BKT-URC_Match-Programme-Ulster-v-ZebreParma

Official Match Day Programme
ULSTER
v ZEBRE
PARMA
Sun 26 Jan, 5.30pm
Kingspan Stadium

CONTENTS
04 Kingspan
Welcome
05 Mascots
07 President’s
Welcome
11 Remembering
Peter Leathem
12
Last Time Out
Ulster v Exeter
11
20
16
Danske Bank
Schools’ Cup
#evYuMr
20 Referees’
Corner
31 Half-Time
Exhibition Games
40
34 Teams
38 Zebre
Players to Watch
40
Training Gallery
42
Youngsters in a
League of Their
Own
PROUD TITLE SPONSOR OF THE
BKT UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
58
46
John Cooney
Interview
52
Enniskillen Soar
To AIL Final
58
Jake Flannery
Q&A
3

MASCOTS
Name: Harry Gillespie
Age: 11
From: Saintfield
I am a huge Ulster fan, and so I am very
excited to be their mascot this week!
I play mini rugby both at school and for
my club, Ballynahinch.
My favourite player is Cormac Izuchukwu.
He’s a bright, young talent... and also
plays for Ballynahinch RFC.
KINGSPAN WELCOME
Welcome to Kingspan Stadium for an
exciting Sunday of rugby action! We’re
set for a thrilling BKT United Rugby
Championship Round 10 clash as Ulster
takes on Zebre Parma.
Ulster enters this crucial URC fixture eager
to climb the league table and secure a
play-off position. A win today could be
pivotal in that quest.
Our visitors, Zebre Parma, may be lower
in the standings, but they’ve shown they
can surprise top teams, as evidenced by
their early-season victory over Munster.
The Italians will be looking to replicate
that form and challenge Ulster on their
home turf.
Kingspan Scrum-half Challenge, located at
the Kingspan Cabin. Show off your speed,
precision, and quick decision-making in
this exciting challenge designed to push
your abilities! Today’s winner will walk
away with a signed Ulster Rugby 2024/25
Home Shirt. The Kingspan cabin will be
open from 1.30pm to accommodate the
Schools’ Cup crowd.
As you enjoy the matches, we encourage
you to take pride in the sustainability
initiatives that are integral to Kingspan
Stadium. From recycling facilities to
water refill stations, we are committed to
ensuring this venue remains a hub of both
sporting excellence and environmental
responsibility.
Name: Joel Bennett
Age: 8
From: Seaforde
I love coming to watch the Ulster
matches, so being able to run out with
the team is very exciting.
I play mini rugby at Ballynahinch RFC
as well as at school.
John Cooney is my favourite player.
He is the best!
Making this Sunday even more special,
fans will be treated to an exciting
double-header at Kingspan Stadium.
Banbridge Academy will face Sullivan
Upper in the Round of 16 Danske Bank
Ulster Schools’ Cup match, as a curtainraiser
to the URC clash.
Before the games, don’t miss the
opportunity to test your rugby skills at the
Your passionate support drives Ulster
Rugby. Let’s make this double-header a
day to remember!
SUFTUM!
Richard Beswick
Global Partnerships and Sports Sponsorships Manager
4
5

President’s Welcome
I want to welcome everyone to Kingspan
Stadium as we get back to BKT United
Rugby Championship action against Italian
side, Zebre Parma, in Round 10.
It’s set to be a big day at the home of Ulster
Rugby, with an exciting Danske Bank Ulster
Schools’ Cup match between Banbridge
Academy and Sullivan Upper kicking off
before the professional game.
The trial was made with the purpose of
seeing how Ulster Rugby can combine the
domestic game with the professional game,
and seeing how viable it is to make it an
afternoon of rugby.
With that, I want to wish both schools all
the best for this unique opportunity. I also
want to wish all schools the very best for
this weekend, as the Round of 16 gets
underway across the province.
Back to the Senior Men’s game and it was
fantastic to secure our position in the
Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 after
last weekend’s bonus-point win over Exeter
Chiefs at home.
It was a thrilling night of rugby, with some
superb attacking on display. Cormac
Izuchukwu getting himself a hat trick of
tries and the team scoring eight in total was
fantastic to watch.
The result meant that we secured
qualification after Bordeaux’s victory over
Hollywoodbets Sharks last Sunday.
We can all look forward to April’s trip to
Bordeaux, which will be a difficult test
against a top side who gained maximum
points in the pool stage.
With a number of our big-name players
hopefully nearing a return to play, we can
aim to go there and put in a big performance
in France.
I’d like to wish our players involved in
Ireland international camp all the very best
for the Guinness Six Nations. We are very
proud to see Rob, Iain, Cormac and James
McNabney get called into the squad for the
tournament preparation.
Everyone at Ulster Rugby wishes Enniskillen
RFC all the best as they take on Beactive
Rangers in the Energia All-Ireland Junior
Cup final at Ashbourne RFC.
We’d also like to congratulate Malone
Women on their efforts after last weekend’s
Women’s Junior Cup Final defeat to MU
Barnhall. The players can all be proud of their
performances against a tough opponent
and will come back stronger.
Lastly, I’d like to wish everyone all the best
and hope we can roar the team onto another
victory this Sunday evening.
SUFTUM
Laurence Rocke
President, IRFU Ulster Branch
7

Remembering Peter Leathem
Last Friday morning the news broke of
the sudden passing of Peter Leathem.
Peter passed away peacefully in the Ulster
Hospital following a short illness.
Peter was a member of the audio descriptive
commentary team at Kingspan Stadium and
it was through this volunteering role our
paths crossed.
The commentary team was a small one
and after being introduced just three
years previous, was in urgent need of new
members. This is where Peter and his son
Stuart stepped in.
Stuart was no stranger to the microphone as
he carried out a similar role at Windsor Park
when Northern Ireland played, but for Peter,
it was a case of a step into the unknown.
But such was the class of the man he settled
into the role like a veteran. He brought
great calmness as he described the play
on the pitch, in an attempt to enrich the
match night experience for those who are
visually impaired.
What he also brought was a great knowledge
of the game of rugby. Being a former referee,
Peter was always on hand to deliver incidents
of the game from an official’s point of view.
This brought a new dimension to matchnight
commentary as well as keeping fellow
commentators Graham Jewhurst, David
Fergie and myself in line with the rules.
After relocating to North Down, Peter
donned the colours of Bangor before injury
curtailed his playing career.
It was after this injury that Peter then decided
to pick up the whistle and become a referee,
and he officiated at all levels of the local club
game for many years.
Peter was also a dedicated member of the
Salvation Army and was always on hand to
help out, no matter what the crisis. Another
example of Peter always thinking of the
needs of others.
Right up to his final hours, Peter was still
looking after the wellbeing of others. From
his hospital bed, the day before he passed,
he made sure to get his daughter to send
a photo to his co-commentator David on
how to correctly set up the commentary
equipment so the service could broadcast
as normal for the Exeter Chiefs game.
I have since moved on from the audio
descriptive commentary team, but Peter
and I always managed to meet up for a pregame
catch up over coffee and shortbread
in the media room. Something that I will
certainly miss.
Peter is survived by his wife Sandra, son
Stuart, daughter Gemma and grandchildren
Joey, Clodagh, Oliver and Finn.
- Paul McIntyre
Peter’s love for the game of rugby started in
his hometown of Lurgan where he lined out
for the local club.
11

