UR-2021.22-Programme-Benetton

ULSTER
Official Match Day Programme
v BENETTON
Fri 8 Oct 2021, 7.35pm
Kingspan Stadium
00 200 200 20
200 200 200
00 200 200 20
200 200 200
00 200 200 20
200 200 200

In this Issue
Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home
of Ulster Rugby, where tonight the Ulster squad
welcomes Benetton Rugby for the third round of the
United Rugby Championship.
Ulster will look to maintain their winning ways, after getting the season off to a
strong start with wins over the Glasgow Warriors and Zebre. This evening, our
Ulstermen clash with Rainbow Cup champions and Italian giants Benetton Rugby, who
like Ulster have made a very strong start to the season with two wins from two.
This promises to be an exciting encounter.
On behalf of the entire Ulster Rugby and Kingspan community, we would like to extend
the warmest of welcomes to our visitors and we have no doubt the loyal crowd in
Kingspan Stadium will be stirring support for the Ulster team.
Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby squad and
management team the very best of luck. To Ulster’s committed fans, enjoy the game,
lead the way and help ensure that this is an evening to remember
at Kingspan Stadium.
10
16
30
5 President’s
Welcome
Our Virtual
Mascot
7
10
Player Interview:
Rob Herring
16 Squad
Profiles
22 Team
Line-ups
24
Girls’ Rugby
Super Series
26 Benetton
Ones To Watch
29 Half-time
Exhibition Games
30
34
38
42
Last Time
Out
Player Interview:
Nathan Doak
Ulster’s Showing
Its Quality
Ulster Rugby
Academy Profiles
46 Referees’
News
38
3

President’s
Welcome
Welcome to Round 3 of the United Rugby
Championship, and our second home fixture
of the 2021/22 season for the Ulster Senior
Men’s team. I would also like to extend a
warm welcome to our opponents and guests
this evening – Benetton Rugby. They come
into this game full of confidence having
won both of their games in the opening two
Rounds. As 2021’s Rainbow Cup champions,
they will prove to be tricky customers
tonight, no doubt, but I know Dan McFarland
and his coaching team will have the squad
well-prepared for this game.
It’s a momentous evening tonight as
we celebrate Rob Herring reaching the
200-appearance milestone. Since joining the
province in the summer of 2012 from London
Irish, Rob has been a constant in match-day
teams and has become an integral leader
within the squad. I hope you will all give him
the rousing reception he deserves as he takes
to the field this evening.
We are delighted to partner once again with
BBC Sport Northern Ireland to broadcast six
of our home games – including this evening’s
fixture – live on BBC NI.
In addition to televising live the home fixtures
against Benetton, Emirates Lions, Connacht,
Cardiff, Munster and the Cell C Sharks, every
Ulster URC fixture will be available on BBC
iPlayer 24 hours after each round.
Last week, it was confirmed that the launch of
the United Rugby Championship attracted a
record number of viewers for a single league
round. Round 1 of the URC represented
the first airing for the league’s new hybrid
model of Free-to-Air (FTA), Pay TV and OTT
which is geared towards making the sport as
accessible as possible in its core territories
and in international markets.
FTA is a fundamental component of the
URC’s new broadcast strategy and rooted
in fan feedback projects which identified
increased FTA coverage in domestic markets
as a priority for the new league.
It is fantastic to see the return of the All-Ireland
League for both the men’s and women’s teams,
as well as the Ulster leagues. After a long and
difficult period, it’s been so encouraging to
have clubs return to a hive of activity.
The Ulster Schools’ Committee last week
launched a new cup competition, sponsored
by Danske Bank. This season will see the
Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup feature 25 boys’
teams competing in a new format, divided
into two tiers of eight, and a third tier of nine.
This competition aims to provide a good level
of competitive rugby for the group of players
who missed out on last year’s Medallion
Shield. This also aims to help players transition
into senior rugby.
I hope you enjoy this evening’s game, and
thank you for your support.
SUFTUM
Gary Leslie
President, IRFU Ulster Branch
5

Virtual
Mascot
Name: Róise Cunningham
Age: 4
From: Belfast
Róise’s favourite player is
John Andrew and she loves watching
matches at Kingspan Stadium!
Especially when it involves singing
and shouting with the crowd, as well
as pre-match chips!
7

