All posts by RugbyUlster

Ulster’s first away game of the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship takes them to Scotstoun Stadium to face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday 3 October.

The fixture is Round 2 of the new URC season and now kicks off at 5.30pm BST. Glasgow Warriors confirmed on 1 September that the game had been moved from its originally announced 7.45pm slot following discussions between the league and broadcasters.

Glasgow Warriors v Ulster: fixture details

• Fixture: Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby
• Date: Saturday 3 October 2026
• Kick-off: 5.30pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
• Competition: BKT United Rugby Championship – Round 2
• TV / stream: To be confirmed

Kick-off moved to 5.30pm

The match was originally listed for 7.45pm, including in the first round of 2026/27 fixture announcements. Glasgow Warriors subsequently confirmed an updated 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday 3 October.

For supporters making plans for the trip, the later update is the one to use. Rugby Ulster will keep this Match Hub aligned with any further official changes.

Ulster’s first URC away trip

The trip to Glasgow follows Ulster’s season opener at home to Edinburgh Rugby on Friday 25 September. It gives Richie Murphy’s side an immediate early-season test away from Belfast before Munster visit Affidea Stadium in Round 3.

Scotstoun has traditionally been one of the more demanding away venues in the league, so this should provide an early indication of where Ulster stand once the competitive campaign is under way.

What to expect at Scotstoun

Glasgow’s first home URC fixture of the season comes against Ulster, giving the game added significance for both sides. The Warriors begin their campaign away to Munster before returning to Scotstoun for Round 2.

Team news will be added closer to kick-off, together with any confirmed broadcast information and supporter details that become available.

TV and streaming

A specific UK television channel or streaming listing for this fixture has not yet been confirmed in the latest official match information checked for this page. We will update the Match Hub when the broadcaster listing is published.

Rugby Ulster Match Hub

This is the canonical Rugby Ulster fixture page for Glasgow Warriors v Ulster. Team news, matchday coverage, result and reaction stories can link back here while the core fixture information remains in one permanent place.

Latest official fixture update: Glasgow Warriors confirmed the revised 5.30pm kick-off on 1 September 2026.

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?

Ulster open the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season at home to Edinburgh Rugby on Friday 25 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm BST at Affidea Stadium.

It is Ulster’s first competitive fixture of the new campaign and comes two weeks after the final pre-season game against Ospreys. Edinburgh will already be familiar opposition: the sides also met in a warm-up fixture at Hive Stadium earlier in September, but this time league points are on the line.

Ulster v Edinburgh: fixture details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
• Date: Friday 25 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: United Rugby Championship – Round 1
• TV: Premier Sports

The competitive season starts at home

After two September pre-season fixtures, Richie Murphy’s side begin the URC campaign in Belfast. The Edinburgh game is the first of 18 scheduled regular-season league fixtures for Ulster and the first opportunity to turn the work of pre-season into championship points.

The quick rematch with Edinburgh also gives the opening round an extra layer of interest. The pre-season meeting provided a first look at new combinations and summer arrivals; Round 1 should give a much clearer indication of how Ulster intend to approach the competitive campaign.

What to watch

The opening selection: the first competitive team sheet of the season will show which combinations have won the early selection battles after the Edinburgh and Ospreys warm-up matches.

New faces under competitive pressure: several summer arrivals have been involved during pre-season. The URC opener will be the first chance to see which of them are trusted immediately when league points matter.

A home start: beginning at Affidea Stadium gives Ulster the opportunity to establish early momentum before travelling to Glasgow Warriors in Round 2.

How to watch Ulster v Edinburgh

Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST on Friday 25 September. Premier Sports holds live rights to every United Rugby Championship match. The Match Hub on this page will carry the latest confirmed broadcast details and any late fixture updates.

What comes next?

Ulster travel to Scotstoun Stadium to face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday 3 October, with another 7.45pm BST kick-off. The first interprovincial fixture follows at home to Munster on Saturday 10 October.

Team news for the Edinburgh opener will be added when the official matchday squad is announced.

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 Rugby’s 2026/27 fixture list is set, with 18 United Rugby Championship matches and four confirmed EPCR Challenge Cup pool games across the regular season.

This page is the Rugby Ulster season hub for the senior men’s competitive fixtures. It will be kept updated if dates, kick-off times or venues change during the campaign.

Time-zone guide: The first kick-off time shown is always the time in the UK and Ireland. We label it BST during British Summer Time and GMT during the winter. For overseas fixtures, the venue-local kick-off is also shown separately. In the Republic of Ireland, BST corresponds to Irish Standard Time (IST) during summer; GMT applies in winter.

Ulster Rugby URC fixtures 2026/27

Ulster open the URC season at home to Edinburgh Rugby on Friday 25 September before travelling to Glasgow in Round 2. The first interprovincial game follows against Munster at Affidea Stadium on Saturday 10 October.

Ulster Rugby EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures 2026/27

Ulster are in Challenge Cup Pool 1 alongside Toyota Cheetahs, USAP, Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais and Zebre Parma. Their four confirmed pool matches begin away to Zebre in October, followed by home games against Bayonne and Dragons and a January trip to Perpignan.

Key dates in Ulster’s 2026/27 season

• URC opener: Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, Friday 25 September, 19:45 BST.
• First interpro: Ulster Rugby v Munster Rugby, Saturday 10 October, 17:30 BST.
• European opener: Zebre Parma v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 17 October, 15:15 BST (16:15 CEST in Parma).
• Christmas interpro: Ulster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Sunday 27 December, 17:30 GMT.
• New Year derby: Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 2 January, 19:45 GMT.
• Final scheduled URC regular-season game: Ulster Rugby v Lions, Friday 14 May, 19:45 BST.

