Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme - Rainbow Cup - Connacht

ULSTER
Official Match Day Programme
v CONNACHT
Friday 23 April 2021, 8.15pm
Kingspan Stadium

8
Issue
In this
Welcome and best wishes to you and yours, as tonight
Ulster begin their Rainbow Cup campaign. The ongoing pandemic
has been a challenging time for all, but the Ulstermen
being back on their home turf in Kingspan Stadium certainly helps bring
a sense of some normality.
The roars of thousands will be sorely missed, but we know that so many Ulster Rugby
supporters will be watching from home and showing their support. With brighter days
lying ahead and as we prepare to lighten some restrictions; we are looking forward to
hopefully seeing you back in Kingspan Stadium in the near future.
On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to express my gratitude to the frontline workers who
have been vital in fighting the pandemic. The extraordinary efforts and heroism that has
been shown in recent months gives us in Kingspan and Ulster Rugby the confidence that we
can stand up together and build back better following the pandemic.
After recent wins over Harlequins and Northampton Saints in the Challenge Cup, Ulster will
look to maintain that winning streak. Tonight, they will face a tough test as they clash with
Connacht. Despite the absence of travelling fans this evening, on behalf of the entire
Ulster Rugby and Kingspan community, we would like to extend the warmest of welcomes
to our visitors.
Finally, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby squad and management team the very best
of luck. To Ulster’s committed fans, take care and enjoy the game.
24
30
President’s Welcome 5
Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup 7
Player Interview: Sean Reidy 8
Virtual Mascot 11
Senior Squad 14
Teams 20
Behind the Player: Brittany Hogan 24
Connacht Ones To Watch 26
Last Time Out 30
Player Interview: James Hume 32
Taking a Hopeful Look Over the Rainbow 36
Getting to Know: Claire McLaughlin 42
‘Walk To’ Challenge 44
TryTime Rugby for Clubs 47
36
44
3

President’s
Welcome
Welcome to Round 1 of the 2020-21
Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup campaign,
and our first home game in over a month!
Tonight, we welcome Inter-Provincial rivals,
Connacht to Kingspan Stadium. They come
into this game having made their Challenge
Cup exit at the hands of Leicester in the
Round of 16 a few weeks ago. However, they
come well-rested and up for the challenge, so
Dan McFarland and the Ulster men will know
they need to be on top of their game to win
this evening.
Ulster had two successive trips to England
in the Challenge Cup, away to Harlequins
in the Round of 16, where they demolished
the hosts by 21-57, and Northampton in the
Quarter-Finals a fortnight ago, with Ulster
emerging 27-35 winners to seal a Semi-Final
place in the competition.
Last week, we were boosted by the news that
Academy second row, Cormac Izuchukwu,
has signed a contract that will see him spend
one year as a development player, before
being upgraded to a Senior Professional
contract with Ulster the following year. Rainey
Old Boys hooker, Brad Roberts, also signed his
first professional contract with the Province
until 2022. Congratulations to both players
who have really impressed in the times they’ve
played so far in an Ulster jersey.
Another positive this week was Angus Curtis
making his return to full training after a lengthy
spell on the side lines, and Will Addison has
been named in the Ulster match-day squad
after a similar length of time out. It’s fantastic
to see them both back!
The Women’s Six Nations saw Ulster players,
Kathryn Dane, Neve Jones, Brittany Hogan
and Claire Boles selected for the Ireland squad.
I’d like to extend a huge ‘well done’ to all four
players. Kathryn started at scrum-half for the
first two of Ireland’s games against Wales and
France, while second row, Brittany made her
appearances off the bench in both rounds, and
hooker, Neve was among the replacements to
take the field versus Wales in Round 1. Ireland
will face Italy at 12 noon tomorrow to fight for
third place in the competition, and I wish the
team the very best of luck!
Clubs and schools in Northern Ireland were
able to make their first tentative steps back
onto the pitch for training last week, as
COVID-19 restrictions have started to ease.
We look forward to restrictions lifting for
under-18s at clubs and schools in the Republic
of Ireland from 26th April, and will continue
to communicate updates as we receive them.
In line with domestic rugby getting
#ReadyForRugby, we launched our new
#URgame: Your Game, Your Way programme
to support our clubs and schools to make a
safe and fun re-introduction to activity in a
way that works for them.
Thank you once again for your support as
you SUFTUM at home to help protect our
community in the fight against COVID-19.
SUFTUM
Gary Leslie
President, IRFU Ulster Branch
UlsterRugby.com
5

