The provincial outfit will be looking to get off to another good start in the league and build upon their three previous seasons – both seasons saw the side come close to silverware but fall short.

Dan McFarland, formerly an assistant coach with the Scottish outfit, led Ulster to 10 straight wins in the Pro14 at the start of last season but two losses to Leinster denied the Ulstermen a second league final in a row.

Ulster won both meetings with Glasgow Warriors last season and earned a bonus point in a 25-point win over Danny Wilson’s side at Ravenhill.

Glasgow, on the other hand, have not got one over their opponents since May 2019 – a 30-point thrashing in the 2018-19 Pro14 semi-final.

The side will be looking for their first win against Ulster on the road since September 2013.

The Warriors lost the final to Leinster that year and have not finished in the top two of their conference since.

10 players were unavailable for selection by McFarland and his backroom for the Ulster matchday squad, including Kieran Treadwell and Jordi Murphy.

New signing Duane Vermuelen will not join up with the squad until his duties with South Africa wrap up for the year.

The backs in the starting XV are mostly Ireland internationals – all aside from Ethan McIlroy have lined out for the boys in green.

Sam Carter captains the side from the second row.

Brad Thyer and Simon Berghan are in line for their debuts with the club at prop with Johnny Matthews starting at hooker in between them.

Scott Cummings and Richie Gray form a respectable second-row partnership while Ryan Wilson captains the Warriors for his 193rd cap with the side from blindside flanker.

Fly-half Duncan Weir is the most experienced player in the starting lineup with 107 caps and he plays in the same backline as a back three with only 46 caps to their name altogether.

The sole survivor from Glasgow’s last win in Belfast, Rob Harley, begins the game on the bench.

Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti and Ross Thompson are among the names that join him there.

The Fagerson brothers and Ali Price are among those unavailable for selection while Sebastian Cancelliere, Domingo Miotti and Enrique Pieretto are all on international duty.

Lineups

Ulster Rugby: Ethan McIlroy, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Brad Roberts, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (C), Greg Jones, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Mick Kearney, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, Will Addison.

Glasgow Warriors: Forbes, Steyn, Tuipulotu, Johnson, McLean, Weir, Horne; Thyer, Matthews, Berghan, Cummings, Gray, Wilson (C), Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, McCallum, Bean, Harley, Dobie, Thompson, Smith.

Odds

Ulster Rugby 1/8

Draw 25/1

Glasgow Warriors 5/1

Where To Watch

The game will kick-off at 7:35 pm and will be available to watch on  Premier Sports 1 and URC TV (dependent on location).

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The eagerly-anticipated clash against the five-time Premiership and three-time Heineken Champions Cup winners will be played in front of the largest crowd at the home of Ulster Rugby since the February 2020 win over Toyota Cheetahs.

All of those in attendance will have to have Ulster season tickets for the upcoming 2021/22 season – no individual tickets for the match will be on sale.

There will be no enforced social distancing for the fixture so season ticket holders will be able to sit in their own seat or stand on their allocated terrace for the match.

However, each terrace will operate to 30% of normal capacity to provide some social distancing in busy areas.

Furthermore, a socially distanced area will be available as an option for those who would like to socially distance themselves.

A section of the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand will be held for those who would prefer to sit in a socially distanced area.

The food village will be in operation for the game but no stadium bars will be open, except for table service in hospitality.

If you wish to become a season ticket holder ahead of the clash, there will be two priority windows in advance of this fixture for people to secure their season tickets.

2020/21 #TogetherUlster Members will have access to a Season Ticket priority window from 10 am on Tuesday 24 August until 10 am on Wednesday 25 August.

Those who have signed up to the Season Ticket waiting list before 5 pm on Tuesday 24 August will have access to a priority window from 10 am on Wednesday 25 August until 5 pm on Tuesday 31 August.

Both of these groups will be emailed their exclusive priority booking link at the time the respective windows open.

Ulster Rugby will have measures in place for the fixture in order to ensure a safe return of supporters.

Staggered entry and exit times will be utilised to avoid queueing and congestion.

Digital tickets will be accepted to provide contactless and secure entry through the turnstiles.

An alternative option to print your match tickets at home is also available.

There will be enhanced cleaning to disinfect busy areas pre and post-match and automated hand sanitising units have been fitted to turnstiles and stands.

Face coverings must be worn when moving around the stadium and in any indoor areas – the latter areas will have increased ventilation.

Numbers entering toilets will be controlled by stewards and one-way systems will be in operation where possible.

Ulster Rugby would also advise that anyone attending the fixture should test themselves using Rapid COVID-19 tests before they attend, and on days 2 and 8 after the event, in order to identify any positive cases and allow them to self-isolate.

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