Pitch Inspection Information
There will be pitch inspections at the Sportsground and Ravenhill in the coming hours to decide whether or not today’s planned Magners League interpro fixtures – Connacht v Leinster and Ulster v Munster – can go ahead as planned.
A pitch inspection will take place at the Sportsground at 12 noon today to confirm that Connacht’s Magners League clash with Leinster will go ahead at 4pm.
The surface of the pitch was covered on Thursday but heavy overnight frost has resulted in an inspection being required. A few small areas of the pitch are a cause for concern.
The Leinster squad and management have departed from Dublin for the game and it is hoped that it will go ahead as planned at 4pm.
The outcome of the noon pitch inspection will be posted on the Connacht website as soon as it is made.
Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to stage the AIB Junior Cup semi-final between Monivea and City of Derry at the Sportsground later this evening.
The game was scheduled to take place at Monivea’s Castle Grounds this afternoon but the pitch is unplayable. The staging of the game at the Sportsground this evening will also be dependent on the pitch inspection.
Meanwhile, with the recent drop in temperatures, ground staff at Ravenhill have been keeping a close eye on pitch conditions and with pitch covers on all week, Ulster Rugby is still positive that today’s game between Ulster and Munster will go ahead (kick-off 6pm).
A final pitch inspection is due to take place later this afternoon but it is thought that if temperatures rise above freezing throughout the day, the game should indeed be played as scheduled.
However, Ulster Rugby urges supporters to check the Ulster website after 3pm this afternoon for an update before travelling to the ground.