With no formal approvals in place to allow
the South African teams to enter the UK &
Ireland for their Guinness PRO14 Rainbow
Cup fixtures, PRO14 Rugby and SA Rugby
will operate dual tournaments with no crosshemisphere
fixtures.
Despite a colossal effort, the South African
teams were not granted the permission to
travel in time to allow the Guinness PRO14
Rainbow Cup to be played as originally
planned. Such challenges are not unique to
rugby as many international sports have found
the Covid-19 pandemic a difficult landscape
to plan for.
All options for the South African teams to
travel to Europe safely were explored and
exhausted by the league, this is due to the
heightened restrictions caused by South
Africa’s presence on the red list of the
territories involved.
Dual tournaments
The ‘northern’ Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup
will still take place on the dates previously
published as teams from across Ireland, Italy,
Scotland and Wales aim to upset eight time
title winners Leinster Rugby. The fixtures for
Rounds 4, 5 and 6 had already been scheduled
and provided to clubs, but will now have the
South African teams removed and kick-off
times may be modified ahead of publishing.
The ‘southern’ tournament will be called
Rainbow Cup SA and will include the very
best of what South African club rugby has to
offer; Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers, Emirates
Lions and Vodacom Bulls, whose World Cup
winning Springboks are priming themselves
for the arrival of the British & Irish Lions. These
games will be available in the UK and Ireland
with PRO14 Rugby ‘s current TV partners
and full details of this competition will be
confirmed by SA Rugby shortly.
No impact on long-term partnership
This decision will have no impact on the l
ong-term partnership between PRO14 Rugby
and SA Rugby and more details about those
plans and league structure for the groundbreaking
2021/22 season onwards will be
made public shortly.
Martin Anayi, CEO of PRO14 Rugby, said:
“A staggering volume of work has been
undertaken to provide a number of proposals
and options to accommodate this – all as we
navigated the challenges of the second and
third waves of Covid-19 as well as the South
African variant which constantly changed the
landscape we were operating in.
“Among our unions, our own staff and SA
Rugby there is no more that could have been
asked in terms of designing plans that were
medically sound, however, there has been
no perfect solution found in time to allow for
South African teams’ entry into our territories.
“Whilst the outcome is clearly different from
what we had intended, our relationship
and partnership with SA Rugby has been
greatly strengthened and enhanced by this
experience. We are looking forward to the
two Rainbow Cup competitions and in due
course sharing our intentions about our
future partnership that will be boosted by the
experiences and project planning involved to
this point ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby, said: “This is
a huge disappointment, but time had simply
run out.”
“No stone was left unturned to try and find a
solution to the challenges – including basing
our teams for 10 days in locations in the Middle
East or Europe. But the pieces of the jigsaw
would not fall into place in time to allow us to
put those plans into action.”
7

There’s been a lot of
competition within the
squad. It’s not just the
young guys pushing
each other on; I’ve
been pretty impressed
by some of the older
guys as well.
Back Row
10/05/1989
183cm
103kg
141
Sean Reidy
Ulster Rugby caught up with the back-rower
to preview Friday’s Guinness PRO14 Rainbow
Cup clash with Inter-Pro rivals, Connacht.
Sean, how’s the mood in the squad this week
going into the game against Connacht?
We’re flicking our focus from European
games to a local competition now with Inter-
Pros which we really try to target. We know
Connacht pose a pretty huge threat and
we’ve had some good battles with them over
the years. Some we’ve got the better of them,
and some they have got the better of us.
We’re looking forward to going after them.
It’s a new competition in the Guinness PRO14
Rainbow Cup, what are your thoughts on
the tournament and the law variations that
have come with it?
It’s a fairly short competition so you don’t
have too much time to adapt to these laws.
We’re looking forward to the goal-line dropouts.
I don’t think they’ll change too much
about how we go about our own game. I was
watching Super Rugby and how they use the
goal-line drop-outs.
The back row has been really firing, with
both yourself and Jordi claiming Player of
the Match in the last two Challenge Cup
knock-out games – what do you put that
down to?
There’s been a lot of competition within the
squad. It’s not just the young guys pushing
each other on; I’ve been pretty impressed by
some of the older guys as well, week in, week
out really pushing themselves to be better.
Guys have been getting into their groove
and are playing some good rugby. As a loose
forward group, if we don’t perform well, the
team doesn’t perform well, so the pressure is
on us to get our areas right at the weekend
because we’re a link between the backs and
the forwards. Credit to the boys in the back
row, not just the guys that get to take to the
pitch at the weekend, it’s the players who are
pushing us each week as well.
Did you find you took more from the game
against Northampton than you did in the
game against Harlequins which was a much
more one-sided result? What did you learn
from that game to apply to this next block
of games?
I think we knew Northampton were going
to fly out of the blocks. In the Premiership,
they’re one of the fastest-starting teams
in the first 20 minutes, so we knew they
were going to come out flying. There were
things we had to tidy up in the second half.
We finished really well and we strung some
really good phases together in that game.
They started fast and we adapted. The lads
came back and finished really strongly.
We know we can’t leave too much to do in
the second half. We have to start the game
fast and adapt as quickly as we can to
what teams throw at us. Our forwards have
a target on our backs now with our mauls
going well, so teams are going to notice that
so we’ll try to push on as much as we can.
And that forward battle will prepare the
team well for the Challenge Cup semi-final
against Leicester on 30th April?
They’ve got a lot of good players in the
forwards as well, but we’re just taking it
week-by-week and focusing on Connacht
this week, then we’ll press on to the next
game. I know from the past if Connacht get
the edge, they can dominate you up front
and it’s tough to get a foothold in the game,
so that’s what we’ll be looking at this week.
What will it mean to be back at Kingspan
Stadium – albeit without fans – after over a
month away?
It’s been a tough month or so being away
from our home stadium, but it is what it
is. We’re looking forward to being back in
Belfast and putting on a real show for our
fans. Hopefully we’ll welcome them through
the gates soon because they make a big
difference when they get behind us.
UlsterRugby.com
9

Virtual
Mascot
Name: Thomas Smith
Age: 14
Club: Monaghan RFC
Favourite Player: John Cooney
Thomas’s favourite thing about rugby
is the physicality and fast pace it’s
played at. Thomas is a regular at
Kingspan Stadium – once his U12 team
was invited to play at half-time but he
had to watch from the stands!
Thomas currently plays for
Monaghan RFC.
11

