Ulster chiefs rent marquee for pitch

ULSTER RUGBY has hired a large marquee and commercial heat blowers, to ensure next Friday night’s Heineken Cup clash with Edinburgh beats the big freeze.

The marquee will be erected on one half of the pitch over the weekend, with the heaters placed inside. The marquee will then move to the other half of the pitch, which is currently covered by frost covers.

Meanwhile. frost covers with extra insulation, will be placed onto the half already done. To this point the pitch had been covered with frost covers, but they were not enough to protect it from the prolonged freezing conditions.

Ulster Rugby chief executive Michael Reid said: “I would commend venue manager Brian Elliot and his staff for their hard work over the last few weeks.

“I know that with the plans that are in place for the next seven days, and if the Met Office have got it right, we will have a perfect playing surface for Heineken Cup rugby next Friday night.”

Meanwhile, the Ulster players are currently training at the indoor 3G pitch at the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland at Jordanstown and a similar facility at Ashfield School in east Belfast.