BKT-URC Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme v Cardiff

ULSTER 

Offical Match Day Programme 

v CARDIFF 

Fri 19 Apr 2024, 7.35pm 

Kingspan Stadium

In this Issue 

5 Mascots 

6 President’s Welcome 

10 A Letter to Supporters 

12 Last Time Out 

16 Squad Stats 

22 Referees’ Corner 

25 Half-Time 

Exhibition Games 

26 Teams 

28 

Luke Marshall 

Announces Retirement 

32 Training Gallery 

28 

37 

38 

WIN with the 

Ulster Rugby Foundation 

Players To Watch 

Cardiff Rugby 

41 Guess Who 

42 

42 

Player Interview: 

Tom O’Toole 

44 Spot The Difference 

Experience the exceptional 

Set off on an extraordinary journey with Qsuite,World’s Best 

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amenities transform your travel into a five-star experience. 

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48 

51 

52 

58 

Moalone Tornadoes Take 

Spain by Storm 

Ulster Girls Shine at 

U18 Six Nations 

Ulster Determined to 

Banish the Blues 

The Opening of 

Horatio’s Garden 

63 Q&A: 

Richie Murphie 

Visit qatarairways.com 

63 58 

3

Mascots 

Name: Scott Marshall 

Age: 11 

From: Portstewart 

I’m really excited to meet the team 

and run out onto the new pitch with 

them, infront of all the supporters. 

I play rugby at Coleriane RFC and 

when I grow up, I hope to be a 

professional rugby player. 

My favourite player is 

Rob Baloucoune. 

Kingspan Welcome 

Name: Noah Gorman 

Age: 8 

Location: Cavan 

Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, 

the home of Ulster Rugby, as we gear up 

for tonight’s URC clash against Cardiff 

Rugby. A special mention to our valued 

Kingspan employees and their families, 

joining us for our annual staff match. 

The buzz around URC fixtures is palpable, 

and tonight is no exception as Ulster eye a 

climb up the table and play-off contention. 

Following a tough URC away tour in South 

Africa, returning to the familiar turf of 

Kingspan Stadium could be the catalyst 

for a turnaround. The resounding 49-26 

victory over the Dragons in our last URC 

home game underscores the unmatched 

fervour of the Ulster supporters. 

Before settling into your seats or finding 

your spot in the terrace, we invite you to 

join us in the fan zone for the Kingspan Try- 

Cycle challenge, where participants will 

receive a Kingspan/Ulster Rugby water 

bottle for their efforts. There are fantastic 

prizes to be won, including a chance to 

travel with the Ulster team and exclusive 

signed merchandise. 

As part of our global sustainability 

initiative, Planet Passionate, we’re thrilled 

to introduce two water bottle refill stations 

to the stadium. Help us eliminate singleuse 

plastics from Kingspan Stadium by 

bringing your reusable water bottles to 

the game. 

With the promise of warmer weather, 

tonight is sure to be an unforgettable 

occasion, hopefully culminating in another 

thrilling victory for Ulster at Kingspan 

Stadium. SUFTUM! 

Siobhan O’Dywer 

Global Head of Marketing 

Kingspan 

I am excited to run out in front of all the 

supporters this Friday night! 

I am going to start playing mini rugby 

at Virginia RFC later this year. 

My favourite player is Iain Henderson. 

He is so strong! 

5

Seven weeks after our last home match, I am 

pleased to welcome Head Coach, Matt Sherratt, 

and his Cardiff team to Kingspan Stadium 

for tonight’s Round 14 BKT United Rugby 

Championship match. I am also delighted to 

welcome Ulster’s recently appointed Interim 

Head Coach, Richie Murphy, as he oversees 

his charges at home for the first time. 

Having travelled to an extremely hot and humid 

South Africa, followed by an equally hot France 

during the last month, I know how much the 

players are looking forward to running out 

tonight in front of our home supporters in less 

challenging conditions. On behalf of the squad, 

I pass on our appreciation to those supporters 

who made the trip to both countries. You may 

have been outnumbered, but you certainly 

made yourselves heard. 

Both sides have had somewhat disappointing 

seasons to-date. However, although Cardiff have 

only won three league games, they have proved 

very competitive in recent matches, losing 

narrowly to Leinster, Glasgow and Munster in 

their last three matches. Ulster currently sit in 

eighth position in a very crowded table, with 

only five points separating fifth from eleventh. 

With play-off places and European qualification 

on the line, tonight’s game is hugely important 

for Ulster. 

Joining us tonight are Cardiff representatives 

Chris and Jennifer Sutton, and Peter and 

Christine O’Connell. We trust that you and 

your supporters have an enjoyable weekend in 

Belfast. Also present this evening are the U.S. 

Consul General James Applegate, his deputy 

Chris Rendo and Lyn Debevoise, an American 

diplomat based in Washington DC. Hopefully 

you will enjoy the Kingspan Stadium experience. 

Since our last home game, Ulster has parted 

company with Jonny Petrie. I record my thanks 

to Jonny for his efforts during the last five 

seasons and wish him well in the future. 

Our recently appointed Interim CEO Hugh 

McCaughey, having travelled to France for the 

two European fixtures, is in the stadium tonight 

for his first home match. Hugh will already be 

known to many of our supporters, and I am sure 

you will join me in wishing him every success 

over the next number of months. 

In the Women’s Six Nations, Ireland recorded 

a bonus point win against Wales last Saturday, 

having lost narrowly to Italy in their previous 

game. Well done to all concerned, especially 

the Ulster players in the squad. We wish them 

well in their final two matches against England 

and Scotland, the latter to be played at the 

Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 27 April. 

Domestically, I offer my congratulations to 

Ballyclare RFC. Having already won the Energia 

All Ireland Junior Cup and been crowned 

champions of the Ulster Championship One 

League, coach Mike Orchin-McKeever led them 

to victory over Monkstown last Saturday in the 

All-Ireland play-off final. Trailing as they entered 

injury time, captain Joel McBride scored a 

try with the last play of the game for a heartstopping 

win. We wish them well as they begin 

their journey in AIL 2C next season. 

As I said above, this is a hugely important fixture 

for Ulster. With the committed support of the 

Ulster fans, I am confident that the players can 

deliver the win which we all crave. 

STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN 

Denis Gardiner 

President, IRFU Ulster Branch 

#evYuMr 

PROUD TITLE SPONSOR OF THE 

BKT UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 

7

9

A Letter to 

Supporters 

from Hugh McCaughey, 

Ulster Rugby Interim CEO 

As we look to an important home URC fixture at Kingspan Stadium this 

evening, I am delighted to have the opportunity to hear directly from 

Season Ticket holders ahead of the match in the first of a series of 

CEO engagement events that will run over the coming months. 

We want to be a club that brings pride to the province, and it’s of critical 

importance to myself, and the wider team, that your voices are heard and 

listened to. I look forward to meeting many of you in-person in the time ahead. 

The role of Interim CEO brings with it a great sense of honour and responsibility 

and, after many years involved in rugby in Ulster, in multiple guises, it’s a 

privilege to lead the club at a time in which the foundations for what we want 

to achieve in the coming years will be laid after a period of uncertainty. 

I am excited about this team’s future. With the quality of young player we have 

coming through, combined with the experience and leadership of some of our 

senior players, it promises to be an exciting and positive future. It wont always 

be a smooth road ahead, but as always, your support is what will carry us 

through the good and more difficult days. I would like to express my particular 

gratitude to the Season Ticket holders who have already renewed for the 

2024/25 season – and say that we appreciate you investing in what we are 

working towards as a club. 

