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ULSTER<br />
Offical <strong>Match</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>Programme</strong><br />
v <strong>DHL</strong><br />
<strong>Stormers</strong><br />
Fri 27 Jan 2023, 7.35pm<br />
Kingspan Stadium
In this Issue<br />
Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium,<br />
the home of <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>, where this evening, the <strong>Ulster</strong> men<br />
are taking on South African side - and reigning <strong>URC</strong> champions -<br />
<strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> in Round 13 of the United <strong>Rugby</strong> Championship.<br />
After a fantastic 22-11 victory over Sale Sharks in the final pool game of the<br />
Heineken Champions Cup last Saturday night, a win that secured a place in the last 16,<br />
the <strong>Ulster</strong> men will be gearing up for another exciting test tonight. With a squad that is<br />
littered with international talent, we expect the <strong>Stormers</strong> to provide yet another<br />
tough encounter for <strong>Ulster</strong>.<br />
Tonight also sees the return of the Kingspan Try-Cycle Challenge, an interactive computer<br />
game over at the Fan Zone, which attracted the crowds during last week’s game against<br />
Sale Sharks, with many participants going head-to-head to reach the top of the leader<br />
board. The aim is simple – take on a friend and pedal stationary bikes to travel as many<br />
metres as possible across a rugby pitch in 30 seconds. The winners will be those who<br />
reach the top of the leader board at the end of the season, winning some amazing prizes<br />
including a new bike from Giant Bicycles or an away game trip with the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
team including travel and accommodation. Make sure you visit the Fan Zone tonight and<br />
take on the Challenge.<br />
We have no doubt that tonight’s game will be another entertaining showdown with the<br />
supporters hopefully cheering the <strong>Ulster</strong> men on to another victory. Enjoy the game!<br />
7<br />
10<br />
16<br />
17<br />
22<br />
24<br />
28<br />
32<br />
Our Official<br />
Mascots<br />
Dan McFarland<br />
Q&A<br />
Spot The<br />
Difference<br />
2022/23 Men’s<br />
Senior Squad<br />
Referees’ Society<br />
Update<br />
Last Time<br />
Out: Sale Sharks<br />
<strong>Match</strong> <strong>Day</strong><br />
Squads<br />
<strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong><br />
Ones to Watch<br />
35 Half-time<br />
Exhibition Games<br />
40<br />
44<br />
50<br />
Player Interview:<br />
Tom Stewart<br />
Thank You<br />
Ilse van Staden<br />
The balm before<br />
The <strong>Stormers</strong><br />
54 Training<br />
Gallery<br />
55<br />
Guess Who<br />
10<br />
22 24<br />
44<br />
55<br />
3
President’s Welcome<br />
<strong>URC</strong> <strong>URC</strong>OFFICIAL <strong>URC</strong>OFFICIAL <strong>URC</strong><br />
Hello everyone and welcome to Kingspan<br />
stadium for our match this evening against<br />
<strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> in Round 13 of the <strong>BKT</strong> United<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> Championship.<br />
It’s the South African side’s first visit to<br />
Belfast and we will be hoping to get a first<br />
win against them under our belts.<br />
Many fans will remember the heartbreak of<br />
last year’s <strong>URC</strong> semi- final match in Cape<br />
Town where the <strong>Ulster</strong>men narrowly lost.<br />
Tonight, we’ll be hoping to make it two home<br />
wins in a row after last Saturday’s fantastic<br />
win in the Heineken Champions Cup against<br />
Sale Sharks.<br />
It was a game with last 16 qualification on<br />
the line and the atmosphere was incredible.<br />
The players said how important the fans<br />
support was in driving the team to victory<br />
and we’ll hopefully create another brilliant<br />
loud atmosphere tonight.<br />
The result of the massive effort was a last<br />
16 match with our interprovincial rivals<br />
Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on the first of<br />
April and its always a huge clash between<br />
two quality provinces.<br />
A win tonight would put us in a good position<br />
in the <strong>URC</strong> with a break in fixtures coming up,<br />
so it would be good to end this challenging<br />
block of matches with a win.<br />
Away from the men’s game, it’s great to see<br />
that 10 <strong>Ulster</strong> women have been called up<br />
by Ireland Head Coach Greg McWilliams for<br />
the upcoming inaugural Celtic Challenge<br />
competition.<br />
The Combined Provinces team fixtures will be<br />
hosted at Kingspan Stadium in February and<br />
is another excellent indicator of the growth of<br />
women’s rugby.<br />
The Kingspan will also be hosting the AIL<br />
Junior Cup final tomorrow between Clogher<br />
Valley RFC and Enniskillen RFC. These games<br />
show the strength of our domestic game and<br />
tomorrow promises to be an exciting final<br />
with Clogher hoping to defend their title.<br />
I hope everyone enjoys the match tonight<br />
and let’s make another great night together.<br />
#SUFTUM<br />
Philip Gregg<br />
President, IRFU <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch<br />
5
Mascots<br />
Name: Nathan McClelland<br />
Age: 11<br />
From: Tandragee<br />
Favourite Player: Jacob Stockdale<br />
I can’t wait to lead out the players<br />
and see them all up close.<br />
Jacob Stockdale is my favourite<br />
player because he’s so skillful and can<br />
easily get past the defence.<br />
I also enjoy football and golf.<br />
Name: Conor Murray<br />
Age: 12<br />
From: Lisburn<br />
Favourite Player: Rob Herring<br />
I’m excited to have the opportunity<br />
to meet the players up close, and to<br />
experience the thrill of running out<br />
of the tunnel at the beginning of a<br />
game.<br />
I play rugby at Ballyclare RFC and<br />
at Methody.<br />
7
9
Dan McFarland<br />
Q&A<br />
Favourite Breakfast?<br />
Low GI toast and marmalade<br />
with coffee<br />
What is one thing you should cut<br />
down on?<br />
Over planning<br />
Favourite stadium to visit?<br />
Clermont<br />
Is there a manager from another<br />
sport that you admire?<br />
Loads… but Bill Belichick is top<br />
Who is the GOAT (Greatest Of<br />
All Time) rugby player in your<br />
opinion?<br />
Mike Gibson<br />
Who is the hardest worker in<br />
training?<br />
Mikey Lowry or Tom Stewart<br />
