Ulster Rugby

Ulster Rugby is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams from the island of Ireland. They compete in the Pro14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Ulster Rugby
Nickname(s)The Ulstermen
Founded1879 (1879)
LocationBelfast, Northern Ireland
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 18,196)
ChairmanJonny Petrie
Coach(es)Dan McFarland
Captain(s)Iain Henderson
Most capsAndrew Trimble & Darren Cave (229)
Top scorerDavid Humphreys (1,585)
Most triesCraig Gilroy (78)
League(s)Pro14
2018–192nd (Conf. B), Semi-finals
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.ulsterrugby.com

The team represents the IRFU Ulster Branch, which is one of the four primary branches of the IRFU and is responsible for rugby union throughout the geographical Irish province of Ulster, comprising Northern Ireland (Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone) and three counties in the Republic of Ireland which are Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan.

History

Foundation (1868–1879)

A number of clubs were operating in Ulster prior to the foundation of the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Ulster branch. The Belfast-based Northern Ireland, founded in 1868, was the earliest club to operate in the province. Clubs from this era still in existence include Dungannon and Queen's University. The first Irish inter-provincial game took place in 1875 between Ulster and Leinster, with Ulster being the victors.[1] In Ireland's first international match, which was played in 1875 against England, eight Ulster-based players took part. Rugby in Ulster at this time was mostly overseen by the Irish Football Union, with the Northern Football Union of Ireland controlling the game in Belfast. The two unions amalgamated in 1879, with the provincial branches of Ulster, Leinster and Munster being founded as part of the terms of this arrangement.[2] The final Irish provincial side, Connacht, was founded in 1885.[3]

Amateur era (1879–1995)

During the amateur era Irish players primarily played for their respective clubs, with provincial games effectively treated as Irish trial matches.[4] The provincial teams were also used to provide competitive club opposition for touring international sides. Inter-provincial games were played on an irregular basis but starting in the 1946–47 season, the provinces played against each other in the annual Irish Interprovincial Championship.[3] Ulster won this tournament 26 times in total, with eight of these titles being shared. The team's greatest period of success was in the 1980s and 1990s when they won ten titles in a row.[5][6][7]

Professional success (1999–2006)

In the 1998–99 season, Ulster became the first Irish province to win the Heineken Cup. They beat French side US Colomiers 21–6 in the final at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.[8]

From 2001 to 2004, the Ulster team was coached by Alan Solomons, a former Assistant Coach of the Springboks and head coach of The Stormers and Western Province in his native South Africa. It was during this time that Ulster fully embraced the professional era.

Alan Solomons coached Ulster to a three-year unbeaten home record in the Heineken Cup. In the 2003–04 season, Ulster finished second in the Celtic League, only overtaken by Llanelli on the final day of the campaign. Two of Ulster's most impressive achievements in this period were a 33–0 win over English giants Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup in January 2004, and winning the inaugural Celtic Cup on 20 December 2003, beating Edinburgh in a rain-soaked Murrayfield final.

In July 2004, Solomons departed for Northampton Saints and Mark McCall, former captain of the province and a member of Ulster’s European Cup winning squad, took over as Ulster Rugby head coach with European Cup teammate Allen Clarke as his assistant. Despite an initially poor start to the season, the two extended Ulster's unbeaten home record in Europe to four years.

Ulster led the Celtic league for most of the 2005–06 season thanks to dominant forward play largely inspired by Australian import Justin Harrison, New Zealand-born Irish scrum-half Isaac Boss, and a rapid maturing of a youthful home-grown three-quarter line. However, inconsistent late form from Ulster, combined with a late run from Leinster, meant that either of those sides could take the title in the final game of the season. In Ulster's final match against the Ospreys with Ulster one point behind, David Humphreys kicked a 40-metre drop goal to clinch the game and the league for Ulster.

Decline (2006–2010)

Ulster started the 2006–07 season in fine form racking up a number of victories including a 30–3 thrashing of Heineken Cup contenders Toulouse. However, following an abject display losing 29–13 to London Irish, their season deteriorated with a number of poor performances, including several home defeats, leading to a fifth-place finish in the Celtic League and another early exit from Europe.

The team began the 2007–08 season with a terrible run of form. Mark McCall resigned in November following Ulster's embarrassing 32–14 home defeat to Gloucester in the opening round of the 2007–08 Heineken Cup.[9] Assistant coach Steve Williams took temporary charge of the team. Under Williams, Ulster had some initial success, however several defeats left them firmly rooted to the bottom of the Celtic League and out of Europe. In December, former Leinster and Scotland Head Coach Matt Williams was named Mark McCall's successor as Ulster's Head Coach. He took charge at the beginning of February 2008, but despite some improved performances, he failed to turn the season around, with Ulster finishing 9th in the 10 team Celtic League.