As first and foremost an Ulster Rugby supporter, I look forward to the 

upcoming professional and domestic action in the weeks ahead, at our home 

ground, and around the province in our clubs and schools. But tonight, I don’t 

intend to stop being a supporter, I will very much be standing up for the Ulster 

men alongside you in Kingspan Stadium this evening. 

#SUFTUM 

Hugh McCaughey 

Interim CEO 

11

first penalty of the match. From the lineout 

maul, Peceli Yato, found space and dotted 

down for the home side’s first of the day. 

Anthony Belleau converted the score. 

Ulster found the scoreline slipping away, 

after conceding two penalties that were 

taken by Belleau. 

With the home side in the ascendancy, 

Pita-Gus Sowakula, scored the home 

side’s second converted try to leave Ulster 

cursing their errors in the half. 

With the clock in the red, Ulster refused 

to end the half quietly and were rewarded 

for their efforts. Another try from Nick 

Timoney, after a well- executed lineout in 

the Clermont 22 narrowed the score line 

going into the break, with John Cooney 

adding the extra two points from an 

awkward angle. 

Half-Time: 20-14 

Last Time Out 

Sun 14 Apr 

53 - 14 

didn’t stop the French getting their first 

try of the half moments later. 

Full back-Alex Newsome punished Ulster 

on the left wing, after some slick passing 

between the Clermont backs on the left 

wing. Newsome was sent clear and sprinted 

through for a simple finish. Belleau made 

no mistake from the tee. 

Ulster’s European campaign came to an 

end against Clermont, who advanced to 

the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge 

Cup after a seven- try victory against the 

province at Stade Marcel-Michelin. 

Despite a competitive first half that saw 

Ulster trail the home side by just six points, 

Clermont impressed in the second half with 

four tries that ended the contest. 

Richie Murphy’s team started fast out of 

the blocks, building some good attacking 

phases through good quick ball and 

accurate passing. The Ulster men were 

meeting the physical battle head on, with 

both sides working hard in the breakdown 

as they looked for the upper hand. Ulster 

also enjoyed some success at scrum-time, 

with Ulster’s forward pack looking strong 

at the set piece. 

Ulster received an early blow, with fullback, 

Stewart Moore, withdrawn just five 

minutes into the contest. Ethan McIlroy 

replaced the Ballymoney man, which 

would leave the province with one back 

option on the bench, given the 6:2 split. 

Ulster struck the first blow of the Quarter- 

Final, and were good value for their lead. 

Ulster’s in-form back-rower, Nick Timoney, 

dotted the ball down after a 5m tap and 

go penalty, with John Cooney adding the 

extra two from the tee. 

The home side got back level quickly, 

punishing Ulster, who had given away their 

Ulster made one change in coming out 

for the restart, with Dave Ewers replacing 

captain, Iain Henderson, due to a foot injury. 

After the break, the home side made a 

dominant start to the half, furthering the 

score line a few minutes after the restart. 

A penalty opportunity was missed by 

Belleau after a handful of minutes but that 

Ulster received further injury blows in the 

minutes to follow, with try-scorer, Nick 

Timoney, and Steven Kitshoff, both being 

withdrawn due to injury. 

The contest felt put to bed when the 

impressive Clermont eight, Pita-Gus 

Sowakula, powered over the line from a 

5m lineout. 

Further tries from Simmons, Yato and 

Jurand added to Clermont’s commanding 

lead, as they put on a show in front of their 

fans in the French sunshine. 

The province had chased a consolation try 

towards the end of the 80, but replacement 

prop, Scott Wilson,’s dive over the top of 

the Clermont rear-guard was held up well. 

