BOI-Pre-Season-Friendly_ULSvBEN

Official Match Day Programme
ULSTER
v BENETTON
Sat 7 Sep 2024, 5pm
Kingspan Stadium

CONTENTS
06
President’s
Welcome
08
Get to Know
Sam Dodge
16
New Rugby
Laws
39
U18 Schools
Success
05
Match Day
Mascots
23
Half-Time
Exhibition Games
30
Pre-season
Gallery
43
Player Q&A
Aidan Morgan
10
Watch Our
Live Stream
24
Teams
ULS v BEN
34
Player Interview
Nathan Doak
46
Ulster Senior
Women
16
Ulster Senior
Squad
28
Players To Watch
Benetton
Inside a
Pre-Season
Game Week
3

MASCOTS
Name: Freddie Nutt
Age: 11
From: Castlerock
I cannot wait to run out onto the pitch
at Kingspan Stadium with my favourite
team, in front of my family.
I play mini rugby both at school and at
Coleriane RFC.
My favourite player is Nathan Doak. I
like him because he reads the game
well and is very athletic.
Name: Luke McGarry
Age: 10
From: Lurgan
I play mini rugby, both at school and
at Lurgan RFC.
I can’t wait to run out onto the pitch
on Saturday, just like my order brother
did previously.
My favourite player is John Cooney.
He is so fast and skillful!
5

Laurence Rocke
2024/25
Club President
Hi everyone and welcome to Kingspan Stadium
for our Bank of Ireland Pre-Season friendly
against Benetton this evening.
Today marks the first opportunity to see the
Ulstermen in action as they ramp up preparations
for the upcoming season.
The team showed it’s exciting potential at the
end of the season, going on a good run to secure
Champions Cup qualification.
Like many of our supporters, I am excited to see
how this group evolved under Richie Murphy,
who has a squad packed with experience and
young talent.
Last weekend, Kingspan Stadium hosted the
Vodafone Interprovincial Series finals day, where
our Ulster Senior Women’s side concluded their
campaign against Connacht in the third/fourth
place play-off.
Every match was very competitive and the team
showed fantastic grit in some thrilling comebacks,
such as the Round 2 match against Connacht,
clawing back to draw 25-25 at the death.
It’s been brilliant for us as a club to host three
Senior Women’s matches and various age-grade
matches. This brings us together as a rugby
community and is something that those involved
will cherish.
I want to congratulate all of our age-grade
teams for their efforts this summer. After the
disappointment of last summer’s results, this
summer has shown clear progression throughout
our age-grade teams. This is testament to the
work of the coaches at Ulster Rugby, coaches at
club and school level and the hard work of the
players in their preparations.
Although the result was disappointing, the team
showed great spirit throughout the game as a
red card had changed the match dramatically.
Overall, while it didn’t end the way we would have
hoped, this series has shown the clear progress
being made by the team and set-up.
It was fantastic for the morale of everyone at Ulster
Rugby to see our Ulster U18 Schools side lift the
PwC U18 Interprovincial Series. This was the first
time our schools side had won the interprovincial
series since 2017, a team that had the likes of
now Senior Men’s players, Nathan Doak and Tom
Stewart in the team.
Good performances at age-grade level will no
doubt help us massively with preparing our talent
for the future.
Laurence Rocke
President, IRFU Ulster Branch
7

Get to Know
SAM DODGE
We sat down with Ulster Rugby’s new
Head of Athletic Performance, Sam Dodge.
Dodge joins the province after his previous
position as Head of Strength & Power
at Adelaide Crows, who compete in the
Australian Football league.
Sam, welcome to Ulster Rugby! How have
you found settling into the club so far?
I’m really enjoying it so far, the team have
been great, the staff have been too and
everyone seems really excited to get back
in, which is always a really good sign.
Can you tell us a bit about your career
background before joining us?
I’ve just come off working in the AFL over
the last three years with the Adelaide
Crows as the Head of Strength & Power.
I was previously at Bristol Bears for five
years and have had stints with Welsh Rugby
across various national age grade and
women’s programmes. I’ve also worked in
Welsh Judo, Welsh Tennis and MMA – so I
have quite a diverse background!
The S&C team and Athletic Performance
teams, how closely do you work alongside
the coaching staff?
Because we are getting our conditioning
in as part of rugby training, we work very
closely. We meet before every training day
to look at the sessions in the week and try
to provide some guidance on the intensity
and durations of these.
We have specific physical demands we
want to get out of each session so the
rugby coaches are vital in designing drills
that allow us to achieve these while still
improving the players technical/tactical
progress. We have to be rugby centred
and try to integrate this in the programme
as much as possible.
What can you take from your experience
at Adelaide Crows into the role here at
Ulster?
I had no previous experience of the AFL
and I was really fortunate to work under a
great High Performance Manager in Darren
Burgess, he was vastly experienced across
both EPL & AFL football and seeing how
he operated, you pick up a few pieces.
A big thing was learning to take my
philosophy into a different sport, they have
similarities but have completely different
needs. I had to go back to the drawing
board, re-design my programme to meet
the needs of that game.
Because of the length of the rugby season,
how important is that baseline fitness
that is built during the pre-season?
It’s more important than ever now with
the rugby seasons getting even longer.
A lot of it will come down to how well
players can maintain themselves during
the season, you are very rarely off,
especially the international players. I think
the guys now need to be well prepared all
year round and the best way to do that is
develop those qualities and maintain them
with training consistently and developing
as the season goes on.
What is key to getting the best out of our
players conditioning?
No one person is the same, so the big thing
for me over the next weeks and months
is getting to know the boys, finding out
what motivates and drives them and find
out what they think they can work on, how
they can contribute to that and how they
go about it.
We have a lot of talent in the squad, some
young lads, some senior players, so it will
be a case of tailoring the programme to
make them better, but we have to make
sure they are engaged, are enjoying the
programme, growing in the programme
and feel like they are being listened to in
that – if you get those things right, you
are onto a good start.
9