WEAR IT
TOGETHER
CEO
Welcome
Welcome to Round 1 of the new United
Rugby Championship, and the first
competitive game of the 21/22 season.
I also extend a warm welcome to tonight’s
opponents, Glasgow Warriors. They clinched
an impressive win away to Worcester
Warriors a fortnight ago, so I am sure Dan
McFarland and the squad know how tough a
challenge this opening Round will be.
The URC brings an exciting new level of
competition, combining the top South
African clubs – Emirates Lions, DHL Stormers,
Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks - with the
Guinness PRO14 to create a world-class 16-
team league. We are very excited about the
season ahead in this new Championship.
Last week, we were delighted to announce
the signing of South African World Cup
winner, Duane Vermeulen, who will join Ulster
following the Autumn Tests. I think it’s safe to
say how excited we all are to have a player
of Duane’s calibre and experience added to
our back row and squad. We can’t wait to
welcome him into the fold in November.
Congratulations to the eleven Ulster players
who took part in Sunday’s Irish Rugby camp
in preparation for the upcoming Autumn
Nations Series. Well done to Will Addison,
Robert Baloucoune, SHOP ONLINE Billy Burns, James
Hume, Stuart www.ulsterrugbyshop.com
McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale,
Iain Henderson, Click and Rob collect Herring, available Eric O’Sullivan,
Tom O’Toole and Nick Timoney.
SHOP OPENING HOURS
9am-5pm Tuesday to Friday
9am-4pm Saturday
Kathryn Dane, Neve Jones and Brittany
Hogan have been part of the Ireland team
UlsterRugby.com
competing for a place in next year’s Rugby
World Cup – after a narrow defeat to Spain
and superb victory over Italy, it all comes
down to the final Qualifier versus Scotland
tomorrow (5pm UK / Irish time, Stadio
Lanfranchi Stadium). Best of luck to our
three players and the rest of the women in
green!
The Deloitte Ulster Senior Women’s team
concluded their Vodafone Interprovincial
campaign two weeks ago, with a hardearned
draw against a tough Connacht side.
Well done to all the coaches and players who
were involved in the match-day teams and
the wider training squad.
It has been great to have Ulster feature
strongly in the current Development Inter-
Pro fixtures at the IRFU High Performance
Centre. Our young talent have missed out on
so much club and representative rugby over
the last 18 months, so it’s fantastic they’re
getting the chance to shine for their province.
NEW SEASON HOME KIT
On the domestic front, it’s wonderful to see
club and schools’ rugby make a return to
competitive action over the last couple of
weeks – it’s set to be a bumper season ahead
PRE-ORDER
Jonny Petrie
NOW
CEO Ulster Rugby
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Hooker
27/04/1990
185cm
105kg
199
22
Rob Herring will become the seventh
Ulster man to reach the 200-appearance
milestone when he takes the field at
Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening.
First of all Rob, congratulations on
reaching the 200-appearance milestone!
You will be joining quite an exclusive club
– can you sum up how that feels?
It’s a great feeling. It’s something I will be
pretty proud of. I’ve played with all the
guys who made 200 appearances during
my time here. They’re legends of Ulster
and to get anywhere near them isn’t
something I thought I would achieve when
I first signed for the province. It’s been an
incredible journey and I’m enjoying it so far.
I’m massively proud to get that milestone.
A lot of people around me have made
sacrifices for me to be in this position and I
want to do them justice.
Cast your mind back to your first season
at Ulster in 2012; how have your ambitions
changed – if at all – as a player since
joining the province?
When I first arrived, I came over on a twoyear
contract, but I had things going on
back in South Africa – I had just started
studying – so we came to an agreement
that it would be a seven-month trial to see
if I enjoyed it and Ulster wanted to keep me.
I came over with no expectations, really - I
didn’t know much about Belfast or Ulster. In
my first season, things started to progress,
and I was playing decent rugby.
Of course, my goals changed over time.
It was to get my first Ulster cap, then I
thought maybe I could get 10, then 50.
I then thought about international selection
and that shifted again. I started believing I
could play at that level and that’s what I’ve
been chasing since then. I want to play as
much as I can for Ulster and keep
playing international rugby. Hopefully I’ll
win something with Ulster over the next
few years. That has become a major goal
for the team and for me. That’s something
that really drives me on with Ulster.
What have been the most notable changes
you’ve experienced as part of the Ulster
squad in that time?
When I first came to Ulster, we trained at
Newforge – it was a bit different back then.
On the cold days, it felt like minus degrees!
Ravenhill was class when I first arrived; I
never experienced anywhere like that before
but since they’ve redeveloped it to Kingspan
Stadium, it’s gone to another level.
There’s been a big change in the squad
over the last three or four years. When I
came in, the squad was pretty settled and
there were a lot of senior players who were
consistent international players. Those
guys have all moved on and now the squad
is really young. There are a few older guys
like myself but at the moment it’s really
young. They are a great bunch of blokes,
all working hard. The goal has always been
there for the club to win silverware, but
we’ve come up short more than a few times,
which has been massively disappointing for
everyone involved. It’s a renewed ambition
now and I think we’re in a place where
we play consistent rugby and should be
competing at the top-end and hopefully
winning things.
I really do feel at home here now. My wife
and I were dating when we moved over and
we got married since and last year, we had
our daughter, Milly. We’ve certainly seen a
fair amount of changes personally during
my time here. My wife has come over and
has been my biggest supporter and now
we’ve extended our family, it’s great to be
UlsterRugby.com
11