Cormac Izuchukwu, celebrated his call up to
the Ireland Six Nations squad by diving over
from close range, with scrum half Nathan
Doak slotting over the conversion.
The forwards set up a powerful driving maul
from the line to propel hooker Rob Herring
over, with Doak adding the conversion.
Izuchukwu bagged a second try on 66
minutes, Ulster moving the ball at pace
down the right flank before cutting infield.
The lock took a crash ball from John Cooney
to go over from short range.
Cooney landed the conversion.
Ben Carson was next to put his name on
the score sheet with a superb solo effort on
66 minutes.
Jude Postlewaite and Michael Lowry
combined to put the centre into space,
Carson side stepped the last defender to run
in unopposed. Cooney added the extras.
The scores were level on 26 minutes as
David McCann got Ulster’s second try. His
former RBAI school mate and Exeter scrum
half Niall Armstrong took too long to clear
the ball from a ruck which gave Ulster a
scrum penalty.
Last Time Out
The forwards then had a couple of darts at
the line before McCann barged over for an
unconverted try.
Ulster secured knockout European rugby
outscoring the Exeter Chiefs by eight tries
to four in an enthralling Investec Champions
Cup clash at Kingspan Stadium.
Ulster got off to the worst possible start,
conceding a try with just two minutes on
the clock.
The Chiefs worked the ball through a series
of phases in the homes side’s 22 before out
half Will Haydon-Wood put in a cross-field
kick, Ben Hammersley made the catch and
popped the ball inside to fellow winger Paul
Brown-Bampoe to dive over.
Haydon-Wood converted from a tight angle.
Matters were made worse as Werner Kok
had to be replaced early on with an HIA,
which gave replacement wing, Rob Lyttle,
his first taste of Ulster action since 2023
after signing a short term deal as emergency
injury cover.
The Chiefs however regained the lead four
minutes later as lock Rusi Tuima powered
over from close range for an unconverted try.
Parity was restored again on 37 minutes,
when the powerful Nick Timoney got the
ball on the Exeter 10 metre line and set off
on a rampaging run, breaking a couple of
tackles to touch down in the corner.
Doak couldn’t land the touch line conversion,
and the sides went into the interval tied at
17 all.
Half-Time: ULS 17-17 EXE
McCann added his second try on 70 minutes.
Ulster were camped on the Chiefs line before
Cooney threw a long looping pass to the No8
to dot down in the corner. The replacement
scrum half added the conversion.
In a frantic finish, Izuchukwu completed his
hat-trick with a simple run-in which Cooney
converted but it was the Chiefs that had the
final say as replacement Zack Wimbush was
gifted a try which Harvey Skinner converted.
The English Premiership side’s second try
arrived on 14 minutes, when Italian No8 Ross
Vintcent picked up from the base of a ruck
deep in his own half sprinted through a gap
going all the way to score. Haydon-Wood
couldn’t add the extras.
Ulster’s bonus point try came eight minutes
after the restart. The pack won a scrum
penalty and fly-half, Jack Murphy, nudged
the ball into the corner.
Ulster will travel to Bordeaux for their
Round of 16 clash on Sunday 6 April.
Full-Time: ULS 52-24 EXE
Ulster spring into life on 20 minutes, opening
their account following a sustained period
of pressure in the Exeter 22.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS
12
The forwards probed at the line before lock,
13

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ROUND OF 16
an immense victory over Bangor Academy,
finishing up 40-0. They play host to another
one of our seeded schools, Wallace High
School. Wallace made it to the semi-finals
but fell short to last year’s winners, RBAI.
This Sunday marks a historic first for
Ulster Rugby, with the trial of the first
ever Sunday Danske Bank Ulster Schools'
Cup Round of 16 fixture being played as a
curtain-raiser to the URC clash.
The fixture between Banbridge Academy
and Sullivan Upper will be played before the
Senior Men's game, as the province looks
at combining domestic and professional
matches to form a day of activity at
Kingspan Stadium.
Just one ticket will provide access
to both games, with turnstiles
opening from 1.30pm for the Schools'
Cup clash.
Banbridge Academy v Sullivan Upper
Sun 26 Jan, 2.00pm | Kingspan Stadium
Banbridge Academy
Sullivan Upper
Sam Leslie 15 Henry Calvert
Nazie James Mulligan 14 Brett Russell
Peter Lewis 13 James Nelson
Arturs Jonuss 12 Max Readman
Ethan Houston 11 Louis Baird
Andrew Jackson 10 Hamish Johnston
Max Ireland 9 Oliver Keown
Alex Andersson 1 Matthew McGinty
Calum Little 2 Matthew Marks
Adam Jones 3 Nathan Noble
Miles Mawson 4 Jack Law
Jonny Howard 5 Harry Thallon
Noah Bell 6 Jacob McKeown
Noah Haughey 7 Sam Harper
Ryan Hanna (C) 8 Jake Scott (C)
Banbridge finished the top of their group
with three wins from three, finishing up the
group stages with a convincing 28-3 win
over Omagh Academy. They will be going
up against Sullivan Upper, one of the six
seeded schools who join the competition
at this stage. Last year Sullivan made it
to the semi-final, being knocked out by
Ballymena Academy. This year they will
be hoping to take it one stage further.
This fixture will the curtain-opener of this
weekend’s game against Zebre in Kingspan
Stadium. Players to watch are Banbridge’s
Ryan Hanna, Noah Bell, Noah Haughey,
Andrew Jackson and Sullivan’s Jake Scott,
Nathan Noble and Matthew McGinty who
all featured in our Age-Grade Summer
Interpros. Noble captained the winning
U18 Schools side.
Methodist College
v Belfast Royal Academy
Sat 25 Jan, 10.30am | The Enclosure
Our first of two Belfast derbies this weekend
will take place at The Enclosure. Methodist
College, a seeded school, will welcome BRA
and will battle it out for a quarter-final spot.
Belfast Royal Academy have had an impressive
run in the competition so far, walking away
from the group stages top of their table with
three bonus-point wins under their belt. In
the last stage, they had a convincing victory
over Antrim Grammar, 40-0.
REPLACEMENTS
Luke Wills 16 Finn McGrath
William Kennedy 17 Alex O’Doherty
Calum McMurray 18 Jake Dempster
Conor Patton 19 Finn McGuigan
Gordon Porter 20 Conal Fox
Jonny Reid 21 Tom Bradford
Theo Wan 22 Josh Watts
Syd Moore 23 Roger McMullan
Enniskillen Royal Grammar
v Wallace High School
Sat 25 Jan, 10.30am | Enniskillen Royal GS
Enniskillen RGS topped the table of their
group, finishing with three bonus-point
wins. In the ultimate group stage, they had
Bangor Grammar School
v Rainey Endowed School
Sat 25 Jan, 10.30am | Bangor GS
An interesting fixture of the draw, these
two schools have already came up against
each other in the group stages, with Rainey
coming out on top 40-0. Rainey had an
impressive run, with three-bonus point
16
17