WATCH OUR
LIVE STREAM
CLICK HERE
ulster.rugby/seasontickets
11

additions have been made to the playing
group, just as some fine servants of the
club have departed. The clear message
is that, with all but one of the 43-strong
squad qualified for Ireland, development
of native talent is a priority.
the opening shots are fired in the URC in a
fortnight.
TASTY ITALIANS
ARE PERFECT
SEASON APPETISER
Hope springs eternal, and in no area of life is
that more true than in our sporting passions.
This late Saturday afternoon in September,
Ulster’s rugby players, management and,
most important perhaps, supporters will
embark on another lengthy campaign with
a friendly encounter at Kingspan Stadium.
The opposition comes from Benetton, a club
whose stock has risen quite steeply in recent
seasons, and which is now a consistent force
in the BKT United Rugby Championship
and in European competition.
Skipper Iain Henderson is working hard on
his rehab from another frustrating injury to
be ready for the start of the competitive
season at the end of the month, when he will
hopefully join Ulster’s contingent who toured
South Africa with Ireland during the summer.
For Ulster, as always, there are expectations
anew, ambitions for the season reset and
refreshed from the break we can laughingly
call summer, the terraces and seats at
Ravenhill will be populated by some of the
most loyal and vociferous fans in the game.
Richie Murphy will have had his first preseason
as Head Coach after his position
was made permanent as he steadied the
playing ship at a turbulent stage of last
season. His coaching credentials are proven
at the highest level, an important cog in
the senior international set-up under Joe
Schmidt and a superb record with younger
talent, particularly his all-conquering
Ireland Under 20 teams.
He has faced up to many challenges in the
playing group, just as Hugh McCaughey
has brought an admirable authority and
stability to the Chief Executive role which
he too accepted on an interim basis earlier
this year and which he has now reassuringly
said he will fulfil until at least 2025.
Murphy and McCaughey are rugby people
but with particular and exemplary skills in
their respective jobs, and they will work in
tandem to navigate the Ulster team of today
towards a successful and winning future.
Each knows the constraints, financial
and others, which must be faced and the
innovations and imagination in playing
performance and in administration needed
to secure Ulster’s future.
The competitive season for Ulster begins
in two weeks with a testing opening
URC encounter with reigning champions
Glasgow Warriors, but the preparation the
coaching group and playing squad has
undertaken in the last two months ensures
the side will be confident in its thinking and
its collective purpose. Then follows two
weeks in South Africa where the Lions and
Bulls await, and a full October schedule
means we will all have an early idea of the
team’s prospects this season.
Those prospects are exciting as new, young
So too is the aim to perform with an identity
that is clearly, compellingly, Ulster. To have
playing principles which chime with the
Ravenhill faithful and beyond.
Murphy has at his disposal quality in all
areas of the team and to have, for instance,
Henderson, McCloskey, Stockdale, Hume,
Cooney, Doak, Herring, Izuchukwu,
Treadwell and Timoney in the panel provides
a template for what can be achieved.
The arrival from New Zealand of Hurricanes’
out-half Aidan Morgan deepens the
contest at No.10 where Jake Flannery,
James Humphreys and Jack Murphy will
be amongst the challengers to the young
Irish-qualified Kiwi.
Werner Kok comes to Belfast fresh from
European Challenge Cup success with the
Sharks in May, and the 31-year-old winger and
former World Sevens Player of the Year will
bring experience and versatility to the pool.
‘Building from within’ has been the mantra
from the Ulster training group, and the club
is not just looking for short-term ‘fixes’ but
is open to new ideas and approaches. And
patience.
An interesting addition to the squad for
the first few months is Zac Ward, hugely
excellent successful in the Ireland Sevens
set-up, and from Ulster Rugby stock. He
is returning to the 15-a-side format as a
powerful wing, and he could be the club’s
great bonus in the next nine months.
His brother Bryn is being carefully nurtured
in the Academy so former Ulster captain
and Ireland backrower Andy will be hoping
his sons can help emulate his feats in an
Ulster shirt.
This evening’s run-out against Benetton
will allow the coaching staff to take a more
detailed look at several players, impressions
in rigorous training weeks hopefully
confirmed. The Italian visitors are anxious
to build on the clear improvements in
performance and consistency and have now
a settled and experienced squad determined
to maintain its upward trajectory.
Both Head Coaches will possibly shuffle
their line-ups over the 80 minutes on the
3G surface, and that might offer some
intriguing insights for the crowd into the
threats and strengths of each side once
With its battery of Italian internationals as
that nation’s standing increases, and under
the steady, experienced guidance of a Head
Coach with his own outstanding reputation,
Benetton is a genuine contender for honours.
Where once there was a debate about the
Italian presence in the swiftly created URC
now there is no argument about Benetton’s
right to line out against Leinster, Munster,
Glasgow and the so-called elite members
of the URC.
Marco Bartolami has forged a more
disciplined squad, giving a gifted squad of
players carefully assembled in recent years
the scope to express its natural attacking
flair but which recognises the areas of the
pitch where pragmatism, physicality and
technique are necessary.
The back division, which already boasts
the Six Nations Player of the Year in centre
Thomas Menoncello, has added Louis Lynagh
who has arrived via Harlequins, while Bath’s
Matt Gallagher has signed from Bath and has
already been capped by Italy. That country’s
dynamic captain and flanker Michele Lamaro
has an upgrade in almost every position in the
pack, but it’s on locks Eli Snyman and Niccolo
Cannone he’ll rely for setpiece authority and
ball-winning out of touch.
Saturday evening at Ravenhill Park, especially
if the weather is as balmy as promised,
should encourage both sides to express
themselves. While the result will not really
be an important guide to the competitive
campaigns it should offer a glimpse of
the youthful route upon Ulster is travelling
and provide evidence of the rugby incline
Benetton is relishing to climb further.
A home win would be a real plus in lifting
spirits for the battles still to come, but it will
probably be the gathering together with
high hopes and in good spirits outside the
arena which will colourfully, loudly launch
another Ulster season.
Now under new management.
13

