Rugby: Ulster match confirmed for Dublin's Aviva Stadium

Ulster's Champions Cup clash at home to La Rochelle on Saturday WON'T be played at the Kingspan.

And it won't have any supporters in attendance either.

It will take place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. The kick-off time remains 5:30.

A statement on the Ulster Rugby website on Friday read:

"Ulster Rugby has been informed by tournament organisers EPCR that tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Stade Rochelais cannot be played at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast due to concerns over the safety of the playing surface.

The match will now be played behind closed doors in Dublin."

Ulster had been working to get their own pitch ready to play following this week's icy weather conditions, but that now seems to have failed.

Ulster Rugby said in a statement on Saturday:

"Following close consultation between Ulster Rugby and EPCR in recent days, and despite the efforts of the Kingspan Stadium ground staff, the decision was taken to move the fixture as Kingspan Stadium's playing surface was deemed unsafe due to the freezing conditions in Belfast."