wins, however Bangor were just behind
them with two. Bangor will be hoping to
redeem themselves.
Campbell College v RBAI
Sat 25 Jan, 10.30am | Foxes Field
Dalriada School
v Ballymena Academy
Sat 25 Jan, 10.45am | Dalriada School
Somewhat of a local derby, Dalriada School
play host to Ballymena Academy. Dalriada
finished second in their group just behind
Banbridge. Ballymena Academy were one
of our finalists last year, falling just short.
They will be out to return this year.
The second of our Belfast derbies this
weekend will take place at Foxes Field.
No strangers to each other, Campbell
College and RBAI will be battling it out
for that quarter-final spot, having come
up against each other in the same stage
of the competition last year. Our current
Schools’ Cup holders, RBAI will be seeking
to make it three wins in a row in this year’s
competition.
Coleraine GS
v Regent House School
Sat 25 Jan, 10.45am | Coleraine GS
Coleraine Grammar will welcome Regent
House this Saturday. Finishing second in
their group, they had convincing wins over
Bangor Academy and in the last round, beat
local rivals, Foyle College 26-15. Regent
House came first in their group with 15
points, with an impressive victory over
Lurgan College in the last round, 15-55.
Royal School Armagh
v Down High School
Sat 25 Jan, 10.30am | RS Armagh
Finishing top of their group with three
bonus-point wins from three, Royal School
Armagh will welcome Down High School
in this knockout game. Down High School
finished second in their group behind
Regent House, beating Ballyclare High
School 33-27 in the last round to earn their
spot in this stage.

Referees’ Corner
whistle rather than to blow it, making
the game as enjoyable as possible for
everyone.”
Josh has been in the middle for some
memorable matches, both in Ulster and
in England, listening to his recollection
of these occasions he showcases the
breadth of his refereeing experiences.
From officiating a prestigious
Cambridge University v Royal
Navy match at Grange Road
to the intensity of a Schools
Cup Quarter Final between
Campbell College and
Dromore High, his journey is
marked by unique challenges
and lessons. “I didn’t believe
the hype about the intensity of Schools
Cup knock-out stages until I ran out onto
a packed Foxes Field, with bagpipes
blaring and thick smoke in the air. The
atmosphere was incredible!”
Preparation is key to Josh’s success,
both mentally and physically. “I try to fit
in 2-3 weights sessions and at least one
interval-based fitness session a week
leading up to matchday. On game day,
podcasts keep me focused on the way
to the venue,” he explains. Post-match
rituals are equally important. Socialising
in the clubhouse with players, coaches,
and club members not only humanises
referees but fosters the relationships
central to rugby’s ethos and values.
Refereeing demands quick decisionmaking,
balancing instinct with law
application. Josh’s approach centres
on materiality and context. “My first
thought is, do I need to blow the whistle,
or can we play on? For example, has
the infringement impacted
the speed or quality of the
ball?” He acknowledges the
necessity of penalising foul
play but strives to maintain
a game’s flow whenever
possible.
Even when Josh is handling
high-pressure moments he is composed
and clear. “Take a deep breath and
make the best decision you can,” Josh
advises. Open dialogue with players
and coaches post-match is invaluable.
“Understanding their frustrations and
explaining my approach has often
diffused tension and fostered respect.”
Excellence in refereeing, according
to Josh, lies in consistency and selfreflection.
“The best referees make
the best decisions most often,” he
says, echoing the advice of former
international referee Chris White.
Tonight, we welcome Ben Breakspear
(WRU) and his team of officials
to Kingspan Stadium for the BKT
United Rugby Championship Round
ten fixture against Zebre Parma.
As always, Ulster Rugby would like
to remind spectators to respect the
decisions of the match officials at
all times.
Referee Corner: Development Group
Referee Josh Burgess
In this edition of Referee Corner, we
highlight referee Josh Burgess, who is
a member of the USRFR Development
Group. For this edition we sat down
with Josh in the North-West with a
coffee and talked about his highlights,
ambitions and love of our game.
For Josh, refereeing has been a
rewarding pathway that transformed
his perspective on rugby. His journey
began before university, driven by
a desire to stay connected to the
sport while avoiding the injuries and
frustrations he encountered as a player.
“I was sick of getting concussions but
also getting dropped for better players
who suddenly became available at
the business end of the season,” Josh
candidly shares. Early mentoring from
the Leicestershire Society of Rugby
Union Referees instilled in him an
emphasis on managing players and
situations, shaping his philosophy:
“Look for reasons not to blow the
20

“I want to progress as far as I can
in the game, as long as I continue
to enjoy it. Making it onto the
IRFU National Panel of Referees
would be a dream, but for now,
I’m focused on enjoying every
moment and growing with each
match.”
Spot the Difference
Can you spot the 5 differences?
Josh Burgess exemplifies the
dedication, adaptability, and passion
that define an excellent referee. As he
continues to rise, his journey is one to
watch, both for aspiring referees and
rugby enthusiasts alike.
Catch more insights from the
refereeing community in upcoming
editions of Referee Corner!
Honesty about areas for improvement,
coupled with owning mistakes, earns
players’ trust and helps refine his craft.
As a member of the USRFR
Development Group, Josh benefits
from world-class coaching and
mentoring, particularly from figures
like Brian Stirling, recently featured in
a previous Referee Corner. “Not many
societies have produced referees of
Brian’s calibre, and fewer still continue
to receive his support week in, week
out,” Josh reflects. Recently serving
as 5th Official for Ulster’s European
Champions Cup matches has offered a
valuable glimpse into the professional
game’s elite standards.
Richard Kerr, Ulster Referee
Development Manager, highlights
Josh’s commitment: “Josh brings a
refreshing perspective to refereeing.
His focus on relationships and his
ability to learn and grow with each
game set a great example for others
not just in the Development Group,
but others throughout the society.”
Looking ahead, Josh’s ambition is
clear:
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
22
ANSWERS: Exeter defender’s scum-cap, Cormac’s number, ball, Jude’s Ulster logo, missing Exeter defender.

ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
Hooker
26/05/1993
180cm
104kg
129
-
John
Andrew
Wing
19/08/1997
193cm
96kg
69
4
Rob
Baloucoune
Centre
24/02/2002
183cm
98kg
10
-
Ben
Carson
Scrum Half
01/05/1990
178cm
86kg
149
11
John
Cooney
Back Row
28/01/2002
188cm
102kg
5
-
Reuben
Crothers
Scrum Half
17/12/2001
185cm
86kg
79
-
Nathan
Doak
Fly Half
07/06/1999
183cm
93kg
16
-
Jake
Flannery
Hooker
27/04/1990
185cm
106kg
245
40
Reuben
Crothers
Rob
Herring
Centre
07/09/1998
188cm
100kg
95
3
James
Hume
Fly Half
14/11/2001
185cm
83kg
4
-
James
Humphreys
Lock
28/01/2000
201cm
118kg
37
1
Cormac
Izuchukwu
Wing
17/01/1993
180cm
96kg
13
Reuben
Crothers
Werner
Kok
Full Back
20/08/1998
170cm
78kg
115
1
Michael
Lowry
Back Row
13/06/2000
193cm
110kg
58
-
David
McCann
Back Row
28/01/2002
188cm
102kg
5
-
Reuben
Crothers
Prop
13/06/1998
177cm
120kg
7
Corrie
Barrett
Lock
21/02/1992
199cm
119kg
161
85
Iain
Henderson
Centre
06/08/1992
193cm
112kg
196
19
Stuart
McCloskey
ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
Hooker
08/01/2002
183cm
107kg
10
-
James
McCormick
Scrum Half
24/06/1999
178cm
87kg
1
-
Michael
McDonald
Back Row
28/02/2003
194cm
116kg
12
-
James
McNabney
Wing
10/08/2000
188cm
90kg
68
-
Ethan
McIlroy
Back Row
03/04/2002
189cm
109kg
1
-
Lorcan
McLoughlin
Scrum Half
20/03/2001
183cm
86kg
-
-
Conor
McKee
Utility Back
08/08/1999
184cm
93kg
74
-
Stewart
Moore
Wing
09/06/2001
191cm
101kg
33
-
Ben
Moxham
Fly Half
07/06/2001
172cm
82kg
11
-
Aidan
Morgan
Lock
10/09/1992
196cm
115kg
202
-
Alan
O’Connor
Prop
30/11/1995
183cm
118kg
127
1
Eric
O’Sullivan
Centre
03/04/2002
193cm
106kg
23
-
Jude
Postlethwaite
Prop
23/09/1998
184cm
120kg
115
17
Tom
O’Toole
Back Row
08/09/1997
188cm
110kg
54
-
Marcus
Rea
Prop
23/10/1998
188cm
124kg
-
-
Bryan
O’Connor
25
24

ULSTER RUGBY MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD
Back Row
21/09/1993
193cm
114kg
105
-
Back Row
21/09/2001
195cm
121kg
37
-
Matty
Rea
Reuben Harry
Sheridan Crothers
Back Row
04/11/1998
180cm
102kg
11
-
Sean
Reffell
Tom
Stewart
Hooker
11/01/2001
183cm
105kg
48
2
Prop
06/01/1999
183cm
116.5kg
21
-
Callum
Reid
Jacob
Stockdale
Wing
03/04/1996
191cm
104kg
125
38
Dave
Shanahan
Scrum Half
20/06/1993
175cm
77kg
96
-
Nick
Timoney
Back Row
01/08/1995
188cm
112kg
157
3
Reuben Kieran
Treadwell Crothers
Zac
Ward
Andrew
Warwick
Scott
Wilson
Lock
06/11/1995
198cm
118kg
169
11
Utility Back
11/12/1998
191cm
101kg
3
-
Prop
12/03/1991
178cm
115kg
206
-
Prop
06/08/2002
186cm
125kg
25
-
Reuben Rob
Crothers Lyttle
Wing
28/01/1997
27 year-old back, Rob Lyttle, made his return to
competitive action for Ulster Rugby in the
Investec Champions Cup victory over Exeter Chiefs.
The Banbridge man signed for Ulster Rugby on a short
term-deal as emergency injury cover in the backline.
Lyttle is an excellent finisher and is admired by
supporters for his work rate on both sides of the ball.
26

ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY
The latest batch of young talent reinforces
the province’s focus on developing
prospects to progress into the pro team.
This year’s academy sees the largest number
of players in over five years, with 20 young
players now in the ranks.
Sam
Berman
Jack
Boal
Jacob
Boyd
Tom
Brigg
Wilhelm
De Klerk
Centre
Prop
Prop
Back Row
Centre
16/01/2004
01/05/2003
10/07/2004
26/06/2004
16/08/2004
183cm
187cm
186cm
189cm
180cm
93kg
117kg
114kg
111kg
90kg
-
-
-
-
-
Cameron
Doak
Ethan
Graham
Joe
Hopes
Charlie
Irvine
Lukas
Kenny
Prop
Wing/Fullback
Lock
Lock
Wing/Fullback
17/12/2003
27/04/2004
16/03/2004
28/01/2003
08/09/2004
190cm
181cm
201cm
203cm
185cm
127kg
88kg
115kg
117kg
100kg
-
-
1
1
-
Clark
Logan
Ben
McFarlane
James
McKillop
Jack
Murphy
Jonny
Scott
Scrum Half
Wing /Fullback
Back Row
Fly Half
Centre
11/08/2005
04/10/2004
15/12/2004
15/07/2004
15/08/2005
176cm
174cm
197cm
177cm
191cm
78kg
77kg
112kg
83kg
99kg
-
-
-
-
-
Zac
Solomon
Josh
Stevens
Rory
Telfer
Henry
Walker
Bryn
Ward
Hooker
Back Row
Wing /Fullback
Hooker
Back Row
17/06/2004
14/12/2004
29/08/2003
01/01/2003
17/07/2004
177cm
178cm
184cm
187cm
185cm
100kg
101kg
90kg
105kg
115kg
1
-
4
-
-
28
ulster.rugby/buytickets 29

Half-Time
Exhibition Games
NEVIN SPENCE MEMORIAL STAND END
Inishowen
Kit: Blue / Navy
1 Braelyn Crumlish
2 Eanno Ano
3 Eliza May Deery
4 Isabella McKeague
5 Saoirse Whoriskey
Enniskillen
Kit: Maloon
1 Amelia Little
2 Olivia Hobbs
3 Amy Nelson
4 Chloe Little
5 Holly Cunningham
6 Grace McElaney
6 Trinity Cox
7 Rosie Faulkner
7 Sarah Kernaghan
8 Abbey Walsh
8 Ciara McCusker
9 Meaghan McCole
9 Lily Sayers
10 Ava McDaid
10 Bailiee-Mae Mcaloon
11 Addison Murphy
11 Lea Sowden
12 Toya Hubbard
12 Gemma Patrick
31