ulsterrugbyshop.com
15

World Rugby Introduces Law Changes
to Professional and Domestic Game
World Rugby has introduced Law changes
to the game, effective from July 1 and
will be implemented immediately ahead
of the start of the 2024/25 season, across
both domestic and professional rugby.
As the new season approaches, it is
important that all players, coaches, and
club members are aware of the three new
Law changes that have come into effect
for rugby at all levels in Ireland.
The Law changes are designed to make
the game both safer and more enjoyable
for participants and spectators.
The changes are detailed below, and Irish
Rugby has created a micro learning module
to help further people’s understanding of
the new adaptations. As part of this module,
you will have access to video examples
of all the Law changes and knowledge
checks to clarify understanding.
1. No Croc Rolls
Rationale: To reduce dangerous clearouts
which could injure lower limbs.
Definition of Croc Roll: A prohibited
action where a player laterally rolls/twists
or pulls a player, who is on their feet in the
tackle area, to ground. The action often
lands on the player’s lower limbs.
2. No Scrum Option From A Free-Kick
Rationale: To reduce the amount of
scrums/reset scrums.
3. Offside In Front Of Kicker
Rationale: To allow more space for
counterattack.
Players must actively retreat away from the
receiver after their team kicks possession
to the opposition.
If interested in becoming a Referee, please contact:
Richard Kerr
Referee Development Manager
richard.kerr@irfu.ie | 07493 868 388
U.S.R.F.R

