Fleming in the middle

Scottish referee Jim Fleming will take charge of Saturday's European Cup semi-final between Ulster and Stade Francais in Belfast…

Scottish referee Jim Fleming will take charge of Saturday's European Cup semi-final between Ulster and Stade Francais in Belfast. Fleming controlled last season's European Cup final when Bath beat Brive, while Frenchman Joel Dume has been handed the Colomiers versus Perpignan last-four clash.

Ulster are well on course for a 20,000 capacity crowd at Ravenhill, with advance ticket sales already nudging 17,000.

"The interest in this game has been quite amazing, it's taken us by surprise," said Ulster chief executive Michael Reid.

"Reaching the European Cup semi-finals is the biggest thing to happen to Ulster rugby for at least the last 15 years, and getting the French champions at this stage of the tournament was a dream draw."