BKT-URC Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme v Cardiff
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ULSTER<br />
Offical <strong>Match</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>Programme</strong><br />
v CARDIFF<br />
Fri 19 Apr 2024, 7.35pm<br />
Kingspan Stadium
In this Issue<br />
5 Mascots<br />
6 President’s Welcome<br />
10 A Letter to Supporters<br />
12 Last Time Out<br />
16 Squad Stats<br />
22 Referees’ Corner<br />
25 Half-Time<br />
Exhibition Games<br />
26 Teams<br />
28<br />
Luke Marshall<br />
Announces Retirement<br />
32 Training Gallery<br />
28<br />
37<br />
38<br />
WIN with the<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Foundation<br />
Players To Watch<br />
<strong>Cardiff</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
41 Guess Who<br />
42<br />
42<br />
Player Interview:<br />
Tom O’Toole<br />
44 Spot The Difference<br />
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48<br />
51<br />
52<br />
58<br />
Moalone Tornadoes Take<br />
Spain by Storm<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> Girls Shine at<br />
U18 Six Nations<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> Determined to<br />
Banish the Blues<br />
The Opening of<br />
Horatio’s Garden<br />
63 Q&A:<br />
Richie Murphie<br />
Visit qatarairways.com<br />
63 58<br />
3
Mascots<br />
Name: Scott Marshall<br />
Age: 11<br />
From: Portstewart<br />
I’m really excited to meet the team<br />
and run out onto the new pitch with<br />
them, infront of all the supporters.<br />
I play rugby at Coleriane RFC and<br />
when I grow up, I hope to be a<br />
professional rugby player.<br />
My favourite player is<br />
Rob Baloucoune.<br />
Kingspan Welcome<br />
Name: Noah Gorman<br />
Age: 8<br />
Location: Cavan<br />
Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium,<br />
the home of <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>, as we gear up<br />
for tonight’s <strong>URC</strong> clash against <strong>Cardiff</strong><br />
<strong>Rugby</strong>. A special mention to our valued<br />
Kingspan employees and their families,<br />
joining us for our annual staff match.<br />
The buzz around <strong>URC</strong> fixtures is palpable,<br />
and tonight is no exception as <strong>Ulster</strong> eye a<br />
climb up the table and play-off contention.<br />
Following a tough <strong>URC</strong> away tour in South<br />
Africa, returning to the familiar turf of<br />
Kingspan Stadium could be the catalyst<br />
for a turnaround. The resounding 49-26<br />
victory over the Dragons in our last <strong>URC</strong><br />
home game underscores the unmatched<br />
fervour of the <strong>Ulster</strong> supporters.<br />
Before settling into your seats or finding<br />
your spot in the terrace, we invite you to<br />
join us in the fan zone for the Kingspan Try-<br />
Cycle challenge, where participants will<br />
receive a Kingspan/<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> water<br />
bottle for their efforts. There are fantastic<br />
prizes to be won, including a chance to<br />
travel with the <strong>Ulster</strong> team and exclusive<br />
signed merchandise.<br />
As part of our global sustainability<br />
initiative, Planet Passionate, we’re thrilled<br />
to introduce two water bottle refill stations<br />
to the stadium. Help us eliminate singleuse<br />
plastics from Kingspan Stadium by<br />
bringing your reusable water bottles to<br />
the game.<br />
With the promise of warmer weather,<br />
tonight is sure to be an unforgettable<br />
occasion, hopefully culminating in another<br />
thrilling victory for <strong>Ulster</strong> at Kingspan<br />
Stadium. SUFTUM!<br />
Siobhan O’Dywer<br />
Global Head of Marketing<br />
Kingspan<br />
I am excited to run out in front of all the<br />
supporters this Friday night!<br />
I am going to start playing mini rugby<br />
at Virginia RFC later this year.<br />
My favourite player is Iain Henderson.<br />
He is so strong!<br />
5
Seven weeks after our last home match, I am<br />
pleased to welcome Head Coach, Matt Sherratt,<br />
and his <strong>Cardiff</strong> team to Kingspan Stadium<br />
for tonight’s Round 14 <strong>BKT</strong> United <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
Championship match. I am also delighted to<br />
welcome <strong>Ulster</strong>’s recently appointed Interim<br />
Head Coach, Richie Murphy, as he oversees<br />
his charges at home for the first time.<br />
Having travelled to an extremely hot and humid<br />
South Africa, followed by an equally hot France<br />
during the last month, I know how much the<br />
players are looking forward to running out<br />
tonight in front of our home supporters in less<br />
challenging conditions. On behalf of the squad,<br />
I pass on our appreciation to those supporters<br />
who made the trip to both countries. You may<br />
have been outnumbered, but you certainly<br />
made yourselves heard.<br />
Both sides have had somewhat disappointing<br />
seasons to-date. However, although <strong>Cardiff</strong> have<br />
only won three league games, they have proved<br />
very competitive in recent matches, losing<br />
narrowly to Leinster, Glasgow and Munster in<br />
their last three matches. <strong>Ulster</strong> currently sit in<br />
eighth position in a very crowded table, with<br />
only five points separating fifth from eleventh.<br />
With play-off places and European qualification<br />
on the line, tonight’s game is hugely important<br />
for <strong>Ulster</strong>.<br />
Joining us tonight are <strong>Cardiff</strong> representatives<br />
Chris and Jennifer Sutton, and Peter and<br />
Christine O’Connell. We trust that you and<br />
your supporters have an enjoyable weekend in<br />
Belfast. Also present this evening are the U.S.<br />
Consul General James Applegate, his deputy<br />
Chris Rendo and Lyn Debevoise, an American<br />
diplomat based in Washington DC. Hopefully<br />
you will enjoy the Kingspan Stadium experience.<br />
Since our last home game, <strong>Ulster</strong> has parted<br />
company with Jonny Petrie. I record my thanks<br />
to Jonny for his efforts during the last five<br />
seasons and wish him well in the future.<br />
Our recently appointed Interim CEO Hugh<br />
McCaughey, having travelled to France for the<br />
two European fixtures, is in the stadium tonight<br />
for his first home match. Hugh will already be<br />
known to many of our supporters, and I am sure<br />
you will join me in wishing him every success<br />
over the next number of months.<br />
In the Women’s Six Nations, Ireland recorded<br />
a bonus point win against Wales last Saturday,<br />
having lost narrowly to Italy in their previous<br />
game. Well done to all concerned, especially<br />
the <strong>Ulster</strong> players in the squad. We wish them<br />
well in their final two matches against England<br />
and Scotland, the latter to be played at the<br />
Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 27 April.<br />
Domestically, I offer my congratulations to<br />
Ballyclare RFC. Having already won the Energia<br />
All Ireland Junior Cup and been crowned<br />
champions of the <strong>Ulster</strong> Championship One<br />
League, coach Mike Orchin-McKeever led them<br />
to victory over Monkstown last Saturday in the<br />
All-Ireland play-off final. Trailing as they entered<br />
injury time, captain Joel McBride scored a<br />
try with the last play of the game for a heartstopping<br />
win. We wish them well as they begin<br />
their journey in AIL 2C next season.<br />
As I said above, this is a hugely important fixture<br />
for <strong>Ulster</strong>. With the committed support of the<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> fans, I am confident that the players can<br />
deliver the win which we all crave.<br />
STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN<br />
Denis Gardiner<br />
President, IRFU <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch<br />
#evYuMr<br />
PROUD TITLE SPONSOR OF THE<br />
<strong>BKT</strong> UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP<br />
7
9
A Letter to<br />
Supporters<br />
from Hugh McCaughey,<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Interim CEO<br />
As we look to an important home <strong>URC</strong> fixture at Kingspan Stadium this<br />
evening, I am delighted to have the opportunity to hear directly from<br />
Season Ticket holders ahead of the match in the first of a series of<br />
CEO engagement events that will run over the coming months.<br />
We want to be a club that brings pride to the province, and it’s of critical<br />
importance to myself, and the wider team, that your voices are heard and<br />
listened to. I look forward to meeting many of you in-person in the time ahead.<br />