Hooker
26/05/1993
180cm
104kg
121
-
John
Andrew
ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
Wing
19/08/1997
193cm
96kg
69
4
Rob
Baloucoune
Centre
24/02/2002
183cm
98kg
1
-
Ben
Carson
Scrum Half
01/05/1990
178cm
86kg
141
11
John
Cooney
Back Row
28/01/2002
188cm
102kg
5
-
Reuben
Crothers
Scrum Half
17/12/2001
185cm
86kg
67
-
Nathan
Doak
Fly Half
07/06/1999
183cm
93kg
15
-
Jake
Flannery
Lock
21/02/1992
199cm
119kg
152
81
Iain
Henderson
Back Row
28/01/2002
188cm
102kg
5
-
Reuben
Crothers
Hooker
27/04/1990
185cm
106kg
241
40
Reuben
Crothers
Rob
Herring
Centre
07/09/1998
188cm
100kg
95
3
James
Hume
Fly Half
14/11/2001
185cm
83kg
-
-
James
Humphreys
Lock
28/01/2000
201cm
118kg
29
-
Cormac
Izuchukwu
Wing
17/01/1993
180cm
96kg
-
Reuben
Crothers
Werner
Kok
Full Back
20/08/1998
170cm
78kg
103
1
Mike
Lowry
Back Row
13/06/2000
193cm
110kg
46
-
David
McCann
Centre
06/08/1992
193cm
112kg
190
18
Stuart
McCloskey
Hooker
08/01/2002
183cm
107kg
-
-
James
McCormick
Scrum Half
24/06/1999
178cm
87kg
-
-
Michael
McDonald
Back Row
28/02/2003
194cm
116kg
-
-
James
McNabney
Scrum Half
20/03/2001
183cm
86kg
-
-
Conor
McKee
Wing
10/08/2000
188cm
90kg
63
-
Ethan
McIlroy
Scrum Half
03/04/2002
189cm
109kg
-
-
Lorcan
McLoughlin
Prop
01/03/1991
178cm
124kg
94
10
Marty
Moore
Utility Back
08/08/1999
184cm
93kg
67
-
Stewart
Moore
Wing
09/06/2001
191cm
101kg
31
-
Ben
Moxham
Fly Half
07/06/2001
172cm
82kg
-
-
Aidan
Morgan
Lock
10/09/1992
196cm
115kg
196
-
Alan
O’Connor
Prop
30/11/1995
183cm
118kg
115
1
Eric
O’Sullivan
Centre
03/04/2002
193cm
106kg
12
-
Jude
Postlethwaite
Prop
23/09/1998
184cm
120kg
106
13
Tom
O’Toole
Back Row
08/09/1997
188cm
110kg
47
-
Marcus
Rea
Back Row
21/09/1993
193cm
114kg
100
-
Matty
Rea
19

ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
Utility Back
11/12/1998
191cm
101kg
-
-
Zac
Ward
Prop
06/01/1999
183cm
116.5kg
18
-
Callum
Reid
Back Row
04/11/1998
180cm
102kg
8
-
Sean
Reffell
Wing
24/08/2000
188cm
95kg
10
-
Aaron
Sexton
Scrum Half
20/06/1993
175cm
77kg
92
-
Dave
Shanahan
Back Row
21/09/2001
195cm
121kg
28
-
Reuben
Crothers
Harry
Sheridan
Hooker
11/01/2001
183cm
105kg
46
2
Tom
Stewart
Wing
03/04/1996
191cm
104kg
120
37
Jacob
Stockdale
Back Row
01/08/1995
188cm
112kg
146
3
Nick
Timoney
Lock
06/11/1995
198cm
118kg
157
11
Reuben
Crothers
Kieran
Treadwell
Prop
12/03/1991
178cm
115kg
192
-
Andrew
Warwick
Prop
01/05/2003
187cm
117kg
-
Jack
Boal
Prop
10/07/2004
186cm
114kg
-
Jacob
Boyd
Back Row
26/06/2004
189cm
111kg
-
Tom
Brigg
Prop
17/12/2003
190cm
127kg
-
Cameron
Doak
Wing /Fullback
27/04/2004
181cm
88kg
-
Ethan
Graham
Lock
16/03/2004
201cm
115kg
1
Joe
Hopes
Lock
28/01/2003
203cm
117kg
-
Charlie
Irvine
Wing /Fullback
08/09/2004
185cm
100kg
-
Lucas
Kenny
Hooker
17/06/2004
177cm
100kg
1
Zac
Solomon
Hooker
01/01/2003
187cm
105kg
-
Henry
Walker
Wing /Fullback
04/10/2004
174cm
77kg
-
Ben
McFarlane
Back Row
14/12/2004
178cm
101kg
-
Josh
Stevens
Wing /Fullback
29/08/2003
184cm
90kg
-
Rory
Telfer
Centre
16/01/2004
183cm
93kg
-
Sam
Berman
Centre
16/08/2004
180cm
90kg
-
Wilhelm
De Klerk
Scrum Half
11/08/2005
176cm
78kg
-
Clark
Logan
Back Row
15/12/2004
197cm
112kg
-
James
McKillop
Fly Half
15/07/2004
177cm
83kg
-
Jack
Murphy
Centre
15/08/2005
191cm
99kg
-
Jonny
Scott
Back Row
17/07/2004
185cm
115kg
-
Bryn
Ward
ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY
21

Half-Time
Exhibition Games
NEVIN SPENCE MEMORIAL STAND END ABBEYAUTOLINE FAMILY STAND END
City of Derry
Kit: Green/Black
1 Jack Harvey
2 Aodhan McCallion
3 Harry McClelland
4 Bethany Megarrell
5 Noah Kennedy
6 Jacob Kernohan
7 Scott Hanna
8 Tom Mackey
9 Cian McNay
10 Will Baldrick
11 Alfie Baldrick
12 Zara Devenney
Instonians
Kit: Black/Purple/Yellow
1 Finn Clarke
2 Will Jones
3 Sebastian Parsons
4 Ben Heatlie
5 Ethan Rowan
6 Caleb Milligan
7 Archie Maxwell
8 Louis McIlroy
9 Jacob Sloan
10 Ben Carson
11 Cameron MacLaughlin
12 Jack Langsford
Donaghadee
Kit: Green/Red
1 Cian Blewitt
2 Carter Perry
3 MacDonald Wilkinson
4 Hugo McClure
5 Harry Galt
6 Ailbe Noone
7 Adam Aiston
8 Cian Duffy
9 Sam Robinson
10 Drew Orr
11 Christopher Cairns
12 Ted Monson
Donegal
Kit: Red/White
1 Matthew McNulty
2 Jamie Henderson
3 Alex Murphy
4 Adam McCaughan
5 Utlan James
6 Jasmin Melly
7 Finn Donohue
8 Cian McMonagle
9 Saoirse O’Sullivan
10 Oisin Cooke
11 Noah Shovlin
12 Keelan O’Donnell
23