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THE SPIRIT OF PRO14 RUGBY
Enjoy Responsibly

Senior
Squad
Angus
Curtis
Fly Half / Centre
26/03/1998
178cm
92kg
13
Matt
Faddes
Centre/Wing
06/11/1991
185cm
94kg
26
Craig
Gilroy
Wing
11/03/1991
183cm
92kg
192
10
Iain
Henderson
Lock
21/02/1992
198cm
117kg
116
63
Coaching
Staff
Head Coach:
Dan McFarland
Assistant Coach:
Dwayne Peel
Defence Coach:
Jared Payne
Forwards’ Coach:
Roddy Grant
Skills Coach:
Dan Soper
Will
Addison
Utility Back
20/08/1992
185cm
93kg
19
4
John
Andrew
Hooker
26/05/1993
180cm
104kg
84
Robert
Baloucoune
Wing
19/08/1997
193cm
90kg
26
Rob
Herring
Hooker
27/04/1990
185cm
107kg
192
21
James
Hume
Centre
07/09/1998
188cm
98kg
36
Bill
Johnston
Fly Half
07/02/1997
180cm
87kg
18
Greg
Jones
Back Row
13/01/1996
196cm
105kg
23
Billy
Burns
Fly Half
13/06/1994
185cm
86kg
46
6
Sam
Carter
Lock
10/09/1989
201cm
116kg
21
AUS 16
Marcell
Coetzee
Back Row
08/05/1991
193cm
114kg
57
SA 30
John
Cooney
Scrum Half
01/05/1990
178cm
87kg
82
11
Ross
Kane
Prop
14/10/1996
180cm
118kg
51
Michael
Lowry
Full Back
20/08/1998
170cm
75kg
42
Louis
Ludik
Full Back
08/10/1986
183cm
90kg
112
Rob
Lyttle
Wing
28/01/1997
175cm
85kg
44
UlsterRugby.com
15

Centre
06/08/1992
193cm
11kg
136
4
Stuart
McCloskey
Prop
11/10/1989
185cm
118kg
17
56
Jack
McGrath
Prop
15/12/1992
191cm
132kg
6
Gareth
Milasinovich
Prop
01/03/1991
178cm
121kg
55
10
Marty
Moore
Centre
08/08/1999
183cm
91kg
14
Stewart
Moore
Back Row
22/04/1991
188cm
105kg
46
30
Jordi
Murphy
Centre
03/03/1991
180cm
97kg
144
11
Luke
Marshall
Scrum Half
13/12/1985
173cm
93kg
15
NZ 4
Alby
Mathewson
Hooker
05/09/1996
183cm
102kg
36
Adam
McBurney
Prop
02/01/1992
175cm
111kg
65
Kyle
McCall
Fly Half
21/03/1989
180cm
87kg
22
30
Ian
Madigan
Lock
10/09/1992
196cm
114kg
128
Alan
O’Connor
Lock / Back Row
19/05/1995
193cm
110kg
15
David
O’Connor
Prop
23/09/1998
185cm
120kg
56
Tom
O’Toole
Back Row
08/09/1997
188cm
105kg
3
Marcus
Rea
Hooker
04/01/1996
175cm
108Kg
4
Bradley
Roberts
Scrum Half
20/06/1993
175cm
78kg
67
David
Shanahan
Wing / Full Back
03/04/1996
191cm
103kg
78
34
Jacob
Stockdale
Back Row
01/08/1995
188cm
111kg
76
Nick
Timoney
Lock
06/11/1995
198cm
118kg
106
3
Kieran
Treadwell
Prop
12/03/1991
178cm
113kg
133
Andrew
Warwick
Prop
30/11/1995
183cm
115kg
63
1
Eric
O’Sullivan
Back Row
21/09/1993
193cm
112kg
60
Matthew
Rea
Back Row
10/05/1989
183cm
103kg
141
2
Sean
Reidy
17
UlsterRugby.com

19

1 Warwick 2 Herring 3 O’Toole
1 Duggan 2 Heffernan 3 Bealham
C
4 Treadwell
5 Henderson
4 Dillane 5 Thornbury
C
6 Rea
8 Timoney
7 Reidy
6 Masterson
8 Boyle
7 Oliver
9 Cooney
9 Blade
11 McIlroy
10 Burns
11 Healy
10 Carty
12 Moore
12 Daly
REPLACEMENTS
REPLACEMENTS
16 J Andrew
16 S Delahunt
17 E O’Sullivan
13 Hume
17 M Burke
13 O’Brien
18 R Kane
18 D Robertson-McCoy
19 A O’Connor
19 N Murray
20 G Jones
21 D Shanahan
15 Stockdale
14 Baloucoune
20 A Papali’i
21 K Marmion
15 Porch
14 O’Donnell
22 M Lowry
23 W Addison
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Frank Murphy, Rob O’Sullivan (both IRFU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
22 C Fitzgerald
23 P Sullivan
UlsterRugby.com
21