Full-time: 53-14 

Watch Highlights 

13

15

Utility Back 

20/08/1992 

185cm 

93kg 

37 

5 

Will 

Addison 

Hooker 

26/05/1993 

180cm 

103kg 

118 

- 

John 

Andrew 

Wing 

19/08/1997 

193cm 

94.5kg 

68 

4 

Rob 

Baloucoune 

Fly Half 

13/06/1994 

183cm 

87kg 

108 

7 

Billy 

Burns 

Centre 

24/02/2002 

183cm 

101kg 

1 

- 

Ben 

Carson 

Scrum Half 

01/05/1990 

178cm 

86kg 

135 

11 

John 

Cooney 

Back Row 

28/01/2002 

184cm 

99kg 

3 

- 

Reuben 

Crothers 

Scrum Half 

17/12/2001 

185cm 

85kg 

63 

- 

Nathan 

Doak 

Back Row 

03/11/1990 

193cm 

126kg 

11 

- 

Dave 

Ewers 

Fly Half 

07/06/1999 

183cm 

91.5kg 

14 

- 

Jake 

Flannery 

Prop 

13/06/1994 

185cm 

123kg 

2 

- 

James 

French 

Lock 

21/02/1992 

199cm 

118kg 

152 

81 

Iain 

Henderson 

Hooker 

27/04/1990 

185cm 

105kg 

237 

39 

Rob 

Herring 

Centre 

07/09/1998 

188cm 

97kg 

94 

3 

James 

Hume 

ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD 

Lock 

28/01/2000 

201cm 

117kg 

23 

- 

Cormac 

Izuchukwu 

Backrow 

13/01/1996 

196cm 

105kg 

42 

- 

Greg 

Jones 

Prop 

10/02/1992 

183cm 

120kg 

14 

SA 83 

Steven 

Kitshoff 

Full Back 

20/08/1998 

170cm 

77kg 

98 

1 

Mike 

Lowry 

Centre 

03/03/1991 

180cm 

98.5kg 

165 

11 

Luke 

Marshall 

Back Row 

13/06/2000 

193cm 

109.5kg 

40 

- 

David 

McCann 

Centre 

06/08/1992 

193cm 

112kg 

186 

17 

Stuart 

McCloskey 

Hooker 

08/01/2002 

183cm 

107kg 

- 

- 

James 

McCormick 

Wing 

10/08/2000 

188cm 

88kg 

59 

- 

Ethan 

McIlroy 

Scrum Half 

20/03/2001 

183cm 

85kg 

- 

- 

Conor 

McKee 

Prop 

01/03/1991 

178cm 

122kg 

94 

10 

Marty 

Moore 

Centre 

08/08/1999 

184cm 

92kg 

63 

- 

Stewart 

Moore 

Wing 

09/06/2001 

191cm 

101.5kg 

31 

- 

Ben 

Moxham 

Fullback 

15/07/1999 

181cm 

89kg 

1 

- 

Shea 

O’Brien 

Lock 

10/09/1992 

196cm 

114kg 

191 

- 

Alan 

O’Connor 

Prop 

30/11/1995 

183cm 

117kg 

109 

1 

Eric 

O’Sullivan 

SA 


Prop 

23/09/1998 

184cm 

122kg 

102 

13 

Tom 

O’Toole 

Centre 

03/04/2002 

193cm 

101kg 

8 

- 

Jude 

Postlethwaite 

17


Back Row 

08/09/1997 

188cm 

109kg 

46 

- 

Marcus 

Rea 

Wing 

24/08/2000 

188cm 

92kg 

9 

- 

Aaron 

Sexton 

Back Row 

21/09/1993 

193cm 

115kg 

97 

- 

Matty 

Rea 

Dave 

Shanahan 

Scrum Half 

20/06/1993 

177cm 

77kg 

91 

- 

Back Row 

04/11/1998 

180cm 

100kg 

8 

- 

Sean 

Reffell 

Harry 

Sheridan 

Back Row 

21/09/2001 

195cm 

116.5kg 

22 

- 

Prop 

06/01/1999 

183cm 

116.5kg 

18 

- 

Callum 

Reid 

Tom 

Stewart 

Hooker 

11/01/2001 

183cm 

102kg 

41 

2 

Back Row 

26/06/2004 

189cm 

104kg 

- 

Tom 

Briggs 

James 

Humphreys 

Fly Half 

14/11/2001 

185cm 

81kg 

- 

Cameron 

Doak 

Prop 

17/12/2003 

189cm 

126kg 

- 

Lock 

28/01/2003 

203cm 

117kg 

- 

Charlie 

Irvine 

Ethan 

Graham 

Wing /Fullback 

27/04/2004 

181cm 

78.5kg 

- 


08/09/2004 

184cm 

93kg 

- 

Lucas 

Kenny 

Lock 

16/03/2004 

201cm 

108kg 

1 

Joe 

Hopes 

Ben 

McFarlane 


04/10/2004 

174cm 

76.5kg 

- 

ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY 

Jacob 

Stockdale 

Nick 

Timoney 

Kieran 

Treadwell 

Andrew 

Warwick 

Lorcan 

McLoughlin 

James 

McNabney 

George 

Saunderson 

Zac 

Solomon 

Wing 

Back Row 

Lock 

Prop 

Back Row 

Back Row 

Prop 

Hooker 

03/04/1996 

01/08/1995 

06/11/1995 

12/03/1991 

03/04/2002 

28/02/2003 

01/11/2001 

17/06/2004 

191cm 

188cm 

198cm 

178cm 

189cm 

193cm 

185cm 

177cm 

102kg 

109kg 

115kg 

116.5kg 

110kg 

115kg 

125kg 

97kg 

115 

142 

156 

189 

1 

3 

- 

1 

37 

3 

11 

- 

ULSTER RUGBY 

ACADEMY 

Based at Kingspan Stadium along 

with the senior squad, the aim of 

the Ulster Rugby Academy is to 

develop rugby talent to reach their 

potential and perform to URC, 

European and international standards. 

Prop 

Jack 

Boal 

01/05/2003 

Jacob 

Boyd 

Prop 

10/07/2004 

Josh 

Stevens 

Back Row 

14/12/2004 

Rory 

Telfer 


29/08/2003 

Henry 

Walker 

Hooker 

01/01/2003 

Scott 

Wilson 

Prop 

06/08/2002 

All players must have the ability to 

play rugby for Ireland. 

187cm 

115kg 

- 

186cm 

113kg 

- 

178cm 

93kg 

- 

183cm 

92kg 

- 

187cm 

101kg 

- 

186cm 

125kg 

5 

19

21

Referees’ Corner 

Tonight, we welcome Mike Adamson (SRU) 

and his team of officials to the Kingspan 

Stadium for the BKT United Rugby 

Championship game against Cardiff. As 

always, Ulster Rugby would like to remind 

spectators to respect the decisions of the 

match officials at all times. 

week out. Our members also include a 

group of experienced non-active referees 

who now play key roles in supporting and 

developing our referees. 

Have you ever wondered how a referee 

progresses in their officiating career? 

In this Referee Corner, we spotlight the 

team of people “behind” the Referee. 

The Ulster Society of Rugby Football 

Referees (USRFR)’s membership isn’t 

just our 140+ active referees who are out 

officiating across the province, week in, 

Meet Our Evaluators! 

In our fast-paced modern game of 

Rugby Union, the role of the evaluator 

cannot be overstated. These individuals 

possess a keen eye for detail and a deep 

understanding of the laws of the game. 

Their primary responsibility is to assess 

referees’ performances during matches, 

providing constructive feedback aimed 

at continual improvement. 

Whether it’s analysing decision-making, 

positional awareness, or communication 

skills, evaluators offer invaluable insights 

that help referees refine their craft. 

Their feedback isn’t just about pointing 

out mistakes; it’s about identifying 

areas of strength and areas for growth, 

ultimately guiding referees along their 

development journey. 

“Evaluators have played a large part in 

my own refereeing development; the 

importance of having someone supporting 

you on a sideline during matches cannot be 

understated. As referees, we always want 

to get better and improve continuously, 

and we are lucky that in the USRFR, we 

have a network of evaluators that allow us 

to do that.” - Peter Martin, USRFR & IRFU 

High Performance Development Referee. 

From domestic age-grade games through 

to All Ireland League Games, evaluators 

serve as the masters of quality officiating. 

By maintaining high standards and 

nurturing talent, they ensure that referees 

are equipped to handle the rigours of the 

game at every level. 

Former IRFU National Panel Referee and 

USRFR Senior Evaluator, Paul Eakin, tells 

us about his role as one of our senior 

evaluators: “Evaluation is the only process 

by which a referee is scored for their 

performance, allowing referees to tangibly 

monitor their own progress and allowing 

the Society to support their development 

on the right pathway, tailored to them. I 

enjoy the process of watching the referee 

and annotating their performance, and 

translating this into a report which I hope 

will be useful to the referee and their 

officiating career.” 

Paul has officiated at some high-profile 

games such as the Schools’ Cup Final 

in 2003 and a range of officiating 

appointments at European level. He now 

continues to pass on his experience and 

serves the game in Ulster in a number of 

different capacities, including as Chairman 

of the Selection Committee. But the 

support doesn’t end on the field. Enter the 

referee mentors – experienced officials 

who provide guidance and support off 

the pitch. These mentors play a crucial 

role in helping referees navigate the 

complexities of their role and develop a 

deeper understanding of the game, its 

laws, competition regulations, and game 

management. 

Mentors support referees to engage in 

self-reflection and self-evaluation. By 

encouraging continuous learning, they 

help referees identify their strengths and 

weaknesses and set meaningful goals 

for improvement. 

Former USRFR President and 

current referee Shane Toolan comments 

about his experience as a mentor: “The role 

of a mentor I find rewarding; first of all being 

asked to be a mentor is an honour and a 

great way to meet new referees on a oneto-one 

basis and discuss our mutual love for 

the game of Rugby Union. It’s fantastic to see 

the ongoing development of each referee 

on their journey to full referee status, and 

when their names appear as appointments 

to the various cup finals, it’s almost as big a 

reward as being appointed oneself!” 

Referee mentors don’t just offer technical 

advice; they serve as confidants and 

sounding boards, offering encouragement 

and motivation during both triumphs and 

setbacks. Their wisdom and experience 

are invaluable resources for referees at all 

stages of their careers, providing a beacon 

of guidance as they progress along the 

IRFU pathway. 

World Rugby educator and USRFR Referee 

& mentor, Glenda Mellon, says about her 

passion for mentoring upcoming referees: 

“I love learning; mentoring is giving me the 

opportunity to improve my interpersonal 

and leadership skills as well as being able 

to pass on my experiences and offer the 

referees, especially the small group of 

If interested in becoming a Referee, please contact: 

Richard Kerr 

Referee Development Manager 

richard.kerr@irfu.ie | 07493 868 388 

female referees, support that wasn’t there 

when I started.” 