able to have those milestones in our lives. I
have a different perspective on things now
and the support from my wife and family
has been brilliant. All the players and staff
throughout the time I’ve been at Ulster, I’m
also really grateful for their support as well.
You must have a lot of proud moments
in the Ulster jersey – can you share what
some of those are?
There have been so many good memories.
My first cap against Glasgow was obviously
one. I remember Mark Anscombe calling
my name out and I was a bit shocked to
be picked. I think back to European games
like Clermont at home, Toulon at home;
those big European nights when the crowd
is really buzzing. It’s just an atmosphere
you don’t get anywhere else. The Inter-
Pros over Christmas always stand out for
me as well. At Christmas, I have my family
come over and to have them in the stands
for the game I’ve really enjoyed and been
really proud to represent them.
My Ireland debut was in Argentina, and it
took three-and-a-half years between cap
one and cap two and I thought I might be
a one-cap wonder! My second cap was at
Aviva Stadium against South Africa and my
family flew over for the game. I managed
to score a try so that was almost a fullcircle
moment, leaving South Africa with
not many rugby opportunities and coming
over to Ireland to make it my home and
that passion to play for Ulster and Ireland.
That second cap was very memorable for
me. There are obviously many more proud
moments, but I could go on forever!
Looking to the future, what are your
ambitions as part of this Ulster squad?
First and foremost, I want to contribute to
a winning Ulster side and play my part in
bringing some silverware to Ulster. Like I
said, there have been so many times when
we’ve come up short and that’s something
which drives me massively; to go and win
something with the group of boys we have
at the moment. I want to keep playing
international rugby and I’ve got to play a
bigger part over the last couple of years.
I’m really driven to keep playing at that
level and pushing myself to be one of the
best hookers in Ireland and hopefully go
to the next World Cup. That’s a long time
away and there are smaller things I need to
put in place before then.
How special will it be for you to run out at
Kingspan Stadium – with supporters – for
your 200th appearance?
I’ve tried not to think about it too much!
It’s going to be very special and to be able
to do it at home in front of the support
that has been there for the last nine years
I’ve been at Ulster is like nothing else in
the world. We really are privileged to have
the support we do and to be able to get
my 200th cap and represent this playing
group is fantastic. I’ll have some family at
the game – my mum and dad are coming
over and my wife will be there too. I’ve a
few friends coming over and it’ll create
another memory for our little family. It’s
going to be great.
UlsterRugby.com
13

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Dan Soper
Assistant Coach
Jared Payne
Defence Coach
Craig
Gilroy
Iain
Henderson
Rob
Herring
James
Hume
Dan McFarland
Head Coach
Roddy Grant
Forwards Coach
Craig Newby
Skills Coach
Wing
11/03/1991
183cm
91kg
195
10
Lock
21/02/1992
198cm
116kg
121
63
Hooker
27/04/1990
185cm
105kg
199
22
Centre
07/09/1998
188cm
95kg
43
1
Will
Addison
Utility Back
20/08/1992
185cm
95kg
24
5
Sam
Carter
Lock
10/09/1989
201cm
116kg
25
AUS 16
John
Andrew
Hooker
26/05/1993
180cm
100kg
87
John
Cooney
Scrum Half
01/05/1990
178cm
85kg
85
11
Robert
Baloucoune
Wing
19/08/1997
193cm
92kg
30
1
Angus
Curtis
Fly Half / Centre
26/03/1998
178cm
88kg
14
Billy
Burns
Fly Half
13/06/1994
183cm
87kg
52
7
Nathan
Doak
Scrum Half
17/12/2001
185cm
87kg
4
Cormac
Izuchukwu
Lock
28/01/2000
201cm
117kg
6
Michael
Lowry
Full Back
20/08/1998
170cm
76kg
48
Greg
Jones
Back Row
13/01/1996
196cm
108kg
27
Rob
Lyttle
Wing
28/01/1997
175cm
85kg
47
Ross
Kane
Prop
14/10/1994
180cm
118kg
52
Ian
Madigan
Fly Half
21/03/1989
178cm
89kg
24
30
Mick
Kearney
Lock
29/03/1991
198cm
116 kg
2
Luke
Marshall
Centre
03/03/1991
180cm
99kg
144
11
Senior Squad
UlsterRugby.com
17

Prop
11/10/1989
185cm
118kg
17
56
Jack
McGrath
Prop
15/12/1992
191cm
134kg
6
Gareth
Milasinovich
Prop
01/03/1991
178cm
123kg
61
10
Marty
Moore
Centre
08/08/1999
183cm
90kg
16
Stewart
Moore
Back Row
22/04/1991
188cm
102kg
48
30
Jordi
Murphy
Lock
10/09/1992
196cm
110kg
135
Alan
O’Connor
Lock / Back Row
19/05/1995
193cm
107kg
15
David
O’Connor
Prop
30/11/1995
185cm
117kg
68
1
Eric
O’Sullivan
Prop
23/09/1998
185cm
123kg
63
1
Tom
O’Toole
Full Back / Wing
10/08/2000
188cm
86kg
17
Ethan
McIlroy
Back Row
13/06/2000
193cm
108kg
7
David
McCann
Centre
06/08/1992
193cm
110kg
141
6
Stuart
McCloskey
Senior Squad
Back Row
01/08/1995
188cm
114kg
83
1
Nick
Timoney
Lock
06/11/1995
198cm
115kg
109
3
Kieran
Treadwell
Prop
12/03/1991
178cm
116kg
138
Andrew
Warwick
Back Row
08/09/1997
188cm
108kg
5
Marcus
Rea
Back Row
21/09/1993
193cm
110kg
66
Matthew
Rea
Hooker
04/01/1996
175cm
104Kg
7
Bradley
Roberts
Wing/Full Back
03/04/1996
191cm
102kg
83
35
Jacob
Stockdale
Scrum Half
20/06/1993
175cm
77kg
72
David
Shanahan
Hooker
11/01/2001
183cm
103kg
-
Tom
Stewart
Wing
24/08/200
188cm
94kg
1
Aaron
Sexton
Prop
06/01/1999
183cm
117kg
6
Callum
Reid
Back Row
10/05/1989
183cm
102kg
146
2
Sean
Reidy
19
UlsterRugby.com