23

Behind the Player
Second Row
19.09.1998
Brittany Hogan
In our series, Behind the Player in
association with Deloitte, Ulster’s
Women players share a little bit about
themselves and their rugby careers.
This week, Ulster Rugby features Ulster
and Ireland second row, Brittany Hogan.
Tell us a little about your rugby pathway
to date.
I started playing rugby when I was 15. I
started at my local club, Ballynahinch RFC.
One of my friends, Hannah Beattie (who
also plays for Ulster) brought me along
and told me I’d really enjoy it. I loved it and
haven’t looked back! I got onto the Ulster
U18 pathway with both the 7s and 15s. I
was there for a couple of years playing in
the 7s provincial tournaments. There was
a selection for camp with the Irish U18,
which I was picked for, and I was on that
panel for two years. When I turned 18, I had
an AIL season with Cooke and played with
the Ulster senior women which was great.
After that, I got a contract with the Irish
Sevens and came down to Dublin three
years ago, and that’s where I am now!
Who have been your main influences in
your rugby career?
It was my team-mates at the start. Hannah
(Beattie) was the one who told me to
go along. She would have been my first
influence for bringing me to training at
Ballynahinch. My granda is a really big fan
of rugby, so I would have watched it when I
was younger. I didn’t get into playing when
I was younger because I was playing other
sports, but he was definitely an influence.
He and my mum went to all of my rugby
games before I moved to Dublin. My mum
was on the team bus and everything – she
was a member of the team, really! My first
coaches at Ballynahinch, Allen (Lyons) and
Clem (Bassett), as well as Neal Johnston
from Ulster Rugby were big influences.
Neal identified me for the Ulster U18 team.
More recently, my main influences would
be my team-mates.
What has been the best advice you’ve
received?
For games, it didn’t matter if I was playing
for Ulster, in the AIL or playing for Ireland,
I took each game with the same approach
not to overcomplicate rugby. My coaches
would tell me the same. Allan Temple-
Jones (Irish Rugby Head of Athletic
Performance) would tell me all the time
that rugby is rugby and that I know how to
pass, tackle and run. You just need to get
the basics right and not overcomplicate
it. If you do overcomplicate it, you run the
risk of making mistakes and feeling bad
about yourself during a game which isn’t a
nice place to be. If you simplify it, you can
have fun and enjoy it. That’s what I strive
for in rugby. I’m there to have fun; I love it.
What have been your proudest moments
in rugby?
I have a lot of proud moments because
I love rugby! A proud moment would be
scoring a try or winning a turnover. I want
to make my mum, my granda and my
family proud. They’re such a big support
network for me. If I get selected for a team
or if I get selected to play in a tournament,
score a try or even make a good pass, my
family and friends would always send me
a message afterwards to say, “well done”.
I take those into the bank and I’m fuelled
that much more.
Personally, wearing the green jersey, the
Ulster jersey or any jersey, I take great pride
in playing for my club, my province and my
country. I take the nerves and butterflies as
a good thing because it shows I’m proud of
myself, so just running onto the pitch would
be a proud moment. One of my favourite
Sevens memories was coming fourth in
Sydney last January. That was the best we
had ever done, so that was a really proud
achievement for all of us.
In my first game for Ireland 15s against Italy
in the Six Nations, the first thing we had to
do when we came on (Ulster’s Neve Jones
also made her international debut) was
a scrum in a really good position, which
we won so that was great! At the time, I
didn’t know what was happening until I
got my head out of the scrum from the
second row and the ref had his hand out
and blew the whistle - I just knew we were
moving forwards!
UlsterRugby.com
25