What player in the squad do you<br />
think could be a head coach in<br />
the future?<br />
Greg Jones or Will Addison<br />
What would the ideal first date<br />
for you be?<br />
Way too long ago to think about<br />
What is the greatest day of your<br />
life so far?<br />
There are two equal… births of<br />
Alexandra and Tomas<br />
Favourite local beauty spot?<br />
Top of Slieve Donard in a<br />
hurricane... never felt more relief<br />
in reaching anywhere!<br />
If you didn’t play or coach in<br />
rugby, what other career might<br />
you have had?<br />
I’d be a teacher<br />
Would you rather score a match<br />
winning try or make a match<br />
winning tackle?<br />
Try<br />
Are you reading any books at<br />
the moment?<br />
Dead Lions by Mick Herron<br />
(I like to escape when I can!)<br />
Which of the squad would make<br />
a good son in law and which one<br />
would you really not want?<br />
That’s weird but I’ll do it for an<br />
imaginary daughter! Good – Tom<br />
O’Toole (kind, a little mad and<br />
really respectful)... Bad – I can’t<br />
even picture most of them as<br />
sons-in-law, too frightening!<br />
11
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15
Spot the Difference<br />
Can you spot the 5 differences?<br />
MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD<br />
Dan<br />
McFarland<br />
Iain<br />
Henderson<br />
Head Coach<br />
Joined <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
in 2018 and is<br />
contracted to<br />
remain with at<br />
the province<br />
until at<br />
least 2025.<br />
Captain<br />
Lock<br />
21/02/1992<br />
199cm<br />
116kg<br />
135<br />
68<br />
Dan<br />
Soper<br />
Roddy<br />
Grant<br />
Jonny<br />
Bell<br />
Craig<br />
Newby<br />
Assistant Coach<br />
Forwards Coach<br />
Defence Coach<br />
Skills Coach<br />
LIVE STATS<br />
Visit ulster.rugby<br />
ulster.rugby<br />
Answers on back page<br />
17
Utility Back<br />
20/08/1992<br />
185cm<br />
93kg<br />
26<br />
5<br />
Will<br />
Addison<br />
Hooker<br />
26/05/1993<br />
180cm<br />
103kg<br />
104<br />
John<br />
Andrew<br />
Wing<br />
19/08/1997<br />
193cm<br />
93kg<br />
50<br />
4<br />
Rob<br />
Baloucoune<br />
Lock<br />
27/07/1995<br />
205cm<br />
120kg<br />
1<br />
Frank<br />
Bradshaw-Ryan<br />
Fly Half<br />
13/06/1994<br />
183cm<br />
87kg<br />
86<br />
7<br />
Billy<br />
Burns<br />
Lock<br />
10/09/1989<br />
201cm<br />
116kg<br />
52<br />
AUS 16<br />
Sam<br />
Carter<br />
Scrum Half<br />
01/05/1990<br />
178cm<br />
86kg<br />
112<br />
11<br />
John<br />
Cooney<br />
Fly Half / Centre<br />
26/03/1998<br />
178cm<br />
92kg<br />
24<br />
Angus<br />
Curtis<br />
Scrum Half<br />
17/12/2001<br />
185cm<br />
85kg<br />
36<br />
Nathan<br />
Doak<br />
Fly Half<br />
07/06/1999<br />
183cm<br />
91kg<br />
3<br />
Jake<br />
Flannery<br />
Wing<br />
11/03/1991<br />
183cm<br />
90kg<br />
208<br />
10<br />
Craig<br />
Gilroy<br />
Hooker<br />
27/04/1990<br />
185cm<br />
105kg<br />
225<br />
31<br />
Rob<br />
Herring<br />
Centre<br />
07/09/1998<br />
188cm<br />
98kg<br />
69<br />
3<br />
James<br />
Hume<br />
Lock<br />
28/01/2000<br />
201cm<br />
117kg<br />
11<br />
Cormac<br />
Izuchukwu<br />
Back Row<br />
13/01/1996<br />
196cm<br />
106kg<br />
41<br />
Greg<br />
Jones<br />
Full Back<br />
20/08/1998<br />
170cm<br />
76kg<br />
78<br />
1<br />
Mike<br />
Lowry<br />
Wing<br />
28/01/1997<br />
175cm<br />
85kg<br />
63<br />
Rob<br />
Lyttle<br />
Fly Half<br />
21/03/1989<br />
179cm<br />
89kg<br />
34<br />
30<br />
Ian<br />
Madigan<br />
Centre<br />
03/03/1991<br />
180cm<br />
95kg<br />
157<br />
11<br />
Luke<br />
Marshall<br />
Back Row<br />
13/06/2000<br />
193cm<br />
108kg<br />
21<br />
David<br />
McCann<br />
Centre<br />
06/08/1992<br />
193cm<br />
111kg<br />
170<br />
9<br />
Stuart<br />
McCloskey<br />
Scrum Half<br />
24/06/1999<br />
178cm<br />
95kg<br />
1<br />
Michael<br />
McDonald<br />
Full Back/Wing<br />
10/08/2000<br />
188cm<br />
89kg<br />
46<br />
Ethan<br />
McIlroy<br />
Prop<br />
15/12/1992<br />
191cm<br />
130kg<br />
20<br />
Gareth<br />
Milasinovich<br />
MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD<br />
19<br />
ulster.rugby
MEN’S SENIOR SQUAD<br />
Hooker<br />
15/09/1996<br />
183cm<br />
112kg<br />
3<br />
Declan<br />
Moore<br />
Prop<br />
01/03/1991<br />
178cm<br />
123kg<br />
86<br />
10<br />
Marty<br />
Moore<br />
Centre<br />
08/08/1999<br />
184cm<br />
90kg<br />
43<br />
Stewart<br />
Moore<br />
Wing/Centre<br />
09/09/1991<br />
191cm<br />
100kg<br />
24<br />
Ben<br />
Moxham<br />
Back Row<br />
22/04/1991<br />
188cm<br />
106kg<br />
60<br />
30<br />
Jordi<br />
Murphy<br />
Full Back<br />
15/07/1999<br />
181cm<br />
90kg<br />
Shea<br />
O’Brien<br />
Lock<br />
10/09/1992<br />
196cm<br />
110kg<br />
170<br />
Alan<br />
O’Connor<br />
Prop<br />
30/11/1995<br />
185cm<br />
117kg<br />
98<br />
1<br />
Eric<br />
O’Sullivan<br />
Prop<br />
23/09/1998<br />
184cm<br />
121kg<br />
86<br />
4<br />
Tom<br />
O’Toole<br />
Centre<br />
03/04/2002<br />
193cm<br />
93kg<br />
Jude<br />
Postlethwaite<br />
Back Row<br />
08/09/1997<br />
188cm<br />
109kg<br />
34<br />
Marcus<br />
Rea<br />
Back Row<br />
21/09/1993<br />
193cm<br />
110kg<br />
83<br />
Matty<br />
Rea<br />
Back Row<br />
04/11/1998<br />
180cm<br />
99kg<br />
3<br />
Sean<br />
Reffell<br />
Prop<br />
06/01/1999<br />
183cm<br />
117kg<br />
14<br />
Callum<br />
Reid<br />
Wing<br />
24/08/2000<br />
188cm<br />
94kg<br />
7<br />
Aaron<br />
Sexton<br />
Scrum Half<br />
20/06/1993<br />
175cm<br />
78kg<br />
86<br />
Dave<br />
Shanahan<br />
Hooker<br />
11/01/2001<br />
183cm<br />
103kg<br />
15<br />
Tom<br />
Stewart<br />
Wing/Full Back<br />
03/04/1996<br />
191cm<br />
102kg<br />
93<br />
35<br />
Jacob<br />
Stockdale<br />
Back Row<br />
01/08/1995<br />
188cm<br />
113kg<br />
116<br />
3<br />
Nick<br />
Timoney<br />
Prop<br />
19/11/1990<br />
192cm<br />
128kg<br />
5<br />
NZ 1 SAM 3<br />
Jeffery<br />
Toomanga-Allen<br />
Lock<br />
06/11/1995<br />
198cm<br />
115kg<br />
135<br />
10<br />
Kieran<br />
Treadwell<br />
Back Row<br />
03/07/1986<br />
193cm<br />
118kg<br />
28<br />
SA 65<br />
Duane<br />
Vermeulen<br />
Prop<br />
12/03/1991<br />
178cm<br />
116kg<br />
167<br />
Andrew<br />
Warwick<br />
Prop<br />
15/03/1994<br />
183cm<br />
113kg<br />
6<br />
SCO 21<br />
Rory<br />
Sutherland<br />
21<br />
ulster.rugby
The <strong>Ulster</strong> Society of<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> Football Referees<br />
