The Ulster Rugby team is preparing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of their home ground, Ravenhill, with a friendly match against the Queensland Reds, coached by former Ulster head coach, Les Kiss. The game is set to take place in February during the Six Nations window and will be a momentous occasion for both teams and their supporters.
The friendly match will see Ulster go head-to-head with the Queensland Reds, a Super Rugby Pacific side based in Brisbane. This match will also give head coach Richie Murphy the opportunity to evaluate his squad’s overall performance and keep them engaged during a relatively quiet period in the United Rugby Championship.
Fans of Ulster Rugby will have the opportunity to witness talented players such as Matt Faessler, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, and Suliasi Vunivalu in action, as they are all poised to join the Queensland Reds for the upcoming season. Additionally, the match will also see the return of prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, who left Ravenhill to join the Queensland Reds and has since made a significant impact in Super Rugby.
Former Ulster head coach Les Kiss expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming match, sharing, “Personally, I can’t wait. I have great memories of my own time at Ulster and players like Iain Henderson, a Lions player in his own right. The stadium is an intimidating place to play. I can’t think of a better experience for our players than to meet when the fans are singing ‘Stand Up for the Ulstermen’ on a cold Friday night.”
Ulster’s interim chief executive, Hugh McCaughey, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “We look forward to the arrival of the Reds as part of our celebrations to mark 100 years of Ravenhill next season, with Les and Jeff set to receive a warm welcome from our supporters on their return to Belfast.”
The match is expected to be a centrepiece of the centenary celebrations for Ravenhill, offering supporters an opportunity to witness the Ulster men in action at home against one of the top club sides in the world. As the teams come together for this exciting and high-quality fixture, it will undoubtedly be a memorable and thrilling event for rugby enthusiasts.
The upcoming friendly match between Ulster and the Queensland Reds promises to be a fitting tribute to the legacy of Ravenhill as both teams come together to celebrate this historic occasion. It will not only be an opportunity to witness top-class rugby action but also a moment to honour the legacy of the iconic Ravenhill stadium.