Ones to Watch
NAME
Finlay Bealham - Prop
Last 3 Meetings
Jack Carty - Fly Half
28-year-old Carty was a distinguished footballer and gaelic
footballer in his youth, having represented both the Republic of
Ireland up to U15 level and Roscommon Minors, before turning his
attention to rugby, . He made his debut for Connacht in September
2012 and has gone on to make more than 150 appearances, while
becoming the all-time top points scorer for his province. He has
also won 10 international caps with Ireland, the last of which was
against Russia in the 2019 World Cup. Carty forms a formidable
half-back axis with fellow Irish international Caolin Blade, and will
be pivotal to the Connacht attacking threat.
The Australian born prop is no stranger to Belfast, having left
his homeland as an 18-year-old to pursue a rugby career in
Ireland, where he joined up with local club Belfast Harlequins.
After impressing there, he was selected for Ireland U20s and
offered a place in the Connacht Academy. Like Carty, Bealham
has represented Connacht on more than 155 occasions and
also collected 14 Ireland caps. Capable of packing down at both
tighthead and loosehead, Bealham also has plenty of energy in
open play.
Ultan Dillane - Lock
27-year-old Dillane is another of Connacht’s international pedigree
standouts, having worn the Ireland jersey on 18 occasions. Born in
Paris, Dillane moved to Tralee, County Kerry, at the age of 7, where
he first took up rugby with Tralee RFC. A spell in the Munster
Academy followed before he moved to the Connacht Academy in
2012. His first start for Connacht came against Ulster in December
2014 and he picked up his 100th cap back in November. Dillane
- along with Carty and Bealham - recently signed a contract
extension to remain with his adopted province.
27 Dec 2020 23 Aug 2020 27 Dec 2019
Ulster 32 20 35
Connacht 19 26 3
POSITION DOB HEIGHT WEIGHT
Abraham Papali’i Back Row 20/06/1993 192cm 125kg
Alex Wootton Winger 07/07/1994 183cm 96kg
Ben O’Donnell Centre 14/08/1995 189cm 90kg
Bundee Aki Centre 07/04/1990 183cm 101kg
Caolin Blade Scrum Half 29/04/1994 170cm 81kg
Cillian Gallagher Flanker 23/07/1997 198cm 112kg
Colm Reilly Scrum Half 09/08/1999 176cm 78kg
Conor Dean Fly Half 27/01/1998 183cm 84kg
Conor Fitzgerald Fly Half 30/09/1997 184cm 92kg
Conor Kenny Prop 25/07/1996 185cm 125kg
Conor Oliver Back Row 21/09/1995 182cm 99kg
Dave Heffernan Hooker 31/01/1991 185cm 111kg
Denis Buckley Prop 09/08/1990 177cm 109kg
Dominic Robertson-McCoy Prop 10/11/1993 187cm 117kg
Eoghan Masterson Lock 05/04/1993 193cm 105kg
Finlay Bealham Prop 09/10/1991 185cm 118kg
Gavin Thornbury Lock 19/10/1993 202cm 114kg
Jack Aungier Prop 20/11/1998 188cm 119kg
Jack Carty Fly Half 31/08/1992 181cm 92kg
Jarrad Butler No. 8 20/07/1991 186cm 102kg
John Porch Centre 04/03/1994 185cm 85kg
Jonny Murphy Hooker 06/09/1992 191cm 103kg
Jordan Duggan Prop 07/01/1998 186cm 114kg
Kieran Marmion Scrum Half 11/02/1992 178cm 83kg
Matt Healy Winger 14/03/1989 183cm 91kg
Matthew Burke Prop 04/02/1997 179cm 110kg
Niall Murray Lock 13/10/1999 198cm 111kg
Oisín Dowling Lock 23/06/1997 196cm 107kg
Paddy McAllister Prop 20/07/1989 184cm 119kg
Paul Boyle Back Row 14/01/1997 189cm 106kg
Peter Robb Centre 19/07/1994 190cm 106kg
Peter Sullivan Winger 15/05/1998 187cm 99kg
Quinn Roux Lock 30/10/1990 196cm 116kg
Sammy Arnold Centre 08/04/1996 181cm 98kg
Seán Masterson Flanker 27/01/1998 190cm 104kg
Sean O’Brien Lock 09/12/1994 194cm 110kg
Shane Delahunt Hooker 02/02/1994 188cm 108kg
Stephen Fitzgerald Full Back 13/11/1995 188cm 87kg
Stephen Kerins Scrum Half 01/05/1996 170cm 79kg
Tiernan O’Halloran Full Back 26/02/1991 187cm 95kg
Tom Daly Centre 31/07/1993 191cm 106kg
Tom Farrell Centre 10/01/1993 189cm 98kg
Ultan Dillane Lock 09/11/1993 198cm 112kg
27

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29

Challenge Cup Quarter-Final
Sat 10 Apr
Last Time Out
27 - 35
Ulster made it a one-point game on the
other side of half-time, with Marty Moore
bludgeoning his way over after sustained
Ulster pressure in the 46th minute, and
Cooney drilled over the extras.
The hosts got their fourth try in the 58th
minute, with Ahsee Tuala flicking the offload
out to winger, Ollie Sleightholme who ran in
at the corner. Piers Francis’s kick went wide.
The visitors responded three minutes later
– John Cooney picking up to sneak over
the line and converting his score to take
the lead.
Ulster went through a purple patch,
patiently building the phases before Billy
Burns beautifully delayed the pass to
Jacob Stockdale, sending the winger home.
Cooney stretched Ulster’s lead with the
conversion to eight points.
Ulster’s defence impressed in the final
minutes, culminating in Tom O’Toole making
a fantastic jackal to force the turnover and
keeping the hosts at bay. John Cooney
had an opportunity to stretch Ulster’s lead
at the death with a penalty – it went wide
but Ulster had done enough to clinch the
victory and progress to the Challenge Cup
Semi-Finals.
Ulster will travel to Mattioli Woods Welford
Road to face Leicester Tigers on Friday 30
April (8pm kick-off).
Full-time score:
Northampton Saints 27 - 35 Ulster
WATCH: Highlights
Ulster overcame an eight-point deficit at
half-time to defeat Northampton Saints
27-35 at Franklin’s Gardens two weeks
ago, sealing a place in the Challenge Cup
Semi-Finals.
The visitors were under pressure early
on, with Northampton striking in the 5th
minute through scrum-half Alex Mitchell,
picking up off the back of the ruck right on
the Ulster line to score. Centre Piers Francis
landed the conversion.
Northampton went down to 14 temporarily
after Nick Isiekwe saw yellow for a no-arms
tackle on Billy Burns. Ulster opted for the
line-out and maul with the penalty, and
Northampton illegally brought down the
Ulster maul, leading referee Alexandre Ruiz
to award the penalty try to Ulster, and Sam
Matavesi was binned for his efforts.
Northampton dealt with the two-man deficit
well, earning a penalty within easy range for
Piers Francis to put the hosts ahead.
Ulster had a slew of penalties thanks to
Northampton ill-discipline near their try
line. David Ribbans was the third player
from the home side to see yellow in 23
minutes, and Ulster finally got reward
through Rob Herring burrowing his way
over from the driving maul. John Cooney
fired over the conversion to put the Ulster
men ahead.
Saints were quick to recover, and made
their way up to the Ulster line, and fullback
Tommy Freeman found a gap to
snipe his way over. Francis was unable to
make the conversion.
Northampton immediately struck again,
after Teimana Harrison picked up the ball
in the ruck to break through, setting up
Alex Mitchell to send Tommy Freeman
in for his second score. Francis made no
mistake with the conversion.
Ulster had the opportunity to cut the gap
to five just on the stroke of half-time, but
the flags stayed down on Cooney’s kick.
UlsterRugby.com
31