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CHAMPIONSHIP.
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21

1 Warwick 2 Herring 3 O’Toole
1 Zani 2 Els 3 Nemer
C
4 O’Connor
5 Carter
4 Herbst
5 Ruzza
C
6 Rea
8 McCann 7 Timoney
6 Pettinelli
8 Steyn 7 Lamaro
9 Doak
9 Braley
11 McIlroy
10 Burns
11 Sperandio
10 Marin
12 Moore
12 Benvenuti
REPLACEMENTS
REPLACEMENTS
16 B Roberts
16 T Baravalle
17 C Reid
13 Hume
17 C Traoré
13 Zanon
18 R Kane
18 T Pasquali
19 M Kearney
19 M Lazzaroni
20 S Reidy
21 D Shanahan
15 Addison
14 Gilroy
20 S Negri
21 L Cannone
15 Smith
14 Tavuyara
22 M Lowry
23 B Moxham
Referee: Adriaan Jacobs (SARU)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock & Andrew Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
22 L Petrozzi
23 L Morisi
UlsterRugby.com
23

SUPER SERIES
IT’S ALL
v
v
v
KICKING
City of Derry RFC
11am
Enniskillen RFC
11.30am
Banbridge RFC
1pm
OFF
This weekend will mark the beginning
of the first-ever Super Series, a new
programme designed to provide
15-a-side playing opportunities for U16
and U18 girls.
Local clubs who don’t currently have the
playing numbers have been grouped
together on a regional basis, with Ulster
Rugby staff facilitating joint training
sessions and matches.
The objective of the Super Series is to
grow the profile of girls’ rugby through
providing regular match opportunities,
eventually increasing the playing numbers
of the clubs involved.
There will also be development
opportunities for the club coaches, as they
can observe the sessions led by Ulster
Branch staff.
Ulster Rugby Development Staff will also
use these sessions to identify individuals
with potential, and help them to progress
along the player pathway.
In total, six sides will take part in the Super
Series this season, with games taking place
every two weeks.
Enniskillen and Virginia will compete as
standalone teams, while 25 clubs will form
the four regional sides:
Eastern Panthers
Ards, Ballynahinch, Bangor, Cooke,
Donaghadee and Malone
North East Lightning
Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrick, Larne,
Ophir, Rainey and Randalstown
North West Eagles
City of Derry, Finn Valley, Inishowen,
Letterkenny and Limavady
Southern Stars
Banbridge, City of Armagh, Dungannon,
Lurgan, Monaghan, Newry and Portadown
The Series kicks off this Sunday 10 October.
NW Eagles v NE Eagles
City of Derry RFC, 11am
Enniskillen v Virginia,
Enniskillen RFC, 11.30am
Southern Stars v Eastern Panthers
Banbridge RFC, 1pm
COOL FM
THE OFFICIAL
SOUNDTRACK
OF ULSTER
RUGBY
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
UlsterRugby.com
25

Ones to Watch
10 - Leonardo Marin
7 - Michele Lamaro
03/06/1998 188cm 103kg
Tonight’s Captain, Lamaro, is not shy in the contact
zone. The 23 year old from Rome has earned himself
7 appearances for Italy.
With a keen-eye on finding a weak-spot in the defensive
line, Lamaro has already become one of Benetton’s top
ball-carriers so far this season.
Kingspan’s Commitment
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In 2020 alone,
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9bn
lumens
The capacity
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9 billion lumens
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light annually
through our
daylighting
systems
23/02/2002 188cm 88kg
The 19 year old Fly Half from Venezia, broke Scottish
hearts last week when he came off the bench,
successfully kicking a penalty and a conversion, before
kicking Benetton to victory with a terrific drop-goal in
the final seconds of the game.
Ultra
Energy
Efficient
Conserved
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Natural
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Already capped for Italy U20s, Marin has proved himself
to be cool under-pressure, with the media speculating
that he will make a big impression on this year’s
URC competition.
14 - Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara
27/06/1990 186cm 100kg
The flying-Fijian, who also possesses a New Zealand
passport, can play both Wing and Centre. Known for his
physical prowess and explosive speed, Tavuyara poses
as a threat wherever he plays.
15
years
Enough to
power a major
airline for
15 years 1
400m
Enough water
to fill over 400
million baths
800
Enough
bottles to
fill over 800
football pitches
1m
Enough to light
up 1 million
homes 3
@BenettonRugby
Previous Rounds
Benetton 22-18 DHL Stormers
Benetton 28-27 Edinburgh
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27

