BKT-URC Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme v Dragons

ULSTER
Offical Match Day Programme
v Dragons
Fri 14 Apr 2023, 7.35pm
Kingspan Stadium

In this Issue
Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby,
where this evening, the Ulster men are taking on Welsh side, Dragons RFC,
in the penultimate regular season round of the United Rugby Championship.
Ulster’s Heineken Champions Cup journey sadly ended at the Aviva Stadium two weeks
ago, where they were beaten by a very strong Leinster side. Despite this defeat, we’re
expecting the Ulster men to put on another solid performance in tonight’s return to action.
Tonight also sees the return of the Kingspan Try-Cycle Challenge, an interactive computer
game located at the Fan Zone, which has attracted hundreds of supporters during
previous games, with participants going head-to-head to top the leaderboard. The aim of
the game is simple – take on a friend and pedal stationary bikes to travel as many metres
as possible across a rugby pitch in 30 seconds. The winners will be those who reach the
top of the leaderboard at the end of the season, winning some amazing prizes including
a Giant Contend 3 bike from Giant Bicycles or an away trip with the Ulster Rugby team
including travel and accommodation. Make sure you visit the Fan Zone tonight – time is
running out this season to top the leaderboard!
We’re glad to be back at Kingspan Stadium tonight and look forward to
cheering the Ulster men on to victory.
Enjoy the game!
7
10
16
17
22
26
Our Official
Mascots
Player Interview:
Stewart Moore
Spot The
Difference
2022/23 Men’s
Senior Squad
Last Time Out:
Leinster
Match Day
Teams
30 Dragons
Ones to Watch
33 Half-Time
Exhibition Games
38
42
47
48
50
55
Referees’ Society
Update
Club Finals
at Kingspan Stadium
Player Q&A:
Craig Gilroy
Ulster Rugby
Academy
Home is Where
the Prize Lies
Guess Who
10
38 42
52
57
3

President’s
Welcome
URC URCOFFICIAL URCOFFICIAL URC
Hello everyone and welcome back to
Kingspan Stadium for our match this evening
against Dragons RFC in Round 17 of the BKT
United Rugby Championship.
We last welcomed the Welshmen at home
back in October 2020 and many might
remember that match as a well-earned
40-17 victory, a similar result would be great
for our push towards the end of the season.
I want to thank all Ulster supporters who
travelled down to the Aviva Stadium for
our Round of 16 Heineken Champions Cup
defeat against Leinster. The weather was
difficult and we didn’t get the result we
were after against our interprovincial rivals
but it was still great to see the numbers of
Ulster jerseys and flags in Dublin that day.
As we exit from the European Cup we now
concentrate on finishing our BKT URC
season strongly, a win tonight would make
it four wins in a row and keep the pressure
on the second placed DHL Stormers. I have
no doubt we are in for an exciting end to the
season, with two home games in our regular
season and a home URC Quarter Final playoff
to look forward to.
It was great to see so many of our keys
players sign new contracts with the province
in the past week or so, ensuring we keep
our core group together and build towards
competing for silverware.
It was a brilliant week for domestic rugby
with four finals taking place at Kingspan
Stadium earlier in the week. On Easter
Monday there were two exciting finals in the
Deloitte Women’s Junior Cup and the Bank
of Ireland Towns Cup.
Congratulations to Malone who won the
Women’s Junior Cup in extra time against
Queens University, with a score of 20-
17 after a tightly contested final in ever
changing weather.
Ballyclare were the victors in the Towns Cup
with a ruthless performance in a 71-14 win
against Clogher Valley.
The next day we had the McCrea Cup
Final and Gordon West Cup Finals.
Congratulations to Cooke who came out on
top in a 40-12 clash against QUB 2XV, which
was also played in difficult conditions. And
well done to Monaghan who won a tightly
contested 15-9 battle against Letterkenny.
All sides gave great accounts of themselves,
and it shows the strength of local rugby
across the province.
I hope everyone enjoys the match tonight
and let’s make sure the atmosphere is
bouncing to help drive us over the line.
#SUFTUM
Philip Gregg
President, IRFU Ulster Branch
5

Mascots
Name: Harley Davies
Age: 10
From: Belfast
Favourite Player: Duane Vermeulen
I have always supported Ulster.
Getting to run out onto the pitch
with all the players will be a dream
come true.
Name: Riley Hoy
Age: 12
From: Ballymena
Favourite Player: Rob Baloucoune
I love coming to the matches at
Kingspan Staidum and it is my
dream to become a professional
rugby player.
7