James Hume
The centre has clocked up a lot of game
time this season so far and is looking
forward to the business end of the season.
How confident is the squad at the moment,
given you’re in the Challenge Cup semifinal
and there’s a new competition, the
Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup kicking off
this week?
We re-grouped after the disappointment
of not getting a play-off game in the
Guinness PRO14, and the Heineken
Champions Cup not going our way. We
found we had two competitions that
we could put our foot down in and pour
everything into. This is a special group, and
we want to win silverware, so our focus is
massively on these two competitions to
see the year out on a high.
How do you, as players, approach the
Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup?
It’s quite similar to the Guinness PRO14
the way we start the season. There’s no
pre-season as we’re already match-fit
which is good. Dan [McFarland] has had
us looking at the new rules; we had a
Friday session last week to talk through
the different circumstances and the
Captain’s Challenge and we’ve got it all
nailed down, hopefully.
How do you stay focused on this game
against Connacht ahead of the Challenge
Cup semi-final next weekend?
Personally, the focus is more on the
upcoming job. The semi-final is next
week which is great, we’ll focus on that
then. We have a job to do this week with
a new competition and tough opposition
as well. It’s our first home game in a while
so we’ve turned all our attention to this
week and as soon as the game is over, we
can look to next week. That starts pretty
much the day after the game against
Connacht. It’s almost a mindset switch
and it’s something that I think we’re quite
good at.
Centre
07/09/1998
188cm
98kg
36
What challenges do Connacht present to
you as a team?
Connacht are a very physical team who
aim to win the collision battle which is
always a tough one. They aren’t a freerunning
team; they work hard through
their forward pack and have some
talented backs to finish it off as well. Jack
Carty is very good with ball in hand and
kicking. It’s a big challenge for us so we’ll
have a tough week of prep.
UlsterRugby.com
33

How much are you enjoying playing in
this Ulster back line at the moment?
At the start of the year, after the
lockdown, we weren’t really playing good
rugby. Those Inter-Pros we played at the
Aviva Stadium, we weren’t really clicking.
I feel recently that we’ve all gelled and
something has clicked in the back line.
It’s been very enjoyable; we have two of
the best wingers and big-time players.
It’s great to have Billy [Burns] back and
having Stuart [McCloskey] back in at
centre. Mikey [Lowry] is in great form at
the minute as well. It’s great to play in and
when you click, it’s fun too.
You’ve become part of the fabric of the
senior team now; how has that altered
your perception of your own game?
My goal at the start of the season was to
be starting 13. I feel it’s gone pretty well so
far and I’ve put my best version of myself
forward on the pitch. Lukey [Marshall] has
been injured so when he comes back, I
don’t want to be happy with alternating.
I want to stay there and it’s up to me not
to be comfortable where I am. I want to
keep working and getting better. As Dan
has alluded to, we squeeze every drop
and fight for every inch. That’s something
I try to focus on every day, whether it’s
stretching, extra passing, or gym work. I
just try to do the best every day.
UlsterRugby.com

Taking A Hopeful Look Over The Rainbow!
Just as we await the kick-off at Kingspan
Stadium, the first game of the new dual
tournament Guinness PRO14 Rainbow
Cup will be drawing to a close.
In faraway Cape Town, the DHL Stormers
and the Cell C Sharks will have kickedoff
the ‘southern’ version of the revised
competition announced by PRO14 Rugby
earlier this week, while the Vodacom Bulls
and Emirates Lions will meet on Saturday
afternoon.
What was meant to be a cross-hemisphere
merging of the existing PRO14 teams
and South Africa’s four ‘super’ teams has
become the latest sporting competition to
fall foul of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead,
the South Africans will remain on home soil
and will play local derbies in order to prepare
their World Cup winning Springboks for the
upcoming test series against the British &
Irish Lions. Closer to home, the Irish, Welsh,
Scottish and Italian teams who currently
make up the PRO14 will play six rounds of
fixtures in the ‘northern’ tournament.
The ‘regular’ 2020/21 PRO14 season
Guest article:
Rod Nawn
somehow navigated its way through all
the obstacles created by a pandemic
to conclude last month with reigning
champions Leinster retaining their title.
For Ulster it was a campaign – hot
on the heels of the completion of the
2019/20 competition last autumn – which
undoubtedly confirmed that the team has
continued to make huge strides under Head
Coach Dan McFarland. Without question
Leinster’s only serious challengers, it was a
quirk of a redesigned format in mid-season
which denied the Ulster men another crack
at Leo Cullen’s squad in the Final.
In spite of all the off-field challenges, the
determination of the PRO14 organisers to
develop the competition is undeniable,
and that is evidenced by the focus on
showcasing what it sees as the future of its
league with its dramatic recruitment of the
four biggest forces in South African rugby.
On the basis, an appealing league structure
is in place for the autumn, when the
Guinness PRO14 – or PRO16? – will be one
of the strongest leagues in the world.
The project is massive in terms of its
ambitions for rugby and in the especially
important area of financial security.
And for the supporters, what a warm
welcome back to the Kingspan Stadium
terraces and stands will be offered by
regular visits from the Sharks, Bulls, Lions
and Stormers interwoven in a sporting
fabric firmly maintained by those such as
Cardiff Blues, Glasgow Warriors and our
three neighbouring sides in Ireland.
So, it is appropriate that tonight in Belfast it
is a founding member of what became the
Guinness PRO14 should arrive to provide a
stiff test, as always. Connacht’s reputation
as a successful and highly competitive
club was confirmed when, under Pat Lam’s
stewardship, they won the title in 2016.
Now it is Andy Friend who heads a coaching
team which has developed and polished
a playing style which allies the traditional
combativeness of old with a heavy measure
of attacking flair.
Jack Carty and Caolin Blade make up a
classy half-back pairing and record tryscorer
Matt Healy is one of an exciting array
of outside back options, while the forward
platform has never been so solid.
Prop Finlay Bealham and locks Ultan Dillane
and Quinn Roux are Irish internationals, and
former Ulster front rower Paddy McAllister
vies for a starting spot.
Jarrad Butler has been an inspirational
skipper but the Australian misses out
tonight because of suspension, and that
might mean Ulster will have a distinct
breakaway advantage.
While Ulster have very firmly targeted the
European Challenge Cup as a very real
opportunity to bring silverware to Belfast
for the first time since 2006, it nevertheless
will want to field something close to its
first-choice fifteen tonight.
The wins at Harlequins and Northampton
to reach the semi-finals have demonstrated
clearly that a seam of quality runs through an
exceptional squad and the coaching team.
Club skipper Iain Henderson returns to the
starting line-up this week after a period
of injury. The 2017 Lions lock will hope to
be on the ‘plane to South Africa on this
summer’s tour, and so will be itching to make
a telling contribution. In Kieran Treadwell, the
O’Connor brothers the second row has highclass
performers. Ireland hooker Rob Herring
has Bradley Roberts and John Andrew
energetically challenging, and Tom O’Toole,
Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, Andy Warwick
in competition for the key prop jerseys.
Jordi Murphy, Sean Reidy and Nick Timoney
37