Half-Time Exhibition Games
U10 Girls
Players
Players
1 Amy Scullion
1 Memphis Marsden
2 Sarah Wilson
2 Bethany Hanson
3 Daisy McCallister
3 Alice McKeen
4 Kara Graham
4 Eva Wilkinson
Ballymena RFC
5 Sophia Watson
6 Cara Ross
Larne RFC
5 Lexie Benson
6 Katie McAnally
Coaches
7 Emily McKendry
Coaches
7 Molly Clarke
1 Áine Fraser
8 Elyza Casey
1 Judith Taylor
8 Leah Nelson
2 Sophie French
9 Ariyah Graham
2 Lucy Taylor
9 Sophia Howie
3 Ciara Fraser
10 Amelia Hood
3 Caitlin Reid
10 Rachel Lyttle
Club Colours:
Black
11 Maggie-May Kennedy
12 Eva Caldwell
Club Colours:
Red / White / Green
11
12
Players
Players
1 Edie Radcliffe
1 Poppy Watson
2 Emma Sloan
2 Emily Gibson
3 Erin McCool
3 Katie Nevin
4 Alice Broomfield
4 Isabel Guida
City of Armagh RFC
5 Mirian McCool
6 Ciara Daly
Enniskillen RFC
5 Lea Sowden
6 Ellie Chesters
Coaches
7 Kerrie Daly
Coaches
7 Ava-Grace Charles
1 Susan Mercer
8 Grace McGee
1 Robert Watson
8 Issy Boyd
2 Georgia Roper
9 Skyla McConkey
2 Willie Gibson
9 Bella Magee
3 Niall Crommie
10 Bethhinn Strain
3 Mark Philips
10 Amelia Little
Club Colours:
Black / Red
11 Eve Hurst
12 Macey Bradford
Club Colours:
Maroon
11 Eavan Hill
12 Ellie Mitten
LIVE STATS
Click Here
29

Last Time Out
03 - 36
Five minutes and another Zebre yellow
card later, Ulster’s forwards carried hard
and kept it tight. Nick Timoney was the
man to show real strength to get over for
their fifth try. Nathan Doak, who had been
pulling the strings all evening, slotted over
the conversion.
Zebre tried to respond and had an
opportunity, but good Ulster defensive
pressure caused the hosts to knock-on a few
metres out, and scuppering their only real
chance in the second half.
The Ulster men saw out the game with
a flourish, with Sean Reidy sending Nick
Timoney on a barnstorming run and a
change of direction to run in untouched for
his second try. Mike Lowry landed the two
on the final whistle.
Full-time score:
Zebre 03 - 36 Ulster
A strong second half from Ulster saw them
claim a bonus-point victory over Zebre in
Parma last Saturday evening.
The opening exchanges proved to be a tight
encounter with an aerial kicking battle to
test the back field of both sides. Zebre had a
spell of territory, but Ulster did well with their
maul defence for Rob Herring to get out of
immediate danger five metres out.
Ulster’s first chance came in the 14th
minute with Nathan Doak, making his first
competitive start for Ulster, making his
way agonisingly close to the Zebre try line.
The hosts’ defensive efforts paid off with a
penalty which Carlo Canna kicked to touch
to relieve the pressure.
Another opportunity came for the visitors as
Tom O’Toole tried to muscle his way over but
after a TMO check, he was just short. Ulster
finally broke the deadlock on 20 minutes
when they opted to go wide with Billy Burns
firing the ball out to Ethan McIlroy to bundle
over in the corner.
Zebre narrowed the deficit to two shortly
before the break – Antonio Rizzi who had
come on to replace Carlo Canna landed the
kick for the hosts.
Ulster struck again just before the half-time
whistle. They again opted to go through
the hands and James Hume made a lovely
step and delayed pass to McIlroy who ran
through for his second try of the evening to
put Ulster seven ahead at the break.
It didn’t take long for another score to come
from Ulster after the interval. They benefited
from poor Zebre discipline and Craig Gilroy
did really well to collect the loose ball to pop
out to Will Addison for their third try. Billy
Burns made no mistake with the extras.
Zebre’s discipline again faltered, and prop
Ion Neculai was sent to the sin-bin after
repeated infringements. The floodgates
started to open and once again, Craig
Gilroy came to the fore to collect the ball
off the floor and flick it out the back door
to James Hume who ran through for the
bonus-point try.
UlsterRugby.com
31

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Nathan Doak
Congratulations on your Player of the
Match Award on what was your first
competitive start for Ulster - what a way to
introduce yourself to senior professional
rugby! You must have been delighted?
It was nice to get recognised for playing
well, but I was just trying to think about
playing my role in the team and helping the
boys out. Obviously, I’m coming in pretty
new to the team and didn’t want to let
them down. I had a role to play in giving
the team a win and I was just happy to be
able to contribute.
How did you find that game against
Zebre and what did you take from it into
this week?
Zebre have got a lot better over the years.
When we reviewed them, we knew they
had threats – they have a good attack and
kicking game, and they like to throw the
ball around. We knew that if we turned up
and we weren’t on it, they could cause us
some damage.
We know the Italian emotion is always
going to be there when playing against
Italian opposition – that will be the same
this week – so we knew the first 20 minutes
are about grinding them down and making
sure we stayed in there. We knew in the
second half from the work we did in preseason,
our fitness would get us over the
line, and I think that told. We came out in
the second half and took it to them. They
struggled to live with our tempo.
You signed a Development contract for
this season back in January when you
had just turned 19. That must have been
an exciting moment to be promoted from
the Ulster Rugby Academy – can you tell
us how you felt when you were told?
Growing up, you want to play for Ulster
when you start playing rugby. To be given
a contract at such a young age, it has given
me great confidence that the coaches
have faith in me to be able to play a part
in the future of this team. I’ve been able to
get in not so long after signing that and
being able to contribute. When I signed
that contract, I was over the moon, but
I knew I wanted more. I didn’t want that
to be the end of things. I’m always trying
to improve and it’s always about the next
milestone for me.
ScrumHalf
17/12/2001
185cm
87kg
4
You featured prominently throughout the
U20s Six Nations in the summer. How has
that experience helped you coming back
into the Ulster squad?
It helped massively. Last year, with
COVID-19 it was difficult to get games,
so getting the opportunity at U20s to
train and play in competitive games was
brilliant. Personally, I feel that’s the only
way a young guy can really learn; you
can do all the training in the world but
if you don’t get out and play, you aren’t
going to get to test yourself against
UlsterRugby.com
35