1
2
3
1
2
3
Eric O’SULLIVAN
Tom STEWART
Scott WILSON
Paolo BUONFIGLIO
Luca BIGI
Muhamed HASA
C
4
5
4
5
Harry SHERIDAN
Kieran TREADWELL
Matteo CANALI
Leonard KRUMOV
6
8
7
6
8
7
Lorcan McLOUGHLIN
David McCANN
Nick TIMONEY
C
Rusiate NASOVE
Giovani LICATA
Bautista STAVILE
9
9
John COONEY
Gonzalo GARCIA
10
10
11
Jack MURPHY
11
Giovanni MONTEMAURI
Zac WARD
12
Scott GREGORY
12
Jude POSTLETHWAITE
Damiano MAZZA
Replacements
13
Replacements
13
16 John ANDREW
16 Giovanni QUATTRINI
17 Callum REID
Ben CARSON
17 Luca FRANCESCHETTO
Fetuli PAEA
18 Corrie BARRETT
18 Juan PITINARI
19 Alan O’CONNOR
14
19 Giacomo FERRARI
14
20 Matty REA
21 Nathan DOAK
15
Michael LOWRY
20 Luca ANDREANI
21 Thomas DOMINGUEZ
15
Alessandro GESI
22 Jake FLANNERY
22 Luca MORISI
23 Rob LYTTLE
Stewart MOORE
23 Simone BRISIGHELLA
Giacomo DA RE
34
Referee: Ben Breakspear
Assistant Refs: Robbie Jenkinson & Tomas O’Sullivan TMO: Tom Spurrier
35

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ZEBRE PARMA
Zebre Parma was founded in 1973 as an
invitational club to best players of the
North West of Italy. In more than 20
years Zebre organized 25 test matches
against international clubs with a high
number of wins.
Recent results
ZEB 12 - 39 USAP
CHE 22- 18 ZEB
ZEB 12 - 24 BEN
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rusiate Nasove
The flying Fijian international is a ferocious
tackler and a dominant ball carrier.
His preferred position seems to be in the back
row, however, he really put in a good shift
playing in the second row last week when
Zebre welcomed USA Perpignan to Parma.
Nasove set-up a nice try after gathering the
ball from a ruck, before exploiting a gap in the
defensive line. Nasove later scored Zebre’s
third try by selling a dummy pass and diving
over the line.
PREVIOUS
MEETINGS
OCT
2023
ZEB 36
ULS 40
Notable Internationals:
• Luca Bigi
• Danilo Fischetti
• Lorenzo Pani
• Andrea Zambonin
• Luca Morisi
• Giovanni Licata
• Jacopo Trulla
• Alessandro Fusco
• Fetuli Paea
• Gonzalo Garcia
NOV
2022
ULS 36
ZEB 15
Giovanni Licata
OCT
2021
ZEB 03
ULS 36
The Italian back row has been capped 13
times for his country and previously featued
internationally at U20s level.
Standing at around 6’4” and weighing in at
111kg, Licata is a BIG physical presence in
Zebre’s pack. Known for both his effective
tackling and a threat around the breakdown,
Licata can strike fear into any opposing side
NAME POSITION DOB HEIGHT WEIGHT
ANDREANI Luca Back-Row 19/04/2001 1.9m 103kg
BIANCHI Jacopo Back-Row 05/05/1998 1.88m 107kg
BIGI Luca Hooker 19/04/1991 1.8m 107kg
BOZZONI Filippo Wing 03/01/2003 1.78m 76kg
BUONFIGLIO Paolo Prop 28/01/1995 1.8m 109kg
CAMBRIANI Ben Wing 24/12/1999 1.8m 92kg
CANALI Matteo Lock 11/09/1998 1.98m 123kg
DA RE Giacomo Full-Back 29/03/1999 1.8m 83kg
DE LEEUWing Dylan Lock 10/11/2001 2.03m 115kg
DI BARTOLOMEO Tommaso Hooker 04/10/2001 1.78m 107kg
DOMINGUEZ Thomas Scrum-Half 18/12/1999 1.75m 79kg
FERRARI Giacomo No.8 22/01/2002 1.9m 105kg
FISCHETTI Danilo Prop 26/01/1998 1.8m 112kg
FRANCESCHETTO Luca Prop 07/06/1999 1.9m 127kg
FUSCO Alessandro Scrum-Half 28/10/1999 1.85m 88kg
GARCIA Gonzalo Scrum-Half 05/03/1999 1.73m 78kg
GESI Simone Wing 23/05/2001 1.83m 80kg
GREGORY Scott Utility Back 07/01/1999 1.85m 101kg
HASA Muhamed Prop 10/09/2001 1.8m 119kg
JELIC Ratko Scrum-Half 17/08/2000 1.73m 74kg
KRUMOV Leonardo Lock 01/05/1996 1.98m 120kg
LICATA Giovanni Back-Row 18/02/1997 1.93m 111kg
LUCCHIN Enrico Centre 04/04/1995 1.85m 101kg
MAZZA Damiano Centre 16/02/1999 1.83m 99kg
MONTEMAURI Giovanni Fly-Half 24/10/2000 1.88m 92kg
MORISI Luca Centre 22/02/1991 1.83m 95kg
NASOVE Rusiate Back-Row 27/10/1995 1.95m 100kg
NECULAI Ion Prop 25/01/2001 1.88m 132kg
NOCERA Matteo Prop 16/01/1999 1.93m 130kg
PAEA Fetuli Utility Back 16/08/1994 1.9m 102kg
PANI Lorenzo Full-Back 04/07/2002 1.93m 96kg
PITINARI Juan Manuel Prop 18/01/1995 1.85m 116kg
PRISCIANTELLI Geronimo Utility Back 23/08/1999 1.83m 86kg
QUATTRINI Giovanni Hooker 29/09/2003 1.78m 111kg
RIBALDI Giampietro Hooker 12/03/1997 1.85m 110kg
RIZZOLI Luca Prop 03/05/2002 1.78m 100kg
RUGGERI Davide Back-Row 07/05/1999 1.88m 107kg
STAVILE BRAVIN Bautista Back-Row 22/02/1997 1.83m 100kg
TRULLA Jacopo Full-Back 05/07/2000 1.8m 88kg
VOLPI Guido Back-Row 22/08/1995 1.93m 113kg
ZAMBONIN Andrea Lock 03/09/2000 2.03m 105kg
SISI Dave Lock 05/02/1993 1.95m 125kg
SMITH Franco Centre 03/05/2000 1.83m 96kg
STAVILE BRAVIN Bautista Back-Row 22/02/1997 1.83m 100kg
TENEGGI Nicolo Fly-Half 07/11/2002 1.78m 88kg
TRULLA Jacopo Full-Back 05/07/2000 1.8m 88kg
VOLPI Guido Back-Row 22/08/1995 1.93m 113kg
ZAMBONIN Andrea Lock 03/09/2000 2.03m 105kg
ZOCCHI-DOMMANN Liam Prop 24/02/2003 1.85m 128kg
38
39