have been a formidable back row unit, and
there is talent aplenty in that division.
While out-half Carty has had an outstanding
season, Ulster’s internationals Billy
Burns and John Cooney have been on a
consistently higher level. Stuart McCloskey,
Stewart Moore and James Hume are
midfielders with deftness of touch and
pass, and all read the game superbly well.
Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale
are top-class, first-choice wingers,
and Craig Gilroy and Ethan McIlroy have
made vital contributions in the PRO14 and
in Europe.
Michael Lowry has confirmed all the hopes
we had of his many talents and his quick
feet, safe hands and relish for the physical
challenge have marked him out for the
highest honours.
The good news this week was that Angus
Curtis and Will Addison are close to a
return to action, and how timely such
reinforcements would be as Ulster chases a
Rainbow Cup and European ‘double’.
Connacht, of course, was ‘home’ as a
player and his early coaching career for
McFarland, and his respect for tonight’s
opposition is heartfelt. In Andy Friend he
has a counterpart with a distinguished CV
who has stamped his positive approach
on the men from the West.
McFarland, Dwayne Peel – to whom good
luck as Scarlets new Head Coach - Dan
Soper, Roddy Grant, Jared Payne, and
that most perceptive of analysts Niall
Malone will be more determined than ever
to galvanise a highly-regarded squad of
players for one protracted ‘last hurrah’.
Tonight, the Ulster support will continue
to be frustrated by their absence from
Kingspan Stadium, but this Spring there
are indications that crowds will, perhaps
slowly, return.
That really would be an added bonus at the
end of this turbulent but promising rainbow.
MINI MORNINGS
Building the foundations workshop
A brand new programme introduced by Ulster Rugby to support the development
of mini rugby within our club game.
This programme gives clubs the opportunity to invite a member of Ulster Rugby
Development Staff to their club to work with a selection of mini club coaches.
They will deliver a coaching session to introduce small sided games and suitable
practices to develop players in a fun and enjoyable environment.
This initiative was previously launched in September and attracted a large level of interest.
Dromore P4 players and coaches were visited by Ulster Rugby Participation Officer
Jason Gribben and Mini Convenor Rob Masters fed back that: “the coaches found it really
useful. It has helped boost their confidence going forward. The kids also got a different
experience and inspiration. They really enjoyed the style of the session and Jason’s
enthusiasm and enjoyment.”
Club visits will be organised on a first-come-first-served basis so early booking is advised.
Those clubs that registered their interest prior to the COVID-19 lockdown need not apply
again and will be contacted by the Rugby Development Staff to
re-arrange a mutually suitable date.
UlsterRugby.com
To register interest for one of these sessions,
please email: minis@ulsterrugby.com