We welcome Mike Adamson (SRU) and his<br />
team of officials to Kingspan Stadium for<br />
this evening’s <strong>BKT</strong> <strong>URC</strong> match against the<br />
<strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong>.<br />
In this weeks referee corner, we catch up<br />
with Andrew Davis (Lurgan RFC) and ask<br />
him how he juggles work, home life and of<br />
course blowing the whistle.<br />
Why did you decide to take up refereeing?<br />
I was coaching both mini and youth rugby<br />
and enjoyed being able to help support the<br />
younger players understand the game better.<br />
What is your day job and how do you juggle<br />
family life?<br />
I work as a General Manager for a great<br />
local company which supplies doors and<br />
ironmongery into the construction industry. I<br />
have a lovely wife and now that my kids have<br />
grown up I have more time to get involved<br />
in refereeing. However, it is very important<br />
to leave some free weekends so that I can<br />
spend some time with family and friends and<br />
the USRFR are very supportive of that.<br />
What is your training regime like?<br />
I try to get involved with the pre-season<br />
training provided each year by the USRFR<br />
and IRFU Referee Department and then<br />
ref enough games to keep match fit once<br />
the season starts. If I am a bit stiff or sore<br />
after a game, I go for a jog or a swim or<br />
even do some Pilates.<br />
U.S.R.F.R<br />
How do you prepare for a game?<br />
I check my kit the night before and contact the<br />
home team to make sure the game is going<br />
ahead. I also double check the regulations<br />
for the game I am doing as it can range from<br />
youth, schools, women’s to adult men. Whilst<br />
the Laws of the game are generally always<br />
the same, every competition has a different<br />
set of regulations!<br />
What is your favourite thing about<br />
refereeing?<br />
I enjoy the game management and<br />
establishing a relationship with the captains.<br />
Earning their trust it makes my job easier.<br />
What is the most memorable game or team<br />
you have refereed so far?<br />
Ards 3rd XV - I usually like to have a chat<br />
with the scrum-half before the game and<br />
when I was checking the studs I casually<br />
asked who’s playing nine and Andy <strong>Match</strong>ett<br />
put up his hand. I just laughed and said I<br />
don’t think I can tell you anything you don’t<br />
already know. It was a privilege to ref him<br />
and he never once questioned a decision.<br />
Who is your favourite referee and why?<br />
I like Joy Neville; she makes really clear<br />
decisions and earns the respect of the<br />
players and spectators alike.<br />
What advice would you give to someone<br />
thinking about taking up refereeing?<br />
Speak to another ref and ask lots of<br />
questions. The initial training and first season<br />
is quite intensive so be prepared to commit<br />
the time.<br />
If you’re interested in refereeing, contact:<br />
Richard Kerr<br />
Referee Development Manager<br />
richard.kerr@irfu.ie<br />
07493 868 388<br />
*Restrictions apply.<br />
23
Last Time Out<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> recorded a thrilling 22-11 victory<br />
over Sale Sharks at Kingspan Stadium last<br />
Saturday night, a result which secured<br />
a place in the Heineken Champions Cup<br />
playoffs for the fourth time in the past<br />
five seasons.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> put in a performance to remember<br />
when they needed it most. The province<br />
knew the match with Sale Sharks had last<br />
16 qualification on the line and that it was<br />
a must win.<br />
The <strong>Ulster</strong> men clearly had redemption on<br />
their minds after the 39-0 defeat in the<br />
return fixture at the AJ Bell Stadium.<br />
On a very windy night in Belfast, Sale<br />
started more brightly than the home side,<br />
with Rob du Preez kicking an early penalty<br />
to put points on the board.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> then got their game going and piled<br />
on the pressure in Sale’s ‘22. A few moves<br />
collapsed due to some handling errors but<br />
the home side’s pressure paid off as referee<br />
Pierre Brousset sent Sale prop Bevan Rodd<br />
to the sin bin for a penalty.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> - with a man advantage - kept the<br />
foot on the gas and scored the first try of the<br />
game as Rob Lyttle darted his way across to<br />
score. Nathan Doak was unable to score the<br />
conversion which left the scoreline at 5-3 to<br />
the home side.<br />
The away side responded a few minutes later<br />
as Rob du Preez converted a Sale penalty.<br />
Late <strong>Ulster</strong> pressure in the half paid off<br />
as Sale conceded a penalty at the scrum<br />
which allowed Nathan Doak to nail a<br />
penalty to ensure <strong>Ulster</strong> went into the<br />
break in the lead.<br />
Half-Time: <strong>Ulster</strong> 8 - 6 Sale Sharks<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> came out for the second half looking<br />
to extend their lead in the match but were<br />
dealt an early blow as Nathan Doak was<br />
sent to the sin bin for a knock on.<br />
Sale kept pushing and got their reward as<br />
they scored following a lineout, captain Ben<br />
Curry getting over the tryline for the away<br />
side.<br />
Rob du Preez was unable to add to the points<br />
and this left Sale with a slender 8-11 lead.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> then rallied and took the home crowd<br />
with them. After being held up over the<br />
Sale try line, the resulting drop-out was<br />
collected by Duane Vermeulen and the<br />
stands shook as the big Springbok powered<br />
his way through the middle of the field and<br />
bulldozed into Sale players.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> pushed forward and thought they had<br />
scored a try but Sale’s defence celebrated<br />
as the TMO couldn’t confirm whether it had<br />
been touched down.<br />
The home crowd continued to drive <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
on and the breakthrough came via <strong>Ulster</strong>’s<br />
maul weapon. A lineout close to Sale’s line<br />
resulted in hooker Rob Herring breaking<br />
off to dive over the line to send Kingspan<br />
Stadium into rapture.<br />
Cooney nailed his conversion to send the<br />
home side 15-11 up.<br />
With some nerves being felt over <strong>Ulster</strong>’s<br />