other teams.
That U20s set-up had 12 players who have
made pro appearances, so it was good to
get involved with other people who were
aiming to become pro rugby players. It gave
me a massive amount of confidence coming
back into Ulster. It gave me a bit of a headstart
coming into pre-season as I was still
playing over the summer. I really enjoyed my
time in the U20s, it was great fun.
How much are you relishing the game
time you’ve been getting at this stage of
the season with Ulster?
It’s great. I never would have thought it
would have come about like this with John
[Cooney’s] injury. You never want to see
one of your team-mates get injured but at
the same time, it’s an opportunity for me
and it’s been fantastic to get some minutes
at this level under my belt. I’m just really
enjoying it at the moment while I have
this opportunity, I don’t want to let it pass
by. I’m trying to take every moment as it
comes and to learn and improve because I
want to stay here as long as possible.
Speaking of John Cooney, how have you
found working with him?
John has been a massive help to me.
Because we are in the same team, we
don’t go against each other but when we
do, it’s always great fun. We have kicking
competitions together and even though
he’s injured, he comes in and chats to me
about the game. He looks at teams coming
up the next week and seeing where I can
get purchase and he can help me out.
I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s
helped me, not only in the last few weeks
but last year as well when I wasn’t playing
as much. He has a bit of craic with me,
and we enjoy each other’s company. I feel
we both get on really well and hopefully
we’ll see him back soon and we’re both
competing again soon.
Up next we have Benetton at home –
what will Ulster need to do on Friday to
get the win?
Benetton have won their last 8 out of
9 games and they’ve won silverware so
they’re a team with great confidence.
Every time they’ve been to Belfast, they’ve
caused issues for us, and they’ve been tight
games, so we know it’s not going to be
much different this Friday.
It will probably be our biggest challenge so
far this season. Our mindset is that we have
to match them physically and have to be
aggressive. We don’t want to let them get
into the game and build their confidence.
We want to knock that confidence early
and play our own game. We know our
game is going to work when we get into a
good shape and do our job well, so we’re
focusing on ourselves but in the back of
our minds, we know the threats we bring.
If we can shut them out and play our game,
we know we can deliver a win on Friday.
A FRESH
TAKE ON
REFRESHMENT
#NOWYOUCAN
GREAT TASTE.
ZERO ALCOHOL.
UlsterRugby.com 37

Ulster’s Showing its Quality
– and More to Come!
Two games, two emphatic wins and
a maximum points return in the new
competition format has certainly
raised hopes, again, of a season with a
silverware lining!
The United Rugby Championship may be in
its exceedingly early stage but the meeting
of this evening’s sides at Kingspan Stadium
is already quite intriguing: Ulster, with its
ambitions clear and with an authentically
polished squad, sit second in the league
table, Munster ahead by virtue of a small
points-scored quotient.
This evening’s visitors are right on the heels
of the early pacesetters, the Benetton team
boasting successive wins over formidable
South African newcomers the Stormers and
backing that up with a thrilling defeat at
home of Edinburgh.
And, of course, Head Coach Marco
Guest article:
Rod Nawn
Bortolami’s team comes to Belfast on a
winning run of eight competitive matches
and proudly carrying the title of Rainbow
Cup winners. A tournament too far for so
many more storied clubs last season, but it
was an opportunity grasped with real style
by the Treviso outfit.
Any idea that Benetton would revert in
the URC to whipping boys was dispelled
with a world-wide trawl for top talent, and
two outstanding recruits have been fullback
Andries Coetzee and the reliable and
imaginative out-half Tomas Albornoz. With
Monty Ioane and Marco Zanon staples of the
three-quarter line, the backs have become
a potent scoring force and a physically
impressive defensive unit.
Dewaldt Duvenage has skippered the side
to its two big URC wins, and the scrumhalf
is often tactically replaced around
the 50-minute mark by the shrewd and
experienced English pivot Callum Braley.
Ulster will, though, be confident that it has
players behind the scrum with a skillset
to counter the much-improved Benetton
backline, with James Hume, Nathan Doak
and Ethan McIlroy stepping up to the plate so
impressively and with a maturity which will
serve them and Head Coach Dan McFarland
well in their careers. Jacob Stockdale, Rob
Lyttle and Robert Baloucoune have still to
take their bows, but a resurgent Craig Gilroy
and Will Addison, clearly in a rush to make
an impactful contribution, have pleased the
fans and the demanding McFarland.
While Benetton has strengthened, it is a fact
that Ulster has deepened an already gifted
squad, and it might be up front where that
will be demonstrated.
With Rob Herring making his 200th Ulster
appearance tonight, the return of Ireland’s
most undervalued hooker will illustrate that
depth in the squad. Eric O’Sullivan and Tom
O’Toole have caught the eye of international
coach Andy Farrell, and they are getting
game time knowing that Marty Moore, Jack
McGrath and Andrew Warwick are amongst
those with credit in the bank, and will know
form is the key to regular outings.
Tonight’s visitors have concentrated a
lot on making the contest between the
packs a more consistently competitive
area of their game: with Bortolami in
charge the technical quality of the front
five will be soothing to respect, but it is
not to be feared. The O’Connor brothers,
Mick Kearney and Sam Carter are proven
performers, and the promise of captain Iain
Henderson’s availability in view, there is a
steel in the powerhouse of the scrum.
The set piece, as it so often does, could
determine the result, and although the
Italians will be obstinate and physical, and
often the visitors will play ‘on the edge,’
knowing the longer the match remains
in doubt they might frustrate a more
innovative Ulster.
The visitors would certainly hope that
Springbok Braam Steyn can influence
affairs at the breakdown, and his experience
and back row intelligence will again
examine the Ulster breakaways, Matty
Read, Nick Timoney, David McCann and the
indomitable Sean Reidy.
There will be mutual respect when the
teams line out at Kingspan Stadium, and
there should be a rowdy, hefty support
as Ulster bids to retain its one hundred
per cent.
This time of the season is often regarded
as akin to ‘shadow boxing’, but that just is
not true now: there are the same five points
39