The role of Interim CEO brings with it a great sense of honour and responsibility<br />
and, after many years involved in rugby in <strong>Ulster</strong>, in multiple guises, it’s a<br />
privilege to lead the club at a time in which the foundations for what we want<br />
to achieve in the coming years will be laid after a period of uncertainty.<br />
I am excited about this team’s future. With the quality of young player we have<br />
coming through, combined with the experience and leadership of some of our<br />
senior players, it promises to be an exciting and positive future. It wont always<br />
be a smooth road ahead, but as always, your support is what will carry us<br />
through the good and more difficult days. I would like to express my particular<br />
gratitude to the Season Ticket holders who have already renewed for the<br />
2024/25 season – and say that we appreciate you investing in what we are<br />
working towards as a club.<br />
As first and foremost an <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> supporter, I look forward to the<br />
upcoming professional and domestic action in the weeks ahead, at our home<br />
ground, and around the province in our clubs and schools. But tonight, I don’t<br />
intend to stop being a supporter, I will very much be standing up for the <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
men alongside you in Kingspan Stadium this evening.<br />
#SUFTUM<br />
Hugh McCaughey<br />
Interim CEO<br />
11
first penalty of the match. From the lineout<br />
maul, Peceli Yato, found space and dotted<br />
down for the home side’s first of the day.<br />
Anthony Belleau converted the score.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> found the scoreline slipping away,<br />
after conceding two penalties that were<br />
taken by Belleau.<br />
With the home side in the ascendancy,<br />
Pita-Gus Sowakula, scored the home<br />
side’s second converted try to leave <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
cursing their errors in the half.<br />
With the clock in the red, <strong>Ulster</strong> refused<br />
to end the half quietly and were rewarded<br />
for their efforts. Another try from Nick<br />
Timoney, after a well- executed lineout in<br />
the Clermont 22 narrowed the score line<br />
going into the break, with John Cooney<br />
adding the extra two points from an<br />
awkward angle.<br />
Half-Time: 20-14<br />
Last Time Out<br />
Sun 14 Apr<br />
53 - 14<br />
didn’t stop the French getting their first<br />
try of the half moments later.<br />
Full back-Alex Newsome punished <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
on the left wing, after some slick passing<br />
between the Clermont backs on the left<br />
wing. Newsome was sent clear and sprinted<br />
through for a simple finish. Belleau made<br />
no mistake from the tee.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong>’s European campaign came to an<br />
end against Clermont, who advanced to<br />
the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge<br />
Cup after a seven- try victory against the<br />
province at Stade Marcel-Michelin.<br />
Despite a competitive first half that saw<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> trail the home side by just six points,<br />
Clermont impressed in the second half with<br />
four tries that ended the contest.<br />
Richie Murphy’s team started fast out of<br />
the blocks, building some good attacking<br />
phases through good quick ball and<br />
accurate passing. The <strong>Ulster</strong> men were<br />
meeting the physical battle head on, with<br />
both sides working hard in the breakdown<br />
as they looked for the upper hand. <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
also enjoyed some success at scrum-time,<br />
with <strong>Ulster</strong>’s forward pack looking strong<br />
at the set piece.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> received an early blow, with fullback,<br />
Stewart Moore, withdrawn just five<br />
minutes into the contest. Ethan McIlroy<br />
replaced the Ballymoney man, which<br />
would leave the province with one back<br />
option on the bench, given the 6:2 split.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> struck the first blow of the Quarter-<br />
Final, and were good value for their lead.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong>’s in-form back-rower, Nick Timoney,<br />
dotted the ball down after a 5m tap and<br />
go penalty, with John Cooney adding the<br />
extra two from the tee.<br />
The home side got back level quickly,<br />
punishing <strong>Ulster</strong>, who had given away their<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> made one change in coming out<br />
for the restart, with Dave Ewers replacing<br />
captain, Iain Henderson, due to a foot injury.<br />
After the break, the home side made a<br />
dominant start to the half, furthering the<br />
score line a few minutes after the restart.<br />
A penalty opportunity was missed by<br />
Belleau after a handful of minutes but that<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> received further injury blows in the<br />
minutes to follow, with try-scorer, Nick<br />
Timoney, and Steven Kitshoff, both being<br />
withdrawn due to injury.<br />
The contest felt put to bed when the<br />
impressive Clermont eight, Pita-Gus<br />
Sowakula, powered over the line from a<br />
5m lineout.<br />
Further tries from Simmons, Yato and<br />
Jurand added to Clermont’s commanding<br />
lead, as they put on a show in front of their<br />
fans in the French sunshine.<br />
The province had chased a consolation try<br />
towards the end of the 80, but replacement<br />
prop, Scott Wilson,’s dive over the top of<br />
the Clermont rear-guard was held up well.<br />
Full-time: 53-14<br />
Watch Highlights<br />
13
15
Utility Back<br />
20/08/1992<br />
185cm<br />
93kg<br />
37<br />
5<br />
Will<br />
Addison<br />
Hooker<br />
26/05/1993<br />
180cm<br />
103kg<br />
118<br />
-<br />
John<br />
Andrew<br />
Wing<br />
19/08/1997<br />
193cm<br />
94.5kg<br />
68<br />
4<br />
Rob<br />
Baloucoune<br />
Fly Half<br />
13/06/1994<br />
183cm<br />
87kg<br />
108<br />
7<br />
Billy<br />
Burns<br />
Centre<br />
24/02/2002<br />
183cm<br />
101kg<br />
1<br />
-<br />
Ben<br />
Carson<br />
Scrum Half<br />
01/05/1990<br />
178cm<br />
86kg<br />
135<br />
11<br />
John<br />
Cooney<br />
Back Row<br />
28/01/2002<br />
184cm<br />
99kg<br />
3<br />
-<br />
Reuben<br />
Crothers<br />
Scrum Half<br />
17/12/2001<br />
185cm<br />
85kg<br />
63<br />
-<br />
Nathan<br />
Doak<br />
Back Row<br />
03/11/1990<br />
193cm<br />
126kg<br />
11<br />
-<br />
Dave<br />
Ewers<br />
Fly Half<br />
07/06/1999<br />
183cm<br />
91.5kg<br />
14<br />
-<br />
Jake<br />
Flannery<br />
Prop<br />
13/06/1994<br />
185cm<br />
123kg<br />
2<br />
-<br />
James<br />
French<br />
Lock<br />
21/02/1992<br />
199cm<br />
118kg<br />
152<br />
81<br />
Iain<br />
Henderson<br />
Hooker<br />
27/04/1990<br />
185cm<br />
105kg<br />
237<br />
39<br />
Rob<br />
Herring<br />
Centre<br />
07/09/1998<br />
188cm<br />
97kg<br />
94<br />
3<br />
James<br />
Hume<br />
ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD<br />
Lock<br />
28/01/2000<br />
201cm<br />
117kg<br />
23<br />
-<br />
Cormac<br />
Izuchukwu<br />
Backrow<br />
13/01/1996<br />
196cm<br />
105kg<br />
42<br />
-<br />
Greg<br />
Jones<br />
Prop<br />
10/02/1992<br />
183cm<br />
120kg<br />
14<br />
SA 83<br />
Steven<br />
Kitshoff<br />
Full Back<br />
20/08/1998<br />
170cm<br />
77kg<br />
98<br />
1<br />
Mike<br />
Lowry<br />
Centre<br />
03/03/1991<br />
180cm<br />
98.5kg<br />
165<br />
11<br />
Luke<br />
Marshall<br />
Back Row<br />
13/06/2000<br />
193cm<br />
109.5kg<br />
40<br />
-<br />
David<br />
McCann<br />
Centre<br />
06/08/1992<br />
193cm<br />
112kg<br />
186<br />
17<br />
Stuart<br />
McCloskey<br />
Hooker<br />
08/01/2002<br />
183cm<br />
107kg<br />
-<br />
-<br />
James<br />
McCormick<br />
Wing<br />
10/08/2000<br />
188cm<br />
88kg<br />
59<br />
-<br />
Ethan<br />
McIlroy<br />
Scrum Half<br />
20/03/2001<br />
183cm<br />
85kg<br />
-<br />
-<br />
Conor<br />
McKee<br />
Prop<br />
01/03/1991<br />
178cm<br />
122kg<br />
94<br />
10<br />
Marty<br />
Moore<br />
Centre<br />
08/08/1999<br />
184cm<br />
92kg<br />
63<br />
-<br />
Stewart<br />
Moore<br />
Wing<br />
09/06/2001<br />
191cm<br />
101.5kg<br />
31<br />
-<br />
Ben<br />
Moxham<br />
Fullback<br />
15/07/1999<br />
181cm<br />
89kg<br />
1<br />
-<br />
Shea<br />
O’Brien<br />
Lock<br />
10/09/1992<br />
196cm<br />
114kg<br />
191<br />
-<br />
Alan<br />
O’Connor<br />
Prop<br />
30/11/1995<br />
183cm<br />
117kg<br />
109<br />
1<br />