recent late defeats, the home side kept<br />
their second half assault going with Duane<br />
Vermeulen powering over to score <strong>Ulster</strong>’s<br />
third try of the match.<br />
A win that was long overdue and reward<br />
for the battling performance shown with<br />
qualification on the line.<br />
Full-Time: <strong>Ulster</strong> 22 - 11 Sale Sharks<br />
“It’s brilliant. It gives us the<br />
chance to play a Round of 16<br />
game, which is what our aim was.<br />
“We knew that once we<br />
were back at home in front<br />
of our fans – and I thought<br />
the atmosphere was electric<br />
tonight – the guys would pull<br />
everything out. It was a tough<br />
physical game, as it always is<br />
against teams like Sale, but the<br />
team did very well.<br />
“I’ve never been in doubt about<br />
the character of this squad,<br />
the effort has been 100% the<br />
whole time, and that showed<br />
again tonight. We showed a<br />
degree of physicality tonight.<br />
We were able to produce quick<br />
ball and I thought our defence<br />
was excellent and obviously<br />
the forwards really stood up<br />
when they were asked to.<br />
“The bench was magnificent<br />
too when they came on -<br />
there was a lot of experience<br />
in there and they gave us<br />
some additional punch later<br />
in the game. I thought the<br />
backs were excellent today,<br />
our two wingers in particular<br />
excelled in very very difficult<br />
conditions.”<br />
Dan McFarland<br />
Head Coach<br />
WATCH<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
25
BALLYGOWAN – OFFICIAL HYDRATION<br />
PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY<br />
NOW<br />
MADE FROM<br />
1 %<br />
RECYCLED<br />
PLASTIC<br />
*<br />
1 %<br />
IRISH<br />
1 %<br />
RECYCLABLE<br />
27
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Eric O’Sullivan<br />
6<br />
Alan O’Connor<br />
8<br />
5<br />
Tom Stewart<br />
C<br />
Sam Carter<br />
Jeff Toomaga-Allen<br />
7<br />
OFFICIALS<br />
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)<br />
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU)<br />
AR 2: Paul Haycock (IRFU)<br />
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)<br />
6<br />
4<br />
Ali Vermaak<br />
Ben-Jason Dixon<br />
8<br />
5<br />
JJ Kotze<br />
7<br />
Marvin Orie<br />
Brok Harris<br />
C<br />
11<br />
Ben Moxham<br />
Harry Sheridan<br />
Duane Vermeulen<br />
Nathan Doak<br />
Nick Timoney<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
Cornel Smit<br />
Junior Pokomela<br />
Evan Roos<br />
Stefan Ungerer<br />
Willie Engelbrecht<br />
9<br />
10<br />
Replacements<br />
16 John Andrew<br />
Billy Burns<br />
12<br />
Replacements<br />
16 Scarra Ntubeni<br />
Jean-Luc du Plessis<br />
12<br />
17 Rory Sutherland<br />
18 Andrew Warwick<br />
19 Kieran Treadwell<br />
20 Jordi Murphy<br />
Stewart Moore<br />
13<br />
17 Kwenzo Blose<br />
18 Sazi Sandi<br />
19 Ruben van Heerden<br />
20 Marcel Theunissen<br />
Sacha Feinberg-<br />
Mngomezulu<br />
13<br />
21 John Cooney<br />
22 Ian Madgian<br />
23 Ethan McIlroy<br />
15<br />
James Hume<br />
14<br />
21 Herschel Jantjies<br />
22 Kade Wolhuter<br />
23 Juan de Jongh<br />
15<br />
Ruhan Nel<br />
14<br />
Rob Lyttle<br />
Suleiman Hartzenberg<br />
ulster.rugby<br />
Mike Lowry<br />
Clayton Bloometjies<br />
29
31
Marvin Orie Lock<br />
Ones to Watch<br />
South Africa international and <strong>Stormers</strong> lock, Marvin<br />
Orie, is captaining the side in Steven Kitshoff’s<br />
absence.<br />
Orie is an integral part of the <strong>Stormers</strong> side and he<br />
has made 110 tackles in the <strong>URC</strong> this season, more<br />
than any other teammate and 8th overall in the<br />
tournament. He also uses his 6ft 6inch height to<br />
attack lineouts.<br />
ulster.rugby<br />
Evan Roos Back Row<br />
One of the most exciting young number 8’s in world<br />
rugby.<br />
23-year-old Roos is playing his way back from an injury<br />
layoff after a breakthrough season last year. Roos picked<br />
up an incredible four individual awards last season, as the<br />
<strong>Stormers</strong> became champions, winning the <strong>URC</strong> player<br />
of the season, player’s player of the season, next gen<br />
player of the season and the fans player of the season.<br />
Roos counts <strong>Ulster</strong> no.8 and Springbok teammate Duane<br />
Vermeulen as somebody he loves learning from as he<br />
seeks to grow as a player both for club and country.<br />
Reuben van Heerden Lock<br />
The <strong>Stormers</strong> have freshened up their squad with the<br />
signing of lock Reuben van Heerden from Exeter Chiefs.<br />
The second rower is 6ft 6inches and is experienced after<br />
playing for the Vodacom Bulls, the Cell C Sharks and Exeter<br />
Chiefs.<br />
Van Heerden will be hoping to make his debut against<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> and give <strong>Stormers</strong> head coach John Dobson a<br />
selection problem going forward.<br />
NAME POSITION AGE HEIGHT WEIGHT<br />
Ali VERMAAK Prop 36 1.78 m 110 kg<br />
Brok HARRIS Prop 37 1.86 m 121 kg<br />
Frans MALHERBE Prop 31 1.90 m 138 kg<br />
Kwenzo BLOSE Prop 25 1.87 m 111 kg<br />
Lee-Marvin MAZIBUKO Prop 25 1.80 m 110 kg<br />
Leon LYONS Prop 24 1.88 m 118 kg<br />
Neethling FOUCHÉ Prop 30 1.87 m 119 kg<br />
Sazi SANDI Prop 24 1.81 m 122 kg<br />
Steven KITSHOFF Prop 30 1.83 m 123 kg<br />
André-Hugo VENTER Hooker 21 1.87 m 106 kg<br />
Chad SOLOMON Hooker 28 1.79 m 103 kg<br />
JJ KOTZÉ Hooker 22 1.87 m 106 kg<br />
Joseph DWEBA Hooker 27 1.80 m 108 kg<br />
Siyabonga NTUBENI Hooker 31 1.73 m 105 kg<br />
Adré SMITH Lock 25 2.04 m 120 kg<br />
Ben-Jason DIXON Lock 24 1.98 m 110 kg<br />
Connor EVANS Lock 21 1.98 m 113 kg<br />
Ernst VAN RHYN Lock 25 1.92 m 117 kg<br />
Gary PORTER Lock 26 2.01 m 115 kg<br />
Marvin ORIE Lock 29 1.98 m 112 kg<br />
Ruben VAN HEERDEN Lock 25 2.00 m 120 kg<br />
Salmaan MOERAT Lock 24 2.00 m 122 kg<br />
Deon FOURIE Back row 36 1.78 m 101 kg<br />
Evan ROOS Back row 23 1.92 m 108 kg<br />
Hacjivah DAYIMANI Back row 25 1.88 m 103 kg<br />
Junior Sipato POKOMELA Back row 26 1.90 m 112 kg<br />
Keke MORABE Back row 21 1.88 m 114 kg<br />
Marcel THEUNISSEN Back row 23 1.92 m 102 kg<br />
Nama XABA Back row 25 1.85 m 103 kg<br />
Paul DE VILLIERS Back row 20 1.81 m 96 kg<br />
Simon MILLER Back row 21 1.98 m 110 kg<br />
Willie ENGELBRECHT Back row 30 1.91 m 109 kg<br />
Godlen MASIMLA Scrum-half 30 1.77 m 80 kg<br />
Herschel JANTJIES Scrum-half 26 1.67 m 75 kg<br />