9

Moore
Stewart
A product of Ulster’s Academy, exciting I was a bit overwhelmed after I scored
centre Stewart Moore has shown a lot of following a set piece and I remember
promise so far in his Ulster career. The booting the ball into the stands out of
Ballymoney man will reach 50 caps for excitement! I got quite a telling off from
Ulster when he takes to the field against John Cooney for doing that. The weather
Dragons at Kingspan Stadium.
was great that day and to score against
your interprovincial rivals was a nice bonus.
We asked him a few questions about
hitting the 50 mark.
Have you changed?
Favourite memory so far?
A few games stand out. Northampton away
in the Heineken Champions Cup. It was my
first start in the European competition. We
had one of the youngest back lines around,
with Mikey Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, the Cat
(Rob Baloucoune), James Hume, Nathan
Doak at 9 and Billy at 10.
Billy brought up the average a bit but it’s
one of my favourite memories. My first
cap was a loss sadly, but it was a great
experience playing against Leinster. Cell
C Sharks away was probably the
most physically difficult.
Not a lot, I still get nervous, I have more
routines but I haven’t changed an awful
lot, I’ve learned a lot on the pitch and have
more confidence.
Is having nerves a good thing?
I have always looked up and
researched how to get rid of
nerves but it’s also a sign
you care.
I’m more
nervous
Thoughts on the Leinster defeat?
We had two yellows when I came on, the
weather was awful, Leinster were better on
the day. I tried to bring territory pressure,
kicking game, energy onto pitch, trying
to drive the boys. The experience will
help us as a team, we have reviewed
it and its small things that can be
changed, we have big games
coming up and we can use those
small tweaks.
Are you excited for the Dragons game?
Being back at Kingspan it’s hard to beat
on a Friday night. We are at the business
end of season and it’s all to play for and we
want a win in our last two games of
URC season.
We had a nice week of
training last week and
we were hurting after
Leinster so we will use
that to our advantage.
Favourite try?
There are two that stick out in my mind,
my first try back when we had covid
restrictions, we must have had roughly 600
fans there but it was an amazing feeling to
get my first. The other would be the URC
Quarter Final against Munster last season,
coming from bench as you can’t control as
much. Starting a game is better as when
you are on the bench you don’t know when
you will be on. I haven’t learned to deal with
waiting on the bench.
Season Stats
Games Played
13
Carries
84
Tries
4
Points
20
11

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15

Spot the Difference
Can you spot the 5 differences?
MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
Dan
McFarland
Iain
Henderson
Head Coach
Joined Ulster
in 2018 and is
contracted to
remain with at
the province
until at
least 2025.
Captain
Lock
21/02/1992
199cm
116kg
139
72
Dan
Soper
Roddy
Grant
Jonny
Bell
Craig
Newby
Assistant Coach
Forwards Coach
Defence Coach
Skills Coach
LIVE STATS
Visit ulster.rugby
ulster.rugby
Answers on back page
17

Utility Back
20/08/1992
185cm
93kg
26
5
Will
Addison
Hooker
26/05/1993
180cm
103kg
108
John
Andrew
Wing
19/08/1997
193cm
93kg
52
4
Rob
Baloucoune
Lock
27/07/1995
205cm
120kg
1
Frank
Bradshaw-Ryan
Fly Half
13/06/1994
183cm
87kg
91
7
Billy
Burns
Lock
10/09/1989
201cm
116kg
55
AUS 16
Sam
Carter
Scrum Half
01/05/1990
178cm
86kg
117
11
John
Cooney
Fly Half / Centre
26/03/1998
178cm
92kg
24
Angus
Curtis
Scrum Half
17/12/2001
185cm
85kg
41
Nathan
Doak
Fly Half
07/06/1999
183cm
91kg
4
Jake
Flannery
Wing
11/03/1991
183cm
90kg
210
10
Craig
Gilroy
Hooker
27/04/1990
185cm
105kg
227
33
Rob
Herring
Centre
07/09/1998
188cm
98kg
74
3
James
Hume
Lock
28/01/2000
201cm
117kg
13
Cormac
Izuchukwu
Back Row
13/01/1996
196cm
106kg
42
Greg
Jones
Full Back
20/08/1998
170cm
76kg
83
1
Mike
Lowry
Wing
28/01/1997
175cm
85kg
64
Rob
Lyttle
Fly Half
21/03/1989
179cm
89kg
36
30
Ian
Madigan
Centre
03/03/1991
180cm
95kg
159
11
Luke
Marshall
Back Row
13/06/2000
193cm
108kg
25
David
McCann
Centre
06/08/1992
193cm
111kg
171
12
Stuart
McCloskey
Scrum Half
24/06/1999
178cm
95kg
1
Michael
McDonald
Full Back/Wing
10/08/2000
188cm
89kg
50
Ethan
McIlroy
Prop
15/12/1992
191cm
130kg
22
Gareth
Milasinovich
MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
19
ulster.rugby

MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
Hooker
15/09/1996
183cm
112kg
3
Declan
Moore
Prop
01/03/1991
178cm
123kg
86
10
Marty
Moore
Centre
08/08/1999
184cm
90kg
49
Stewart
Moore
Wing/Centre
09/09/1991
191cm
100kg
28
Ben
Moxham
Back Row
22/04/1991
188cm
106kg
63
30
Jordi
Murphy
Full Back
15/07/1999
181cm
90kg
Shea
O’Brien
Lock
10/09/1992
196cm
110kg
176
Alan
O’Connor
Prop
30/11/1995
185cm
117kg
102
1
Eric
O’Sullivan
Prop
23/09/1998
184cm
121kg
87
8
Tom
O’Toole
Centre
03/04/2002
193cm
93kg
2
Jude
Postlethwaite
Back Row
08/09/1997
188cm
109kg
37
Marcus
Rea
Back Row
21/09/1993
193cm
110kg
83
Matty
Rea
Back Row
04/11/1998
180cm
99kg
3
Sean
Reffell
Prop
06/01/1999
183cm
117kg
15
Callum
Reid
Wing
24/08/2000
188cm
94kg
8
Aaron
Sexton
Scrum Half
20/06/1993
175cm
78kg
86
Dave
Shanahan
Hooker
11/01/2001
183cm
103kg
21
Tom
Stewart
Wing/Full Back
03/04/1996
191cm
102kg
97
35
Jacob
Stockdale
Back Row
01/08/1995
188cm
113kg
122
3
Nick
Timoney
Prop
19/11/1990
192cm
128kg
11
NZ 1 SAM 3
Jeffery
Toomanga-Allen
Lock
06/11/1995
198cm
115kg
140
11
Kieran
Treadwell
Back Row
03/07/1986
193cm
118kg
32
SA 65
Duane
Vermeulen
Prop
12/03/1991
178cm
116kg
171
Andrew
Warwick
Prop
15/03/1994
183cm
113kg
11
SCO 22
Rory
Sutherland
21
ulster.rugby

Last Time Out
Ulster exit the Heineken Champions Cup after
an enthralling encounter at the Aviva Stadium
against interprovincial rivals Leinster.
Ulster went into the last 16 clash, hoping to
land a blow on the Dublin heavyweights,
who are widely seen as the most impressive
club side in world rugby. Both sides
welcomed back their international players
who were away with their country for the
Guinness Six Nations.
Ulster welcomed back Ireland internationals
Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole and Stuart
McCloskey into the starting 15. Scotland
international prop Rory Sutherland also
returned to the front row, who knew they
were facing on of the most intimidating
packs in world rugby.
At a sell out match at the Aviva Stadium,
Ulster supporters made their voices
heard in what was an electric atmosphere
in Dublin.
In torrential rain, the match began with
the intensity many predicted from the
start. Ulster drew first blood in the match
with scrum half Nathan Doak converting a
Sat 1 Apr
30 - 15
penalty to send the Ulster supporters mad
and three points to the good.
But Leinster immediately replied with an
answer as their sharpshooter fly half, Ross
Byrne, taking up the mantle of 10 after
the injury to Grand Slam winning captain
Johnny Sexton.
Leinster’s power was on show as they
steamed over the line through Ryan Baird
to score the first try of the match. TMO had
a check on whether Baird had lost control of
the ball while under pressure from Ulster’s
defence but the score was awarded. Ross
Byrne made no mistake from the spot to
send Leinster 7 points to the good.
Byrne showed his kicking prowess by
scoring a penalty kick from long range that
got the home fans pumping their chests.
Ulster suddenly found themselves 10
points down.
Ulster responded to the deficit in stubborn
fashion and hit back. Fly half Billy Burns
made a smart cross field kick to James
Hume, who drifted off to Ulster’s right wing
and the young centre somehow managed
to finish despite Leinster pressure.
Nathan Doak was unable to add to the
points, missing a difficult conversion.
Five minutes before the break, Ulster fans
breathed a sigh of relief as Jack Conan
was awarded a try for bundling the ball
near Ulster’s whitewash but a TMO check
showed that the Irish international was
short and had not got the ball over the
line. Leinster’s continued pressure led
to a penalty awarded and Byrne booted
Leinster into a further lead of 16-8 going
into half time.
HT: Leinster 16-8 Ulster
Ulster’s second half got off to a poor start
as Leinster pushed forward into Ulster’s
22 and centre James Hume was shown a
yellow card for not releasing. With a man
down, Ulster conceded a try via the Ireland
scrum half Jamison Gibson Park who after a
ball was loose found himself in the fortunate
open position to dart through the middle of
Ulster’s posts.
Byrne’s conversion moved Leinster into a
23-8 lead, but the 14 men of Ulster battled
back as they hit back through their most
loved weapon, a lineout maul for hooker
Rob Herring to finish off. Replacement
scrum-half John Cooney kicked home the
extras for Ulster.
With the game finely poised at 23-15, Ulster
continued to withstand the Leinster siege
in their own 22. Stuart McCloskey at one
point making an incredible defence against
Leinster’s Jimmy O’Brien, holding the ball
up and preventing what would have been
a certain try.
Leinster extended their lead through their
brutally effective prop Andrew Porter,
powering over the line to push Leinster’s
lead further. Byrne added 2 more points to
send Leinster 15 clear.
Ulster continued to battle but the sting
was taken out of the away side’s game
with a yellow card for replacement forward
Harry Sheridan for a high tackle on Robbie
Henshaw.
The Ulster faithful applauded the effort
that was made in a brutally physical match
with Leinster showing the reasons why they
have went unbeaten all season in league
and Europe.
Ulster will now focus on continuing their
momentum in the BKT URC with a home
Quarter Final to look forward to.
FT: Leinster 30-15 Ulster
WATCH
HIGHLIGHTS
23