Are the Ulster fixtures final?

These are the currently confirmed competitive fixtures. Rugby schedules can change because of broadcast selections, competition requirements or venue arrangements, so this guide will be updated whenever an official change is announced.

Ulster Rugby have confirmed that captain Iain Henderson will be unavailable for a number of months after undergoing hip surgery this summer.

The update comes during the Senior Men’s squad’s pre-season preparations and also includes three other players who are recovering after surgery during the off-season.

Henderson unavailable for a number of months

Henderson has successfully undergone hip surgery, with Ulster confirming that he will now be unavailable for a number of months.

No specific return date has been announced. That leaves Ulster preparing for the opening weeks of the new campaign without their captain, with further updates expected as his rehabilitation progresses.

Ward, Augustus and Postlethwaite also recovering

Ulster’s medical update also confirmed that three more members of the senior squad had operations during the off-season:

• Bryn Ward — shoulder surgery
• Juarno Augustus — ankle surgery
• Jude Postlethwaite — knee surgery

All three players are currently undergoing rehabilitation for their respective injuries. Ulster did not announce individual return dates for Ward, Augustus or Postlethwaite in the update.

What it means for Ulster’s pre-season

The news gives the coaching staff several availability issues to manage as preparations continue for the 2026-27 season.

Henderson’s absence is the most significant confirmed setback because of both his experience and his role as captain, while the progress of Ward, Augustus and Postlethwaite will also be watched closely as the opening fixtures approach.

At this stage there is no indication from Ulster that any of the four players has been given a firm return-to-play date. Rehabilitation timelines can change, so the clearest position for now is simply that Henderson will be out for a number of months and the other three players remain in rehabilitation.

Rugby Ulster will update the squad availability picture as further information is confirmed.

Source: Ulster Rugby pre-season medical update, August 2026.

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.

Joe Schmidt joins Ulster in one of the most interesting coaching appointments the province has made in years, but the important detail is that he is not arriving as Richie Murphy’s new assistant or taking over the senior team.

The former Ireland and Australia head coach has been appointed as Ulster’s new Coach Development Advisor, a consultancy role created to strengthen coaching across the province. It is a 12-month arrangement, with Schmidt expected to make several visits to Ulster while also working remotely with coaches between those visits.

That makes this a very different appointment from the usual headline-grabbing addition to a professional coaching ticket. Schmidt’s remit stretches through the academy, age-grade programmes, schools and clubs, as well as the professional game.

So what will Joe Schmidt actually do at Ulster?

The simplest way to look at the role is that Schmidt is being brought in to help improve the people who coach Ulster players, rather than simply coach the senior players himself.

Ulster have described the job as one focused on creating a clearer and more connected coaching pathway. That means mentorship, guidance and strategic support for coaches working at different levels of the game, from the pathway that develops young players through to the professional environment.

For supporters, that may make the impact less obvious at first. There might not be a new Schmidt-designed attack appearing on the pitch in week one, and he will not be standing beside Murphy every matchday. The value is more likely to come from improving standards and consistency behind the scenes.

If a coach working with an academy group, school or club becomes better at developing players, that improvement can eventually feed into the professional side. The same applies if coaches at different levels are working from a more connected set of ideas about skill development, decision-making and preparation.

Why Schmidt is a significant person to bring in

Schmidt arrives with one of the strongest coaching CVs in modern Irish rugby. He won two European Cups with Leinster before taking charge of Ireland in 2013, where he went on to win three Six Nations titles, including the 2018 Grand Slam.

His Ireland side also delivered landmark results against New Zealand, while his reputation became closely associated with detailed preparation and getting players to understand exactly what was expected of them.

After leaving Ireland in 2019, Schmidt later worked in New Zealand rugby and with the All Blacks before becoming Australia head coach in 2024. He stepped down from the Wallabies role this summer, with former Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss succeeding him.

That experience is important, but so is his familiarity with the Irish system. Schmidt already knows how the provincial, academy and international structures interact, which should reduce the amount of time needed simply to understand the environment.

The Richie Murphy connection matters too

There is also an existing relationship at the heart of the appointment. Richie Murphy previously worked with Schmidt at both Leinster and Ireland, so this is not a case of two coaches being introduced for the first time and hoping their ideas fit.

Murphy has first-hand knowledge of how Schmidt works, and Schmidt already understands the demands of developing players within Irish rugby. That should make it easier for the consultancy to complement the existing Ulster coaching structure rather than cut across it.

It also helps explain why this should not be read as pressure on Murphy’s position. Schmidt’s brief is deliberately wider than the senior squad. The appointment is about coach development across Ulster, not installing another head coach above or beside the current one.

What could supporters realistically expect?

The temptation with a name as big as Schmidt is to expect an immediate first-team transformation. That is probably the wrong way to judge this move.

A more realistic test will be whether Ulster can build a stronger coaching pipeline, improve the transition between different levels of the pathway and give promising coaches better access to high-level experience.

That could eventually influence the senior team through better-developed players and coaches, but the most valuable results may take longer than a single season to become obvious.

For Ulster, there is very little downside in giving coaches across the province access to someone with Schmidt’s experience. The more interesting question is how much of that knowledge can be embedded into the system during the next 12 months so the benefit remains after the consultancy ends.

That is what makes the appointment worth watching. It is not simply about putting a famous name into an Ulster tracksuit. It is an attempt to strengthen the structure that produces the coaches who, in turn, develop the next generation of Ulster players.

What do you make of the appointment? Follow our Ulster coaching news as the province builds towards the new season.