Imad KHAN Scrum-half 19 1.79 m 77 kg<br />
Paul DE WET Scrum-half 26 1.76 m 83 kg<br />
Stefan UNGERER Scrum-half 29 1.83 m 93 kg<br />
Damian WILLEMSE Fly-half 24 1.87 m 91 kg<br />
Jean-Luc DU PLESSIS Fly-half 28 1.79 m 87 kg<br />
Kade WOLHUTER Fly-half 21 1.82 m 93 kg<br />
Manie LIBBOK Fly-half 25 1.79 m 80 kg<br />
Sacha MNGOMEZULU Fly-half 20 1.85 m 90 kg<br />
Alapati LEIUA Centre 34 1.85 m 100 kg<br />
Chris HOLLIS Centre 24 1.91 m 107 kg<br />
Cornel SMIT Centre 25 1.83 m 95 kg<br />
Dan DU PLESSIS Centre 28 1.93 m 103 kg<br />
Juan DE JONGH Centre 34 1.77 m 89 kg<br />
Mnombo ZWELENDABA Centre 22 1.88 m 95 kg<br />
Ruhan NEL Centre 31 1.91 m 101 kg<br />
Suleiman HARTZENBERG Centre 19 1.87 m 91 kg<br />
Angelo DAVIDS Winger 23 1.78 m 84 kg<br />
Leolin ZAS Winger 27 1.84 m 95 kg<br />
Seabelo SENATLA Winger 29 1.79 m 89 kg<br />
Clayton BLOMMETJIES Fullback 32 1.83 m 89 kg<br />
Tristan LEYDS Fullback 25 1.83 m 74 kg<br />
33
Half-Time Exhibition Games<br />
Memorial Stand End<br />
Finn Valley<br />
Kit: Green & Black<br />
Monaghan<br />
Kit: Blue & Green<br />
1 Ruari Irwin<br />
7 Lee McGrenaghan<br />
1 Callum Singleton<br />
7 Jack Smith<br />
2 Jack Blee<br />
8 Jamie Laverty<br />
2 Chloe Flanagan<br />
8 Joseph Wilkin<br />
3 Dylan Mcmenamin<br />
9 Jonathan Rhys<br />
3 Daimhain Brett<br />
9 Matthew Hudson<br />
4 Louis Mcgee<br />
10 Adam Foy<br />
4 Sean McMeel<br />
10 Nathan McGuinness<br />
5 Tajus Kasparaviciene<br />
11 Isaac Stevenson<br />
5 Finn Curley<br />
11 Rhys Roddy<br />
6 Aaron Porter<br />
12 Alfie Thompson<br />
6 Harry Ronaghan<br />
12 William Moore<br />
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1 Ralph Middleton<br />
2 Oliver Brown<br />
3 Rossa Kincaid<br />
4 Louis Boyle<br />
5 Sam Clarke<br />
6 Owen Kazaca<br />
City of Derry<br />
Kit: Green & Black<br />
AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End<br />
7 Milo Clenaghan<br />
8 Rohan Taylor<br />
9 Tom Spratt<br />
10 Jack Hutchinson<br />
11 Noah Sheen<br />
12 Robbie Lynch<br />
1 Alex White<br />
2 Archie Doogan<br />
3 Callum Warwick<br />
4 Charlie Canning<br />
5 Charlie Neill<br />
6 Codey Malcolm<br />
Lurgan<br />
Kit: Black Red & Yellow<br />
7 Daniel Mackey<br />
8 Ethan Cushnahan<br />
9 Jack Ferguson<br />
10 Reuben Wellwood<br />
11 Rory McFetridge<br />
12 Thomas McGurnaghan<br />
35
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The faster you pedal within 30 seconds, the further<br />
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37
NATHAN DOAK<br />
A DAY IN<br />
THE LIFE<br />
ulster.rugby 39
Tom<br />
Stewart<br />
Hooker<br />
11/01/2001<br />
183cm<br />
103kg<br />
15<br />
<strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> tonight, how big a test will<br />
they be?<br />
It’s a huge game. South African teams always<br />
pose a threat, they have a big pack and<br />
play with width. After we beat the Lions in<br />
October, we want to back that up and ahead<br />
of the break we want to get the win. We also<br />
want to get one back on them after they beat<br />
us twice last season.<br />
Both sides will be without some international<br />
players, will that change anything?<br />
Without our internationals there is still a lot<br />
of quality across the board. This is a test. This<br />
<strong>Stormers</strong> side will always bring a big challenge.<br />
How important has this block of games been<br />
for you personally because you have broken<br />
into the squad and cemented yourself as a<br />
senior player?<br />
For me especially, getting back-to-back<br />
rugby is massive because I hadn’t any<br />
exposure to that before. I have been happy<br />
about getting minutes and staying injury<br />
free, so it’s about getting to the end of this<br />
block and getting those minutes. It’s been<br />
great for my development.<br />
How does it feel being our top try scorer?<br />
It’s obviously nice to touch down off the back<br />
of the mauls. They might not be the most<br />
spectacular of scores but it’s always nice to<br />
get one down across the whitewash. It’s a<br />
team try in my eyes!<br />
Who would you look up to in<br />
the squad?<br />
Alan O’Connor. His attitude,<br />
preparation, mantra in<br />
games and he just never<br />
stops. In a game if<br />
something doesn’t go<br />
right, he’s prepared for<br />
that scenario.<br />
Guinness Six Nations<br />
is coming up, is that<br />
something you’ll be<br />
keeping an eye on?<br />
I will always watch Ireland, I like to keep an<br />
eye on our boys and see how they are getting<br />
on and especially in a World Cup year.<br />
Is an Ireland call up one of your ambitions?<br />
I think every young boy who grows up<br />
through rugby pathways and <strong>Ulster</strong> have<br />
that ambition to pull on a green jersey. For<br />
me that goal is alive and I hope I can put<br />
that jersey on and run out for Ireland.<br />
After this there will be a break in fixtures.<br />
What will you do with the time off?<br />
A lot of rest and chilling out. I’ll maybe go<br />
away somewhere and switch off from rugby.<br />
It’s been a long tough block and your body<br />
needs a bit of a rest.<br />
ulster.rugby<br />
41
Next month sees the start of the Heineken<br />
Champions Cup, when <strong>Ulster</strong> welcome current<br />
Champions, La Rochelle to Belfast.<br />
The champions’ strong season finished with<br />
an incredible final in Marseille. La Rochelle<br />
(Stade Rochelais) snatched the title from<br />
Leinster <strong>Rugby</strong>’s grasp in the most dramatic<br />
circumstances.<br />
Replacement Arthur Retiere went over in the<br />
dying seconds as Stade Rochelais secured their<br />
maiden European trophy with a 24-21 win over<br />
Leinster at a bouncing Stade Vélodrome.<br />
A yellow card for Thomas Lavault with just over<br />
15 minutes to play looked to have ended the<br />
TOP 14 side’s hopes of a recovery, but Retiere<br />
provided the crucial moment as he ducked<br />
under a tackle and squirmed over in what would<br />
be the final play of an enthralling game.<br />
On their journey to the final, La Rochelle had<br />
some impressive wins:<br />
La Rochelle 20 - 13 Glasgow Warriors<br />
Bath <strong>Rugby</strong> P - P La Rochelle<br />
La Rochelle 39 - 21 Bath <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
Glasgow Warriors 30 - 38 La Rochelle<br />
Rounds of 16<br />
Bordeaux-Begles 13 - 31 La Rochelle<br />
La Rochelle 31 - 23 Bordeaux-Begles<br />
Quarter-Final<br />
La Rochelle 31 - 19 Montpellier<br />
Semi-Final<br />