TRAINING
40
41

YOUNGSTERS
IN A LEAGUE OF
THEIR OWN
Guest Article
by Rod Nawn
Bordeaux’s delights may have been
the bonus reward for last weekend’s
ultimately free-wheeling win over Exeter,
but Ulster must swiftly turn its focus to
the BKT United Rugby Championship.
This Sunday late afternoon welcomes
Zebre to Ravenhill Park, a side anchored
to the bottom of the table but an Italian
team which has pulled off surprises in the
past and certainly will offer the home team
a fresh style to counter and overcome.
There’ll be no complacency in preparations
for the game here in Belfast, but it can
be psychologically difficult for players
who have greater experience and
more collective and individual talent to
dismiss the thought that the outcome is
predestined.
Richie Murphy will make changes,
partially because he has four of his panel
away with Ireland in Portugal, but he will
also want to give important game time
to players pressing for an opportunity
and to those we are hoping are close to
a return from injury.
Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey and
Ethan McIlroy fall into that latter category,
while Harry Sheridan, Jake Flannery,
James Humphreys and Callum Reid will
surely want to stake firm claims to be in
the selection process.
How good it was to see Rob Lyttle back in
the Ulster shirt against Exeter? Recalled
by Ulster in an emergency to soften
the three-quarter injury woes, he was
introduced with just three minutes on
the clock as Wertner Kok was forced off.
The busy, electrifying winger played as
if he’d never been away! A fine player, a
great, committed Ulster player in his time,
it is more than useful to know he could
be recalled to the ranks again if Ulster’s
prolific train of injuries continues.
That surprise trip to France to renew
acquaintance with Damian Penaud and
his remarkable teammates must wait until
April, by which time Murphy will hope he’s
guided his charges to the league play-offs
and Europe’s elite tourney next season.
He will want to have a fully healthy squad
as the critical period in the URC resumes.
Wins and performances against Zebre
on Sunday, and then against the hugely
competitive Benetton – also qualified for
the Champions Cup knockour stages - in
Treviso in a fortnight should see Ulster
climb into the top eight during the first
weeks of the Six Nations window. That
would be the platform the Head Coach
would want and evidence that the
challenging work in reshaping his team is
drawing tangible rewards.
Of course, the boost provided to an
enthusiastic Kingspan Stadium crowd on
Friday week was as much needed as it was
appreciated, and combined with Bordeaux’s
trouncing of the Sharks, it offered the
unlikeliest of passports to the last sixteen
of the Champions Cup. So, spirits in the
Ulster playing and coaching group stayed
high following a distinctly improved display
against the Chiefs who travelled, admittedly,
at less than full strength.
But you can only play against what is in
front of you, as the cliché goes, and if the
first half was entertaining it was hardly the
home side at its best in too many phases
as the sides went in at the interval level.
But in the second period, sparked by
an untypically early strike from Ulster,
Murphy and his team of coaches would
have found much more to like in the way
the accelerator was persistently pressed
as their side completed an eight-try rout
of the Devon visitors.
The concession of a late, late try is
something with which fans and the
players are all-too familiar, but in the grand
scheme of things, bonus point victory and
Champions Cup progress ensured it was
not costly.
International calls at this time of year
always mean that some sides in the
URC do have to dig deeply into their
resources, and both teams this week will
have made some changes in personnel.
Zebre’s struggles in the league and in
Europe is reflected in its fewer numbers
with Gonzalo Quesada’s Italy than the
increasingly formidable Benetton.
Four Parma-based players are in that
Six Nations panel, and they are proven,
top-class operators. Danilo Fischetti
and Luca Rizzoli deprives Zebre’s Head
Coach Massimo Brunello of athletic heft
in the front row. And the absence will be
felt of the impressive 23-year-old winger
Simone Gesi and the attacking instincts
of full-back Jacopo Trullo, the latter able
to fit in anywhere across the backline.
Brunello, though, oversees a Zebre squad
with an average age of just twenty-three,
testament to the investment in youth
being made to give the club a long-term
strategy to become more than occasional
competitive threats. The Head Coach
hopes to ally a traditionally mobile and
attack-minded trait with a more effective
and enduring pack.
The ambition is clear and, though currently
second-from-bottom bottom of the
league table, the scalps of Munster and the
Ospreys have been taken this campaign,
and even in numerous defeats in league
and in Europe the team has never been
more genuinely effective and competitive.
The visitors should not be under-estimated
and the coaching team has made that
abundantly clear to its charges.
42
43

44
Ireland’s call means the redoubtable Iain
Henderson will be otherwise engaged for
the next several weeks, and Rob Herring is
a staple of the international panel, a hooker
who brings his all-action style and gritty
reliability to the top tier of the game.
Cormac Izuchukwu’s star is soaring, a
tribute to his own talent and hard work,
but also to the way Ulster has managed
the development of a forward who can
play anywhere in the back five of the
scrum and who lit up Kingspan Stadium
last weekend with a hat-trick of tries. He
will surely get another opportunity under
interim coach Simon Easterby to pull on
the green jersey, while back-row James
McNabney’s determination to challenge
himself and the usual order is with the
Ireland squad as a Development player.
If his impact in training in Portugal this
week and over the Six Nations programme
is anything like the impression he has made
with Ulster then he could be a regular for
his club and a name for the immediate
future with Ireland.
While Zebre will undoubtedly give youth
its chance this weekend Richie Murphy
will very possibly replace his international
absentees with his own wealth of young
athletes, and he’s fortunate too that
the experienced Alan O’Connor, Kieran
Treadwell, Nick Timoney, John Andrew
and Tom Stewart are available to offer real
heft and rugby savvy if required, while
Michael Lowry, Jude Postlethwaite, Ben
Carson and Nathan Doak are youthful
but battle hardened players with their full
potential still to be realised.
They and others will be expected to take
more leadership roles, and perhaps the
half-back combinations will be rotated
again. Jack Murphy appears to be a
confident and imaginative out-half who
reads the game well and he may get an
extended run in the side. But Aidan Morgan
and Jake Flannery – back in the matchday
fold against Exeter – and Humphreys will
hope for chances to press their claims.
John Cooney, who has grabbed games
by the scruff of the neck so often, is not
required by Ireland, it appears, so that
improbable conclusion is good news for
his club.
Scott Wilson is another example of a
homegrown talent who is made for the
jungle that is the front row with acres of
progress still to make, and Eric O’Sullivan
is demonstrating what a prop powerhouse
he is now he’s fit and healthy again.
Assistant Coach Dan Soper is focussed
on his current role with the senior Ulster
team for the rest of the season, but his
proven gifts in spotting, nurturing and
progressing young players and improving
even those who have perhaps thought
themselves as performing at full throttle
will next year be in a new position. As
Development and Transition Coach he’ll
still be involved with the established senior
team but he will spend much time with
the Academy roster and, very positively,
engage on a practical basis with coaches
in the province’s domestic game.
As a three-time Danske Bank Schools’
Cup winning coach, successful tenures
with Ballynahinch and Banbridge, ‘Dan’s
the Man’ to fill a void identified by General
Manager Bryn Cunningham as necessary
to offer a cohesive, sustainable pathway
in the game.
Cunningham has been busy recently,
securing the signatures on contract
extensions of some who had foreign
clubs courting them, and securing the
Ulster futures of players who have already
proved themselves and who have scope
for greater things. The General Manager
has served his Province for over twentyfive
years as a fine player and distinctly
modern administrator, with recruitment
just one of the roles he fills quietly but in
calm style.
Coach Murphy would settle for a calm,
authoritative display against Zebre to build
a platform for a New Year assault on the
URC play-offs, and perhaps a little more!
A bonus point win would certainly be
a welcome contribution to the Sunday
collection plate!