Together, evaluators, mentors and 

referee coaches form the backbone of 

the officiating community, collaborating 

with our Referee Development Manager 

in driving progression and excellence in 

Ulster’s Match Officials. Their collective 

efforts ensure that referees of all levels 

receive the support and guidance they 

need to thrive, ultimately benefiting the 

game we love. 

As always, we celebrate and applaud the 

efforts of our referees on match day, but 

let’s also take a moment to recognise and 

appreciate the dedication of the people 

behind the referee – the evaluators, 

mentors and coaches who play an 

indispensable role in shaping the future 

of rugby officiating in Ulster and beyond. 

A future Referee Corner article will highlight 

the unique role of the referee coach. 

U.S.R.F.R 

23

Half-Time 

Exhibition Games 

Nevin Spence Memorial Stand End 

Letterkenny 

Kit: Black & Yellow 

City of Armagh 

Kit: Red & Black 

1 Tiarna Jennings 

2 Danny Beau Kiely 

3 Dáthí Mulkearns 

4 Dara Sharkey 

5 Rose Spence 

6 Sam Boyle 

7 Síobhán Gallagher 

8 Dáire Faulkner 

9 Séan Faulkner 

10 Patrick Keeney 

11 Tiarnan Boyle 

12 Daniel McGlynn 

1 Fiachna Mone 

2 Sam Quinn 

3 Daniel Tipping 

4 Daniel Beggs 

5 Thomas Smart 

6 Brian O’Rourke 

7 Caleb Watt 

8 Connleth Rowe 

9 Harry Watt 

10 John Strain 

11 Jacob Oates 

12 Rory Murphy 

AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End 

Inishowen 

Kit: Blue 

Dungannon 

Kit: Blue & White 

1 Michael Keogh 

2 Aaron Havlin 

3 Ronan Doherty 

4 Jonah McNally 

5 Flynn Harkin 

6 Caitlin Doherty 

7 Michael Price 

8 Peadar McNally 

9 Nathan Taitt 

10 Tori Cantwell 

11 Jack Allen 

12 Martin McColgan 

1 Ollie Cochrane 

2 Noah Baird 

3 Cillian Curran 

4 Cian McCausland 

5 Henry McKenna 

6 Lachlan Carmichael 

7 Josh Brady 

8 Patrick Coyle 

9 Lewis Dobson 

10 Ben Jackson 

11 Zach Lancashire 

12 Matthew Richardson 

25

1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

Eric O’Sullivan 

Tom Stewart 

Scott Wilson 

Corey Domachowski 

Liam Belcher 

C 

Keiron Assiratti 

4 

5 

4 

5 

Harry Sheridan 

Alan O’Connor 

C 

Ben Donnell 

Teddy Williams 

6 

8 

7 

6 

8 

7 

Dave Ewers 

David McCann 

Marcus Rea 

Alex Mann 

Taulupe Faletau 

Thomas Young 

9 

Nathan Doak 

Referee: Mike Adamson 

Assistants: Andrew Cole, 

Sam Holt 

TMO: Andrew McMenemy 

9 

Ellis Bevan 

10 

10 

Jake Flannery 

Tinus de Beer 

11 

11 

Jacob Stockdale 

12 

Theo Cabango 

12 

Jude Postlethwaite 

Ben Thomas 

Replacements 

16 John Andrew 

13 

Replacements 

16 Evan Lloyd 

13 

17 Andrew Warwick 

17 Rhys Carré 

18 Tom O’Toole 

James Hume 

18 Ciaran Parker 

Mason Grady 

19 Cormac Izuchukwu 

19 Rory Thornton 

20 Greg Jones 

21 John Cooney 

15 

14 

20 Ellis Jenkins 

21 MacKenzie Martin 

15 

14 

22 Billy Burns 

22 Gonzalo Bertranou 

23 Ethan McIlroy 

Will Addison 

Mike Lowry 

23 Jacob Beetham 

Cam Winnett 

Josh Adams 

27

Ulster stalwart, Luke Marshall, recently 

announced his retirement from the 

professional game at the end of the 

season, following a 15-year career with 

his home club. 

In the 2012/13 season, Luke won the Pro12 

Young Player of the Year award. 

Ballymena RFC was the first call for Luke, 

playing mini-rugby at Eaton Park. 

He attended Ballymena Academy, where 

again rugby was a consistent feature 

alongside his academic life, playing mostly 

in the centre position. 

After his A-levels, Luke went straight into 

the Ulster Rugby Academy set-up, where 

he joined players including Nevin Spence 

and Ricky Andrew for the 2009/10 season. 

Luke played for Ireland at Under-20s 

level in the 2011 Six Nations Under 20s 

Championship and the 2011 IRB Junior 

World Championship. 

He earned his first Senior international 

cap on 24 February 2013, starting 

against Scotland in the 2013 Six Nations 

Championship. 

Luke featured a total of eleven times for 

Ireland, lining-up against teams such as 

Australia, Argentina, USA and Japan. 

Luke enjoyed a meteoric rise to Senior team 

contention, making his debut in a home 

clash with Munster at the end of October 

2010, when he came on early for Mark 

McCrea to play the final three quarters of 

the match. 

Luke’s first try followed in February 2011, 

when he touched-down between the posts 

against Cardiff at home, in the days before 

the stadium was redeveloped. 

Luke is certainly an ambassador for the 

game, and has shown great resilience to 

overcome some long-term injuries recently. 

The Ulster man continues to give back, 

and this season joined the coaching staff 

for his old school, Ballymena Academy, 

throughout their Danske Bank Schools’ 

Cup campaign, where they reached the 

Final this year. 

Thank you, Luke, for all you have given to 

the Ulster jersey. 

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TRAINING 

in Pictures 

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ulster.rugby/seasontickets 

35

WIN 

WIN 

ULSTER RUGBY FOUNDATION 

MATCH NIGHT RAFFLE 

WIN 

a signed & framed 2023 Ireland 

Grand Slam winning jersey, with 

certificate of authentication. 

Tickets available in the Fan Zone, boxes, A&L Goodbody Premium, 

Lounge, 1924 Bar and Spirit of 99 (pre-match) - £5 per ticket 

Prize will be drawn at half-time and announced via our social media 

37

CARDIFF 

Players to Watch 

NAME POSITION DOB HEIGHT WEIGHT 

Ciaran PARKER Prop 05/10/1995 1.84 m 120 kg 

Corey DOMACHOWSKI Prop 19/09/1996 1.83 m 124 kg 

Josh REYNOLDS Prop 01/12/1998 1.80 m 112 kg 

Keiron ASSIRATTI Prop 30/06/1997 1.78 m 119 kg 

There’s been a lot of change at the Arms 

Park. Matt Sherratt has stepped up from his 

assistant’s role following the departure of 

Director of Rugby Dai Young, while a number 

of high-profile players have moved on. 

Ben Thomas 

Ben Thomas is a product of the 

Cardiff academy, and is capable 

of playing across the back field in 

either the 10, 12 or 15 jersey. With 

a number of international caps to 

his name. 

Try scorer a couple of weeks ago 

at Thomond Park, Thomas read 

the Munster attack brilliantly, 

intercepting the ball, before 

running the length of the pitch to 

touch-down between the posts. 

Thomas also scored against 

Connacht in Wales in Round 10. 