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ulster.rugby 43
Ilse van Staden bows out<br />
Having been capped 31 times for <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
Women since making her debut in 2012, Ilse<br />
van Staden has announced her retirement<br />
from provincial duties. The prop played in<br />
all three fixtures in this season’s Vodafone<br />
Women’s Interprovincial Championship<br />
before calling time on her <strong>Ulster</strong> career.<br />
Ilse, congratulations on reaching<br />
retirement. Although you made the<br />
announcement after the Interpro series,<br />
when did you decide this would be your<br />
last run of games of <strong>Ulster</strong>, and ultimately<br />
why did you make the decision to retire?<br />
I started talking about stepping away from<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> during the 2021 Interpros, but after<br />
our draw against Connacht I decided to<br />
give it another rattle. I had the discussion<br />
with Head Coach Neill Alcorn during the<br />
first training camp we had over summer. I’m<br />
going out while I’m still playing good rugby<br />
and I’m physically fit. I’m one of the lucky<br />
ones when it comes to being able to retire<br />
on my terms.<br />
I just feel that it’s the right time for me to<br />
take a step back. I am closer to 40 than I<br />
would like to admit, and have a young family,<br />
as well as running a business and a full-time<br />
ulster.rugby<br />
day job. I realised that it’s time to focus bit<br />
more on the home front.<br />
At the end of the Leinster game, both<br />
teams formed a tunnel and gave you a<br />
round of applause – how emotional was<br />
that moment for you?<br />
The past two weeks has been a tad<br />
emotional. I had to try and put a lid on the<br />
emotions going into that Leinster game.<br />
The tunnel from both teams at the end was<br />
a special moment and something I will be<br />
forever grateful for.<br />
Looking back to your first cap in 2012, did<br />
you ever think you’d still be lining out for<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> over a decade later, and what has<br />
it meant to you to represent your adopted<br />
province so many times?<br />
Back in 2012 when I first lined out for <strong>Ulster</strong>,<br />
I was lining up alongside some big names.<br />
Stacy Lee Kennedy, Grace Davitt and Amy<br />
Graham, who all played for Ireland. It was a<br />
massive privilege to be able to run out for<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> and I definitely didn’t dream that I<br />
would be doing it for more than a decade.<br />
Like many of the other South Africans who<br />
have played in <strong>Ulster</strong>, I have found a place<br />
for myself here in Northern Ireland and I do<br />
believe that being an <strong>Ulster</strong>woman is one of<br />
the best feelings in the world. Thank you to<br />
the people of <strong>Ulster</strong> who have welcomed<br />
me and embraced me as their own.<br />
What have been the highlights of your<br />
time representing <strong>Ulster</strong> over the years?<br />
My first cap back in 2012 against Munster,<br />
and then I was part of that 2012 team that<br />
beat Connacht. My first run out at Kingspan<br />
Stadium in 2016 again against Munster was<br />
also special. My first try against Leinster in<br />
last year’s game is also up there.<br />
Since 2012, how have things changed for<br />
women and girls’ rugby in <strong>Ulster</strong>, and what<br />
changes would you hope to see in future?<br />
Since I started playing with <strong>Ulster</strong> in 2012,<br />
there is a much bigger focus on the visibility<br />
of the women’s game in Ireland as a whole.<br />
I would have never dreamed to play rugby<br />
to a live TV audience when I started playing.<br />
But women’s rugby in <strong>Ulster</strong> is on the up<br />
and there is so much to get excited about,<br />
as exposure brings an investment of skills<br />
and opportunity. The other area that has<br />
changed dramatically is the way we prepare<br />
ourselves. There is a solid S&C programme<br />
in place as well as access to video analysis<br />
and a big focus on improving core skills.<br />
The current squad has some really bright<br />
young talented players coming through,<br />
so what sort of impact do you think they<br />
can have in the years to come?<br />
I’m really excited by the wealth of young<br />
talent that’s coming through at <strong>Ulster</strong>.<br />
The skill and rugby knowledge of these<br />
youngsters is truly amazing, and the scary<br />
thing is they are only going to get better.<br />
It’s already evident by seeing 10 <strong>Ulster</strong> girls<br />
included in the Celtic Challenge Squad,<br />
where they again get another opportunity<br />
to grow their game.<br />
Finally, Ilse – in terms of rugby, what’s<br />
next? Will you still play at club level? And<br />
would you ever consider passing on your<br />
knowledge by taking up coaching?<br />
I’m still going to be playing AIL for my club<br />
side Cooke RFC, so they are not rid of me<br />
just yet, and then I’ll transition into coaching.<br />
Even in retirement, my aim will always be to<br />
help the young players be better versions of<br />
themselves and if I can have a small role in<br />
that will be enough.<br />
45
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Academy<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
Ben<br />
Carson<br />
Centre<br />
24/02/2002<br />
183cm<br />
101kg<br />
-<br />
Ruben<br />
Crothers<br />
Back Row<br />
28/01/2002<br />
189cm<br />
98kg<br />
-<br />
Joe<br />
Hopes<br />
Second Row<br />
16/03/2004<br />
197cm<br />
100kg<br />
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Scrum-Half<br />
20/03/2001<br />
182cm<br />
85kg<br />
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Lorcan<br />
McLaughlin<br />
Back-Row<br />
03/04/2002<br />
189cm<br />
105kg<br />
-<br />
James<br />
McNabney<br />
Back Row<br />
28/02/2003<br />
193cm<br />
113kg<br />
George<br />
Saunderson<br />
01/11/2001<br />
Prop<br />
189cm<br />
123kg<br />
-<br />
Harry<br />
Sheridan<br />
Second Row<br />
21/09/2001<br />
194cm<br />
122kg<br />
2<br />
Rory<br />
Telfer<br />
Full-Back/Wing<br />
29/08/2003<br />
183cm<br />
87kg<br />
-<br />
Scott<br />
Wilson<br />
Prop<br />
06/08/2007<br />
186cm<br />
122kg<br />
-<br />
ulster.rugby 49
Written by:<br />
Rod Nawn<br />
The Calm Before The <strong>Stormers</strong><br />
Oh what a night, late in January ’23!<br />