On 21 May 2009, Matt Williams resigned as Ulster's Head Coach after finishing 8th in the Celtic League that season.[10] He was replaced by Brian McLaughlin as Head Coach, with Jeremy Davidson and Neil Doak as his assistants, and former Ulster and Ireland outhalf David Humphreys taking on the role as Director of Rugby.[10]

The 2009–10 season brought many changes to Ulster, as they got new management staff, a newly improved Heineken Cup campaign including their first ever win in England against Bath Rugby, a new stand at Ravenhill, and new fans as more people started to support the team. But Ulster finished eighth place in the Celtic League again, due to a series of disappointing results in the league since Christmas.

Revival (2010–2014)

The 2010–11 season was even better for Ulster, as they signed key players including 2007 Rugby World Cup winning Springbok Ruan Pienaar. Ulster reached the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup for the first time since 1999 and finished third in the Celtic League.

The 2011–12 season brought even more success. Ulster beat Edinburgh to reach the Heineken Cup final for the first time in thirteen years.[11] In the final, Ulster lost 14–42 to Leinster at Twickenham Stadium. In the Pro12, Ulster finished sixth after a disappointing finish to the season. Brian McLaughlin did not have his contract renewed as Head Coach at the end of the season.

For the 2012–13 season, Mark Anscombe was appointed as the new head coach. Major signings included Nick Williams from the now defunct Aironi and Tommy Bowe returning from his four-year stay at the Ospreys. Ulster started the season with 13 consecutive wins in all competitions, making it the longest unbeaten run in their history. It started on 31 August 2012 as they defeated Glasgow Warriors 18–10 in the Pro12 and it ended on 15 December 2012 as they lost 9–10 to Northampton Saints in the Heineken Cup. Despite finishing top of their Heineken Cup Group for the first time since the 1999 triumph, Ulster were defeated 27–16 by Saracens at the quarterfinal stage. Ulster finished top of the Pro12 table thereby giving them a home semi-final against the Scarlets. Ulster defeated the Scarlets 28–17 in the last match in front of the old grandstand before demolition. Due to the redevelopment of Ravenhill, Ulster played the Pro12 final at the RDS Arena in Dublin against Leinster losing 24–18.

The 2013–14 season proved trophyless again. For the first time, Ulster won all their Heineken Cup group games, with away victories against Montpellier and Leicester Tigers being the highlight. They were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage with a 17–15 home defeat to Saracens. The Pro12 season was racked with inconsistency and Ulster finished the league season in fourth place. This set up an away semi-final with Leinster, and for the fourth time in four seasons the season was ended by their old foes with a 13–9 defeat. The season ended with the retirements of captain Johann Muller, centre Paddy Wallace, and flanker Stephen Ferris. Director of Rugby David Humphreys also left the province to take up a similar position at Gloucester Rugby. Following Humphreys' departure, Mark Anscombe was sacked by the province and was replaced by Ireland defence coach Les Kiss on an interim basis.[12]

2014–present

The 2014–15 season saw Rory Best return to the captaincy, a position that he first held from 2007 to 2011, after the retirement of the now ex-captain Johann Muller.[13] Ulster were knocked out of the new European Champions Cup at the group stage. They finished fourth in the Pro12 but narrowly lost in the playoff semifinal to eventual champions Glasgow Warriors.

2015–16 saw Neil Doak promoted to Head Coach with Les Kiss returning to the province after the 2015 Rugby World Cup to take up the full-time Director of Rugby role with the province.[14] Ulster were knocked out of the Champions Cup at the group stage despite a memorable back to back win over Toulouse. They finished fourth in the Pro12 but again lost in the playoff semi final, this time to Leinster.

2016–17 was a disappointing season, finishing bottom of their Champions Cup group and finishing 5th in the Pro12. At the end of the season, all-time appearance holder Roger Wilson retired and Ruan Pienaar was controversially not awarded a new contract. Neil Doak and Allen Clarke also left the province being replaced by Jono Gibbes as Head Coach and Dwayne Peel as Assistant Coach.

For the 2018–19 season Dan McFarland was brought in as the new head coach.