1
2
3
1
2
1
Eric O’SULLIVAN
John ANDREW
Corrie BARRETT
Destiny AMINU
Siua MAILE
Riccardo GENOVESE
4
5
4
5
Harry SHERIDAN
Kieran TREADWELL
Scott SCRAFTON
Riccardo FAVRETTO
6
8
7
6
8
7
James McNABNEY
David McCANN
Sean REFFELL
Giulio MARINI
Toa HALAFIHI
Matteo RUBINATO
9
9
Nathan DOAK
Andy UREN
10
10
11
Aidan MORGAN
11
Giuliano AVACA
Aaron SEXTON
12
Onisi RATAVE
12
Jude POSTLETHWAITE
Filippo DRAGO
C
Replacements
Replacements
James McCORMICK
Callum REID
Scott WILSON
Alan O’CONNOR
Marcus REA
Conor McKEE
James HUMPHREYS
Ben CARSON
Henry WALKER
Charlie IRVINE
James McKILLOP
Tom BRIGG
David SHANAHAN
Zac WARD
Jack MURPHY
15
Mike LOWRY
13
Stewart MOORE
14
C
Rory TELFER
Enzo AVACA
Vittorio PADOAN
Tiziano PASQUALI
Mattia MIDENA
Eli SNYMAN
Nelson CASARTELLI
Simon KOROIYADI
Nicolò CASILIO
Leonardo MARIN
Dewi PASSARELLA
Federico PISANI
Nicholas GASPERINI
Marcos GALLORINI
Lorenzo CASILIO
Marco ZANON
15
Rhyno SMITH
13
Federico ZANANDREA
14
Marco SCALABRIN
Referee: Chris Busby, Assistant Refs: Keane Davison & Christopher Lough
25

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27

BENETTON
NAME POSITION DOB HEIGHT WEIGHT
Giosué ZILOCCHI Prop 15/01/1997 1.89 m 115 kg
Ivan NEMER Prop 22/04/1998 1.80 m 117 kg
Mirco SPAGNOLO Prop 02/01/2001 1.86 m 110 kg
Last season Benetton secured
seventh place in the BKT URC, before
being knocked out of the competition
at the Quarter-Final stage by Vodacom
Bulls (30-23).
Benetton maintained a compeitive
edge throughout the competition and
had the best discipline of all 16 teams
competing.
Rhyno Smith is a top-quality utility back,
playing at full-back this weekend, but also
capable of playing at fly-half or on the
wing.
Smith has is known for his speed, handlingskills
and fast footwork.
With plenty of experience behind him,
Smith has played for the Toyota Cheetahs
from the 2018/2019 season to the current
one, scoring 10 tries in 17 appearances.
Smith has also been part of the Durban
Sharks and the Lions.
Ulster fans might remember a last minute
Rhyno Smith penalty in Jan 2023, giving the
Italians a narrow victory in Treviso.
Head Coach Marco Bortolami boasts a
number of Italian internationals in his
squad as well as new additions to the
team such as Louis Lynagh and Matt
Gallagher, who joined from Harlequins
and Bath respectively.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Nahuel TETAZ CHAPARRO Prop 06/11/1989 1.86 m 121 kg
Riccardo GENOVESE Prop 13/04/2002 1.89 m 126 kg
Simone FERRARI Prop 28/03/1994 1.86 m 120 kg
Thomas GALLO Prop 30/04/1999 1.77 m 107 kg
Tiziano PASQUALI Prop 14/07/1994 1.85 m 118 kg
Bautista BERNASCONI Hooker 14/09/2001 1.75 m 114 kg
Marco MANFREDI Hooker 18/09/1997 1.83 m 110 kg
Siua MAILE Hooker 18/02/1997 1.81 m 113 kg
Edoardo IACHIZZI Lock 26/05/1998 1.96 m 112 kg
Eli SNYMAN Lock 25/01/1996 2.01 m 119 kg
Federico RUZZA Lock 04/08/1994 1.98 m 110 kg
Gideon KOEGELENBERG Lock 25/11/1994 2.02 m 124 kg
Niccolò CANNONE Lock 17/05/1998 1.97 m 121 kg
Riccardo FAVRETTO Lock 18/10/2001 2.00 m 108 kg
Scott SCRAFTON Lock 18/04/1993 2.00 m 120 kg
Alessandro IZEKOR Back row 05/03/2000 1.96 m 110 kg
Lorenzo CANNONE Back row 28/01/2001 1.90 m 106 kg
Manuel ZULIANI Back row 26/04/2000 1.88 m 111 kg
Michele LAMARO Back row 03/06/1998 1.88 m 103 kg
Seb NEGRI Back row 30/06/1994 1.94 m 111 kg
Toa HALAFIHI Back row 27/11/1993 1.85 m 110 kg
Alessandro GARBISI Scrum-half 11/04/2002 1.74 m 88 kg
Andy UREN Scrum-half 20/02/1996 1.78 m 93 kg
Lautaro BAZÁN VÉLEZ Scrum-half 24/02/1996 1.73 m 82 kg
APR 2024
ULS 38
BEN 34
OCT 2023
BEN 24
ULS 22
JAN 2023
BEN 31
ULS 29
Nicolò CASILIO Scrum-half 12/10/1998 1.80 m 85 kg
Jacob UMAGA Fly-half 08/07/1998 1.82 m 91 kg
Leonardo MARIN Fly-half 23/02/2002 1.88 m 88 kg
Tomás ALBORNOZ Fly-half 17/09/1997 1.77 m 82 kg
At just 22 years of age, tonight’s Captain, Filippo
Drago is a very skilled centre, both in the offensive
and defensive phase.
Having played for the U17, U18 and U20 Italian
National Teams. He was later called into the
Italian A and Emerging Italian sides
In the TOP 10 2020/2021 he played 13 games,
scoring three tries and maintaining an important
level of performance for a young man of his age.
Although still young, Drago packs-a-punch and
96kg is a sizable presence on the pitch
Filippo DRAGO Centre 24/12/2001 1.86 m 96 kg
Ignacio BREX Centre 26/05/1992 1.89 m 99 kg
Malakai FEKITOA Centre 10/05/1992 1.87 m 100 kg
Marco ZANON Centre 03/10/1997 1.88 m 97 kg
Tommaso MENONCELLO Centre 20/08/2002 1.87 m 101 kg
Ignacio MENDY Winger 29/06/2000 1.87 m 90 kg
Louis LYNAGH Winger 03/12/2000 1.80 m 96 kg
Onisi RATAVE Winger 06/06/1992 1.79 m 100 kg
Paolo ODOGWU Winger 18/02/1997 1.75 m 100 kg
Matt GALLAGHER Fullback 26/10/1996 1.85 m 96 kg
Rhyno SMITH Fullback 11/02/1993 1.73 m 83 kg
29

