Hi °C | Lo °C Coach Mark McCall is hoping for a full house at Ravenhill on Friday night as Ulster begin their Magners League campaign against defending champions the Ospreys.
The game has been brought forward to 6.30pm to avoid a clash with Ireland's crucial World Cup clash in Paris with France.
There will be big screens erected at the ground so fans can enjoy the action in Paris once the Ulster's match finish.
"We would like a really big crowd, in the first two games the fans got behind us the players appreciated it," stated McCall.
"Hopefully we can get a win and have a carnival atmosphere for the Irish game which will be on the big screens."
Centre Paul Steinmetz has been ruled out of the game after picking up a hand injury in the final pre-season friendly against Gloucester.
The former All Black is to be reviewed by a consultant on October 4th after a clash with Lesley Vainikolo which saw Steinmetz leave the field on a stretcher.
McCall is upbeat that David Humphreys and Justin Harrison will both be passed fit for the Ospreys clash.
Humphreys is recovering from ligament damage in his ankle while Harrison has a knee problem.
Neither took part in the two pre-season games but it is hoped they will come through training this week to take their place in the starting line up.
Hooker Neil Hanna is long-term causality and is ruled out for the season after a training ground accident.
Ulster signed Matt Miles, a former Welsh Under-21 player as cover and McCall has to ponder whether to include him in the match squad.
"Matt has been impressive in training, he brings Premiership experience having played at Northampton and he has played in the hard Division One," he added.
"He looks very lively in the loose and is in contention with Nigel Brady and Stuart Philpott."
