Ulster have been given the green light to redevelop their Ravenhill home.
The Irish side have recently qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-final - where they will travel to fellow rivals Munster - and Assembly ministers have confirmed that the province has been granted planning permission which includes three new stands. A fund of £14.7m has been allocated by the Northern Ireland Executive to improve stadia in Northern Ireland and it is believed the redevelopments will take the stadium's capacity up to 18,000 spectators.
Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood said: "This is a tremendous boost for rugby and for sport here. Planning approval will now lead to the creation of a stadium that is fit for the 21st century.
"In arriving at my decision, I have given careful consideration to the need for a new stadium and views of the local community amongst others. I am satisfied that the new Ravenhill can be achieved without causing undue harm to the surrounding area or its citizens.
"Ulster Rugby will have a major role in this regard. The role of planning is to create a better place, to live, work and invest in Northern Ireland and this ambitious exciting project will create employment opportunities for local people, particularly during the construction process.
"It is a further example of how sport in NI, which is very much on the up, can further develop."