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Friday night's Pro12 fixture between Ulster and Scarlets has been postponed after persistent and heavy rain left the Ravenhill pitch flooded.

The referee, Leighton Hodges, carried out an afternoon pitch inspection at the Belfast ground and decided the match could not go ahead.

There had been heavy rain in the city since mid-morning and it was expected to continue into the evening.

The match has been rearranged for March, with the 14th a likely date.

Hopes of playing the game on Saturday were dashed as flights and accommodation for the match officials and Scarlets team could not be arranged.

"It's very unfortunate - we don't remember a match being postponed by rain this last 30 or 40 years," said Ulster chief executive Shane Logan.

"There's been weeks of heavy rain. The match was probably playable at lunchtime but with no respite the referee had no choice but to call it off.

"We hope it be played on 14 March, as there's a gap in the programme for that date."