Eric<br />
O’Sullivan<br />
SA<br />
ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD<br />
Prop<br />
23/09/1998<br />
184cm<br />
122kg<br />
102<br />
13<br />
Tom<br />
O’Toole<br />
Centre<br />
03/04/2002<br />
193cm<br />
101kg<br />
8<br />
-<br />
Jude<br />
Postlethwaite<br />
17
ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD<br />
Back Row<br />
08/09/1997<br />
188cm<br />
109kg<br />
46<br />
-<br />
Marcus<br />
Rea<br />
Wing<br />
24/08/2000<br />
188cm<br />
92kg<br />
9<br />
-<br />
Aaron<br />
Sexton<br />
Back Row<br />
21/09/1993<br />
193cm<br />
115kg<br />
97<br />
-<br />
Matty<br />
Rea<br />
Dave<br />
Shanahan<br />
Scrum Half<br />
20/06/1993<br />
177cm<br />
77kg<br />
91<br />
-<br />
Back Row<br />
04/11/1998<br />
180cm<br />
100kg<br />
8<br />
-<br />
Sean<br />
Reffell<br />
Harry<br />
Sheridan<br />
Back Row<br />
21/09/2001<br />
195cm<br />
116.5kg<br />
22<br />
-<br />
Prop<br />
06/01/1999<br />
183cm<br />
116.5kg<br />
18<br />
-<br />
Callum<br />
Reid<br />
Tom<br />
Stewart<br />
Hooker<br />
11/01/2001<br />
183cm<br />
102kg<br />
41<br />
2<br />
Back Row<br />
26/06/2004<br />
189cm<br />
104kg<br />
-<br />
Tom<br />
Briggs<br />
James<br />
Humphreys<br />
Fly Half<br />
14/11/2001<br />
185cm<br />
81kg<br />
-<br />
Cameron<br />
Doak<br />
Prop<br />
17/12/2003<br />
189cm<br />
126kg<br />
-<br />
Lock<br />
28/01/2003<br />
203cm<br />
117kg<br />
-<br />
Charlie<br />
Irvine<br />
Ethan<br />
Graham<br />
Wing /Fullback<br />
27/04/2004<br />
181cm<br />
78.5kg<br />
-<br />
Wing /Fullback<br />
08/09/2004<br />
184cm<br />
93kg<br />
-<br />
Lucas<br />
Kenny<br />
Lock<br />
16/03/2004<br />
201cm<br />
108kg<br />
1<br />
Joe<br />
Hopes<br />
Ben<br />
McFarlane<br />
Wing /Fullback<br />
04/10/2004<br />
174cm<br />
76.5kg<br />
-<br />
ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY<br />
Jacob<br />
Stockdale<br />
Nick<br />
Timoney<br />
Kieran<br />
Treadwell<br />
Andrew<br />
Warwick<br />
Lorcan<br />
McLoughlin<br />
James<br />
McNabney<br />
George<br />
Saunderson<br />
Zac<br />
Solomon<br />
Wing<br />
Back Row<br />
Lock<br />
Prop<br />
Back Row<br />
Back Row<br />
Prop<br />
Hooker<br />
03/04/1996<br />
01/08/1995<br />
06/11/1995<br />
12/03/1991<br />
03/04/2002<br />
28/02/2003<br />
01/11/2001<br />
17/06/2004<br />
191cm<br />
188cm<br />
198cm<br />
178cm<br />
189cm<br />
193cm<br />
185cm<br />
177cm<br />
102kg<br />
109kg<br />
115kg<br />
116.5kg<br />
110kg<br />
115kg<br />
125kg<br />
97kg<br />
115<br />
142<br />
156<br />
189<br />
1<br />
3<br />
-<br />
1<br />
37<br />
3<br />
11<br />
-<br />
ULSTER RUGBY<br />
ACADEMY<br />
Based at Kingspan Stadium along<br />
with the senior squad, the aim of<br />
the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Academy is to<br />
develop rugby talent to reach their<br />
potential and perform to <strong>URC</strong>,<br />
European and international standards.<br />
Prop<br />
Jack<br />
Boal<br />
01/05/2003<br />
Jacob<br />
Boyd<br />
Prop<br />
10/07/2004<br />
Josh<br />
Stevens<br />
Back Row<br />
14/12/2004<br />
Rory<br />
Telfer<br />
Wing /Fullback<br />
29/08/2003<br />
Henry<br />
Walker<br />
Hooker<br />
01/01/2003<br />
Scott<br />
Wilson<br />
Prop<br />
06/08/2002<br />
All players must have the ability to<br />
play rugby for Ireland.<br />
187cm<br />
115kg<br />
-<br />
186cm<br />
113kg<br />
-<br />
178cm<br />
93kg<br />
-<br />
183cm<br />
92kg<br />
-<br />
187cm<br />
101kg<br />
-<br />
186cm<br />
125kg<br />
5<br />
19
21
Referees’ Corner<br />
Tonight, we welcome Mike Adamson (SRU)<br />
and his team of officials to the Kingspan<br />
Stadium for the <strong>BKT</strong> United <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
Championship game against <strong>Cardiff</strong>. As<br />
always, <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> would like to remind<br />
spectators to respect the decisions of the<br />
match officials at all times.<br />
week out. Our members also include a<br />
group of experienced non-active referees<br />
who now play key roles in supporting and<br />
developing our referees.<br />
Have you ever wondered how a referee<br />
progresses in their officiating career?<br />
In this Referee Corner, we spotlight the<br />
team of people “behind” the Referee.<br />
The <strong>Ulster</strong> Society of <strong>Rugby</strong> Football<br />
Referees (USRFR)’s membership isn’t<br />
just our 140+ active referees who are out<br />
officiating across the province, week in,<br />
Meet Our Evaluators!<br />
In our fast-paced modern game of<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> Union, the role of the evaluator<br />
cannot be overstated. These individuals<br />
possess a keen eye for detail and a deep<br />
understanding of the laws of the game.<br />
Their primary responsibility is to assess<br />
referees’ performances during matches,<br />
providing constructive feedback aimed<br />
at continual improvement.<br />
Whether it’s analysing decision-making,<br />
positional awareness, or communication<br />
skills, evaluators offer invaluable insights<br />
that help referees refine their craft.<br />
Their feedback isn’t just about pointing<br />
out mistakes; it’s about identifying<br />
areas of strength and areas for growth,<br />
ultimately guiding referees along their<br />
development journey.<br />
“Evaluators have played a large part in<br />
my own refereeing development; the<br />
importance of having someone supporting<br />
you on a sideline during matches cannot be<br />
understated. As referees, we always want<br />
to get better and improve continuously,<br />
and we are lucky that in the USRFR, we<br />
have a network of evaluators that allow us<br />
to do that.” - Peter Martin, USRFR & IRFU<br />
High Performance Development Referee.<br />
From domestic age-grade games through<br />
to All Ireland League Games, evaluators<br />
serve as the masters of quality officiating.<br />
By maintaining high standards and<br />
nurturing talent, they ensure that referees<br />
are equipped to handle the rigours of the<br />
game at every level.<br />
Former IRFU National Panel Referee and<br />
USRFR Senior Evaluator, Paul Eakin, tells<br />
us about his role as one of our senior<br />
evaluators: “Evaluation is the only process<br />
by which a referee is scored for their<br />
performance, allowing referees to tangibly<br />
monitor their own progress and allowing<br />
the Society to support their development<br />
on the right pathway, tailored to them. I<br />
enjoy the process of watching the referee<br />
and annotating their performance, and<br />
translating this into a report which I hope<br />
will be useful to the referee and their<br />
officiating career.”<br />
Paul has officiated at some high-profile<br />
games such as the Schools’ Cup Final<br />
in 2003 and a range of officiating<br />
appointments at European level. He now<br />
continues to pass on his experience and<br />
serves the game in <strong>Ulster</strong> in a number of<br />
different capacities, including as Chairman<br />
of the Selection Committee. But the<br />
support doesn’t end on the field. Enter the<br />
referee mentors – experienced officials<br />
who provide guidance and support off<br />
the pitch. These mentors play a crucial<br />
role in helping referees navigate the<br />
complexities of their role and develop a<br />
deeper understanding of the game, its<br />
laws, competition regulations, and game<br />
management.<br />
Mentors support referees to engage in<br />
self-reflection and self-evaluation. By<br />
encouraging continuous learning, they<br />
help referees identify their strengths and<br />
weaknesses and set meaningful goals<br />
for improvement.<br />
Former USRFR President and<br />
current referee Shane Toolan comments<br />
about his experience as a mentor: “The role<br />
of a mentor I find rewarding; first of all being<br />
asked to be a mentor is an honour and a<br />
great way to meet new referees on a oneto-one<br />
basis and discuss our mutual love for<br />
the game of <strong>Rugby</strong> Union. It’s fantastic to see<br />
the ongoing development of each referee<br />
on their journey to full referee status, and<br />
when their names appear as appointments<br />
to the various cup finals, it’s almost as big a<br />
reward as being appointed oneself!”<br />
Referee mentors don’t just offer technical<br />
advice; they serve as confidants and<br />
sounding boards, offering encouragement<br />
and motivation during both triumphs and<br />
setbacks. Their wisdom and experience<br />
are invaluable resources for referees at all<br />
stages of their careers, providing a beacon<br />
of guidance as they progress along the<br />
IRFU pathway.<br />
