NINETY YEARS AFTER Ulster hosted Leinster in the first ever match at Ravenhill in January 1924, the two provinces will meet again to mark the official opening of the redeveloped Belfast ground.
Ulster have today announced that the ribbon-cutting on the new Grandstand will be on Friday May 2, ahead of the Pro12 clash with Leinster.
The province have also arranged an hour-long pre-match ceremony featuring ‘a celebration of rugby in Ulster’ complete with representatives from the women’s game, schools and disability rugby.
The opening of the fourth stand will take the capacity up to 18,000, meaning it is now capable of hosting April’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens and the northern province won’t be forced to give up home advantage should they reach another Pro12 final.
Work on the Nevin Spence Centre and a community 3G pitch will begin in the summer as the final pieces of the redevelopment.
