Some people have asked us why our frost covers (a thin mesh-type layer) were not used to protect the pitch on Thursday night, however there was no heavy frost forecast and the covers are ineffective against major snow-fall with the weight of compacted snow making them all but impossible to lift.

Given that the Munster squad were already in Belfast, the fact that we'd over 12,000 tickets sold and the considerable amount of preparation that goes into making Ravenhill ready for a fixture, we were keen that the game be played if at all possible. However, as the day went on it became clear that we could not go ahead, primarly because of the health and safety risk to spectators. It was not a decision taken lightly and Ulster Rugby sincerely apologises for any expense incurred by travelling supporters, or time lost as a result of the postponement.
 
Please hold on to your match tickets and ensure you keep them in a safe place as they will be valid for the re-arranged date. Please ensure your tickets are not lost as we will be unable to re-issue them.
If you were due to collect your match tickets from the Ticket Collection Gate on Friday evening, these will be posted to you in the next few days with information regarding the revised date for the game. If the re-arranged date isn't suitable then you will be entitled to a refund and further details will follow once we have agreed a new match date.

Having missed out last week, if you fancy a Friday fix of rugby you're in luck! Ulster's next home match is this Friday with the Heineken Cup clash against Carlo del Fava's old club, Bourgoin scheduled for a 7.30pm kick off.

Unfortunately it's too late for Ulster's new coach Matt Williams who is returning to Australia on Wednesday and will have to wait until he formally takes over in February before he has his first taste of the Ravenhill experience on the home side, but the team have it all to play for with their new boss no doubt watching a tape of the game in sunny Sydney, keen to see how they perform both as a team and individually with contracts up for review. 

Will Carlo be leading out the Ulster team this week against his old club? Steve Williams will announcing his squad tomorrow at lunchtime so log-on then for more info.

Tickets for this, our last home match is Europe this season are available from Ravenhill, all ususal outlets or by clicking here to buy online