BALLYGOWAN – OFFICIAL HYDRATION
PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY
NOW
MADE FROM
1 %
RECYCLED
PLASTIC
*
1 %
IRISH
1 %
RECYCLABLE
25

1
2
3
1
2
3
4
Eric O’Sullivan
6
Alan O’Connor
8
5
Tom Stewart
C
7
Sam Carter
Tom O’Toole
OFFICIALS
Referee: Ben Blain
AR 1: Eoghan Cross
AR 2: Padraic Reidy
TMO: Andrew McMememy
6
4
Rhodri Jones
Ben Carter
8
5
Elliot Dee
7
Matthew Screech
Leon Brown
11
Jacob Stockdale
David McCann
Duane Vermeulen
John Cooney
9
Marcus Rea
10
11
Ashton Hewitt
George Nott
Aaron Wainwright
C
Rhodri Williams
Taine Basham
9
10
Replacements
16 John Andrew
Billy Burns
12
Replacements
16 Brodie Coghlan
Angus O’Brien
12
17 Andrew Warwick
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19 Kieran Treadwell
20 Nick Timoney
Stuart McCloskey
13
17 Josh Reynolds
18 Lloyd Fairbrother
19 Sean Lonsdale
20 George Young
Max Clark
13
21 Nathan Doak
22 Stewart Moore
23 Ethan McIlroy
15
James Hume
14
21 Lewis Jones
22 Will Reed
23 Aneurin Owen
15
Jared Rosser
14
Craig Gilroy
Rio Dyer
ulster.rugby
Mike Lowry
Jordan Williams
27

29

Leon Brown Prop
Ones to Watch
Standing at 6’2” and weighing in at 126kg, Brown is
a powerfull scrummager.
Although he hasn’t featued much in this season’s
BKT-URC, Brown has 23 internationals appearances
for Wales, plus 9 at age-grade level.
Rhodri Williams Scrum-Half
Tonight’s Captain, Williams, joined Dragons in the
summer of 2018 from Bristol Bears.
Williams represented the Barbarians against England at
Twickenham in May 2018 and again in the summer of
2019, scoring a second half try as a replacement.
The Scrum-half has scored three tries in this season’s
BKT-URC.
Rio Dyer Wing
Scoring seven times this season aready, the face-paced
Winger from Newport has certainly made his mark,
making an impressive 527 metres, in nine games in the
BKT-URC.
It’s no surpised that Dyer has represented Wales 7s and
now has seven caps for Wales on the international stage.
NAME POSITION DOB HEIGHT WEIGHT
Aki SEIULI Prop 22/12/1992 1.84 m 118 kg
Chris COLEMAN Prop 31/08/1998 1.89 m 130 kg
Josh REYNOLDS Prop 01/12/1998 1.80 m 112 kg
Leon BROWN Prop 26/10/1996 1.91 m 126 kg
Lloyd FAIRBROTHER Prop 13/11/1991 1.75 m 123 kg
Rhodri JONES Prop 23/12/1991 1.91 m 120 kg
Rob EVANS Prop 14/04/1992 1.86 m 118 kg
Brad ROBERTS Hooker 04/01/1996 1.75 m 108 kg
Elliot DEE Hooker 07/03/1994 1.86 m 106 kg
Ellis SHIPP Hooker 14/08/1997 1.79 m 108 kg
James BENJAMIN Hooker 21/02/1994 1.83 m 100 kg
Ben CARTER Lock 23/01/2001 1.98 m 117 kg
George NOTT Lock 21/06/1996 1.98 m 114 kg
Joe DAVIES Lock 13/11/1995 1.97 m 130 kg
Matthew SCREECH Lock 24/10/1992 1.96 m 116 kg
Sean LONSDALE Lock 07/01/1997 1.96 m 112 kg
Will ROWLANDS Lock 19/09/1991 2.03 m 123 kg
Aaron WAINWRIGHT Back row 25/09/1997 1.90 m 106 kg
Ben FRY Back row 26/09/1998 1.86 m 105 kg
Harri KEDDIE Back row 10/07/1996 1.88 m 110 kg
Huw TAYLOR Back row 05/06/1996 1.96 m 114 kg
Lennon GREGGAINS Back row 20/01/1999 1.87 m 102 kg
Ollie GRIFFITHS Back row 23/03/1995 1.85 m 104 kg
Taine BASHAM Back row 02/11/1999 1.83 m 96 kg
Gonzalo BERTRANOU Scrum-half 31/12/1993 1.74 m 77 kg
Lewis JONES Scrum-half 24/11/1992 1.75 m 81 kg
Rhodri WILLIAMS Scrum-half 05/05/1993 1.79 m 81 kg
Angus O'BRIEN Fly-half 17/09/1994 1.80 m 89 kg
JJ HANRAHAN Fly-half 27/07/1992 1.83 m 93 kg
Sam DAVIES Fly-half 06/10/1993 1.80 m 87 kg
Will REED Fly-half 03/11/2001 1.76 m 80 kg
Aneurin OWEN Centre 19/10/2000 1.80 m 89 kg
Jack DIXON Centre 13/12/1994 1.88 m 105 kg
Max CLARK Centre 03/10/1995 1.90 m 100 kg
Sio TOMKINSON Centre 27/05/1996 1.83 m 95 kg
Steff HUGHES Centre 17/02/1994 1.80 m 91 kg
Ashton HEWITT Winger 20/11/1994 1.80 m 90 kg
Jared ROSSER Winger 31/12/1997 1.83 m 99 kg
Rio DYER Winger 21/12/1999 1.86 m 94 kg
David RICHARDS Fullback 30/07/1999 1.82 m 93 kg
Ioan DAVIES Fullback 28/11/1999 1.83 m 84 kg
Jordan WILLIAMS Fullback 20/09/1993 1.73 m 81 kg
ulster.rugby
31