Was last Saturday the evening that <strong>Ulster</strong><br />
emerged from a worrying torpor, when the<br />
players and coaches were vindicated in<br />
their consistent belief that the nightmarish<br />
results in December were not mirroring the<br />
quality of the team?<br />
Six days ago, many things combined<br />
to transform the mood of supporters<br />
who’d never fallen out of love for the club<br />
but who’d had their confidence in this<br />
particular group sorely tested, and the visit<br />
of Sale Sharks in the Heineken Champions<br />
Cup might see the end of what’s become a<br />
regular extended European campaign.<br />
Those same supporters almost filled<br />
Kingspan Stadium last weekend, from<br />
somewhere, found its voice, that famous<br />
‘Ravenhill Roar’ and it created what in<br />
modern parlance be termed a ‘vibe’ of<br />
wholehearted backing. The 22-11 defeat<br />
of Sale, after a nervy first forty minutes,<br />
was completed with the urgings from the<br />
terraces and in the stands maintained<br />
through to the final whistle.<br />
It’s often too glibly said, by players and by<br />
officials throughout the top-class game,<br />
that the home crowd can be ‘the 16th man’.<br />
Somehow, before and after the match,<br />
the sincerity of the remarks regarding the<br />
volume and importance of a resurgent<br />
support rang true.<br />
The team certainly was relieved by a<br />
winning return to its home ground, for so<br />
long a fortress in league and in European<br />
combat, but the performance in the second<br />
half was one where the errors almost<br />
vanished, where the self-confidence was<br />
palpably restoring itself in front of our eyes.<br />
Another contributory factor to the more<br />
upbeat expectations against Sale was the<br />
previous week’s display in a gut-wrenching,<br />
last-minute defeat by European champions<br />
La Rochelle in France. In the most dreadful<br />
conditions, the players dominated Ronan<br />
O’Gara’s decorated team for much of the<br />
eighty minutes. A lead hard won through<br />
a penalty was defended with a resolution<br />
some might have begun to doubt.<br />
Defensively, the side was tactically aware<br />
and intelligent, while, when opportunity<br />
arose to threaten, the players applied<br />
themselves with an intelligence which<br />
reflects their own individual and collective<br />
ability. No wonder Dan McFarland was<br />
rightly proud of his squad: the Head<br />
Coach is a demanding leader and says it<br />
as he sees it, but the thought he and his<br />
coaches had put into almost avenging<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong>’s unconvincing display at ‘home’ to<br />
La Rochelle at the Aviva last month was<br />
eye-catching.<br />
So, when Sale pulled up in Belfast last<br />
weekend, hopes that <strong>Ulster</strong> was on its way<br />
to recovering its mojo were rising that<br />
another memorable night under the lights<br />
at Ravenhill Park was possibly in prospect.<br />
The team began its return to home ground a<br />
little tentatively, but its intention to take the<br />
initiative against the English Premiership’s<br />
second-placed club clear to see. Yes,<br />
there were handing errors, mistakes at the<br />
breakdown, and the number of turnovers<br />
forced by the visitors would have had fans<br />
and coaches momentarily despondent.<br />
Rob Lyttle’s superbly executed try after<br />
Billy Burns missed out three opposition<br />
defenders to find his winger in space,<br />
collecting a bouncing ball and navigating a<br />
way to the right corner.<br />
In that moment there was a hint that the<br />
attacking verve and confidence which had<br />
gone missing in some recent games were<br />
restored, that an evening of European<br />
success was in view.<br />
Perhaps known just before kick-off that<br />
Clermont had fallen to the <strong>Stormers</strong> and<br />
opened up a channel to that qualifying<br />
eighth spot in the Champions Cup pool<br />
added incentive. In a competition format<br />
which needs to be scrutinised, <strong>Ulster</strong> was<br />
a beneficiary in going into its final group<br />
clash ‘alive’, and a single win in four outings<br />
could secure a place in the thankfully onelegged<br />
Round of 16 weeks down the line.<br />
Prolonging the European journey each<br />
season is something the club and its<br />
fans now expect and, even, demand. The<br />
second half last Saturday saw <strong>Ulster</strong> really<br />
restoring faith: and Rob Herring and Duane<br />
Vermeulen tries were the result of tried and<br />
tested forward drives which have always<br />
had an acute awareness of what these<br />
players can do best.<br />
So, is tonight’s return to the United <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
Championship against the aforementioned<br />
<strong>Stormers</strong>, the reigning champions, going<br />
to reinforce the sense that a messy<br />
and sometimes despairing period for<br />
the home side is going to cement the<br />
rediscovered confidence? That this season<br />
can realistically draw the team closer to<br />
silverware?<br />
ulster.rugby<br />
51
The South Africans have been zig-zagging<br />
across the hemispheres to fulfil their <strong>URC</strong><br />
and Champions Cup obligations and have<br />
faced exhausting and penalising travel<br />
programmes.<br />
This league competition too needs more<br />
examination and revision. The South<br />
Africans have their obvious challenges<br />
but the sub-groups of the <strong>URC</strong> mean the<br />
Irish Provinces are clearly disadvantaged<br />
in comparison to a pool which pitches<br />
Edinburgh and Glasgow into battle with<br />
the two Italian sides, one of which is a<br />
perennial underperformer.<br />
These things matter because qualification<br />
for the two European competitions is<br />
involved at the end of the <strong>URC</strong> season, and<br />
there is an issue with the format and the<br />
scheduling which denies Ireland, Wales and<br />
Scotland of key players during the Autumn<br />
and Six Nations programmes and national<br />
training camps.<br />
But tonight an <strong>Ulster</strong> team, minus its five<br />
players in Six Nations preparations, with a<br />
solid and talented core will be determined<br />
to build on the advances of the last two<br />
games by taking on the inaugural <strong>URC</strong><br />
champions. It will do so aware of how<br />
quickly fortunes – and opinions – can<br />
change, how form can be an elusive<br />
