McCloskey and Ulster battle for centre stage as Aki registers his ton

Ulster miss Henderson and  Baloucoune through injury for Connacht clash

Michael Lowry, left, and Stuart McCloskey during Ulster Rugby squad training at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. 

Connacht and Ulster have grown accustomed to their provincial cousins grabbing the limelight.

If it hasn't been Munster winning European titles and dominating the ranks of the national team then it has been Leinster. Now here they both are opening the show today , taking centre stage at the Aviva as Irish rugby gets back on its feet.