awarded for a bonus win in early October,
and neither McFarland nor Bortolami will
make selection calls which risk a loss and,
more important, a fall-off in performance
levels.
What Ulster supporters have endured in
backing the side over the last two seasons,
often literally virtually, has been superb.
The players do feed of that famous energy
a capacity Kingspan Stadium can provide,
and is to their great credit that as a team
and as a club a determination to prepare
properly, take the hurdles of a pandemic
in their stride, and still contend at what is
– when the four new South African clubs
settle in – a higher level, week in, week out.
This inaugural URC campaign, and the
upcoming Heineken Champions Cup dates
with Clermont and Northampton, will prove
the most serious, professional examination
yet of where Ulster sits – it believes it should
be the top table and that means extending
the challenges on both fronts.
Benetton will be welcome visitors to
Kingspan Stadium this evening but there is
something about the discipline and flair in
the Ulster camp that suggests it is likely the
unbeaten run goes on into the fourth round;
next week’s opponents in Belfast, the Lions
from the southern hemisphere.
Rugby is extending its range and investing
hugely in collecting talent, improving
facilities, raising the horizons of ambition.
At this point it is usual to talk vaguely about
winning silverware, and Dan McFarland
knows what that would mean to the club’s
fans and standing. But would he rather have
the Rainbow Cup so proudly held aloft by
Bortolami in the Spring, or a well-oiled,
well-prepared playing group with focus on
long-term success, and built on developing
a real Ulster identity?
Dan, we know the answer.
ULSTER v
EMIRATES LIONS
FRI 15 OCT, 7.35PM | KINGSPAN STADIUM
UlsterRugby.com/BuyTickets
UlsterRugby.com 41

Ulster Rugby Academy
Azur
Allison
Back Row
19/04/1999
191cm
106kg
1
Ben
Carson
Centre
24/02/2002
183cm
100kg
-
Reuben
Crothers
Flanker
29/01/2001
185cm
96kg
-
Lewis
Finlay
Scrum Half
19/01/2000
168cm
74kg
0
James
Humphreys
Fly Half
11/04/2001
185cm
80kg
-
James
McCormick
Hooker
08/01/2002
180cm
103kg
-
Conor
McKee
Scrum Half
20/03/2001
183cm
87kg
-
CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
CADEMY Jude ACADEMY Conor ACADEMY
George
Postlethwaite Rankin Saunderson
CADEMY Centre
ACADEMY Full Back ACADEMY
Prop
03/04/2002 27/05/2001
11/01/2001
CADEMY 193cm ACADEMY 185cm
ACADEMY
191cm
101kg
89kg
118kg
CADEMY - ACADEMY - ACADEMY
-
CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
UlsterRugby.com
CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
Ben
Moxham
Wing
06/09/2001
191cm
97kg
5
Harry
Sheridan
Lock/Back Row
21/09/2001
196cm
111kg
-