World <strong>Rugby</strong> educator and USRFR Referee<br />
& mentor, Glenda Mellon, says about her<br />
passion for mentoring upcoming referees:<br />
“I love learning; mentoring is giving me the<br />
opportunity to improve my interpersonal<br />
and leadership skills as well as being able<br />
to pass on my experiences and offer the<br />
referees, especially the small group of<br />
If interested in becoming a Referee, please contact:<br />
Richard Kerr<br />
Referee Development Manager<br />
richard.kerr@irfu.ie | 07493 868 388<br />
female referees, support that wasn’t there<br />
when I started.”<br />
Together, evaluators, mentors and<br />
referee coaches form the backbone of<br />
the officiating community, collaborating<br />
with our Referee Development Manager<br />
in driving progression and excellence in<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong>’s <strong>Match</strong> Officials. Their collective<br />
efforts ensure that referees of all levels<br />
receive the support and guidance they<br />
need to thrive, ultimately benefiting the<br />
game we love.<br />
As always, we celebrate and applaud the<br />
efforts of our referees on match day, but<br />
let’s also take a moment to recognise and<br />
appreciate the dedication of the people<br />
behind the referee – the evaluators,<br />
mentors and coaches who play an<br />
indispensable role in shaping the future<br />
of rugby officiating in <strong>Ulster</strong> and beyond.<br />
A future Referee Corner article will highlight<br />
the unique role of the referee coach.<br />
U.S.R.F.R<br />
23
Half-Time<br />
Exhibition Games<br />
Nevin Spence Memorial Stand End<br />
Letterkenny<br />
Kit: Black & Yellow<br />
City of Armagh<br />
Kit: Red & Black<br />
1 Tiarna Jennings<br />
2 Danny Beau Kiely<br />
3 Dáthí Mulkearns<br />
4 Dara Sharkey<br />
5 Rose Spence<br />
6 Sam Boyle<br />
7 Síobhán Gallagher<br />
8 Dáire Faulkner<br />
9 Séan Faulkner<br />
10 Patrick Keeney<br />
11 Tiarnan Boyle<br />
12 Daniel McGlynn<br />
1 Fiachna Mone<br />
2 Sam Quinn<br />
3 Daniel Tipping<br />
4 Daniel Beggs<br />
5 Thomas Smart<br />
6 Brian O’Rourke<br />
7 Caleb Watt<br />
8 Connleth Rowe<br />
9 Harry Watt<br />
10 John Strain<br />
11 Jacob Oates<br />
12 Rory Murphy<br />
AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End<br />
Inishowen<br />
Kit: Blue<br />
Dungannon<br />
Kit: Blue & White<br />
1 Michael Keogh<br />
2 Aaron Havlin<br />
3 Ronan Doherty<br />
4 Jonah McNally<br />
5 Flynn Harkin<br />
6 Caitlin Doherty<br />
7 Michael Price<br />
8 Peadar McNally<br />
9 Nathan Taitt<br />
10 Tori Cantwell<br />
11 Jack Allen<br />
12 Martin McColgan<br />
1 Ollie Cochrane<br />
2 Noah Baird<br />
3 Cillian Curran<br />
4 Cian McCausland<br />
5 Henry McKenna<br />
6 Lachlan Carmichael<br />
7 Josh Brady<br />
8 Patrick Coyle<br />
9 Lewis Dobson<br />
10 Ben Jackson<br />
11 Zach Lancashire<br />
12 Matthew Richardson<br />
25
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Eric O’Sullivan<br />
Tom Stewart<br />
Scott Wilson<br />
Corey Domachowski<br />
Liam Belcher<br />
C<br />
Keiron Assiratti<br />
4<br />
5<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Harry Sheridan<br />
Alan O’Connor<br />
C<br />
Ben Donnell<br />
Teddy Williams<br />
6<br />
8<br />
7<br />
6<br />
8<br />
7<br />
Dave Ewers<br />
David McCann<br />
Marcus Rea<br />
Alex Mann<br />
Taulupe Faletau<br />
Thomas Young<br />
9<br />
Nathan Doak<br />
Referee: Mike Adamson<br />
Assistants: Andrew Cole,<br />
Sam Holt<br />
TMO: Andrew McMenemy<br />
9<br />
Ellis Bevan<br />
10<br />
10<br />
Jake Flannery<br />
Tinus de Beer<br />
11<br />
11<br />
Jacob Stockdale<br />
12<br />
Theo Cabango<br />
12<br />
Jude Postlethwaite<br />
Ben Thomas<br />
Replacements<br />
16 John Andrew<br />
13<br />
Replacements<br />
16 Evan Lloyd<br />
13<br />
17 Andrew Warwick<br />
17 Rhys Carré<br />
18 Tom O’Toole<br />
James Hume<br />
18 Ciaran Parker<br />
Mason Grady<br />
19 Cormac Izuchukwu<br />
19 Rory Thornton<br />
20 Greg Jones<br />
21 John Cooney<br />
15<br />
14<br />
20 Ellis Jenkins<br />
21 MacKenzie Martin<br />
15<br />
14<br />
22 Billy Burns<br />
22 Gonzalo Bertranou<br />
23 Ethan McIlroy<br />
Will Addison<br />
Mike Lowry<br />
23 Jacob Beetham<br />
Cam Winnett<br />
Josh Adams<br />
27
<strong>Ulster</strong> stalwart, Luke Marshall, recently<br />
announced his retirement from the<br />
professional game at the end of the<br />
season, following a 15-year career with<br />
his home club.<br />
In the 2012/13 season, Luke won the Pro12<br />
Young Player of the Year award.<br />
Ballymena RFC was the first call for Luke,<br />
playing mini-rugby at Eaton Park.<br />
He attended Ballymena Academy, where<br />
again rugby was a consistent feature<br />
alongside his academic life, playing mostly<br />
in the centre position.<br />
After his A-levels, Luke went straight into<br />
the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Academy set-up, where<br />
he joined players including Nevin Spence<br />
and Ricky Andrew for the 2009/10 season.<br />
Luke played for Ireland at Under-20s<br />
level in the 2011 Six Nations Under 20s<br />
Championship and the 2011 IRB Junior<br />
World Championship.<br />
He earned his first Senior international<br />
cap on 24 February 2013, starting<br />
against Scotland in the 2013 Six Nations<br />
Championship.<br />
Luke featured a total of eleven times for<br />
Ireland, lining-up against teams such as<br />
Australia, Argentina, USA and Japan.<br />
Luke enjoyed a meteoric rise to Senior team<br />
contention, making his debut in a home<br />
clash with Munster at the end of October<br />
2010, when he came on early for Mark<br />
McCrea to play the final three quarters of<br />
the match.<br />
Luke’s first try followed in February 2011,<br />
when he touched-down between the posts<br />
against <strong>Cardiff</strong> at home, in the days before<br />
the stadium was redeveloped.<br />
Luke is certainly an ambassador for the<br />
game, and has shown great resilience to<br />
overcome some long-term injuries recently.<br />
The <strong>Ulster</strong> man continues to give back,<br />
and this season joined the coaching staff<br />
for his old school, Ballymena Academy,<br />
throughout their Danske Bank Schools’<br />
Cup campaign, where they reached the<br />
Final this year.<br />
Thank you, Luke, for all you have given to<br />
the <strong>Ulster</strong> jersey.<br />
29
1 Billion<br />
PET bottles<br />
recycled into our<br />
manufacturing<br />
processes by 2025<br />
1bn<br />
Ambitious<br />
Target<br />
Areas<br />
Energy,<br />
Carbon,<br />
Circularity,<br />
Water<br />
4<br />
Kingspan’s Commitment<br />
to Sustainability<br />
Zero<br />
Company<br />
waste to<br />
landfill<br />
by 2030<br />
0<br />
Read our<br />
Report<br />
here<br />
Five<br />
Ocean<br />
Cleanup Projects<br />
ECOALF, Seabin,<br />
Clearbot<br />
to date<br />
5<br />
100million<br />
Litres of rainwater<br />
harvested<br />
by 2030<br />
100m<br />
One Legacy<br />
Leaving the planet<br />
in a better place<br />
through our Planet<br />
Passionate<br />
communities<br />
projects 1<br />
31
TRAINING<br />
in Pictures<br />
33
ulster.rugby/seasontickets<br />
35
WIN<br />
WIN<br />
ULSTER RUGBY FOUNDATION<br />
MATCH NIGHT RAFFLE<br />
WIN<br />
a signed & framed 2023 Ireland<br />
Grand Slam winning jersey, with<br />
certificate of authentication.<br />
Tickets available in the Fan Zone, boxes, A&L Goodbody Premium,<br />
Lounge, 1924 Bar and Spirit of 99 (pre-match) - £5 per ticket<br />
Prize will be drawn at half-time and announced via our social media<br />
37
CARDIFF<br />
Players to Watch<br />
NAME POSITION DOB HEIGHT WEIGHT<br />
Ciaran PARKER Prop 05/10/1995 1.84 m 120 kg<br />
Corey DOMACHOWSKI Prop 19/09/1996 1.83 m 124 kg<br />
Josh REYNOLDS Prop 01/12/1998 1.80 m 112 kg<br />
Keiron ASSIRATTI Prop 30/06/1997 1.78 m 119 kg<br />
There’s been a lot of change at the Arms<br />
Park. Matt Sherratt has stepped up from his<br />
assistant’s role following the departure of<br />
Director of <strong>Rugby</strong> Dai Young, while a number<br />
of high-profile players have moved on.<br />
Ben Thomas<br />
Ben Thomas is a product of the<br />
<strong>Cardiff</strong> academy, and is capable<br />
of playing across the back field in<br />
either the 10, 12 or 15 jersey. With<br />
a number of international caps to<br />
his name.<br />
Try scorer a couple of weeks ago<br />
at Thomond Park, Thomas read<br />
the Munster attack brilliantly,<br />
intercepting the ball, before<br />
running the length of the pitch to<br />
touch-down between the posts.<br />
Thomas also scored against<br />
Connacht in Wales in Round 10.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> will have to make sure the<br />