Ulster will have to make sure the 

dynamic 25-year-old doesn’t 

make it a hat-trick against the 

Irish provinces. 

Home Ground: Arms Park 

Last Season: 10th 

Current Position: 12th 

Coach: Matt Sherratt 

Cam Winnett 

This exciting young full-back is one 

of the top talents in Welsh rugby 

who has burst onto the scene over 

the past season. 

His fine form at the back for Cardiff 

caught the eye of fans and Welsh 

management alike to be one of five 

uncapped players named in Warren 

Gatland’s 2024 Wales Six Nations 

squad. Winnett impressed during the 

tournament with his speed, kicking 

and ability under high ball. 

Rhys CARRÉ Prop 08/02/1998 1.91 m 132 kg 

Rhys LITTERICK Prop 02/03/1999 1.79 m 108 kg 

Will DAVIES-KING Prop 28/07/1998 1.93 m 128 kg 

Dafydd HUGHES Hooker 08/01/1996 1.79 m 103 kg 

Efan DANIEL Hooker 14/12/2002 1.85 m 97 kg 

Liam BELCHER Hooker 28/04/1996 1.77 m 107 kg 

Lopeti TIMANI Lock 28/09/1990 1.93 m 125 kg 

Rory THORNTON Lock 16/03/1995 2.01 m 119 kg 

Seb DAVIES Lock 17/05/1996 2.03 m 119 kg 

Alun LAWRENCE Back row 12/08/1998 1.91 m 112 kg 

Ben DONNELL Back row 02/08/2000 1.98 m 115 kg 

Ellis JENKINS Back row 29/04/1993 1.85 m 105 kg 

James BOTHAM Back row 22/02/1998 1.91 m 104 kg 

Josh TURNBULL Back row 12/03/1988 1.95 m 117 kg 

Shane LEWIS-HUGHES Back row 20/09/1997 1.96 m 115 kg 

Teddy WILLIAMS Back row 18/10/2000 1.98 m 118 kg 

Toby FALETAU Back row 12/11/1990 1.88 m 113 kg 

Tom YOUNG Back row 18/05/1992 1.81 m 104 kg 

Ellis BEVAN Scrum-half 10/03/2000 1.80 m 92 kg 

Gonzalo BERTRANOU Scrum-half 31/12/1993 1.77 m 82 kg 

Matthew AUBREY Scrum-half 04/06/1997 1.68 m 85 kg 

Tomos WILLIAMS Scrum-half 01/01/1995 1.80 m 86 kg 

Arwel ROBSON Fly-half 21/02/1997 1.80 m 85 kg 

Ben THOMAS Fly-half 25/11/1998 1.83 m 93 kg 

Tinus DE BEER Fly-half 24/01/1996 1.76 m 87 kg 

Harri MILLARD Centre 17/08/1996 1.83 m 94 kg 

Max CLARK Centre 03/10/1995 1.90 m 100 kg 

Rey LEE-LO Centre 28/02/1986 1.81 m 98 kg 

Willis HALAHOLO Centre 06/07/1990 1.80 m 105 kg 

Josh ADAMS Winger 21/04/1995 1.86 m 96 kg 

New Players: 

Tinus de Beer (Pumas) 

Arwel Robson (Cornish Pirates) 

Rhys Litterick (Harlequins) 

Ciaran Parker (London Irish) 

Matthew Aubrey (Ospreys) 

Max Clark (Dragons - loan 

Mason GRADY Winger 29/03/2002 1.96 m 110 kg 

Owen LANE Winger 20/12/1997 1.85 m 100 kg 

Theo CABANGO Winger 29/11/2001 1.74 m 83 kg 

Aled SUMMERHILL Fullback 22/11/1994 1.88 m 93 kg 

39

? 

? 

? 

Guess Who? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

Can you name the 4 players? 

Answers: (Top to bottom) Rob Herring, David McCann, Alan O’Connor, Will Addison 

41

Tom O’Toole 

Contract 

Ambitions & Leadership of 

the Ulster Centurian 

On playing at Kingspan Stadium this week 

This week, we’ve been discussing it, and it feels great to finally be 

back home. It seems like ages since our last home game against 

the Dragons. There’s just something special about being able to 

play in front of our fans again. Plus, the team is relieved to have 

a break from all the traveling we’ve been doing over the past 

few weeks. It’s been non-stop on the road for about a month 

or so, so getting back home is a real treat. 

How are you feeling after Clermont? 

Feeling a bit battered after the Clermont game! Their pack 

was formidable, and coupled with the scorching weather 

conditions, it made for a challenging game. In the 

second half, they really turned up the pressure, 

and it was tough to hold them back. But now, 

we’ve got this week to regroup, recover, and 

refocus and gearing up for the upcoming match 

against Cardiff. 

Cardiff threat 

Cardiff are a really good side and have some 

dangerous players in their team. Especially 

in some of those games against top teams. 

recently, they have ran them tight. Given 

their recent preparation over the past few 

weeks, they’ll undoubtedly be hungry for a 

victory on the road. 

I’m expecting them to be very physical up 

front, as all Welsh teams are and obviously 

their backs will be skilful This upcoming 

match against Cardiff is shaping up to be a 

big showdown. 

On his 100th Ulster cap 

Reaching my 100th Ulster cap is a moment I’m 

truly proud of, even if it comes while we’re away 

from home. It’s a personal milestone, but it’s 

also something I view as an achievement, made 

possible by the support of my family, friends, and 

coaches throughout my journey. 

Reaching 100 caps is an incredible milestone but 

one I want to share with family and friends. Having 

them back in the stands means the world to me, 

and I’m looking forward to sharing that moment 

with them that moment with them. 

I’m looking forward to another three years with Ulster. With a 

wave of talented young players emerging within the team, there’s 

a fantastic opportunity for them to make their mark. They’re full 

of energy, and we’ve got some new coaches on board too [Richie 

Murphy, Interim Head Coach and John Fogarty Scum Coach]. 

Right now, there’s a lot of work ahead of us. We’re aiming to be 

up there competing for titles in the league, and that’s the exciting 

challenge we’re all looking forward to tackling. 

On being a leader in side 

It’s a great honour and privilege to be recognised as part of the 

leadership group within this province, especially considering 

the rich history and the legendary players who have been 

part of it. 

While I’m still relatively young myself, my primary focus is on 

improving my own game. However, being in this leadership 

role comes with a learning curve. It’s about figuring 

out how to connect with different players and 

understanding that there are various styles of 

leadership. Ultimately, my goal is to support 

the coaches and contribute to the team in 

whatever capacity I can, whether it’s on or 

off the field. 

On working with scrum coach, John 

Fogarty 

Working with Fogs (John Fogarty) 

has been fantastic. He’s a top-tier 

coach with international experience, 

and his approach to scrummaging 

brings a fresh perspective to the 

table. Personally, it’s been a great 

opportunity for me as well. It keeps 

me on my toes and continuously 

striving to improve. 

I have a great relationship with 

Fogs and we need to keep 

improving. Over the past four 

weeks, I feel like we’ve been 

making strides in the right direction, 

and that’s definitely something to 

build on moving forward. 

Prop 

23/09/1998 

184cm 

122kg 

103 

13 

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47

Malone Tornadoes Take Spain by Storm! 

Malone Tornadoes have roared into 2024, 

showcasing the power of Mixed Ability 

Rugby with a fantastic tour to Madrid! 