PRE-SEASON
31

33

Nathan Doak
Scrum Half
17/12/2001
185cm
86kg
67
How was your summer?
It was great! Good to get the time off, but then I got the call
halfway through that I was called up to the Ireland squad, which
was class. I headed over to South Africa, got to be around the
team and it was a great experience for me.
What did you learn from that camp in South Africa?
I feel I learned a lot about staying calm under pressure, the guys
were great with me coming in as I was a bit nervous but I got to
know people and the group made me feel at home right away.
Just watching how they went about their day was class
and the amount of detail they went into was something
that I took away.
Pre-season kicking off this Saturday, how much are you
looking forward to playing at home again?
This is where we train, do our work. With family and friends
there you want to show them what you have been working
on. It’s a great feeling and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully
we can entertain them!
What can this team achieve?
There will be challenges like any team faces in a season but as
a group we stuck together very well last year and want to do
the same this year. We can produce good performances
and we want to do it more consistently we could put
ourselves into a good position.
You feel a better player off the back of the
experience?
Definitely, being in there was great and its where
you want to be at the highest level. It’s gave me
more hunger to push on this year and try to get
in there. It’s also gave me a bit of confidence.
It meant the world to get the call-up.
You were straight into pre-season after it,
how has training been?
It’s been tough, we had another fitness test
yesterday! We have trained well, a few new
faces, it’s been refreshing and people have
been enjoying themselves. We feel good
about our rugby and are looking forward to
the season, where we can see where we at.
Do you feel the positive momentum from last
season going into the new campaign?
Definitely, we are going into training with a smile on our face
everyday. You have to enjoy it because that’s when you do
your best work. The environment is great.
How has it been training alongside Aidan Morgan at ten?
It’s something new for me as well! I’d obviously played with
Billy (Burns) for years, so I haven’t really had much of a
change at fly-half, but getting to know him off the pitch
he’s a great lad and a great footballer. He’s exciting and
I’m looking forward to playing with him. If he’s anything
like he is in training, he’ll be fantastic.
Is there a kicking competition between you and
John Cooney this season?
Well last season we had a competition between
us but I didn’t get taken out for dinner. I won
the league but he won overall… not what was
agreed though!
He has made a nine-hole kicking course
so we are going to video that and we’ll do
something similar this year. We push each
other, competition brings out the best in both,
so no doubt it will be the same this year.
We had some brilliant news about
our U18 Schools team winning their
interprovincial series…the last team to
have won that was in 2017 and of course
you were part of that team!
What’s your message to this year’s team and when
you look back, how special is that experience?
That was my first ever trophy playing rugby, so it’s definitely
special and it gives you great memories.
We chatted about it this week about how many boys that
were in that team are in the senior team now. Not to forget
anyone but we had David McCann, Ethan McIlroy, Aaron
Sexton and Tom Stewart – we had a great bunch and we
all knew at that age that the dream was to come through
to play for Ulster.
I actually coached a few of those boys in the squad
and they have a very bright future ahead of them, so
congratulations to everyone. It shows you what can
happen!
35