dynamic 25-year-old doesn’t<br />
make it a hat-trick against the<br />
Irish provinces.<br />
Home Ground: Arms Park<br />
Last Season: 10th<br />
Current Position: 12th<br />
Coach: Matt Sherratt<br />
Cam Winnett<br />
This exciting young full-back is one<br />
of the top talents in Welsh rugby<br />
who has burst onto the scene over<br />
the past season.<br />
His fine form at the back for <strong>Cardiff</strong><br />
caught the eye of fans and Welsh<br />
management alike to be one of five<br />
uncapped players named in Warren<br />
Gatland’s 2024 Wales Six Nations<br />
squad. Winnett impressed during the<br />
tournament with his speed, kicking<br />
and ability under high ball.<br />
Rhys CARRÉ Prop 08/02/1998 1.91 m 132 kg<br />
Rhys LITTERICK Prop 02/03/1999 1.79 m 108 kg<br />
Will DAVIES-KING Prop 28/07/1998 1.93 m 128 kg<br />
Dafydd HUGHES Hooker 08/01/1996 1.79 m 103 kg<br />
Efan DANIEL Hooker 14/12/2002 1.85 m 97 kg<br />
Liam BELCHER Hooker 28/04/1996 1.77 m 107 kg<br />
Lopeti TIMANI Lock 28/09/1990 1.93 m 125 kg<br />
Rory THORNTON Lock 16/03/1995 2.01 m 119 kg<br />
Seb DAVIES Lock 17/05/1996 2.03 m 119 kg<br />
Alun LAWRENCE Back row 12/08/1998 1.91 m 112 kg<br />
Ben DONNELL Back row 02/08/2000 1.98 m 115 kg<br />
Ellis JENKINS Back row 29/04/1993 1.85 m 105 kg<br />
James BOTHAM Back row 22/02/1998 1.91 m 104 kg<br />
Josh TURNBULL Back row 12/03/1988 1.95 m 117 kg<br />
Shane LEWIS-HUGHES Back row 20/09/1997 1.96 m 115 kg<br />
Teddy WILLIAMS Back row 18/10/2000 1.98 m 118 kg<br />
Toby FALETAU Back row 12/11/1990 1.88 m 113 kg<br />
Tom YOUNG Back row 18/05/1992 1.81 m 104 kg<br />
Ellis BEVAN Scrum-half 10/03/2000 1.80 m 92 kg<br />
Gonzalo BERTRANOU Scrum-half 31/12/1993 1.77 m 82 kg<br />
Matthew AUBREY Scrum-half 04/06/1997 1.68 m 85 kg<br />
Tomos WILLIAMS Scrum-half 01/01/1995 1.80 m 86 kg<br />
Arwel ROBSON Fly-half 21/02/1997 1.80 m 85 kg<br />
Ben THOMAS Fly-half 25/11/1998 1.83 m 93 kg<br />
Tinus DE BEER Fly-half 24/01/1996 1.76 m 87 kg<br />
Harri MILLARD Centre 17/08/1996 1.83 m 94 kg<br />
Max CLARK Centre 03/10/1995 1.90 m 100 kg<br />
Rey LEE-LO Centre 28/02/1986 1.81 m 98 kg<br />
Willis HALAHOLO Centre 06/07/1990 1.80 m 105 kg<br />
Josh ADAMS Winger 21/04/1995 1.86 m 96 kg<br />
New Players:<br />
Tinus de Beer (Pumas)<br />
Arwel Robson (Cornish Pirates)<br />
Rhys Litterick (Harlequins)<br />
Ciaran Parker (London Irish)<br />
Matthew Aubrey (Ospreys)<br />
Max Clark (Dragons - loan<br />
Mason GRADY Winger 29/03/2002 1.96 m 110 kg<br />
Owen LANE Winger 20/12/1997 1.85 m 100 kg<br />
Theo CABANGO Winger 29/11/2001 1.74 m 83 kg<br />
Aled SUMMERHILL Fullback 22/11/1994 1.88 m 93 kg<br />
39
?<br />
?<br />
?<br />
Guess Who?<br />
?<br />
?<br />
?<br />
?<br />
?<br />
?<br />
Can you name the 4 players?<br />
Answers: (Top to bottom) Rob Herring, David McCann, Alan O’Connor, Will Addison<br />
41
Tom O’Toole<br />
Contract<br />
Ambitions & Leadership of<br />
the <strong>Ulster</strong> Centurian<br />
On playing at Kingspan Stadium this week<br />
This week, we’ve been discussing it, and it feels great to finally be<br />
back home. It seems like ages since our last home game against<br />
the Dragons. There’s just something special about being able to<br />
play in front of our fans again. Plus, the team is relieved to have<br />
a break from all the traveling we’ve been doing over the past<br />
few weeks. It’s been non-stop on the road for about a month<br />
or so, so getting back home is a real treat.<br />
How are you feeling after Clermont?<br />
Feeling a bit battered after the Clermont game! Their pack<br />
was formidable, and coupled with the scorching weather<br />
conditions, it made for a challenging game. In the<br />
second half, they really turned up the pressure,<br />
and it was tough to hold them back. But now,<br />
we’ve got this week to regroup, recover, and<br />
refocus and gearing up for the upcoming match<br />
against <strong>Cardiff</strong>.<br />
<strong>Cardiff</strong> threat<br />
<strong>Cardiff</strong> are a really good side and have some<br />
dangerous players in their team. Especially<br />
in some of those games against top teams.<br />
recently, they have ran them tight. Given<br />
their recent preparation over the past few<br />
weeks, they’ll undoubtedly be hungry for a<br />
victory on the road.<br />
I’m expecting them to be very physical up<br />
front, as all Welsh teams are and obviously<br />
their backs will be skilful This upcoming<br />
match against <strong>Cardiff</strong> is shaping up to be a<br />
big showdown.<br />
On his 100th <strong>Ulster</strong> cap<br />
Reaching my 100th <strong>Ulster</strong> cap is a moment I’m<br />
truly proud of, even if it comes while we’re away<br />
from home. It’s a personal milestone, but it’s<br />
also something I view as an achievement, made<br />
possible by the support of my family, friends, and<br />
coaches throughout my journey.<br />
Reaching 100 caps is an incredible milestone but<br />
one I want to share with family and friends. Having<br />
them back in the stands means the world to me,<br />
and I’m looking forward to sharing that moment<br />
with them that moment with them.<br />
I’m looking forward to another three years with <strong>Ulster</strong>. With a<br />
wave of talented young players emerging within the team, there’s<br />
a fantastic opportunity for them to make their mark. They’re full<br />
of energy, and we’ve got some new coaches on board too [Richie<br />
Murphy, Interim Head Coach and John Fogarty Scum Coach].<br />
Right now, there’s a lot of work ahead of us. We’re aiming to be<br />
up there competing for titles in the league, and that’s the exciting<br />
challenge we’re all looking forward to tackling.<br />
On being a leader in side<br />
It’s a great honour and privilege to be recognised as part of the<br />
leadership group within this province, especially considering<br />
the rich history and the legendary players who have been<br />
part of it.<br />
While I’m still relatively young myself, my primary focus is on<br />
improving my own game. However, being in this leadership<br />
role comes with a learning curve. It’s about figuring<br />
out how to connect with different players and<br />
understanding that there are various styles of<br />
leadership. Ultimately, my goal is to support<br />
the coaches and contribute to the team in<br />
whatever capacity I can, whether it’s on or<br />
off the field.<br />
On working with scrum coach, John<br />
Fogarty<br />
Working with Fogs (John Fogarty)<br />
has been fantastic. He’s a top-tier<br />
coach with international experience,<br />
and his approach to scrummaging<br />
brings a fresh perspective to the<br />
table. Personally, it’s been a great<br />
opportunity for me as well. It keeps<br />
me on my toes and continuously<br />
striving to improve.<br />
I have a great relationship with<br />
Fogs and we need to keep<br />
improving. Over the past four<br />
weeks, I feel like we’ve been<br />
making strides in the right direction,<br />
and that’s definitely something to<br />
build on moving forward.<br />
Prop<br />
23/09/1998<br />
184cm<br />
122kg<br />
103<br />
13<br />
43
Spot the Difference<br />
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Answers: Tobermore missing on shorts, Tom Stewart’s scrum cap changes colour, Harry Sheridan carrying basketball,<br />
John Cooney’s number, hand missing (<strong>Cardiff</strong> No.1), Brad Roberts replaces Dragons’ defense<br />
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45
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47
Malone Tornadoes Take Spain by Storm!<br />
Malone Tornadoes have roared into 2024,<br />
showcasing the power of Mixed Ability<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> with a fantastic tour to Madrid!<br />
Throughout the year, their inclusive training<br />
sessions and matches culminated in this<br />
exciting trip, hosted by Alcobendas RFC with<br />
former player Garrett Curran leading the<br />
way. A group of 36 players and supporters<br />
made the journey, eager to experience<br />
Spanish culture and competitive rugby.<br />
The warm Madrid weather made the brandnew<br />
tour kit even more welcome, adding a<br />
touch of coolness to the team spirit that was<br />
already soaring high. True to their traditions,<br />
the “craic” flowed freely, with a bowling<br />
session, tapas feasts, and refreshing drinks<br />
setting the tone for the adventure. A visit to<br />
the ground allowed the team to get a feel<br />
for the arena, buzzing with anticipation for<br />
the upcoming matches.<br />
Game day arrived hotter than expected,<br />
with the festival kicking off at 4pm. As one<br />
of six teams competing, the Tornadoes<br />
