I just have to pack my safety goggles

I am off to Paris tomorrow, and then onto Brussels to collect the sprouts for Christmas and see Ulster play their back-to-back fixture against Stade Francais.

I was very excited that my favourite prop forward, David Attoub of Stade Francais, (ref: photo of very handsome man at right of screen) was in Belfast last week, and even more excited that I would see him again this week.

Only, Monsieur Attoub has been a very naughty boy and tried to gouge someones eyes out in the scrum at Ravenhill last week, so while I am travelling to Brussels via Paris to see him, he is travelling to Dublin for a disciplinary hearing that could see him banned from the game for up to three years. Zut alors!

Anyway, Ulster supporters being the what they are, it has been decided that we should ditch the usual pre-Christmas uniform of Santa hats in favour of health and safety goggles for this match. Just to make a point.

It promises to be a great weekend; snow already falling, Christmas markets and a large travelling support. To be supplemented by the Brussels Munster Rugby Supporters club who are sending a sizeable possy to cheer on the Ulstermen, the Brussels GAA (Gaelic Football) having thirty members going to the match and a local rugby club putting on a BBQ for travelling support and also turning up at the game in droves to support the men in white.