Half-Time Exhibition Games
Memorial Stand End
Portadown Panthers
Kit: Blue & White
Ballymena Bears
Kit: Blue
ONLY
£2.39
£2
EACH
1 Matthew Robinson
2 Jordan McCabe
3 Craig Malcolmson
4 Lorcan McKerr
5 Adam McCracken
6 Reece Massey
7 Stefan McGrath
8 Jordan Wilson
9
10
11
12
1 Johnny Duncan
2 Andrew McDowell
3 Harry Cairns
4 Oisin O’Neill
5 Ciaran Drumm
6 Rowan Fahay
7 Shane McAndless
8 Frank Stewart
9 William Busby
10 Margaret Hill
11 Paul Kelly
12 Emily Robinson
16
PACK
1.35L
Portadown Panthers
Kit: Blue & White
AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End
Donaghadee Sharkies
Kit: Red & Green
1 Ryan Johnston
7 Robert Corry
1 Jo Berry
7 Ben Collins
2 Jordan MvNulty
8 Billy Wilson
2 Henry Berry
8 Lucy Meeke
Less Than
1/2 Price
10th-16th
APR
Less Than
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17th-23rd
APR
3 David Steele
4 JK Millar
5 Lochlann Agnew
6 Ga Wai Phun
9
10
11
12
3 Patrick Brown
4 Carson Mooney
5 Samatha Smallwood
6 Carter McRoberts
9 Toby Ellsmere
10 Bailey Allen
11
12
Tayto Assorted Crisps 16 Pack Less Than 1/2 Price £5.00 £2.39 , Tropicana Orange Smooth / Original 1.35L Less Than 1/2
Price £4.59 £2.00 . Maximum 6 per transaction. All offers, unless otherwise stated, are subject to availability, while stocks
last at participating SPAR stores in Northern Ireland .
Prices and availability may fluctuate due to external factors beyond our control.
33

NOW AT THE FAN ZONE
Go head-to-head with a friend and take on the
Kingspan TRY-CYCLE Challenge interactive game!
The faster you pedal in 30 seconds, the further you’ll
travel across the rugby pitch and towards the top of
our leaderboard! You can take on the challenge at
every Ulster Rugby home game and the winners will
be those who top the leaderboard at the end of the
season, winning some amazing prizes!
WIN
A NEW BIKE
from Giant Bicycles
AN ULSTER AWAY TRIP
with travel and accommodation
35