were excited to showcase the progressive<br />
nature of Mixed Ability <strong>Rugby</strong> in Spain.<br />
They delivered some of their best freeflowing<br />
rugby yet, with Jordan, JJ, and<br />
Aidan putting in stellar performances that<br />
were the product of exceptional teamwork.<br />
Their talent even caught the attention of<br />
Spanish National news!<br />
Adding another layer of fun and inclusivity,<br />
several Tornadoes players volunteered their<br />
skills to play alongside other teams. This<br />
spirit of cooperation perfectly embodied<br />
the ethos of Mixed Ability <strong>Rugby</strong>. The hard<br />
work paid off – the Tornadoes secured<br />
five convincing victories, leaving the pitch<br />
exhilarated and ready to celebrate.<br />
Back home, the good news kept rolling. The<br />
Tornadoes were officially awarded registered<br />
charity status in Northern Ireland, a welldeserved<br />
recognition of their dedication<br />
to inclusivity. But the celebrations weren’t<br />
over yet! The team received a prestigious<br />
invitation to participate in the 2025 IMART<br />
World Cup in Pamplona, Spain! Selected<br />
as one of 32 teams from across the globe,<br />
the Tornadoes are already buzzing with<br />
excitement and have begun preparations<br />
for this incredible opportunity.<br />
With a successful tour, charity status, and a<br />
World Cup appearance on the horizon, the<br />
future is undeniably bright for the Malone<br />
Tornadoes. Their dedication to the sport<br />
and their commitment to inclusivity are an<br />
inspiration, and we can’t wait to see what<br />
they achieve next!<br />
ulster.rugby/matchtickets<br />
49
<strong>Ulster</strong> Girls Shine at U18 Six Nations<br />
A huge cheer for our five <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
representatives who brought their A-game<br />
to the U18 Six Nations Festival – Cara<br />
McLean, Sophie McAllister, Sadhbh Wells,<br />
Erin McConalogue, and Leah Irwin.<br />
Adding to the celebrations, Leah Irwin, our<br />
very own Enniskillen Royal Grammar School<br />
student, put in a stellar performance and<br />
even scored a try against Italy!<br />
These <strong>Ulster</strong> stars are a true inspiration, and<br />
their success reflects the incredible talent,<br />
development and dedication within our<br />
province. Congratulations once again to all<br />
the players and coaches involved!<br />
The Irish U18 Girls secured a fantastic three<br />
wins out of five, showcasing their talent and<br />
teamwork on the international stage. The<br />
highlight was a dominant 48-7 victory over<br />
Scotland, where Ireland crossed the try line<br />
eight times.<br />
Ireland Women will be going head-to-head<br />
with Scotland in their own Six Nations clash<br />
at Kingspan Stadium on the Saturday 27<br />
April. Get your tickets now (click below).<br />
FIND TICKETS<br />
51
ULSTER<br />
DETERMINED<br />
TO BANISH<br />
THE BLUES<br />
Guest Article: Rod Nawn<br />
which is Leinster.<br />
There have been ‘tweaks’ to the anticipated<br />
staring fifteens in recent months. Billy<br />
Burns’ departure for Munster in the summer,<br />
which in itself is a blow, has meant that in<br />
recent weeks Nathan Doak has slipped into<br />
the out-half role, and his partnership with<br />
the remarkably consistent and classy John<br />
Cooney has been promising.<br />
That the two players of genuine quality<br />
have vied most often for the scrum-half<br />
spot are now accommodated in the team<br />
is a positive but Doak is bound to wonder<br />
if his personal ambitions will be fulfilled<br />
at No.10. His kicking game is excellent,<br />
his invention reminiscent of his father<br />
Neil, and with Cooney the team has two<br />
outstanding place-kickers.<br />
The imminent departure of Springbok<br />
When we gathered last at Kingspan<br />
Stadium <strong>Ulster</strong> appeared to stem the flow<br />
of negativity with a thumping win over<br />
the Dragons.<br />
Head Coach Dan McFarland had just left his<br />
post and his assistant Dan Soper supervised<br />
that welcome victory.<br />
Then the squad flew long-haul to South<br />
Africa with Richie Murphy now installed<br />
as interim Head Coach, and though the<br />
games with the Sharks and Stormers were<br />
competitive just one bonus point was culled<br />
from a traumatic period of the season.<br />
The dramas around Kingspan Stadium<br />
continued while the players and<br />
management sweltered in the southern<br />
hemisphere, chief executive Jonny Petrie<br />
and his employers parting company by<br />
mutual consent.<br />
New management and changes of coaches<br />
followed, and Petrie and McFarland did have<br />
the CVs to signal renewed supporter fealty.<br />
Both men have left their footprints, in part<br />
visibly in the nature of the pitch and of the<br />
team which cannot have been immune to<br />
the welter of commentary on the turmoil at<br />
Ravenhill Park.<br />
Yet somehow, after yet another ‘plane trip,<br />
the Champions’ Cup failure ‘reward’ was a<br />
European Challenge Cup tie in Montpellier,<br />
and Murphy opened his winning account.<br />
The man who guided the Ireland U20s to<br />
successive Grand Slams then had just a<br />
week before another trek to Clermont,<br />
where <strong>Ulster</strong>’s protracted and disappointing<br />
European campaign ended with a<br />
comprehensive defeat.<br />
And in a way, with the last few weeks of<br />
turbulence, tonight’s resumption of United<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> Championship ‘hostilities’ with the<br />
visit of a <strong>Cardiff</strong> team not exactly realising<br />
its potential either, Murphy and his players<br />
can reset for the five-match run-in to the<br />
end of the regular season.<br />
The ambition will be to hold on to – indeed<br />
to improve – eighth place in the table and<br />
therefore extend the campaign into the<br />
play-offs in May. In years gone by, whatever<br />
the ultimate disappointment, <strong>Ulster</strong> would<br />
expect to be contesting for the leadership<br />
of the league. But as its fortunes, on and<br />
off the field, have declined so too has its<br />
reputation for being amongst the very small<br />
group who could reasonably expect to<br />
challenge the hegemony of the steamroller<br />
World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff means<br />
we will not have benefitted fully from the<br />
prop’s gifts in the front row area. Returning<br />
to South Africa less than a year in Belfast<br />
is probably for a fusion of issues, but we<br />
certainly have not seen the very best of his<br />
proven qualities.<br />
He misses tonight’s game through injury,<br />
and the <strong>Ulster</strong> cause is hardly helped by<br />
the absence of skipper Iain Henderson,<br />
hooker Rob Herring, the utterly reliable<br />
Nick Timoney who have ell returned from<br />
France with ‘knocks.’ International all, these<br />
are players who have provided some of the<br />
brighter moments in their careers in Belfast,<br />
and injury too has ruled out the versatile<br />
and developing back Stewart Moore.<br />
Still, the cliché that this provides<br />
opportunities for others to step up and<br />
claim more game-time is somehow apt,<br />
and Cormac Izuchukwu, Tom Stewart,<br />
David McCann, for instance. To grow their<br />
reputations with responsible displays<br />
against <strong>Cardiff</strong> this evening.<br />
On paper – a surface the teams will not be<br />
playing this Friday evening – the visitors are<br />
themselves in a transitional phase. Though<br />
rarely overwhelmed the fact that the players<br />
have not tasted victory in the <strong>URC</strong> since a<br />
resounding nine-try win over the Dragons<br />
at the Arms Park on Boxing <strong>Day</strong> speaks to<br />
head coach Matt Sherratt’s challenges.<br />
Josh Turnbull’s recent retirement was<br />
expected but the back-row was a club<br />
and Wales stalwart for years, and injuries<br />
have denied the side for long periods of<br />
the services of proven operators such<br />
as James Botham, Thomas Young and<br />
Taulupe Faletau, an international centurion<br />
for Warren Gatland with his country and<br />
the Lions.<br />
Next season Callum Sheedy will return to<br />
<strong>Cardiff</strong> after an impressive spell at Bristol<br />
and current No.10 Tinus de Beer will want to<br />
show this evening that he’s not waiting to<br />
be replaced. His kicking is a real strength in<br />
his game, and when paired with the highly<br />
regarded Tomos Williams the team has a<br />
dangerous and creative half-back unit.<br />
Ray Lee-Lo and Uilisi Halaholo have<br />
53
take midfield centre stage next year.<br />