Current standings

Pro14
2019–20 Pro14 Table
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Leinster (Q) 131300476181+29568249061
2 Ulster 13814355252+10347337243
3 Glasgow Warriors 13706334296+3849395134
4 Cheetahs 13607342280+6248325232
5 Dragons 13508243354-11126411122
6 Zebre 132110204370-16627534216
7 Ospreys 132110165326-16117401415
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Edinburgh 131003358195+16344235247
2 Munster 13904352216+13643217245
3 Scarlets 13805281242+3935293237
4 Connacht 13706264291-2735396135
5 Benetton 13517280324-4432405431
6 Cardiff Blues 13607242275-3326313229
7 Southern Kings 131012204498-2942375037
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[15]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received
Green background indicates teams that compete in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup

Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
Red background indicates teams ineligible for European cup tournaments
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners. (q) Qualified for Pro14 play-offs. (Q) Qualified for Pro14 play-off semi-finals. (e) Cannot reach play-offs.

    European Rugby Champions Cup

    Pool 3

    Team
    		 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
    Clermont (Q) 65012071149324153124
    Ulster (Q) 65011291072216101021
    Harlequins 6204114166-5213200210
    Bath 6006102165-631220145

    [16]

    Honours
    • European Rugby Champions Cup
    • PRO14
    • Celtic Cup
      • Winners: 1 (2003–04)
    • Irish Inter-Provincial Championships
      • Winners: 26 (8 shared) (1946–47, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1953–54, 1955–56 (shared), 1956–57 (shared), 1966–67 (shared), 1967–68, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76 (shared), 1976–77, 1977–78 (shared), 1982–83 (shared), 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88 (shared), 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 (shared)
    • Glasgow City Sevens
      • Winners: 1 (2013–14)[17]

    Crest
    The flag of the Province of Ulster

    The current crest was introduced in 2003. The new, stylised crest is made specific to Ulster Rugby as it incorporates the red hand from the provincial flag of Ulster with two rugby balls.[18] The Ulster Rugby crest is on all official club merchandise including replica jerseys.

    Stadium
    Ravenhill Stadium

    The Ravenhill Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as the Kingspan Stadium since 2014, has been the home of Ulster Rugby since 1923. It has hosted two Rugby World Cup matches, several Ireland national team matches, the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final and many 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup matches, including the final.

    The Premium Stand opened in 2009 and the rest of the stadium got redeveloped from 2012 to 2014. After the rest of the redevelopment was completed, the stadium was renamed the Kingspan Stadium.

    Current squad
    For player movements before or during the 2020–21 season, see List of 2020–21 Pro14 transfers § Ulster.
    Ulster Rugby Pro14 squad[lower-alpha 1]

    Props

    Hookers

    Locks

    Back row

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    Wings

    Fullbacks

    (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
    * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
    Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.[19][20]
    1. Taking into account signings and departures head of 2020–21 season as listed on List of 2020–21 Pro14 transfers.

    Academy squad
    Ulster Rugby Academy squad[lower-alpha 1]

    Props

    • Callum Reid (2)

    Hookers

    • Tom Stewart (2)
    • James McCormick (1)

    Locks

    Back row

    Scrum-halves

    • Nathan Doak (1)
    • Lewis Finlay (1)

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    • Ben Carson (1)
    • Hayden Hyde (2)

    Wings

    • Conor Rankin (2)
    • Aaron Sexton (2)

    Fullbacks

    • Ethan McIlroy (2)
    (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players, number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle.
    * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
    Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.[21]
    1. Taking into account signings and departures head of 2020–21 season as listed on List of 2020–21 Pro14 transfers.

    Staff
    Position Name Nationality
    Operations Director Bryn Cunningham  Ireland
    Head Coach Dan McFarland  England
    Attack Coach Dwayne Peel  Wales
    Defence Coach Jared Payne  Ireland
    Forwards Coach Roddy Grant  Scotland
    Skills Coach Dan Soper  New Zealand

    Records against Pro14 and European Cup opponents
    Against Played Won Drawn Lost % Won
    Aironi870187.50%
    Clermont Auvergne740357.14%
    Bath6600100.00%
    Biarritz620433.33%
    Bordeaux200200.00%
    Border Reivers8800100.00%
    Bourgoin210150.00%
    Bridgend1100100.00%
    Caerphilly1100100.00%
    Cardiff Blues352011457.14%
    Castres2200100.00%
    Celtic Warriors2200100.00%
    Cheetahs421150%
    Connacht36271875.00%
    Dragons342121161.76%
    Ebbw Vale RFC2200100.00%
    Edinburgh372501267.57%
    Exeter Chiefs210150.00%
    Glasgow Warriors372111556.76%
    Gloucester410325.00%
    Harlequins650183.33%
    La Rochelle210150.00%
    Leicester Tigers1070370.00%
    Leinster42833119.05%
    London Irish210150.00%
    Montpellier220050.00%
    Munster371721845.95%
    Neath RFC2200100.00%
    Northampton Saints310233.33%
    Ospreys361701947.22%
    Oyonnax2200100.00%
    Pontypridd1100100.00%
    Racing 92210150.00%
    Saracens610516.67%
    Scarlets432331753.48%
    Stade Français1040640.00%
    Southern Kings4400100.00%
    Swansea RFC320166.67%
    Toulon20020.00%
    Toulouse430175.00%
    Benetton23202186.96%
    Wasps210150.00%
    Zebre13110284.61%
    Total4932881618958.42%

    Correct as of 22 February 2020.