150
ULSTER APPEARANCES
When John Cooney leads the team
out this Sunday against Zebre Parma,
it will mark the 150th time the Dublin
man has donned the Ulster jersey.
It’s a special moment in Cooney’s career
and one that the scrum-half plans to
savour every minute of.
There is a special symmetry to Sunday’s
fixture too, as in 2019, Cooney made
his 50th Ulster cap against the same
opposition at Kingspan Stadium.
“I’ve been lucky to reach these
milestones at home. My 50th against
Zebre, my 100th against Munster in
the 2022 URC Quarter-Final and now
Sunday’s 150th. From the start of the
season it was always a big goal of mine
to hit that mark.”
For Cooney, even hitting 50 caps
seemed unthinkable at one point, as
he battled injury issues and pushing
for selection in the early stages of his
Ulster career.
“I was delighted to even
hit 50 caps to be honest.
Each milestone has been a
real blessing for me and it’s
something I really cherish.”
When the Dublin native reflects on
his 150 caps, he states that his 100th
against Munster is one that really sticks
out in his mind as a highlight.
“It was really special. Some of the tries
we scored that day were incredible!
Our backline were cooking that day.
I got a cheeky little try when people
were having a fight! I reacted quickly
to James Hume taking a quick penalty
to score.
“I remember the ovation and applause
I got when I came off. I won’t forget
it and I’m just really appreciative of
the fans.”
And what about away from home?
Cooney adds that famous away wins
against Clermont and Toulouse in
France also stand out when he looks
back at the unforgettable matches
he has been involved in during his
Ulster career.
“Clermont away was one that will
stay with me forever. It felt like if they
scored 50 points that day, we would
have scored 55. We were really on
it; it was such a caldron of a stadium
to go and win there. We also won in
Toulouse which is some achievement
too, they are two away games that
really sit with me.”
Fast forward to this weekend, and the
Ulster nine is under no illusions that
this Sunday’s clash is a crucial match
for the province’s league campaign.
“It’s huge, we are outside the top
eight and there are a couple of points
between 5th and 9th and then a couple
between 9th and 13th, so it’s vital we
get a win at home.
“Zebre improve year on year, and this
is probably the best team of theirs I’ve
ever seen. They had a great win against
Munster earlier this season and really
push teams. They won’t be taken lightly
this weekend, and I expect it to be a
good game.”
47

Joining Cooney in the half-back
partnership this Sunday is Academy flyhalf,
Jack Murphy, in what is their first
start together. As the more experienced
head of the pair, Cooney has been
impressed by the 20-year-old’s ability.
“I forget how young Jack is! He has
done it seamlessly in training and it
was a matter of time before he got an
opportunity. I think the Munster game
was the first time I got to play with him
and I feel we connect well. He has done
really well and I look forward to seeing
how he improves over the years.”
While Cooney praises his young
teammate, he jokes that there is no
question of who might take an important
kick with them both on the field.
His latest admiration is for the NBA’s
USA and Golden State Warriors star,
Steph Curry, as someone who carries
an elite mindset at the top of his game.
“He’s a shooter in basketball, like a
kicker in rugby. They are shooting for
the basket; we are shooting for goal.
I love watching him and people had
written him off when he was younger,
saying he was too small and other
things. I felt connected to him in that
regard. His work ethic is class.”
With big-name players on the return
soon for Ulster, Cooney is optimistic
about how the next few months are
gearing up for Ulster in the business
end of the season.
This week’s fixture confirmation of
Ulster’s Round of 16 clash against
Bordeaux is the prime example of the
tests to come for the province.
“Listen, the only way to test yourself is to
play the best teams in these scenarios.
Last season we went to Clermont in
the Challenge Cup and got blown out
of the water.
“I’m still pulling rank on that! But I did
tell him that maybe it’s time he got
a few kicks too. ‘Sopes’ (Dan Soper)
joked that it’s very unlike me to give
up the tee but sometimes you have to
let the younger lads eat!”
When Cooney is asked for his thoughts
on the first half of the season, he
describes difficult periods for himself
and the team, going through ‘niggling’
injuries personally to add to the wider
injuries to Ulster’s backline.
A deep thinker of the game, Cooney
often quotes big name stars from other
sports as people to watch and gain
inspiration from.
“These are the games you really want
to play in. It’s a learning curve for the
younger guys in the squad but by
then we’ll hopefully have the likes of
James Hume, Rob Baloucoune, Jacob
Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey back.
“That is a huge boost to our backline
and we’ll be excited for those games
to come.”
The focus now for Cooney is getting a
victory over Zebre this Sunday on what
will be a special milestone for the fan
favourite.
When asked how he will feel leading
the team out in Belfast he gives a
trademark cheeky answer.
“You know me, I’m not really
one for the limelight. But it will
be special.”
48
49

