Ulster set for crucial Friday night clash

Ulster and Leicester will get the next phase of the Heineken Cup underway with a Friday, 13 January clash that could determine which side qualifies in second place from Pool 4.

The dates and kick-off times for Rounds 5 and 6 of the Heineken Cup were announced today by ERC.

Both teams will struggle to catch French powerhouse ASM Clermont Auvergne, who are likely to top the pool after securing key bonus points against Leicester in Rounds 3 and 4.

But the second placed finisher is likely to be in contention for a best runner-up spot and the Ravenhill clash will almost certainly determine which side will claim it.

Ulster will travel to ASM Clermont for a 3.40pm kick-off on Saturday, 21 January in Round 6.

Munster – the only club with four wins in the pool stage to date – will continue their push for a place in the last eight when they host Castres Olympique at Thomond Park on Saturday, 14 January.

They will round off their campaign against Northampton Saints a week later at Stadium:mk in Milton Keynes.

Leinster, who have three wins and a draw and lead Pool 3, will play Glasgow in Firhill on Sunday, 15 January before finishing with a Saturday, 21 January, clash with Montpellier at the RDS.

In Round 6, Connacht will face high-flying Harlequins, steered by Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea, at The Sportsground on Friday, 20 January in a match that will be crucial for the English side, who are in a duel with Toulouse for top spot.

Before that they must undertake a daunting trip to Toulouse, who they will face at Le Stadium at 3.40pm (Irish time) on Saturday, 15 January.

HEINEKEN CUP FIXTURES - ROUND 5/6 (all times local)

ROUND 5

FRIDAY, 13 JANUARY 2012

Pool 2 Racing Metro 92 v Edinburgh Rugby 21.00
Pool 4 Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers 20.00
Pool 5 Ospreys v Benetton Treviso 20.00

SATURDAY, 14 JANUARY 2012

Pool 1 Scarlets v Northampton Saints 13.30
Pool 3 Montpellier v Bath Rugby 14.00
Pool 4 Aironi Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne 14.30 (Stadio Brianteo, Monza)
Pool 1 Munster Rugby v Castres Olympique 15.40
Pool 2 London Irish v Cardiff Blues 15.40
Pool 6 Toulouse v Connacht Rugby 16.40
Pool 6 Harlequins v Gloucester Rugby 18.00

SUNDAY, 15 JANUARY 2012

Pool 3 Glasgow Warriors v Leinster Rugby 12.45
Pool 5 Saracens v Biarritz Olympique 15.00

ROUND 6

FRIDAY, 20 JANUARY 2012

Pool 6 Connacht Rugby v Harlequins 20.00
Pool 6 Gloucester Rugby v Toulouse 20.00

SATURDAY, 21 JANUARY 2012

Pool 3 Bath Rugby v Glasgow Warriors 13.30
Pool 3 Leinster Rugby v Montpellier 13.30
Pool 4 Leicester Tigers v Aironi Rugby 15.40
Pool 4 ASM Clermont Auvergne v Ulster Rugby 16.40
Pool 1 Northampton Saints v Munster Rugby 18.00 (stadium:mk)
Pool 1 Castres Olympique v Scarlets 19.00

SUNDAY, 22 JANUARY 2012

Pool 5 Benetton Treviso v Saracens 14.00
Pool 5 Biarritz Olympique v Ospreys 14.00
Pool 2 Cardiff Blues v Racing Metro 92 15.15
Pool 2 Edinburgh Rugby v London Irish 15.15

In Round 6, all matches in the same pool will kick off simultaneously.