Throughout the year, their inclusive training 

sessions and matches culminated in this 

exciting trip, hosted by Alcobendas RFC with 

former player Garrett Curran leading the 

way. A group of 36 players and supporters 

made the journey, eager to experience 

Spanish culture and competitive rugby. 

The warm Madrid weather made the brandnew 

tour kit even more welcome, adding a 

touch of coolness to the team spirit that was 

already soaring high. True to their traditions, 

the “craic” flowed freely, with a bowling 

session, tapas feasts, and refreshing drinks 

setting the tone for the adventure. A visit to 

the ground allowed the team to get a feel 

for the arena, buzzing with anticipation for 

the upcoming matches. 

Game day arrived hotter than expected, 

with the festival kicking off at 4pm. As one 

of six teams competing, the Tornadoes 

were excited to showcase the progressive 

nature of Mixed Ability Rugby in Spain. 

They delivered some of their best freeflowing 

rugby yet, with Jordan, JJ, and 

Aidan putting in stellar performances that 

were the product of exceptional teamwork. 

Their talent even caught the attention of 

Spanish National news! 

Adding another layer of fun and inclusivity, 

several Tornadoes players volunteered their 

skills to play alongside other teams. This 

spirit of cooperation perfectly embodied 

the ethos of Mixed Ability Rugby. The hard 

work paid off – the Tornadoes secured 

five convincing victories, leaving the pitch 

exhilarated and ready to celebrate. 

Back home, the good news kept rolling. The 

Tornadoes were officially awarded registered 

charity status in Northern Ireland, a welldeserved 

recognition of their dedication 

to inclusivity. But the celebrations weren’t 

over yet! The team received a prestigious 

invitation to participate in the 2025 IMART 

World Cup in Pamplona, Spain! Selected 

as one of 32 teams from across the globe, 

the Tornadoes are already buzzing with 

excitement and have begun preparations 

for this incredible opportunity. 

With a successful tour, charity status, and a 

World Cup appearance on the horizon, the 

future is undeniably bright for the Malone 

Tornadoes. Their dedication to the sport 

and their commitment to inclusivity are an 

inspiration, and we can’t wait to see what 

they achieve next! 

ulster.rugby/matchtickets 

49

Ulster Girls Shine at U18 Six Nations 

A huge cheer for our five Ulster 

representatives who brought their A-game 

to the U18 Six Nations Festival – Cara 

McLean, Sophie McAllister, Sadhbh Wells, 

Erin McConalogue, and Leah Irwin. 

Adding to the celebrations, Leah Irwin, our 

very own Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 

student, put in a stellar performance and 

even scored a try against Italy! 

These Ulster stars are a true inspiration, and 

their success reflects the incredible talent, 

development and dedication within our 

province. Congratulations once again to all 

the players and coaches involved! 

The Irish U18 Girls secured a fantastic three 

wins out of five, showcasing their talent and 

teamwork on the international stage. The 

highlight was a dominant 48-7 victory over 

Scotland, where Ireland crossed the try line 

eight times. 

Ireland Women will be going head-to-head 

with Scotland in their own Six Nations clash 

at Kingspan Stadium on the Saturday 27 

April. Get your tickets now (click below). 

FIND TICKETS 

51

ULSTER 

DETERMINED 

TO BANISH 

THE BLUES 

Guest Article: Rod Nawn 

which is Leinster. 

There have been ‘tweaks’ to the anticipated 

staring fifteens in recent months. Billy 

Burns’ departure for Munster in the summer, 

which in itself is a blow, has meant that in 

recent weeks Nathan Doak has slipped into 

the out-half role, and his partnership with 

the remarkably consistent and classy John 

Cooney has been promising. 

That the two players of genuine quality 

have vied most often for the scrum-half 

spot are now accommodated in the team 

is a positive but Doak is bound to wonder 

if his personal ambitions will be fulfilled 

at No.10. His kicking game is excellent, 

his invention reminiscent of his father 

Neil, and with Cooney the team has two 

outstanding place-kickers. 

The imminent departure of Springbok 

When we gathered last at Kingspan 

Stadium Ulster appeared to stem the flow 

of negativity with a thumping win over 

the Dragons. 

Head Coach Dan McFarland had just left his 

post and his assistant Dan Soper supervised 

that welcome victory. 

Then the squad flew long-haul to South 

Africa with Richie Murphy now installed 

as interim Head Coach, and though the 

games with the Sharks and Stormers were 

competitive just one bonus point was culled 

from a traumatic period of the season. 

The dramas around Kingspan Stadium 

continued while the players and 

management sweltered in the southern 

hemisphere, chief executive Jonny Petrie 

and his employers parting company by 

mutual consent. 

New management and changes of coaches 

followed, and Petrie and McFarland did have 

the CVs to signal renewed supporter fealty. 

Both men have left their footprints, in part 

visibly in the nature of the pitch and of the 

team which cannot have been immune to 

the welter of commentary on the turmoil at 

Ravenhill Park. 

Yet somehow, after yet another ‘plane trip, 

the Champions’ Cup failure ‘reward’ was a 

European Challenge Cup tie in Montpellier, 

and Murphy opened his winning account. 

The man who guided the Ireland U20s to 

successive Grand Slams then had just a 

week before another trek to Clermont, 

where Ulster’s protracted and disappointing 

European campaign ended with a 

comprehensive defeat. 

And in a way, with the last few weeks of 

turbulence, tonight’s resumption of United 

Rugby Championship ‘hostilities’ with the 

visit of a Cardiff team not exactly realising 

its potential either, Murphy and his players 

can reset for the five-match run-in to the 

end of the regular season. 

The ambition will be to hold on to – indeed 

to improve – eighth place in the table and 

therefore extend the campaign into the 

play-offs in May. In years gone by, whatever 

the ultimate disappointment, Ulster would 

expect to be contesting for the leadership 

of the league. But as its fortunes, on and 

off the field, have declined so too has its 

reputation for being amongst the very small 

group who could reasonably expect to 

challenge the hegemony of the steamroller 

World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff means 

we will not have benefitted fully from the 

prop’s gifts in the front row area. Returning 

to South Africa less than a year in Belfast 

is probably for a fusion of issues, but we 

certainly have not seen the very best of his 

proven qualities. 

He misses tonight’s game through injury, 

and the Ulster cause is hardly helped by 

the absence of skipper Iain Henderson, 

hooker Rob Herring, the utterly reliable 

Nick Timoney who have ell returned from 

France with ‘knocks.’ International all, these 

are players who have provided some of the 

brighter moments in their careers in Belfast, 

and injury too has ruled out the versatile 

and developing back Stewart Moore. 

Still, the cliché that this provides 

opportunities for others to step up and 

claim more game-time is somehow apt, 

and Cormac Izuchukwu, Tom Stewart, 

David McCann, for instance. To grow their 

reputations with responsible displays 

against Cardiff this evening. 

On paper – a surface the teams will not be 

playing this Friday evening – the visitors are 

themselves in a transitional phase. Though 

rarely overwhelmed the fact that the players 

have not tasted victory in the URC since a 

resounding nine-try win over the Dragons 

at the Arms Park on Boxing Day speaks to 

head coach Matt Sherratt’s challenges. 

Josh Turnbull’s recent retirement was 

expected but the back-row was a club 

and Wales stalwart for years, and injuries 

have denied the side for long periods of 

the services of proven operators such 

as James Botham, Thomas Young and 

Taulupe Faletau, an international centurion 

for Warren Gatland with his country and 

the Lions. 

