There are only three points separating Ulster and Connacht in the Magners League table and with Ulster focused on climbing the league over the next few months this game is crucial for Ulster.
Ulster welcome back Irish internationals; Stephen Ferris, Rory Best and Paddy Wallace for this crunch game, as well as Scottish international Simon Danielli who returns to fitness following on from a knee injury picked up during the pre-season.
Matt Williams knows the importance of this game to his side in terms of the League: "We have a lot of respect for Connacht, they are a good side and play a hard game of rugby but we are more determined than ever and we are going out to win. We have performed well in our last few games; we won our last two Magners League games and beat a spirited Munster side. We will not hide from this Connacht side. The guys are hungry to play and continue on from the Munster and Portugal games and we hope that the Ulster Rugby public know how much this game means to us and get out and support us."
Connacht's last victory over Ulster was 22-12 at Galway in the league on New Year's Eve 2005, whilst Connacht has not won in Belfast since a 6-3 victory on 16 November 1960 in the Irish Interprovincial Championship.
ULSTER RUGBY SQUAD:
FORWARDS
Justin Fitzpatrick
Rory Best
Nigel Brady
Tom Court
Brendan Botha
Ed O'Donoghue
Ryan Caldwell
Matt McCullough
Kieron Dawson
Robbie Diack
Stephen Ferris
David Pollock
Thomas Anderson
BACKS
Niall O'Connor
Bryn Cunningham
Timoci Nagusa
Darren Cave
Andrew Trimble
Ian Whitten
Cillian Willis
Isaac Boss
Paul Steinmetz
Ian Humphreys
Mark McCrea
Paddy Wallace
Simon Danielli
Tickets for Ulster v Connacht match this Friday 28th November, kick off 7.30pm, are available via www.ulsterrugby.com, the Ravenhill Ticket Line 02890 493 222 Option 2 or through the Ravenhill Ticket Office Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.
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