41

Back Row
21.11.1991 What can’t you live without?
Tea and coffee.
Do you have any pre-match rituals
or superstitions?
I don’t really have any superstitions or
rituals, but I usually like to have the same
pre-match meal/snack before each game -
rice pudding with raspberry jam!
Do you have any fears? If so, what
are they?
I don’t really have any physical fears, but I
am definitely afraid of failure.
What motivates you?
Partly my fear of failure. And also my inner
drive in striving to be better in whatever
I’m doing.
If you were a super-hero, what powers
would you have?
I’d love to be able to fly.
Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
I’ve had a few nicknames over the years.
When I played rugby at Ballymoney RFC,
they called me Roadrunner. When I started
doing a lot more S&C at Queen’s, a friend
jokingly called me Squatzgirl, and it kind of
stuck- I’ve now got a few nicknames from
that- Squatz, Dr Squatz…and I also get Mac.
Who was your favourite player growing up
and why?
My favourite player growing up was Dan
Carter. There’s a far-out family connection
there, and he was a class player to watch.
Who is your favourite player now?
I wouldn’t say I’ve one particular favourite
player right now. I enjoy watching a number
of players- Romane Ménager (France),
Ardie Savea (NZ) and Sean Reidy.
What is your favourite thing about
playing rugby?
I love the teamwork within rugby, how you
literally put your body on the line and have
Getting to Know:
Claire McLaughlin
your teammates back, knowing they have
yours at the same time. I love how physical
the game is, and absolutely love carrying
ball, making tackles, and getting involved in
rucks (I don’t know how I didn’t make the
switch to back row earlier)!
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us
about them.
I currently don’t have any pets (unless you
count house plants)! I’ve wanted to get a
dog for years, but don’t think it would be fair
with me working in the hospital and training
so much. Ask me again in 5 years, and I’ll
have a dog.
Are you a tidy or messy person?
I’m a bit of both - I would generally say I’m
tidy. I like everything to be in its place, but I
can also let things get a bit messy when life
gets busy!
If you could eat one meal for the rest of
your life, what would it be?
Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
List two pet peeves.
Poor spelling and grammar.
People who don’t listen.
What three words would your friends use
to describe you?
Busy, stubborn, and loyal.
Are you good at any other sports?
I don’t currently play any other sports,
but I used to play hockey and really loved it.
What is your favourite film?
Shawshank Redemption and The Lion King.
LIVE STATS
Click Here
UlsterRugby.com
43

as COVID-19 restrictions across the province
start to ease.
“We know everyone has really missed
connecting with their clubs since it was
necessary to pause rugby activity, so Ulster
Rugby is confident that ‘Walk To’ will be a
great way for clubs to re-engage with their
members of all ages and abilities to promote
well-being, whilst continuing to observe the
latest health guidelines.
“We’re grateful to Bank of Ireland for their
support of the programme, as we continue to
make a safe and measured return to activity
– and we look forward to seeing the weekly
totals coming through.”
The ‘Walk To’ challenge is one of five
elements of Ulster Rugby’s #URgame
programme, which aims to help clubs and
schools across the province to make a safe,
fun, and graduated return to activity that
works for them, and is in accordance with the
latest government health advice.
Ulster Rugby asks that all participants adhere
to current government guidelines at all times.
Rugby Community Challenged to
‘Walk To’ Every Club in Ulster and Back
Ulster Rugby, supported by Bank of Ireland,
has announced details of a new walking
challenge aimed at encouraging people to
get active as lockdown restrictions ease
and club rugby activity resumes.
From Monday 12 April until Wednesday 30
June, we will be aiming to walk a combined
total of 3,960 miles / 9,102,342 steps – the
equivalent of walking from Kingspan Stadium
to every club in Ulster and back again.
The challenge is open to anyone of any ability,
and in addition to chasing down the steps
total, we will be encouraging participants to
support the spirit of the campaign, to:
• Get out and get active again as lockdown
restrictions ease.
• Re-engage with your local rugby club,
teams, players and volunteers as the
domestic game returns.
• Promote general well-being in your local
community.
Bank of Ireland is a proud supporter of
rugby in Ireland and the competition
that drives it. #NeverStopCompeting
celebrates the good that comes from
competition, how it fuels us and connects
us, and pushes us past whatever stands
in our way. So, to put that little extra pep
in your step and encouraging clubs to
#NeverStopCompeting, Bank of Ireland
will be supporting the campaign with up to
£5,000 (10 x £500) worth of Gilbert Rugby
equipment packs for local clubs.
Prizes will be awarded to those who have
demonstrated how their activity aligns
with the spirit of both the ‘Walk To’ and
#NeverStopCompeting campaigns.
The campaign will be live from 9am on
Monday 12 April, and participants can begin
logging their weekly steps via the online form
at ulsterrugby.com/URgame. To be in with a
chance of winning the equipment packs for
your local club, please ensure to provide the
additional information about your activity.
Commenting on the launch of the campaign,
Ulster Rugby’s Head of Rugby Development,
Chris Webster, said: “The ‘Walk To’
programme is a great way for clubs and
their local communities to get active again
UlsterRugby.com
45

Try Time
TryTime supported by Public Health Agency
What is it?
Try Time rugby is a non-contact
programme delivered at the local club to
allow regular, informal rugby activity for
players who want to play, have fun and
enjoy all the health and fitness benefits
that come with being active.
WATCH: Video
Who is it for?
Try Time rugby is targeted
at new and existing players
(male & female) who would like all the
benefits of a mid-week, social rugby
experience, without the formality of a game
prep, coach-led, club training session.
We are on the lookout for clubs who
wish to host this exciting opportunity.
Email: trytime@ulsterrugby.com
to get involved.
47

HUGE MID-SEASON
CLEARANCE
SALE
NOW ON
Rugby World Cup 2023
Ireland Match Breaks
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Register
49

Thank You!
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Ulster Rugby wish to thank all of our sponsors
and partners for their continued support.
Main Sponsor
ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3
Kit Sponsor
Official On-kit Sponsors
FRI 23 APR
8.15PM
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FRI 7 MAY
8.15PM
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FRI 14 MAY
8.15PM
RDS ARENA
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FRI 30 APR, 8PM
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