    Head coaches (professional era)
    As of 22 February 2020[note 1]
    Coach Season(s) GP W D L Win % Loss % Championships / Notes
    Harry Williams 1998/99 – 2000/01 41 17 2 22 41.5% 53.7% European Cup (1998-99)
    Alan Solomons 2000/01 – 2003/04 63 41 2 20 65.1% 31.7% 2003-04 Celtic Cup
    Mark McCall 2004/05 – 2007/08 (mid-season) 88 44 3 41 50% 46.6% 2005-06 Celtic League
    Steve Williams 2007/08 (mid-season) 8 2 0 6 25% 75% Interim
    Matt Williams 2007/08 (mid-season) – 2009/10 33 13 1 19 39.4% 57.6%
    Brian McLaughlin 2009/10 – 2011/12 85 49 2 34 57.6% 40%
    Mark Anscombe 2011/12 – 2013/14 61 44 1 16 72.1% 26.2%
    Les Kiss 2014/15 5 3 1 1 60% 20% Interim
    Neil Doak 2014/15 (mid-season) – 2016/17 80 47 2 31 58.8% 38.8%
    Jono Gibbes 2017/18 28 17 2 9 60.7% 32.1%
    Dan McFarland 2018/19 – 46 31 2 13 67.4% 28.3%

    Player records and statistics

    European Rugby Champions Cup
    Category Player Totals Years
    Tries Andrew Trimble 27 2004–2019
    Appearances Rory Best 75 2005–2018
    Points David Humphreys 564 1998–2008

    (correct as of 25 April 2020)

    Pro14
    Category Player Totals Years
    Tries Craig Gilroy 55 2010–present
    Appearances Roger Wilson 180 2003–2008; 2012–2017
    Points David Humphreys 786 1998–2008
    Pens & Cons David Humphreys 272 1998–2008

    (correct as of 25 April 2020)

    British and Irish Lions

    The following Ulster players, in addition to representing Ireland, have also represented the British and Irish Lions.[22]

    • Bold indicates player was tour captain for the year in question

    Note: Phillip Matthews played for the Lions in their victory against France in Paris. The game formed part of the celebrations of the bi-centennial of the French Revolution, but did not count as a "formal" Lions international.

    See also

    Notes
    1. Original research sourced from https://www.ulsterrugby.com/fixtures-results/

    References
    1. Peter, Richard. The Origins and Development of Football in Ireland. Belfast: Ulster Historical Foundation. p. 6. ISBN 0-901905-93-3.
    2. "History of the Irish Rugby Football Union". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
    3. "Connacht Rugby". Galway Advertiser. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
    4. "Ray McLoughlin - Connacht Rugby Legend". Connacht Rugby Supporters. 25 March 2006. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
    5. "Irish Rugby 1874–1999 — A History: INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS page 442". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
    6. "Irish Rugby 1874–1999 — A History: INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS page 443". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
    7. "Irish Rugby 1874–1999 — A History: INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS page 444". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
    8. "Rugby Union: European Cup final - Ulster take a red-carpet ride". The Independent. 31 January 1999. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
    9. "Ulster coach quits". Sky Sports. 13 November 2007.
    10. "Williams leaves Ulster". Sky Sports. 21 May 2009.
    11. "London now calling for Ulster". Irish Times. 29 April 2012.
    12. http://ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1604/Ulster-Rugby-Update.aspx
    13. "Rory Best relishing return to Ulster captaincy". Irish times. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
    14. "Neil Doak named Ulster coach with Les Kiss to return after World Cup". Irish times. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
    15. Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
    16. "Pool Tables". Heineken Champions Cup. EPCR. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
    17. "Cartha / Glasgow City Sevens". 7 June 2019.
    18. "News". Ulster Rugby.
    19. "Ulster First Team". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
    20. "Ulster Rugby announce squad for 2020/21 season". Ulster Rugby. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
    21. "Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy squad for 2020/21 season is named". Ulster Rugby. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
    22. Cronin, Ciaran (2007). The Ireland Rugby Miscellany.
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