Hello everyone and welcome to our live coverage of the Rabo Direct PRO12 clash between Ulster and Connacht at Ravenhill tonight. We are expecting a high octane encounter here in Belfast between two provincial rivals.
The home crowd will be excited by the return of Rory Best tonight and they will also be eagerly anticipating Tommy Bowe's first home appearance after his two-try comeback in Cardiff last week.
For Connacht, the fans will still be high after seeing their side crush Heineken Cup champions Leinster at the Sportsground last Friday, but that will be tempered by the news of coach Eric Elwood's departure at the end of the season.
There are three other games going on in the PRO12 tonight, Scarlet v Dragons, Edinburgh v Treviso and Ospreys are winning 21-3 at Zebre.
Needless to say we can expect an emotional atmosphere in Ravenhill tonight, time will tell if it has a positive impact on the Ulster team, as it did last weekend against Cardiff, or if it acts as a distraction from the rugby. Both teams are coming off the back of impressive victories, has all the ingredients to be a cracker.
Of course, it is Ulster's first home game since the tragic death of Nevin Spence, so there will be a minute's silence before the game.
Scarlets: Williams, North, Maule, Williams, Fenby, Thomas, Knoyle, John, Rees, Lee, Timani, Snyman, Shingler, Turnbull, McCusker(c)
Connacht make their way onto the pitch.
Johann Muller leads the Ulstermen out to chants of 'Stand up for the Ulster Men'.
And now for the minute's silence for the Spence family.
Unsurprisingly, an impeccably observed minute's silence and some emotional expressions on the Ulster faces. Now for the rugby...
Dan Parks gets the game going.
1' Scrum for Ulster in their 22 after a fairly muted start.
Huge Ulster scrum leads to a penalty, big victory for the home pack in scrum number 1!
Fifteen minutes to kick-off boys and girls for EDINBURGH RUGBY V TREVISO!!!! Come on Edinburgh!!!! #erlive
Apart from the pouring rain and a couple of knock on's, there's not much to get excited about so far with 6 minutes on the clock!!!!
3' Nice little burst there from Paddy Wallace. Penalty Ulster in the Connacht half thanks to Nick williams
Blood replacement - Phil John off, Shaun Hopkins on.
Connacht tackler failed to release, penalty to Ulster, Jackson kicks for touch!
4' Jared Payne just tries a fancy pass but it goes out for a Connacht line out in their own half.
5' 22 drop out to Ulster after Dan Parks overkicks the ball. Connacht again fail to release the tackler and give away a silly penalty.
First kickable penalty - Dragons 3-0 up with a penalty by Steffan Jones.
Another Ulster penalty, Connacht fail to release in tackle, Ulster winning the battle of the breakdown early on.
7' An untidy line out from Ulster leads to scrappy play and Connacht winning a scrum in the middle of the pitch.
8' Ronan Loughney went down too early in the scrum so Connacht are penalised and Ulster take another scrum.
Good chase by Shingler off Liam Williams' kick. Drop out 22 goes straight in to touch. Lineout Scarlets on Dragons 22!!
Another massive Ulster victory for Ulster in the scrum, they look like they will dominate that aspect tonight. Penalty for Jackson to give Ulster the lead...
9' Great scrum by Ulster pushing the away side backwards and that gives them another penalty in front of the posts well within Jackson's range.
Hello everyone and welcome to our live coverage of the Rabo Direct PRO12 clash between Ulster and Connacht at Ravenhill tonight. We are expecting a high octane encounter here in Belfast between two provincial rivals.
Tommy bowe to bag another pair of tries tonight. #watchithappen #SUFTUMby RTubman via twitter 10/5/2012 5:52:45 PM
Quite frankly it would be rude if Connacht won. #SUFTUMby markw_89 via twitter 10/5/2012 5:55:16 PM
Didnt have much time for Pro 12 research but Ulster have won last 5 at home to Connacht by 11 points or more.by rpetty80 via twitter 10/5/2012 5:59:36 PM
Needless to say we can expect an emotional atmosphere in Ravenhill tonight, time will tell if it has a positive impact on the Ulster team, as it did last weekend against Cardiff, or if it acts as a distraction from the rugby. Both teams are coming off the back of impressive victories, has all the ingredients to be a cracker.
Bowe hatrick, JP to be outstanding again #SUFTUMby JonnyMilliken15 via twitter 10/5/2012 6:06:02 PM
Let's make it 5 from 5 lads! #SUFTUM #doitforNevby R18_RPC via twitter 10/5/2012 6:06:08 PM
@scarlets_rugby Much respect to the team for wearing pink ribbons for #AprilJonesby FlossybeerH via twitter 10/5/2012 6:07:36 PM
@BBCUlsterRugby what a tribute to Nevin guys. Got me in tears here #RIPNevin #SUFTUMby Tuilalcaron via twitter 10/5/2012 6:07:44 PM
Scarlets: Williams, North, Maule, Williams, Fenby, Thomas, Knoyle, John, Rees, Lee, Timani, Snyman, Shingler, Turnbull, McCusker(c)by scarlets_rugby via twitter 10/5/2012 6:08:38 PM
Emotional atmosphere at Ravehill #SUFTUM #Spenceby Marxy90 via twitter 10/5/2012 6:13:25 PM
Fifteen minutes to kick-off boys and girls for EDINBURGH RUGBY V TREVISO!!!! Come on Edinburgh!!!! #erliveby EdinburghRugby via twitter 10/5/2012 6:15:18 PM
@EdinburghRugby sort out your turnstiles for season ticket holders this is a jokeby gavinc42 via twitter 10/5/2012 6:20:06 PM
Can't be an easy night to be an Ulster player. Heres hoping for another win and staying top of the league though #SUFTUMby CraigChalmers via twitter 10/5/2012 6:22:44 PM
