Ulster face the daunting trip to the Stade Marcel Michelin when they play Clermont Auvergne in their first match of the Heineken Champions Cup. Ulster will be looking to show that they can compete at the top level and winning at the Michelin will be a huge statement. Here's the team news going into the match and how to watch Ulster vs Clermont.
How to watch Ulster vs Clermont
Ulster vs Clermont is happening on Saturday 11th December and kick off it at 5:30pm Irish time.
The game is live on BT Sport 3 and their coverage starts at 5:15pm.
Team News
Ulster travel to France off the back of a defeat away to the Ospreys. They dominated territory and possession and forced Ospreys to make 227 tackles but were undone by discipline. Ulster conceded 12 penalties and the boot of Stephen Myler for Ospreys gave them the 19-13 win. Many of the penalties came from the scrum when Ulster had a bit of an injury crisis. Both hookers had to go off meaning prop Eric O'Sullivan had to slot in at the position and do his best Rory Best impression.
Ulster named their team on Friday to start and it includes Springbok Duane Vermuelen.
𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣! 📥
Your team representing Ulster in our first game of the 2021-22 #HeinekenChampionsCup versus @ASMOfficiel has been named 🤩
Full story ➡️ https://t.co/fr4kce0JEb #ASMvULS | #SUFTUM ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/qSkHOgyhMU— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 10, 2021
Clermont have been very good at home this season, losing only match match at the Stade Marcel Michelin this season. However that record is only good enough for seventh in the Top 14. They have some stars in the backline in the form of Damian Penaud, Laivereti Vaka and Kotaru Matsushima. Former Munster fly-half JJ Hanrahan is also on the books of Clermont, and will start against Ulster on Saturday evening at outhalf.
𝙇𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙤 💛💙
📢 Auvergnats, Auvergnates voici votre XV de départ face à l Ulster Rugby
📍Samedi à 18h30 au #Michelin 🔥
👉 plus d'infos https://t.co/h0w1yDU65Z #ASMvsULS #ChampionsCup #YellowArmy pic.twitter.com/J2Y51wOrbG— ASM Rugby (@ASMOfficiel) December 10, 2021
See Also: Four Champions Cup Talking Points Ahead Of The Opening Round