*Restrictions apply.
37

The Ulster Society of
Rugby Football Referees
We welcome Ben Blain (SRU) and his
team of officials to the Kingspan Stadium
for this evenings BKT URC Round 17
fixture against the Dragons.
This week in ‘Referees Corner’ we profile our
very own ‘Giant’ of a referee, Edward Hanna.
Having been involved in the game from
the age 9, Edward was fortunate to have
played for nearly 30 years before taking up
the whistle with the USRFR. He played his
schools rugby for RBAI before moving to
Instonians RFC and later Dromore RFC. He
owns a number of companies across the
UK and Ireland and spends a lot of his time
within local communities working to support
people with education and life skills.
Do you have a family and how do you
juggle family life with being a referee?
I will be honest - this is incredibly tricky,
but I am getting better at it. Juggling
business commitments, homelife and my
refereeing can be very difficult. I tend to
do things with very little planning and can
be very last minute. What I try to do is live
in the moment so that when I do get time
for family and friends we spend quality
time together, which means there is very
little time for television and relaxation.
I do find it hard to be
available each weekend as I have four
children. Two of them play rugby for their
1st XV schools’ teams at Dromore High
and Banbridge Academy. I also try to help
coach my daughter who plays for Dromore
Minis. Over the past few years our youngest
son has been playing National ice hockey
for team Scotland and the Belfast Giants,
which means I have to travel a lot with him
both home and abroad. If it was not for my
partner Julie- Ann keeping me grounded
and telling me where I need to be, I would
be in big trouble!
What is your training regime like?
Again, my training regime can be a bit up
and down depending on what is demanding
more of my focus. I really struggle with
routine which means that I go from being
fairly fit and in good shape to maybe
carrying a few extra pounds throughout the
season. Because I am 6”7, I tend to spend
a lot of my time working on the spin bike
to prevent compression injuries or sprains
from running. I tend to leave most of my
running to the games themselves where the
grass is a bit softer.
How do you prepare for a game?
I would like to be better at preparation
time and I am somewhat jealous of many
of my colleagues and friends in the Society
who have this nailed much better that I. I
really don’t start thinking about the game
properly until about the day before. I will
know who the teams are in advance,
so I will check some of their previous
results, look at their positions in the
league and gauge what maybe
some of the difficulties and note
them down. I will then pick this up on the
day before the game and start doing some
scenario planning based on what I think
might be some of the issues during the
game and also think about how I can get
these nipped out early. I am a big lover of
constructive feedback and I will also look to
hear from others on how I can improve, so
I will try to work on some bits and pieces
each week and factor this into my planning
on the Friday. Finally, I will check my kit and
phone the club to make sure the game is on.
What is the biggest thing you have learned
since you started refereeing?
That the game is not about you! It is your
role to facilitate the game safely and within
the Laws. Once you start to make the game
about you, then I have found that players
and spectators can quickly find a way to
put you centre stage. I have learned to
build relationship and trust with the players
as the game goes on and that generally
ensures that the game is allowed to flow.
Also, having some empathy for those
playing the game is helpful providing you
don’t let players take advantage of it.
What is the most memorable game you
have refereed so far?
Carrickfergus 1st XV v Cooke 1st XV
Women’s league game at the start of the
2022/23 season. The game was played
in some of the worst conditions I have
experienced and the ladies gave it 100%.
With the game poised at 5-5, Cooke
camped on the Carrick line for nearly 20
minutes and could not get across the white
wash. The ball had been held up in goal 8
times by the hardened Carrick defence.
With a final throw of the dice Cooke had a
catch and drive from 5 m out only for the
Carrick captain to once again get under the
ball and hold it up. What a game of rugby,
5-5 the final score.
If you’re interested in refereeing, contact:
Richard Kerr
Referee Development Manager
richard.kerr@irfu.ie | 07493 868 388
What advice would you give to someone
thinking about taking up refereeing?
Ulster Rugby needs referees at all levels
of the game!! For me it helps keep me fit,
keeps me sharp on my feet for the world
of business, helps me with critical thinking,
decision making under pressure and lots
more.
Who is your favourite referee and why?
Nigel Owens (even though he is retired).
I love to have banter with the players and
those on the side lines and I believe Nigel
Owens was one of the greatest at this. He
could be serious when needed but always
looked like he was relaxed, happy and in
control of the game.
What one law would you like to change or
introduce?
I would like to see something which
prevents the ‘congo line’ of players
standing over the ball which gives
the scrum-half distance between the
breakdown and the box kick. I love to see
tall players getting a charge down and I
think this would allow for a better, flowing
game all-round.
U.S.R.F.R
39

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41

Malone RFC won the
22/23 Deloitte Women’s
Junior Cup after beating
Queen’s University 20-17
after extra time
Ballyclare
have retained the
Bank of Ireland Towns
Cup after a ruthless
performance against
Clogher Valley
winning 14-71
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Monaghan won the
Gordon West Cup after
beating Letterkenny 15-9
in a tense final played
in heavy rain
Cooke RFC
won the McCrea Cup
after beating QUB 2XV
40-12 in a final played in
difficult, rainy
conditions
ulster.rugby
43

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Take on the Hillsborough Half, 10K or
5K in support of our charity partner,
Horatio’s Garden!
Ready to pursue a
personal challenge
to help raise the
final £100,000
needed to open
Horatio’s Garden
Northern Ireland?
Where?
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
When?
Sunday 30th July 2023
What?
Half Marathon, 10K or 5K race
How?
Tap the links below to register
and find out more:
Half Marathon | 10K | 5K
Q&A - Craig Gilroy
Favourite try you’ve scored
for Ulster?
Against Munster in the
Heinken Cup quarter-final back
in 2012
Favourite 2022/23 Ulster kit?
Always the white home kit!
Favourite moment of your
career so far?
I really enjoyed my 100th cap for
Ulster at home scoring twice and
beating Treviso
Any habits or rituals before a
game?
I listen to the same podcast
(inky Johnson-impose your will)
on the drive to the stadium
before I put on my music
Least favourite training drill?
Breakdown work (don’t tell Dan)
Best player you’ve played with?
Ruan Pienaar/Jared Payne/
Charles Piatau
Apart from rugby, what other
sports do you like?
I love my tennis
One thing you can’t live without?
My daughter, Madison
Most used emoji?
If you were stuck on a desert
island with a teammate, who
would you pick and why?
David Shanahan. We both have
a similarly weird and dark sense
of humour or Iain Henderson as I
think we could hand build a
pretty cool house on the island,
with my DIY skills and his
imagination
47