An outstanding product of Ballymena<br />
Academy, a fulcrum of a successful Irish<br />
Under 20s team, and capped first in 2014<br />
at full international level.<br />
The aggressive blond figure never shirked<br />
a challenge, had a marvellous attacking<br />
intelligence, and would have certainly added<br />
hugely to his eleven Ireland appearances<br />
were it not for an almost calamitous series<br />
of injuries.<br />
regretted Luke Marshall played more often,<br />
although almost two hundred appearances<br />
in the <strong>Ulster</strong> shirt constitutes no mean<br />
achievement. One of the good guys.<br />
He will want his province to kick on, starting<br />
this evening, and look forward to the visit<br />
of rivals Benetton next weekend with heads<br />
held high and with the return to Kingspan<br />
Stadium of the fans who want the future to<br />
be as bright as the talent in the ranks.<br />
been an exciting midfield partnership<br />
for some years and if both are fit Stuart<br />
McCloskey and James Hume will be aware<br />
of their imagination and effective, physical<br />
creativity. The home backline will hope to<br />
flourish in front of the Kingspan faithful,<br />
with Ethan McIlroy and Jacob Stockdale<br />
in the ranks the evening promises some<br />
attacking, energetic rugby.<br />
Sherratt has been denied, through injury<br />
and international calls, so many of his most<br />
lustrous talent that it is impossible to be sure<br />
who is available to him as <strong>Cardiff</strong> attempts<br />
to climb into contention for a play-off spot.<br />
Owen Lane, Aled Summerhill, Ellis Jenkins<br />
are amongst those who could add real<br />
thrust to that target.<br />
But as the Head Coach reshapes his side for<br />
a return to past, fast-fading glories he will<br />
hope that recent woes in <strong>Ulster</strong> will offer<br />
a real opportunity to register a win in the<br />
<strong>URC</strong> for the first time in four months.<br />
But Richie Murphy would appear to have<br />
made a good impression in his first few<br />
weeks in charge of the squad, and the mood<br />
around Ravenhill Park has been reported as<br />
definitely more confident and settled. That<br />
has been aided by the arrival of interim<br />
Chief Executive Hugh McCaughey, formerly<br />
an important Health Trust boss and,<br />
important to many, a man stepped in rugby,<br />
whether it’ as a Senior Cup-lifting skipper<br />
at Dungannon or as an early manager of<br />
his Province’s professional team.<br />
Both Murphy and McCaughey are interim<br />
appointments, with the former hopeful of<br />
securing a long-term role, and supporters<br />
of <strong>Ulster</strong>, and the IRFU, will hope settled<br />
management will be achieved as quickly as<br />
commonsense allows.<br />
There will be one player in the current squad<br />
who will be looking on this evening with<br />
understandably mixed feelings.<br />
Centre Luke Marshall has announced<br />
his retirement from the game and there<br />
will be many who will regret he won’t<br />
All-conquering Saracens targeted him a<br />
decade ago but he pledged his future to<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> and there are carries, passes, tries and<br />
tackles which will live long in the memories<br />
of longstanding supporters.<br />
He always presented a cheery front<br />
despite the hurdles and challenges faced<br />
over the years and many coaches have<br />
55
Enjoy the<br />
big match<br />
in style<br />
ulster.rugby/hospitality<br />
57
As the drizzle turned to rain, the team<br />
followed Matthew back to the vibrant<br />
garden room, where they were again<br />
warmly welcomed by those spending time<br />
in its comfortable surroundings. Asking<br />
thoughtful questions and commenting on<br />
the transformation of the space since their<br />
visits to mark the groundbreaking and to see<br />
construction in progress on site, the <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> team listened intently as people<br />
shared how Horatio’s Garden Northern<br />
Ireland is improving their lives.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> celebrate the opening<br />
of Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> has been the official charity<br />
partner of Horatio’s Garden Northern<br />
Ireland throughout the 2022/23 and<br />
2023/24 seasons, raising over £12,000 for<br />
the charity to date. All the money raised<br />
has been thanks to generous donations<br />
from supporters at the club’s matches,<br />
as well as staff, player, and supporters’<br />
clubs fundraising.<br />
The team’s incredible support has helped<br />
to bring Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland<br />
to life in the Spinal Cord Injuries Unit at<br />
Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast. The<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> community’s extraordinary<br />
generosity has also helped to ensure the<br />
garden can continue nurturing the wellbeing<br />
of hundreds of people affected by spinal<br />
injury from across the province.<br />
Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland first<br />
welcomed patients, their loved ones, and<br />
NHS staff in December 2023. To celebrate<br />
the opening of the garden, which has been<br />
designed by nine-time RHS Chelsea Gold<br />
Medal winning designer Andy Sturgeon,<br />
welcomed members of the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
team for a special visit marking the occasion.<br />
It was a pleasure to be joined in the garden by<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> President, Denis Gardiner and<br />
his wife Ruth, former <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> President,<br />
Philip Gregg and his wife Barbara, a former<br />
Occupational Therapist at the SCIU, Senior<br />
Men’s <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> players Rob Baloucoune<br />
and Sean Reffell, and Senior Women’s <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> player, Sophie Barrett.<br />
Together, the team enjoyed meeting<br />
beneficiaries, their families and friends, NHS<br />
staff, and the charity’s staff and volunteers,<br />
including Head Gardener, Matthew Lee<br />
and Garden Administrator, Sonya Priestly.<br />
Spending much of the afternoon in the<br />
warmth of the homely garden room, the<br />
team relished the chance to enjoy tea and<br />
homemade cake whilst getting to know<br />
everyone and learning more about the ways<br />
in which the garden is already changing<br />
people’s lives.<br />
Undeterred by the weather, the team joined<br />
Head Gardener Matthew for a tour of the<br />
horticultural haven, which is the seventh<br />
of the charity’s gardens to open in the UK.<br />
Matthew explained about the immense<br />
variety of plants thriving in the greenhouse<br />
and the garden therapy workshops he<br />
regularly holds with patients there. He talked<br />
more about one of his favourite introductory<br />
activities too, which involves inviting people<br />
to see which scents they can detect when<br />
smelling certain plants.<br />
Continuing the tour, Matthew introduced<br />
the team to the garden pods, a firm favourite<br />
with patients and their loved ones as a place<br />
to seek solace and privacy in the midst of an<br />
immensely challenging time. Making their<br />
way through the garden, everyone took a<br />
moment to admire the tranquil water feature,<br />
as well as the social space which doubles as<br />
a boccia court, enabling patients to play the<br />
Paralympic sport to support their mental<br />
and physical rehabilitation.<br />
They were also thrilled to see and hear<br />
more about the benefits of the creative<br />
workshops and garden therapy sessions<br />
run by the charity, with Sean and Rob<br />
experiencing both first-hand. Whilst Sean<br />
was keen to try a spot of painting alongside<br />
beneficiaries and NHS staff, Rob planted<br />
some seedlings under the expert guidance<br />
of Head Gardener Matthew, picking up<br />
some top tips for his houseplants at home<br />
along the way!<br />
Senior Men’s <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> player, Rob<br />
Baloucoune said: “We were on site here<br />
last year and it was pretty derelict. There<br />
was just grass and a digger when we got<br />
here. Over the course of this year, Horatio’s<br />
Garden has planned all this out and it looks<br />
amazing. It’s incredible and in the summer<br />
it’ll look unbelievable.”<br />
Could you support<br />
Senior Women’s <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> player, Sophie<br />
Barrett added: “We had Horatio’s Garden<br />
Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland?<br />