Spot the Difference
Can you spot the 5 differences?
Answers: Ethan’s sock. Ethan’s watch. Kingspan is colour. Stewart’s sunglasses. Lawnmower.
37

Ulster U18 Schools Win PwC U18 Schools
Interprovincial Series
In a remarkable achievement, the Ulster
U18 Schools team recently clinched the
PwC U18 Schools Interprovincial Series
title, marking their first victory in seven
years. The young squad showcased their
talent and determination throughout
the campaign, securing four wins in four
matches against their provincial rivals.
The Ulster boys kicked off their journey with
an impressive 28-15 victory over Munster
Schools in Cork. They then returned home
to Kingspan Stadium, where they edged
out Leinster Schools 34-31 in a thrilling
encounter. This victory held particular
significance as it marked the first time Ulster
had defeated Leinster Schools since 2017.
a closely contested match, Ulster emerged
victorious with a 29-24 scoreline, securing
the Interprovincial Series trophy.
This triumph is a testament to the hard
work, dedication, and skill of the Ulster
U18 Schools players and coaching staff. It
is a proud moment for the province, as this
generation of young rugby talent continues
to make their mark on the Irish rugby scene.
Building on their momentum, Ulster hosted
Munster at Newforge Sports Complex,
securing a 27-19 win. They concluded their
campaign in Dublin at Energia Park, where
they once again faced Leinster Schools. In
39

GUESS WHO?
Can you name the 4 players?
Top - Bottom: Jacob Stockdale, Iain Henderson, Sean Reffell, John Andrew
41

PROUD TO BE OFFICIAL WATER
& HYDRATION PARTNER OF
ULSTER RUGBY
Q&A
Your favourite cheat day meal?
I like a good pizza.
Your favourite training drill?
Anything with the ball, I think any attack
drill, Richie has a few good ones.
Your least favourite?
Anything in the breakdown where the
backs have to get involved with the
forwards work!
Who is your favourite number 10 ever?
Growing up it was always Dan Carter,
being a kiwi boy.
If you weren’t a rugby player what
would you be?
I’m actually trying to finish my business
degree at the moment, I love sports so
being involved in some sort of sporting
organisation would be great.
Favourite thing about Belfast so far?
Plenty of nice cafes and restaurants in
Belfast, so that’s something that I’m keen
on trying more of. There’s also a few
good bars the team have told me about.
If you were trapped in a lift with a
teammate, who would it be and why?
I think Stewart Moore, he would provide a
lot of good chat.
Your favourite music artist?
Maybe J.Cole
Finally, who is your biggest role model
and why?
I’d say I look up to my mum and dad, for
the way they raised me and the values
they taught me.
Favourite TV show?
Prison Break
43

Send My Bag delivers on
new partnership with Ulster Rugby
An industry leader in shipping services,
Send My Bag has signed a five-year
contract to feature on the sleeve of the
club’s Senior Men’s home and away kits
from the 2024/25 season onwards.
Launched in 2006 to help university
students move between Northern Ireland
and Great Britain, Send My Bag now
provides relocation and personal-effects
shipping services to customers in over 80
countries every month.
The local company provides service users,
at home and abroad, with 24-hour support
from their newly-constructed headquarters
in Bangor.
On the new partnership, Send My Bag
Founder and CEO, Adam Ewart, said:
“As we approach twenty years of Send My
Bag, we are seeking to develop sporting
sponsorships with ambitious teams and
athletes globally, who have the potential to
lift international trophies, and to support
organisations that have a positive impact
in Northern Ireland.
future for the club, and we’re delighted to
support their efforts with a sponsorship
commitment that will take us through to
the 2028/29 season.”
Ulster Rugby Business Development
Manager, Glenda Willett, added:
“We are thrilled that local business, Send
My Bag, has chosen to sign-on with Ulster
Rugby for the coming five seasons.
“When the professional team run out on
the pitch at home games at Kingspan
Stadium, and around the world as they
compete for silverware in the United Rugby
Championship and Champions Cup, our
newest partner can be confident in their
brand reaching target audiences in the
province and beyond.
“As the on-sleeve sponsor for the Senior
Men’s playing kits, we look forward to seeing
the new Castore home and away playing
kits, featuring the Send My Bag logo.”
“Ulster Rugby is a unique sporting institution
in the province that means a lot to a great
many people. It’s clear to us how everyone at
Ulster Rugby is working to deliver a winning
45