Academy
Ulster Rugby
Ben
Carson
Centre
24/02/2002
183cm
101kg
-
Ruben
Crothers
Back Row
28/01/2002
189cm
98kg
-
Joe
Hopes
Second Row
16/03/2004
197cm
100kg
-
James
Humphreys
Out-Half
14/11/2001
185cm
81kg
-
THE ULTIMATE
URC EXPERIENCE
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experience
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James
McCormick
Hooker
08/01/2002
181cm
110kg
-
Conor
McKee
Scrum-Half
20/03/2001
182cm
85kg
-
Lorcan
McLaughlin
Back-Row
03/04/2002
189cm
105kg
-
James
McNabney
Back Row
28/02/2003
193cm
113kg
George
Saunderson
01/11/2001
Prop
189cm
123kg
-
Harry
Sheridan
Second Row
21/09/2001
194cm
122kg
8
Rory
Telfer
Full-Back/Wing
29/08/2003
183cm
87kg
-
Scott
Wilson
Prop
06/08/2007
186cm
122kg
-
ulster.rugby 49

Written by:
Rod Nawn
Home is Where the Prize Lies!
Tonight the penultimate game of the
United Rugby Championship regular
season is laden with possibilities and
real opportunities.
The visit of the struggling Dragons to
Kingspan Stadium is another hurdle as
Ulster bids to confirm its third place in the
table and, potentially, stake its claim for the
runner-up spot by the end of next weekend
when Edinburgh comes to Belfast.
The prize already secured is a play-off
quarter-final at home, but the enormously
helpful bonus available - if results fall as
they might – is the lure of a semi-final
here in Belfast should a spot in the last
four be earned.
So, that means that if Ulster can take
maximum points tonight and next Friday,
and if the reigning champions Stormers
stumble against a revitalised Munster
tomorrow in South Africa, or against
Benetton at home next week, then Kingspan
Stadium could look forward to four more
URC matches this season.
That could pave the path to the final, to
silverware!
Of course there are lots of ifs involved in this
scenario: will the Stormers falter over the
next seven days? And could Glasgow shoot
into second spot if the Stormers and Ulster
both implode?
All these formulae are academic when it
comes to preparing sides for this evening’s
Round 17 games. Ulster’s Head Coach Dan
McFarland will certainly have emphasised
to his players that nobody can get ahead
of themselves, they must focus only on the
immediate challenge of a Dragons outfit
which has suffered more than others in the
turmoil that is Welsh rugby.
But though certain to finish second-frombottom
in the URC table, and just earlyseason
wins over Munster and Zebre in the
‘W’ column, Head Coach Dai Flanagan has
made the club competitive, and a cursory
look at the fixture list will indicate that many
games have been much closer than might
be expected.
Since succeeding Dean Ryan at Rodney
Parade it has been a turbulent time for Welsh
rugby’s most poorly-resourced club, and a
single win – in the European Challenge Cup
against Pau in January – in the last fourteen
outings makes for harsh reading.
But Flanagan is eyeing next season with
his recent recruitment and the trust he’s
determined to place in many of the club’s
younger players. He’s overseeing the
departure of familiar names, such as Francebound
Ross Moriarty and Will Rowlands,
and centre Corey Hill.
But, like Ulster, the Newport club has been
busy too renewing contracts for pedigree
players such as Steff Hughes, Ashton Hewitt,
Elliott Dee and Lloyd Fairbrother.
Amongst those upon whom he’ll rely
next terms is a Ravenhill favourite, hooker
Bradley Roberts, whose colourful path to
international recognition by Wales took in
many byways before displays for Rainey
Old Boys caught the eye of the Ulster
development team. His barnstorming style
always energised the crowd though if he’s
involved this evening the hosts will be aware
of his threat from the maul and in the loose.
But McFarland and his coaching group will
be concentrating primarily on how their
players respond to the challenge which lies
ahead of them in the next two months.
The focus is firmly on winning, first, and
hopefully take an important bonus point
against the Dragons tonight.
As always supporters will have awaited
the team announcement with interest,
as McFarland is unafraid of making an
unpredictable call as he selects a side he
firmly believes is the right one to take on
that day’s particular opposition.
With Edinburgh arriving seven days hence
he’ll want to have a healthy squad available
in chasing that second-placed finish in the
URC standings. The panel now is as strong
as any in the club’s history, and that’s
evidenced that even the huge loss of skipper
Iain Henderson, for instance, is not the body
blow it might have been several years ago.
The raft of gifted players who in the last
fortnight have re-signed contracts is
testament to the ambition of Ulster and
its management. That someone of the
creativity and intelligence of John Cooney
has decided he wants to remain in Ulster
when other opportunities existed also
indicates that McFarland has nurtured a
pool of staff and players who have a fierce
and determined loyalty to the cause that is
Ulster Rugby.
All share, with the supporters, the craving
for tangible reward in terms of silverware.
For Ulster there remains but one route to
ulster.rugby
51