Ulster Society of Rugby
Football Referees’ News
We welcome Adriaan Jacobs (South
Africa) and his team of officials to the
Kingspan Stadium tonight for this round 3
game in the URC.
All spectators are reminded to respect the
match officials at all times.
Affiliate Referee course
Any person who wishes to undertake
the affiliate referee course can now
do so online at the following link:
www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/
refereeing/club-school-affiliated-referees/
This is open to any new referee (aged 18
or over) and all those who need to update
their qualification.
The affiliate referee scheme is specifically
aimed towards club and school coaches
who only wish to referee games involving
their own teams.
If you wish to take your refereeing a step
further and join the USRFR please contact
Richard Kerr
Referee Development Manager
richard.kerr@irfu.ie | 07493 868 388
Recent appointments
USRFR members have been involved
in several high profile matches recently.
Chris Busby was in Langford, British
Columbia last weekend to referee the
Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifier between
Canada and Chile.
Peter Martin spent a week in Glendale,
Colorado where he was assistant referee
for fellow IRFU official Frank Murphy in the
USA v Uruguay RWC 2023 qualifier.
Both Busby and Martin are flying the flag
for the USRFR and we wish them well for
upcoming appointments.
Oisin Quinn and Dan Carson were assistant
referees for the Munster v Stormers match
at Thomond Park last Saturday whilst
many USRFR officials were involved in
the first round of the Men’s Energia All
Ireland League and the second round of the
Women’s Energia All Ireland League along
with a full programme of domestic fixtures.
Quick-fire Law quiz:
1. How long does a head Injury
Assessment last in professional
rugby?
2. White kick the ball into greens
in goal area where it is touched
down by green 15. Decision?
3. A blue team kick off or restart kick
goes directly into touch. Decision?
4. How long does a kicker have to
take a penalty kick at goal?
5. Blue kick a penalty to the corner.
Red 11 is standing 1 metre off
the field of play but jumps and
catches the ball before landing in
the field of play. Decision?
Answers:
1. 12 minutes (and they must take the full 12 minutes)
2. Goal line drop out – can be taken anywhere along the
goal line
3. Three choices – ask blue to take the kick again, a scrum
in the middle of the pitch or a lineout on half way (but
watch out for a quick throw in!)
4. 60 seconds from when they indicate their intention to
kick at goal
5. Play on!
Rugby World Cup 2023
Ireland Match Breaks
Register
45

Important:
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all supporters,
Ulster Rugby would ask all supporters to follow the latest public health
guidance in relation to COVID-19 restrictions.
Please DO NOT attend Kingspan Stadium if you are
experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
RAVENHILL PARK GARDENS
SPIRIT OF ‘99
THE 1924
PROMENADE 1
PROMENADE 2
ONSLOW PARADE
TURNSTILES
Clean Hands Keep Distance Wear Face Covering
ABBEY AUTOLINE FAMILY STAND
FOOD
VILLAGE
ADMIN’
BUILDING
When travelling around the Stadium, please wear a face covering,
make use of hand sanitisation stations, and be distance-aware and
respectful of other supporters.
EAST TERRACE
A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE / VIP BOXES
ISOLATION
ROOM
C-19 MEDIC
Respect Policy
Stadium Facilities
TURNSTILES
We are passionate
in our support
We are silent during kicks
at goal
We respect the match
officials’ decisions
We drink
responsibly
Catering
The Food Village will be in operation,
serving a variety of cuisines, while the
Cool FM Crew provide the soundtrack to
the evening.
All five public bars will be in operation, with
one-way queueing and no mingling indoors.
Audio descriptive match commentary to
enhance the match experience for people
affected by sight or hearing loss will be
available. Earpieces can be collected from
the admin building reception prior to the
game, or you can book your equipment by
calling Jen on (028) 9049 3222.
We do not tolerate
abusive or discriminatory
language
We respect opposition
players, management
& supporters
We are mindful
of our language
INCIDENT HOTLINE
07790
200 200
Kukri Store
The Kukri Store will be open from 6.05pm
until 30 minutes post-match.
OUR Club
The activity centre for our Junior Season
Ticket holders will not be in operation for
this fixture.
UlsterRugby.com
47

Thank You!
FIXTURES
Ulster Rugby wish to thank all of our sponsors
and partners for their continued support.
Main Sponsor
Kit Sponsor
Official Sponsors
Domestic Sponsors
Official Partners
Official On-kit Sponsors
H Glasgow Fri 24 Sep W 35-29 URC
A Zebre Sat 2 Oct W 03-36 URC
H Benetton Fri 8 Oct 7.35pm URC
H Emirates Lions Fri 15 Oct 7.35pm URC
A Connacht Fri 22 Oct 7.35pm URC
A Leinster Sat 27 Nov 8.00pm URC
A Ospreys Sat 4 Dec 3.00pm URC
A Clermont Sat 11 Dec 6.30pm HCC
H Northampton Saints Fri 17 Dec 8.00pm HCC
H Connacht Sun 26 Dec 5.15pm URC
H Leinster Sat 1 Jan 7.35pm URC
A Munster Sat 8 Jan 7.35pm URC
A Northampton Saints Sun 16 Jan 3.15pm HCC
H Clermont Sat 22 Jan 5.30pm HCC
H Scarlets w/o 28-30 Jan URC
A Dragons w/o 18-20 Feb URC
H Cardiff w/o 4-6 Mar URC
A DHL Stormers w/o 25-27 Mar URC
A Vodacom Bulls w/o 1-3 Apr URC
H Munster w/o 22-24 Apr URC
A Edinburgh w/o 29 Apr-1 May URC
H Cell C Sharks w/o 20-22 May URC
BACK
TOGETHER
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