Ulster Senior Women’s Result Round-Up
Ulster’s Senior Women concluded their
Vodafone Interprovincial Series losing out
to Connacht in the third/ fourth place playoff
match at Kingspan Stadium.
It brings to an end a campaign that showed
a clear progression in performance from
previous years.
Murray Houston’s side welcomed back
some influential players to the fold, with
inspirational captain, Kathryn Dane, returning
to competitive action only two years after
suffering a brain haemorrhage.
To add the cherry on top, Dane was then
selected for the Barbarians invitational squad,
becoming the first female Ulster player to
have done so.
Round 1 saw a spirited display from Ulster,
securing two bonus points in a narrow 29-22
defeat to Munster at Virgin Media Park.
Tries from debutant Tara O’Neill, Brittany
Hogan and Lucy Thompson helped claw
Ulster back in an impressive second half
display after being 22-5 down at half-time.
Round 2 saw Ulster welcome Connacht to
Kingspan Stadium, with both team aiming
for their first wins of the competition.
Connacht made the stronger start to the contest,
leading at half-time and adding another try
quickly after the restart to go into a 17-6 lead.
Ulster produced another gritty second half
performance to claw back the deficit. A
stunning try from Lucy Thompson on the
right wing immediately gave the team a burst
of belief. The team kept going and added two
last-gasp tries from India Daley and Stacey
Sloan gave Vicky Irwin the opportunity to kick
Ulster level with seconds left on the clock.
The stunning comeback left the scoreline
level at full-time, with both sides settling for
a 25-25 draw.
Round 3 saw the reigning champions, Leinster
Rugby, come to Kingspan Stadium for a
place in the play-off final. Despite the team’s
best efforts, Leinster proved too strong
in the second half and pulled away from a
competitive first half in Belfast. Ulster’s vicecaptain,
Brittany Hogan, scored both tries for
the province.
That result left Ulster in a third/fourth place
play-off match against Connacht for the
Vodafone Interprovincial Finals Day at
Kingspan Stadium.
After a strong start to the play-off from
both teams with Sophie Barrett scoring a
try for the home side, the match changed
dramatically when Brittany Hogan was
shown a red card for a dangerous tackle.
Lucinda Kinghan was also shown a yellow
card, which reduced the team to 13 players
on the stroke of half-time.
Enjoy the
big match
in style
ulster.rugby/hospitality
A valiant second half effort, which saw two
excellent tries from Abby Moyles had levelled
the scoreline at 19-19, however Connacht
were able to score two tries and pull clear in
the contest. The final score was 33-19 and that
brought the campaign to a disappointing
end, however there were a lot of positive
performances to take as Ulster’s Senior
Women continue to show progression.
47

2024/25 HOME FIXTURES
H Benetton Sat 7 Sep 5.00pm Friendly
A Exeter Chiefs Sat 14 Sep 5.00pm Friendly
H Glasgow Warriors Sat 21 Sep 7.45pm URC
A Emirates Lions Sat 28 Sep 11.55am URC
A Vodacom Bulls Sat 5 Oct 3.00pm URC
H Connacht Sat 12 Oct 8.00pm URC
H Ospreys Fri 18 Oct 7.35pm URC
A Cardiff Sat 26 Oct 7.35pm URC
H Leinster Fri 29 Nov 7.35pm URC
A Stade Toulousain Sun 8 Dec 3.15pm ICC
H Union Bordeaux Bègles Sat 14 Dec 3.15pm ICC
H Munster Fri 20 Dec 7.35pm URC
A Connacht Sat 28 Dec 7.35pm URC
A Leicester Tigers Sat 11 Jan 8.00pm ICC
H Exeter Chiefs Fri 17 Jan 8.00pm ICC
H Zebre Parma Sun 26 Jan 5.30pm URC
H Queensland Reds Fri 7 Feb 7.35pm Friendly
A Benetton Sat 15 Feb 5.15pm URC
H Scarlets Sat 1 Mar 5.15pm URC
A Dragons Sat 22 Mar 5.15pm URC
H DHL Stormers Fri 28 Mar 7.35pm URC
A Leinster Sat 19 Apr 7.35pm URC
H HollywoodBets Sharks Sat 26 Apr 7.35pm URC
A Munster Fri 9 May 7.35pm URC
A Edinburgh Fri 16 May 7.35pm URC
Friendlies
supported by
*UK/IRE Time
49

Thank You!
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
CASTORE
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
Official Sponsors
CORPORATE BOXES
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.
Castore Shop
The Castore Shop will be open from gates
open, until 30 minutes after full-time.
Audio
Audio descriptive match commentary to
enhance the match experience for people
affected by sight or hearing loss will be
available.
Earpieces can be collected from the admin
building reception prior to the game, or
you can book your equipment by calling
on (028) 9049 3222.
Kingspan Stadium is now fully cashless,
with all bars and catering outlets
operating via card payments only.
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
51

ulster.rugby