hive Stadium.

Richie Murphy has mixed senior experience, Academy players and summer arrivals for the first warm-up fixture of the 2026/27 campaign. Scrum-half Matthew Devine and fly-half Jamie Benson will make their first appearances in an Ulster jersey, while several other new signings are set to feature from the bench.

Edinburgh v Ulster: match details

• Fixture: Edinburgh Rugby v Ulster Rugby
• Date: Friday 4 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm (UK/Ireland time)
• Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
• Competition: Scottish Building Society pre-season friendly
• TV: Premier Sports 2

For the wider fixture background, including the quick turnaround before the teams meet again in the URC, see our Edinburgh v Ulster pre-season fixture guide.

Ulster team v Edinburgh

Lowry starts at full-back and leads the side. Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick and Academy tighthead Tom McAllister form the front row, with Harry Sheridan and Joe Hopes in the second row. James McKillop, Tom Brigg and David McCann make up the back row.

The new half-back pairing is one of the most interesting selections. Devine starts at scrum-half after joining from Connacht, with Benson at fly-half following his move from Harlequins. Daniel Hawkshaw starts at inside centre alongside Ben Carson, while Aitzol Arenzana-King and Chay Mullins are on the wings.

Ulster starting XV

1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. James McCormick
3. Tom McAllister
4. Harry Sheridan
5. Joe Hopes
6. James McKillop
7. Tom Brigg
8. David McCann
9. Matthew Devine
10. Jamie Benson
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
12. Daniel Hawkshaw
13. Ben Carson
14. Chay Mullins
15. Michael Lowry (captain)

Ulster replacements

Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Martin Moloney, James McNabney, Clark Logan, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Jed Findlay and Jack Murphy.

New faces get an early opportunity

Devine and Benson are not the only summer arrivals involved. Eduardo Bello, Eli Snyman, Ben Donnell and Martin Moloney are named among the replacements, giving Murphy the chance to spread minutes across a large squad.

There is also a welcome return to a matchday squad for James McNabney as he continues his comeback from a long-term ACL injury. With 12 replacements available, the emphasis is clearly on game time and combinations rather than treating this like a normal competitive matchday 23.

What to watch from Ulster tonight

The Devine-Benson partnership: two new half-backs starting together means supporters will get an immediate look at how they manage territory, tempo and Ulster’s attack.

Younger forwards under pressure: McAllister, McKillop and Brigg all start in a pack that will be tested by an Edinburgh side also using the night to assess combinations.

Competition in the back three: Arenzana-King and Mullins start on the wings with Lowry at full-back, offering pace and a chance for the newer faces to make an early impression.

Edinburgh will rotate heavily too

Edinburgh have named two XVs, with each unit expected to get around 40 minutes. New recruits Alec Hepburn, James Grayson and Geordie Gwynn are among the first-half starters, while Kienan Higgins is due to feature after the interval.

That makes tonight exactly what a useful pre-season game should be: plenty of changes, fresh combinations and an opportunity for both coaching teams to learn more before competitive rugby begins.

How to watch

Kick-off at Hive Stadium is 7.45pm and the match is being shown live on Premier Sports 2.

We will keep an eye on the key talking points from Edinburgh as Ulster’s 2026/27 preparations move up a level.

Ulster are due to return to match action on Friday 4 September when they travel to Edinburgh for a pre-season friendly at Hive Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.45pm, giving supporters an early look at the province before the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship campaign begins later in the month.

Edinburgh v Ulster: fixture details

• Fixture: Edinburgh Rugby v Ulster Rugby
• Date: Friday 4 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm
• Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
• Competition: Pre-season friendly

What the fixture means for Ulster

The trip to Edinburgh will be one of the first opportunities to judge how Ulster are shaping up for the new season. Pre-season results never tell the whole story, but the game should give the coaching staff valuable match minutes and offer supporters a first proper look at combinations, returning players and new arrivals under competitive pressure.

It is also a useful dress rehearsal for a fixture that will become very familiar very quickly. Edinburgh and Ulster meet again just three weeks later, this time in the BKT United Rugby Championship at Affidea Stadium on Friday 25 September, also with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Team news

No matchday squad has been confirmed yet. Rugby Ulster will update this page when the teams are announced, with the key selections and what they could tell us about Ulster’s plans for the season ahead.

How to watch Edinburgh v Ulster

Broadcast or streaming information has not yet been confirmed in the official fixture information available at the time of writing. We will add viewing details here if an official broadcaster or stream is announced.

Tickets

Edinburgh Rugby lists the match at Hive Stadium on its official fixtures and ticket pages. Supporters planning to travel should check the Edinburgh Rugby ticket page for the latest availability and sale information.

Rugby Ulster next-fixture tracker

This is the fixture we will keep at the top of Rugby Ulster as the next game approaches. We will update it with team news, broadcast details and any important supporter information, then move the focus to the next Ulster fixture after full-time.

Fixture information checked against Edinburgh Rugby’s official announcement and fixture listings.