ealise that ambition, the URC. Despite the
‘blip’ around the turn of the year which
perplexed the faithful, the players and staff,
the side has travelled to South Africa during
the awkward Six Nations window and
registered a superb win at the Sharks, just
as it disposed so thrillingly of Cardiff at the
Arms Park.
The dangerous Bulls were seen off at home
last month in another bonus point success,
and as well as the excitement of Ulster in
attack there was the truly encouraging
defensive work on its own line when the
visitors threw everything its heavyweight
pack could muster. For Defence Coach
Jonny Bell there was much to be pleased
about in that regard, just as Skills Coach
Craig Newby would have quietly smiled
at how well the combinations worked,
particularly the cohesion and subtlety of the
interplay between backs and forwards.
That understanding will be needed
against a Dragons outfit which knows
its destiny this year but includes players
who’ll be determined to prove themselves
indispensible to Flanagan’s vision for the
short and long-term future.
ulster.rugby
For eighty minutes and more Ulster’s intent
must be consistently clear as it concentrates
on doing what it does best this evening, and
it would be naïve to think that the prospect
of possibly two play-off games at home will
not be an unconscious incentive.
In a stop-start URC calendar the Kingspan
Stadium support has rediscovered its voice,
its famous ‘roar’ urging its favourites on.
Tonight could, just could, be the first of four
matches in the 2022/23 URC campaign
which carve a path to the final over the next
two months. Four opportunities for that
vocal crowd to reprise its key role in the
Ulster Rugby story.
The Dragons should not be taken for
granted, and a McFarland team will not
be allowed to do that. But there will be a
realistic expectation that Ulster will impose
its authority and greater range of skills en
route to a convincing win.
Other results might be helpful in pursuit of
finishing second, but the priority for Ulster
is to take care of its own business.
And dousing any fire the Dragons might
reignite in Belfast will be aided immeasurably
with a Kingspan Stadium filled with colour
and the confident voices of a support which,
like the team, has always kept the faith.
ULSTER v
EDINBURGH
FRI 21 APR, 7.35PM | KINGSPAN STADIUM
ulster.rugby/buytickets
53

GUESS WHO
Men’s & U20s Six Nations Grand Slam Champions
Trophies in the Heineken Quarter
pre-match.
Hints:
Joined the Ulster Academy in 2017.
Made his debut for Ireland in 2022.
Answer on back page
55

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2022/23 ALTERNATE KIT
Click and Collect Available
OUT NOW
KINGSPAN SHOP OPENING HOURS
9am-5pm Tuesday to Friday
WWW.ULSTERRUGBYSHOP.COM
9am-4pm Saturday
57

RAVENHILL PARK GARDENS
3G Pitch
Catering
Gate A
ABBEY AUTOLINE FAMILY STAND
SPIRIT OF ‘99
PROMENADE 1
EAST TERRACE
A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE / VIP BOXES
The Food Village will be in operation,
serving a variety of cuisines, while the
Cool FM Crew will provide the soundtrack
for the evening.
All five public bars will also be in operation,
with live entertainment in the Clubhouse Bar.
Kukri Store
The Kukri Store will be open from gates
open, until 30 minutes after full-time.
THE 1924
PROMENADE 2
Audio
ONSLOW PARADE
TURNSTILES
FOOD
VILLAGE
TURNSTILES
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 on
(028) 9049 3222.
Kingspan Stadium is now fully cashless,
with all bars and catering outlets
operating via card payments only.
Live music will be available pre & post-match in the Clubhouse Bar
ADMIN’
BUILDING
2022/23 FIXTURES
H Connacht Fri 17 Sep W 36-10 URC
A Scarlets Sat 24 Sep W 39-55 URC
H Leinster Fri 30 Sep L 13-20 URC
H Ospreys Sat 8 Oct W 47-17 URC
A Emirates Lions Sat 15 Oct W 37-39 URC
A Munster Sat 29 Oct W 14-15 URC
H Zebre Parma Fri 25 Nov W 36-15 URC
A Leinster Sat 3 Dec L 38-29 URC
A Sale Sharks Sun 11 Dec L 39-0 HCC
H La Rochelle Sat 17 Dec L 29-36 HCC
A Connacht Fri 23 Dec W 20-22 URC
H Munster Sun 1 Jan L 14-15 URC
A Benetton Sat 7 Jan L 20-22 URC
A La Rochelle Sat 14 Jan L 7-3 HCC
H Sale Sharks Sat 21 Jan W 22-11 HCC
H DHL Stormers Fri 27 Jan W 35-5 URC
A Glasgow Warriors Fri 17 Feb L 17-11 URC
A Cell C Sharks Sat 25 Feb W 24-31 URC
A Cardiff Sat 4 Mar W 20-42 URC
H Vodacom Bulls Sat 25 Mar W 32-23 URC
A Leinster Sat 1 Apr L 30-15 HCC
H Dragons Fri 14 Apr 7.35pm URC
H Edinburgh Fri 21 Apr 7.35pm URC
*UK/IRE Time
Respect
Policy
Incident hotline
07790
200 200
We are
passionate in
our support
We are silent
during kicks
at goal
We respect the
match officials’
decisions
We drink
responsibly
We do not tolerate
abusive or discriminatory
language
We respect opposition
players, management
& supporters
We are mindful
of our language
59

Thank You!
Ulster Rugby wish to thank all of our sponsors
and partners for their continued support.
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ulster.rugby 61

Answers
Guess Who
Mike Lowry
Spot The Difference
Referee’s top, James Hume’s number,
Billy Burns’ BOI logo, Bulls player’s
foot, Sparky and boy in the crowd.
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