Having had two matches cancelled recently, ground staff at the Bedford club have been working tirelessly to ensure that the game gets the go-ahead and with weekend temperatures set to rise to a balmy seven degrees, it looks as if it is all systems go.

Speaking ahead of the game, Bedford Blues Chairman Geoff Irvine said: "The British & Irish Cup is a welcome break to what is already a very testing Championship season and we are all looking to the challenge that Ulster bring.

"My parents are both from Belfast and it was great going back to the city last year for rugby reasons. The result may not have gone our way but I was able to meet up with a lot of family members, many of whom I hadn't seen in a long time."

The Eagle Stand at Goldington Road has sold out for the cup game which kicks off at 3pm.

Ulster Ravens boss Gary Longwell will delay naming his squad until Friday, with player selection dependent on who will make the senior panel for Ulster's Heineken Cup game against Bath on Saturday afternoon.

The Ravens have already recorded one win in British & Irish Cup Pool C, defeating Swansea 32-12 at St. Helen's in October.