What time and TV channel is Ulster v Munster on today? TV and stream info, start time and more for the URC clash

It wasn't the start to the European campaign that either Ulster or Munster wanted but both provinces had to re-set immediately for this return to URC action.

Ulster conceded 101 points over the course of two weekends, losing by 40 points in Toulouse in the opening round of the Champions Cup and while Richie Murphy selected a much stronger side for the visit of Bordeaux Begles to Belfast last Saturday, the result was ultimately another heavy defeat after Ulster had been in the fight for around an hour.

They also came out of that defeat with a load of injury concerns to skipper Iain Henderson, new Ireland cap Cormac Izuchukwu, out-half Aidan Morgan and Ireland back row Nick Timoney, plus winger Werner Kok and utility half-back Nathan Doak are all being monitored after picking up injuries on Saturday.

READ MORE:Ulster hit by injuries to top players ahead of Munster visit to Kingspan Stadium

READ MORE:Munster's next head coach is hiding in plain sight - he is already on their staff

There was a bit of good news in midweek with centre Ben Carson signing a three year contract extension to remain with Richie Murphy's squad until 2028.

Munster, on the other hand, did manage to win a bonus point at home to Stade Francais in their European opener at Thomond Park but the visitors were reduced to 13 men and a truer sense of the difficulties facing the Reds came in last Friday night's 16-14 loss at Castres, when the province performed badly.

They also lost scrum-half Craig Casey to a knee injury that required surgery this week and Thaakir Abrahams to a dislocated shoulder, while attack coach Mike Prendergast has thrown his hat in the ring for the vacant head coach position. Ian Costello continues to do that job on an interim basis.

So there is a lot on the line as the URC cranks back into gear over the festive period - albeit over two rounds of fixtures instead of three - with Ulster in 10th place in the table on 17 points and Munster just one place behind them and trailing by a point.

Where is the game on?

The game takes place at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast

Sign up for our Rugby news service on Whats App

Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest rugby news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

What time is kick-off?

The match kicks off at 7.35pm on Friday.

What TV channel is it on?

Live on TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport and streamed on URC.tv

Betting Odds

Ulster 4/5 to win, Munster 11/10 to win; draw 18/1

Tale of the tape

This could be another close one. Both sides have won three of their last six meetings, and in general both provinces have not enjoyed a good interpro record of late.

Munster haven't beaten an Irish rival away from home since overcoming Leinster in that 16-15 victory in the URC semi-final at the Aviva Stadium when Jack Crowley's late drop goal clinched it.

Ulster, meanwhile, have only won one of their last four interpro fixtures - a five-point success against Connacht in Belfast in October.

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.