Next season Callum Sheedy will return to 

Cardiff after an impressive spell at Bristol 

and current No.10 Tinus de Beer will want to 

show this evening that he’s not waiting to 

be replaced. His kicking is a real strength in 

his game, and when paired with the highly 

regarded Tomos Williams the team has a 

dangerous and creative half-back unit. 

Ray Lee-Lo and Uilisi Halaholo have 

53

take midfield centre stage next year. 

An outstanding product of Ballymena 

Academy, a fulcrum of a successful Irish 

Under 20s team, and capped first in 2014 

at full international level. 

The aggressive blond figure never shirked 

a challenge, had a marvellous attacking 

intelligence, and would have certainly added 

hugely to his eleven Ireland appearances 

were it not for an almost calamitous series 

of injuries. 

regretted Luke Marshall played more often, 

although almost two hundred appearances 

in the Ulster shirt constitutes no mean 

achievement. One of the good guys. 

He will want his province to kick on, starting 

this evening, and look forward to the visit 

of rivals Benetton next weekend with heads 

held high and with the return to Kingspan 

Stadium of the fans who want the future to 

be as bright as the talent in the ranks. 

been an exciting midfield partnership 

for some years and if both are fit Stuart 

McCloskey and James Hume will be aware 

of their imagination and effective, physical 

creativity. The home backline will hope to 

flourish in front of the Kingspan faithful, 

with Ethan McIlroy and Jacob Stockdale 

in the ranks the evening promises some 

attacking, energetic rugby. 

Sherratt has been denied, through injury 

and international calls, so many of his most 

lustrous talent that it is impossible to be sure 

who is available to him as Cardiff attempts 

to climb into contention for a play-off spot. 

Owen Lane, Aled Summerhill, Ellis Jenkins 

are amongst those who could add real 

thrust to that target. 

But as the Head Coach reshapes his side for 

a return to past, fast-fading glories he will 

hope that recent woes in Ulster will offer 

a real opportunity to register a win in the 

URC for the first time in four months. 

But Richie Murphy would appear to have 

made a good impression in his first few 

weeks in charge of the squad, and the mood 

around Ravenhill Park has been reported as 

definitely more confident and settled. That 

has been aided by the arrival of interim 

Chief Executive Hugh McCaughey, formerly 

an important Health Trust boss and, 

important to many, a man stepped in rugby, 

whether it’ as a Senior Cup-lifting skipper 

at Dungannon or as an early manager of 

his Province’s professional team. 

Both Murphy and McCaughey are interim 

appointments, with the former hopeful of 

securing a long-term role, and supporters 

of Ulster, and the IRFU, will hope settled 

management will be achieved as quickly as 

commonsense allows. 

There will be one player in the current squad 

who will be looking on this evening with 

understandably mixed feelings. 

Centre Luke Marshall has announced 

his retirement from the game and there 

will be many who will regret he won’t 

All-conquering Saracens targeted him a 

decade ago but he pledged his future to 

Ulster and there are carries, passes, tries and 

tackles which will live long in the memories 

of longstanding supporters. 

He always presented a cheery front 

despite the hurdles and challenges faced 

over the years and many coaches have 

55

Enjoy the 

big match 

in style 

ulster.rugby/hospitality 

57

As the drizzle turned to rain, the team 

followed Matthew back to the vibrant 

garden room, where they were again 

warmly welcomed by those spending time 

in its comfortable surroundings. Asking 

thoughtful questions and commenting on 

the transformation of the space since their 

visits to mark the groundbreaking and to see 

construction in progress on site, the Ulster 

Rugby team listened intently as people 

shared how Horatio’s Garden Northern 

Ireland is improving their lives. 

Ulster Rugby celebrate the opening 

of Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland 

Ulster Rugby has been the official charity 

partner of Horatio’s Garden Northern 

Ireland throughout the 2022/23 and 

2023/24 seasons, raising over £12,000 for 

the charity to date. All the money raised 

has been thanks to generous donations 

from supporters at the club’s matches, 

as well as staff, player, and supporters’ 

clubs fundraising. 

The team’s incredible support has helped 

to bring Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland 

to life in the Spinal Cord Injuries Unit at 

Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast. The 

Ulster Rugby community’s extraordinary 

generosity has also helped to ensure the 

garden can continue nurturing the wellbeing 

of hundreds of people affected by spinal 

injury from across the province. 

Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland first 

welcomed patients, their loved ones, and 

NHS staff in December 2023. To celebrate 

the opening of the garden, which has been 

designed by nine-time RHS Chelsea Gold 

Medal winning designer Andy Sturgeon, 

welcomed members of the Ulster Rugby 

team for a special visit marking the occasion. 

It was a pleasure to be joined in the garden by 

Ulster Rugby President, Denis Gardiner and 

his wife Ruth, former Ulster Rugby President, 

Philip Gregg and his wife Barbara, a former 

Occupational Therapist at the SCIU, Senior 

Men’s Ulster Rugby players Rob Baloucoune 

and Sean Reffell, and Senior Women’s Ulster 

Rugby player, Sophie Barrett. 

Together, the team enjoyed meeting 

beneficiaries, their families and friends, NHS 

staff, and the charity’s staff and volunteers, 

including Head Gardener, Matthew Lee 

and Garden Administrator, Sonya Priestly. 

Spending much of the afternoon in the 

warmth of the homely garden room, the 

team relished the chance to enjoy tea and 

homemade cake whilst getting to know 

everyone and learning more about the ways 

in which the garden is already changing 

people’s lives. 

Undeterred by the weather, the team joined 

Head Gardener Matthew for a tour of the 

horticultural haven, which is the seventh 

of the charity’s gardens to open in the UK. 

Matthew explained about the immense 

variety of plants thriving in the greenhouse 

and the garden therapy workshops he 

regularly holds with patients there. He talked 

more about one of his favourite introductory 

activities too, which involves inviting people 

to see which scents they can detect when 

smelling certain plants. 

Continuing the tour, Matthew introduced 

the team to the garden pods, a firm favourite 

with patients and their loved ones as a place 

to seek solace and privacy in the midst of an 

immensely challenging time. Making their 

way through the garden, everyone took a 

moment to admire the tranquil water feature, 

as well as the social space which doubles as 

a boccia court, enabling patients to play the 

Paralympic sport to support their mental 

and physical rehabilitation. 

They were also thrilled to see and hear 

more about the benefits of the creative 

workshops and garden therapy sessions 

run by the charity, with Sean and Rob 

experiencing both first-hand. Whilst Sean 

was keen to try a spot of painting alongside 

beneficiaries and NHS staff, Rob planted 

some seedlings under the expert guidance 

of Head Gardener Matthew, picking up 

some top tips for his houseplants at home 

along the way! 

Senior Men’s Ulster Rugby player, Rob 

Baloucoune said: “We were on site here 

last year and it was pretty derelict. There 

was just grass and a digger when we got 

here. Over the course of this year, Horatio’s 

Garden has planned all this out and it looks 

amazing. It’s incredible and in the summer 

it’ll look unbelievable.” 

Could you support 

Senior Women’s Ulster Rugby player, Sophie 

Barrett added: “We had Horatio’s Garden 

Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland? 

on our jersey last year, so I’m really proud 

to be here today and see everything.” 

Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden 

Northern Ireland, Matthew Lee said: “We’ve 

had a fantastic day welcoming the Ulster 

Rugby team. It’s been absolutely fantastic 

to see them engaging with patients and it’s 

great to be able to show them first-hand 

the benefits of Horatio’s Garden.” 

Beneficiary of Horatio’s Garden Northern 

Ireland, Michael Scott said: “When I saw 

that Ulster Rugby had become involved 

with Horatio’s Garden, I was personally 

quite touched. I think it’s great that 

they’re supporting the charity, because 

unfortunately there are spinal injuries that 

happen in rugby. Spinal injury doesn’t 

discriminate. It can happen to anybody at 

any age, so it’s brilliant to have Horatio’s 

Garden going forward for everybody.” 

With the afternoon full of hope and 

positivity, the Ulster Rugby team thanked 

everyone for their kindness and shared 

how much they had enjoyed exploring the 

garden and discovering the profoundly 

positive difference Horatio’s Garden 

Northern Ireland is already having on 

people’s lives. Patients, their loved ones, 

NHS staff, and the charity’s volunteers 

and staff all said how delighted they 

were to have met the Ulster Rugby team 

and we are very much looking forward 

to welcoming them back when the sun 

Opening this winter at 

Musgrave Park Hospital in 

Belfast, Horatio’s Garden 

Northern Ireland will 

nurture the wellbeing of 

people after spinal injury 

from across the province. 

Donate to Ulster Rugby’s 

shines later this season. 

official charity partner 

2023/24 this Christmas 

at horatiosgarden.org.uk 

To find out more and support Horatio’s 

Garden Northern Ireland, please click below 

Horatio’s Garden is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered charity number 1151475/SC045386. 

Registered Office: Horatio’s Garden, 2 Throope Down Office, Blandford Road, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, SP5 4LN 

01722 326834 | horatiosgarden.org.uk | info@horatiosgarden.org.uk | @horatiosgarden 

59

FINALS AT KINGSPAN STADIUM 

THIS WEEKEND 

SAT 20 APR 

McCambley Cup Final, 2pm 

Ballymena 4XV 

v Ballynahinch 5XV 

Forster Cup Final, 4.30pm 

Ballymena 3XV 

v Ballynahinch 4XV 

Crawford Cup Final, 7pm 

Ballymoney 2XV 

v Ballyclare 2XV 

SUN 21 APR 

Under 14s Final, 12.15pm 

Ballymena/Cooke 

v Omagh 

Under 16s Final, 1.30pm 

Virginia 

v Malone 

Under 18s Final, 3pm 

Carrick/Larne/Malone/Ophir 

v Enniskillen 

ulster.rugby/buytickets 

61

PROUD TO BE OFFICIAL WATER 

& HYDRATION PARTNER OF 

ULSTER RUGBY 

Q&A 

Richie Murphy 

Favourite session to coach? 

Attack but love kicking 

Do you play or follow any other sports? 

Golf 

Three people (dead or alive) you would 

invite to a fantasy dinner party? 

Lady Gaga, Serge Blanco, Tiger Woods 

Favourite Movie? 

A Star is Born 

Any habits or rituals before a game? 

Not really 

Best concert you’ve ever been to? 

U2 

What are you most looking forward to 

about your first home game? 

Meeting the fans 

Favourite book? 

Golf is Not a Game of Perfect 

Favourite takeaway? 

Fish and Chips 

Early bird or Night owl? 

Night owl 

What are you most excited about in your 

new role? 

Develop players - take Ulster forward 

Do you have any nicknames? 

Richie!!! 

What’s top of your bucket list? 

Going to the Masters 

Highlight of career so far? 

The Ulster job 

Favourite player of all time? 

Serge Blanco 

WATCH FIRST INTERVIEW 

63

2023/24 2023/24 FIXTURES FIXTURES 

2023/24 FIXTURES 

From stadium 

We help partners like the URC 

gain a competitive advantage 

using data-driven insights. 

to boardroom, 

We help business leaders 

identify and solve their 

toughest challenges 

the same way. 

A Zebre Parma Sat 21 Oct W 36-40 URC 

H Vodacom Bulls Sun 29 Oct W 26-19 URC 

A Connacht Sat 4 Nov L 22-20 URC 

H Munster Fri 10 Nov W 21-14 URC 

H Emirates Lions Fri 17 Nov W 24-17 URC 

A Glasgow Sat 25 Nov L 33-20 URC 

H Edinburgh Sat 2 Dec L 24-27 URC 

A Bath Rugby Sat 9 Dec L 37-14 ICC 

H Racing 92 Sat 16 Dec W 31-15 ICC 

H Connacht Fri 22 Dec W 20-19 URC 

A Leinster Mon 1 Jan W 21-22 URC 

H Toulouse Sat 13 Jan L 24-48 ICC 

data is game-changing. 

A Harlequins Sat 20 Jan L 47-19 ICC 

A Ospreys Sun 18 Feb L 19-17 URC 

H Dragons Sat 2 Mar W 49-26 URC 

A Hollywoodbets Sharks Sat 23 Mar L 22-12 URC 

Let’s talk business goals. Hear from 

former Springbok Captain turned 

Elixirr Partner, Bob Skinstad. 

Visit elixirr.com/bob-skinstad 

A DHL Stormers Sat 30 Mar L 13-7 URC 

A Montpellier Sun 7 Apr W 17-40 CC 

A Clermont Sun 14 Apr L 53-14 CC 

H Cardiff Fri 19 Apr 7.35pm URC 

H Benetton Fri 26 Apr 7.35pm URC 

A Scarlets Sat 11 May 3.05pm URC 

Artificial intelligence | Data | Digital | Innovation 

H Leinster Sat 18 May 7.35pm URC 

A Munster Sat 1 Jun 5.15pm URC 

65

Thank You! 

Access to 

3G Pitch and 

Kingspan Pass 

Challenge 

SPIRIT OF ‘99 THE 1924 

HEINEKEN 

QUARTER BAR 

CLUBHOUSE 

BAR 

CLUBHOUSE 

KITCHEN 

Ulster Rugby wish to thank all of our sponsors 

and partners for their continued support. 

Main Sponsor 

PROMENADE 1 

PROMENADE 2 

ABBEY AUTOLINE 

FAMILY STAND 

RAVENHILL 

SUITE 

FAMILY TERRACE 

NEVIN SPENCE MEMORIAL TERRACE 

SCRUM 

BAR 

KUKRI 

SHOP 

LINEOUT 

BAR 

NEVIN SPENCE MEMORIAL STAND 

FAN ZONE / 

FOOD VILLAGE 

Kit Sponsor 

Official On-kit Sponsors 

EAST TERRACE 

BACKLINE 

BAR 

A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE 

CORPORATE BOXES 

Official Sponsors 

Catering 

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. 

Game of Thrones Studio Tour 

Game of Thrones Studio Tour brings the 

iconic Iron Throne to Kingspan Stadium, 

all supporters will have their chance to get 

their photo taken sitting atop the throne, 

there will also be prize giveaways on the 

night for all supporters. 

Kingspan Stadium is now fully cashless, 

with all bars and catering outlets 

operating via card payments only. 

Domestic Sponsors 

Official Partners 

Live music will be available pre & post-match in the Clubhouse Bar 

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 

69

71

BKT-URC Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme v Cardiff

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