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ULSTER RUGBY
50
51

Enniskillen Soar to All-Ireland Men’s Junior Cup Final
Fermanagh side set for showdown
with Bective Rangers
Enniskillen Rugby Club is aiming to win
the Energia All-Ireland Men’s Junior
Cup this Saturday. Marking their second
appearance in the prestigious national
competition’s final, having suffered
a 30-18 defeat to local rivals Clogher
Valley in 2023.
Led by captain James Ferguson, the
team is determined to avenge that loss.
Ferguson, who lined out in the centre
during the 2023 final, has been a mainstay
in the number 13 jersey this season.
Enniskillen has faced diverse opposition
throughout the competition, including
teams from Connacht and Leinster.
Ferguson enjoys this variety, “This
competition in particular, I really enjoy,
because it’s teams you haven’t played
before, you get a different sort of
opposition, and they don’t know what
you’re like either. You can sort of play
your own game without having to worry
too much about them.”
have familial connections to the club.
Ferguson acknowledges the strong
family atmosphere. “Like a lot of the
lads, we have family links to the club,
and it’s very much a community club.
The likes of our coach his three sons
play, and then another of his sons
coaches as well. There are cousins in
the team too, other sets of brothers,
twins. It’s very much a close-knit family
oriented team.”
Despite the captaincy, Ferguson
believes his on-field role remains largely
unchanged. “Really on the pitch, it’s not
much different. Bar I’m a bit of a villain
at times stopping the boys playing,
because with this sort of young side,
they have the skillset to play all the time,
but sometimes, unfortunately, I have to
slow that down.”
looking forward to it, and I think that is
the main thing.”
Enniskillen is aware of the formidable
challenge presented by Bective
Rangers: “We’ve talked about our squad
the whole year, how strong it is, and
our coach often points out there’s been
over 30 boys who played for our firsts
squad this year. So we massively trust
up to 30, 35 players who can play, and
have played so far this season. That’s
really one thing we built as a bit of
depth now. We hope that will stand to
us on Saturday, but I’m sure Bective are
the same. I’m sure they have a strong
squad too.”
Ferguson concludes, “You just really
don’t know how it will go. You hope
you’ll have learned from previous
experiences, both teams are going to
want it as much as the other team. It’s
not going to matter who wants it more.
It’s really just who can execute their
skillset even slightly better or (it) might
just come down to a bounce of the ball,
a slight bit of luck, which often these
big games can do – quarter-finals, semifinals,
finals. So we hope that it bounces
our way, and I’m sure they’re the same.
I don’t know a huge pile about them,
they have a lot of firepower. We will do
what we can.”
Enniskillen v Bective Rangers
Sat 25 Jan, 2.30pm
available to watch on irishrugby+
Ferguson emphasised their singleminded
focus on the final:
“To be honest, we’ve gone with the
mantra this year, which I’m sure a
lot of teams do – just one game at
a time. We’ve tried our best to not
really think about it and get through
the latest league games before this.
But it’s always in the back of your
mind that the final is coming up. It’s
nice to now put the league aside for
a week and concentrate on this.”
Family ties run deep within the club.
Coach Alastair Keys has three sons
playing on the squad, and many players
He recognises the significance of the
occasion, “It would be amazing to win
this, obviously, and even to compete in
the final. You’ve no divine right to get
to these finals, same as Bective. They’ve
obviously had to work hard to do so and
were here in the final last year (against
Ballyclare). So whilst it is significant, it
is just another game. We don’t want to
be overwhelmed by it either, we’re just
52

GUESS WHO?
Can you name the 3 other players?
______, ______, ______, Nick Timoney
56
Top to Bottom: James Hume, Ben Moxham, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney,

Jake Flannery Q&A
Favourite Ulster player of all time?
Tommy Bowe- his try against Wales
for the Grand Slam is such an iconic
moment.
Who is your favourite roommate on
away trips?
Shanners (Dave Shanahan) brings
a Firestick and loves a quiz.
Any habits or rituals before a game?
My habits before a game are
probably pretty simple. I like to
have a nice coffee, listen to some
music, and chill.
Apart from rugby, what other sports
do you like?
I’m big into all sports really- played
lots of gaelic football and hurling
when I was younger, and I’d follow
the NBA and NFL.
Best advice you’ve had about
playing rugby?
Best advice I’ve had is to back
myself, play what I see and enjoy it.
If you didn’t play rugby for a living,
what would you do?
If I didn’t play rugby, I’m unsure
what I’d do. I have a Chemical
Engineering degree but I’d like to
open a coffee shop one day.
Favourite kit this season and why?
(White, Red, Black)
Best thing about being a
professional rugby player?
I would say the best thing about
being a professional rugby player is
the mates you make on the journey.
I love going to training everyday
seeing the lads.
You score a try from 50m out to put
Ulster into a final, what music would
you have playing to celebrate?
That’s a tough question - I’ve been
listening to TV Off by Kendrick
Lamar before games lately so we’ll
go with that one.
Favourite away ground?
My favourite away ground would be
Thomond Park - nothing better than
beating all the lads I know. And it’s
not too far to drive home after the
game!
Most intimidating opponent?
I would probably say Werner Kok
before he joined us. You just don’t
wanna be in contact with him on the
pitch. Delighted he’s on our side
now.
Which team-mate did you meet
earliest in life and where was it?
The teammate I met earliest in life
was Izzy (Cormac Izuchukwu). We
both did a summer camp when we
were about 12 or 13 and we remember
each other from it so that is a bit of
a weird coincidence.
My favourite kit is the black kit this
season. I’ve always loved a black kit
and we’ve had some success in the
black jersey.
59

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A Stade Toulousain Sun 8 Dec L 61-21 ICC
H Union Bordeaux Bègles Sat 14 Dec L 19-40 ICC
H Munster Fri 20 Dec L 19-22 URC
A Connacht Sat 28 Dec W 7-17 URC
A Leicester Tigers Sat 11 Jan L 38-10 ICC
H Exeter Chiefs Fri 17 Jan W 52-24 ICC
H Zebre Parma Sun 26 Jan 5.30pm URC
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Dan Soper to Take Up New Role
Assistant Coach, Dan Soper, will take up a
new role as the province’s Development and
Transition Coach at the end of the season.
Soper will focus on maximising the
development of senior players, in addition to
driving the successful transition of Academy
talent into the Senior side.
The position will also see him work alongside
coaches across the domestic game, helping
to drive player development in Ulster’s clubs
and schools.
The New-Zealander joined the Senior Men’s
coaching team ahead of the 2018/19 season,
initially as Skills Coach before becoming an
Assistant Coach.
Soper has a background of developing talent
after coaching success at club level with
Ballynahinch RFC and Banbridge RFC, and
leading Royal Belfast Academical Institution
to three Danske Bank Schools’ Cup titles in
a row between 2015 and 2017.
Ulster Rugby’s General Manager, Bryn
Cunningham, said:
“This new position is a key part of our highperformance
strategy going forward, as
it’s vital that our standout players reach
their maximum potential to compete at the
highest level.
“Dan’s new role will also be important
in supporting our network of domestic
coaches throughout the province in clubs
and schools.
“With his experience in the schools game
and passion for nurturing exciting talent,
Dan will play a key part in building upon
further opportunities and collaboration for
the betterment of rugby across the province.
“Our focus is to have a steady pipeline of
players coming through who can compete
technically, tactically and physically with
the demands of the modern game and Dan
is fully aligned to achieving this goal.”
The 48-year-old took temporary charge of
the team before the appointment of Richie
Murphy as Interim Head Coach in 2023.
69

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
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BAR
CASTORE
SHOP
LINEOUT
BAR
NEVIN SPENCE MEMORIAL STAND
FAN ZONE /
FOOD VILLAGE
Kit Sponsor
Official On-kit Sponsors
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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.
Five indoor public bars and one outdoor
bar 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
70
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
71

2024/25
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