on our jersey last year, so I’m really proud<br />
to be here today and see everything.”<br />
Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden<br />
Northern Ireland, Matthew Lee said: “We’ve<br />
had a fantastic day welcoming the <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> team. It’s been absolutely fantastic<br />
to see them engaging with patients and it’s<br />
great to be able to show them first-hand<br />
the benefits of Horatio’s Garden.”<br />
Beneficiary of Horatio’s Garden Northern<br />
Ireland, Michael Scott said: “When I saw<br />
that <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> had become involved<br />
with Horatio’s Garden, I was personally<br />
quite touched. I think it’s great that<br />
they’re supporting the charity, because<br />
unfortunately there are spinal injuries that<br />
happen in rugby. Spinal injury doesn’t<br />
discriminate. It can happen to anybody at<br />
any age, so it’s brilliant to have Horatio’s<br />
Garden going forward for everybody.”<br />
With the afternoon full of hope and<br />
positivity, the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> team thanked<br />
everyone for their kindness and shared<br />
how much they had enjoyed exploring the<br />
garden and discovering the profoundly<br />
positive difference Horatio’s Garden<br />
Northern Ireland is already having on<br />
people’s lives. Patients, their loved ones,<br />
NHS staff, and the charity’s volunteers<br />
and staff all said how delighted they<br />
were to have met the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> team<br />
and we are very much looking forward<br />
to welcoming them back when the sun<br />
Opening this winter at<br />
Musgrave Park Hospital in<br />
Belfast, Horatio’s Garden<br />
Northern Ireland will<br />
nurture the wellbeing of<br />
people after spinal injury<br />
from across the province.<br />
Donate to <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>’s<br />
shines later this season.<br />
official charity partner<br />
2023/24 this Christmas<br />
at horatiosgarden.org.uk<br />
To find out more and support Horatio’s<br />
Garden Northern Ireland, please click below<br />
Horatio’s Garden is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered charity number 1151475/SC045386.<br />
Registered Office: Horatio’s Garden, 2 Throope Down Office, Blandford Road, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, SP5 4LN<br />
01722 326834 | horatiosgarden.org.uk | info@horatiosgarden.org.uk | @horatiosgarden<br />
59
FINALS AT KINGSPAN STADIUM<br />
THIS WEEKEND<br />
SAT 20 APR<br />
McCambley Cup Final, 2pm<br />
Ballymena 4XV<br />
v Ballynahinch 5XV<br />
Forster Cup Final, 4.30pm<br />
Ballymena 3XV<br />
v Ballynahinch 4XV<br />
Crawford Cup Final, 7pm<br />
Ballymoney 2XV<br />
v Ballyclare 2XV<br />
SUN 21 APR<br />
Under 14s Final, 12.15pm<br />
Ballymena/Cooke<br />
v Omagh<br />
Under 16s Final, 1.30pm<br />
Virginia<br />
v Malone<br />
Under 18s Final, 3pm<br />
Carrick/Larne/Malone/Ophir<br />
v Enniskillen<br />
ulster.rugby/buytickets<br />
61
PROUD TO BE OFFICIAL WATER<br />
& HYDRATION PARTNER OF<br />
ULSTER RUGBY<br />
Q&A<br />
Richie Murphy<br />
Favourite session to coach?<br />
Attack but love kicking<br />
Do you play or follow any other sports?<br />
Golf<br />
Three people (dead or alive) you would<br />
invite to a fantasy dinner party?<br />
Lady Gaga, Serge Blanco, Tiger Woods<br />
Favourite Movie?<br />
A Star is Born<br />
Any habits or rituals before a game?<br />
Not really<br />
Best concert you’ve ever been to?<br />
U2<br />
What are you most looking forward to<br />
about your first home game?<br />
Meeting the fans<br />
Favourite book?<br />
Golf is Not a Game of Perfect<br />
Favourite takeaway?<br />
Fish and Chips<br />
Early bird or Night owl?<br />
Night owl<br />
What are you most excited about in your<br />
new role?<br />
Develop players - take <strong>Ulster</strong> forward<br />
Do you have any nicknames?<br />
Richie!!!<br />
What’s top of your bucket list?<br />
Going to the Masters<br />
Highlight of career so far?<br />
The <strong>Ulster</strong> job<br />
Favourite player of all time?<br />
Serge Blanco<br />
WATCH FIRST INTERVIEW<br />
63
2023/24 2023/24 FIXTURES FIXTURES<br />
2023/24 FIXTURES<br />
From stadium<br />
We help partners like the <strong>URC</strong><br />
gain a competitive advantage<br />
using data-driven insights.<br />
to boardroom,<br />
We help business leaders<br />
identify and solve their<br />
toughest challenges<br />
the same way.<br />
A Zebre Parma Sat 21 Oct W 36-40 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Vodacom Bulls Sun 29 Oct W 26-19 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Connacht Sat 4 Nov L 22-20 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Munster Fri 10 Nov W 21-14 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Emirates Lions Fri 17 Nov W 24-17 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Glasgow Sat 25 Nov L 33-20 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Edinburgh Sat 2 Dec L 24-27 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Bath <strong>Rugby</strong> Sat 9 Dec L 37-14 ICC<br />
H Racing 92 Sat 16 Dec W 31-15 ICC<br />
H Connacht Fri 22 Dec W 20-19 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Leinster Mon 1 Jan W 21-22 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Toulouse Sat 13 Jan L 24-48 ICC<br />
data is game-changing.<br />
A Harlequins Sat 20 Jan L 47-19 ICC<br />
A Ospreys Sun 18 Feb L 19-17 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Dragons Sat 2 Mar W 49-26 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Hollywoodbets Sharks Sat 23 Mar L 22-12 <strong>URC</strong><br />
Let’s talk business goals. Hear from<br />
former Springbok Captain turned<br />
Elixirr Partner, Bob Skinstad.<br />
Visit elixirr.com/bob-skinstad<br />
A DHL Stormers Sat 30 Mar L 13-7 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Montpellier Sun 7 Apr W 17-40 CC<br />
A Clermont Sun 14 Apr L 53-14 CC<br />
H <strong>Cardiff</strong> Fri 19 Apr 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Benetton Fri 26 Apr 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Scarlets Sat 11 May 3.05pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
Artificial intelligence | Data | Digital | Innovation<br />
H Leinster Sat 18 May 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Munster Sat 1 Jun 5.15pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
65
Thank You!<br />
Access to<br />
3G Pitch and<br />
Kingspan Pass<br />
Challenge<br />
SPIRIT OF ‘99 THE 1924<br />
HEINEKEN<br />
QUARTER BAR<br />
CLUBHOUSE<br />
BAR<br />
CLUBHOUSE<br />
KITCHEN<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> wish to thank all of our sponsors<br />
and partners for their continued support.<br />
Main Sponsor<br />
PROMENADE 1<br />
PROMENADE 2<br />
ABBEY AUTOLINE<br />
FAMILY STAND<br />
RAVENHILL<br />
SUITE<br />
FAMILY TERRACE<br />
NEVIN SPENCE MEMORIAL TERRACE<br />
SCRUM<br />
BAR<br />
KUKRI<br />
SHOP<br />
LINEOUT<br />
BAR<br />
NEVIN SPENCE MEMORIAL STAND<br />
FAN ZONE /<br />
FOOD VILLAGE<br />
Kit Sponsor<br />
Official On-kit Sponsors<br />
EAST TERRACE<br />
BACKLINE<br />
BAR<br />
A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE<br />
CORPORATE BOXES<br />
Official Sponsors<br />
Catering<br />
The Food Village will be in operation,<br />
serving a variety of cuisines, while the<br />
Cool FM Crew will provide the soundtrack<br />
for the evening.<br />
All five public bars will also be in operation,<br />
with live entertainment in the Clubhouse Bar.<br />
Kukri Store<br />
The Kukri Store will be open from gates<br />
open, until 30 minutes after full-time.<br />
Game of Thrones Studio Tour<br />
Game of Thrones Studio Tour brings the<br />
iconic Iron Throne to Kingspan Stadium,<br />
all supporters will have their chance to get<br />
their photo taken sitting atop the throne,<br />
there will also be prize giveaways on the<br />
night for all supporters.<br />
Kingspan Stadium is now fully cashless,<br />
with all bars and catering outlets<br />
operating via card payments only.<br />
Domestic Sponsors<br />
Official Partners<br />
Live music will be available pre & post-match in the Clubhouse Bar<br />
Respect<br />
Policy<br />
Incident hotline<br />
07790<br />
200 200<br />
We are<br />
passionate in<br />
our support<br />
We are silent<br />
during kicks<br />
at goal<br />
We respect the<br />
match officials’<br />
decisions<br />
We drink<br />
responsibly<br />
We do not tolerate<br />
abusive or discriminatory<br />
language<br />
We respect opposition<br />
players, management<br />
& supporters<br />
We are mindful<br />
of our language<br />
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