partner, and how small the margins are<br />
when professional operations meet.<br />
The <strong>Stormers</strong> have already signalled that<br />
the trials of recent weeks requires certain<br />
players be stood down this week, and that<br />
is as disappointing for the supporters inside<br />
Kingspan Stadium as it is understandable<br />
given Head Coach John Dobson’s duty of<br />
care to a fatigued squad.<br />
The South Africans will still be laden with<br />
internationals, and there are key areas<br />
of this contest where the home team will<br />
have to be at its most focussed and alert.<br />
Young out-half Kade Wolhuter showed in<br />
the home defeat of Clermont last weekend<br />
that he has an unerring and long-range<br />
talent from the tee, so <strong>Ulster</strong> discipline<br />
has rarely been more important as Project<br />
Reset continues.<br />
Sadly, <strong>Ulster</strong> supporters will not see<br />
Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff, who<br />
arrives at the Province on a three-year<br />
deal after the World Cup, his recovery for<br />
a compressed ‘local’ schedule begins with<br />
a visit to the Sharks a week today. A short<br />
break then it’s away again to the Bulls, and<br />
two weeks later the Sharks – again – are the<br />
opponents in Cape Town.<br />
Hopefully familiar names like Herschell<br />
Jantjies, the athletic Dan du Plessis and<br />
teenage winger Suleiman Hartzenberg will<br />
be included in a backline with a reputation<br />
for clinical counter attack and try-scoring.<br />
Up front there are some experienced<br />
heavyweights who’ll examine <strong>Ulster</strong>’s<br />
forward eight. Flanker Evan Roos has<br />
been in excellent form, a real threat at the<br />
breakdown, while props Ali Vermaak and<br />
Brok Harris may be in their thirties but are<br />
scrum specialists.<br />
It will be an experienced side with many<br />
youngsters blooded in recent times and<br />
Dobson does have an impressive squad<br />
which he rotates often and his effective<br />
use of his bench was illustrated only last<br />
weekend with his shrewd try-scoring<br />
introduction of Jantjies and Roos and of<br />
Jean-Luc du Plessis at No.10. The second<br />
half saw Clermont swept away.<br />
<strong>Ulster</strong> will do their homework, but<br />
concentrate most on what they’re capable<br />
of bringing to the <strong>URC</strong> table against the<br />
champions at a critical time for the club.<br />
The <strong>Stormers</strong> are in pursuit of Leinster in<br />
second spot, <strong>Ulster</strong> seven points further<br />
back but in a potentially important playoff<br />
fourth place.<br />
Tonight we have a battle of wits on and off<br />
the pitch but in its current mood <strong>Ulster</strong> can<br />
take the victory and send the <strong>Stormers</strong> off<br />
on another tiring long-haul trip home.<br />
And that fabled ‘Roar’? Let’s hear it lift<br />
the rafters!<br />
ulster.rugby<br />
53
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55
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57
RAVENHILL PARK GARDENS<br />
ABBEY AUTOLINE FAMILY STAND<br />
Catering<br />
SPIRIT OF ‘99<br />
PROMENADE 1<br />
EAST TERRACE<br />
A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE / VIP BOXES<br />
The Food Village will be in operation,<br />
serving a variety of cuisines, while the<br />
Cool FM Crew will provide the soundtrack<br />
for the evening.<br />
All five public bars will also be in operation,<br />
with live entertainment in the Clubhouse Bar.<br />
Kukri Store<br />
The Kukri Store will be open from gates<br />
open, until 30 minutes after full-time.<br />
THE 1924<br />
PROMENADE 2<br />
Audio<br />
ONSLOW PARADE<br />
TURNSTILES<br />
FOOD<br />
VILLAGE<br />
TURNSTILES<br />
Audio descriptive match commentary to<br />
enhance the match experience for people<br />
affected by sight or hearing loss will be<br />
available.<br />
Earpieces can be collected from the admin<br />
building reception prior to the game, or<br />
you can book your equipment by calling on<br />
(028) 9049 3222.<br />
Kingspan Stadium is now fully cashless,<br />
with all bars and catering outlets<br />
operating via card payments only.<br />
Live music will be available pre & post-match in the Clubhouse Bar<br />
ADMIN’<br />
BUILDING<br />
2022/23 FIXTURES<br />
H Connacht Fri 17 Sep W 36-10 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Scarlets Sat 24 Sep W 39-55 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Leinster Fri 30 Sep L 13-20 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Ospreys Sat 8 Oct W 47-17 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Emirates Lions Sat 15 Oct W 37-39 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Munster Sat 29 Oct W 14-15 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Zebre Parma Fri 25 Nov W 36-15 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Leinster Sat 3 Dec L 38-29 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Sale Sharks Sun 11 Dec L 39-0 HCC<br />
H La Rochelle Sat 17 Dec L 29-36 HCC<br />
A Connacht Fri 23 Dec W 20-22 <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Munster Sun 1 Jan L 14-15 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Benetton Sat 7 Jan L 20-22 <strong>URC</strong><br />
A La Rochelle Sat 14 Jan L 7-3 HCC<br />
H Sale Sharks Sat 21 Jan W 22-11 HCC<br />
H <strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> Fri 27 Jan 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Glasgow Warriors Fri 17 Feb 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Cell C Sharks Sat 25 Feb 12 noon <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Cardiff Sat 4 Mar 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Vodacom Bulls Sat 25 Mar 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
A Leinster Sat 1 Apr 5.30pm HCC<br />
H Dragons Fri 14 Apr 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
H Edinburgh Fri 21 Apr 7.35pm <strong>URC</strong><br />
*UK/IRE Time<br />
Respect<br />
Policy<br />
Incident hotline<br />
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200 200<br />
We are<br />
passionate in<br />
our support<br />
We are silent<br />
during kicks<br />
at goal<br />
We respect the<br />
match officials’<br />
decisions<br />
We drink<br />
responsibly<br />
We do not tolerate<br />
abusive or discriminatory<br />
language<br />
We respect opposition<br />
players, management<br />
& supporters<br />
We are mindful<br />
of our language<br />
59
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