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Ulster Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup Match Day Programme - v Clermont Auvergne

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ULSTER<br />

Official <strong>Match</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>Programme</strong><br />

v ASM CLERMONT<br />

AUVERGNE<br />

Sat 22 Jan 2022, 5.30pm<br />

Kingspan Stadium


TRY. CONVERT.<br />

In this Issue<br />

12<br />

14<br />

34<br />

5 President’s<br />

Welcome<br />

7 EPCR<br />

Welcome<br />

9 Virtual<br />

Mascot<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> Men in<br />

Ireland Squad<br />

11<br />

12<br />

14<br />

Player Q&A:<br />

Nick Timoney<br />

A View from<br />

the Stands<br />

18 Squad<br />

Profiles<br />

23<br />

Danske Bank<br />

Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> Update<br />

24 Team<br />

Line-ups<br />

New Signing<br />

Sean Reffell<br />

26<br />

28<br />

<strong>Clermont</strong> <strong>Auvergne</strong><br />

Ones To Watch<br />

31 Half-time<br />

Exhibition Games<br />

32<br />

34<br />

40<br />

44<br />

50<br />

Last Time<br />

Out<br />

Behind The Player<br />

Gemma MCamley<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> Fancy a<br />

French Flourish<br />

All-Ireland Junior<br />

<strong>Cup</strong> Final<br />

Player Interview:<br />

Mike Lowry<br />

50<br />

Enjoy <strong>Heineken</strong> ® Responsibly<br />

3


President’s<br />

Welcome<br />

Welcome to Round 4 of the <strong>Heineken</strong><br />

<strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong>, and <strong>Ulster</strong>’s final pool stage<br />

fixture versus ASM <strong>Clermont</strong> <strong>Auvergne</strong>. It’s<br />

great to have supporters here!<br />

I would like to extend a warm welcome<br />

-or “bienvenue” - to our opponents, ASM<br />

<strong>Clermont</strong> <strong>Auvergne</strong>. They come into this<br />

game having defeated Sale Sharks by 25-19 at<br />

Stade Marcel-Michelin, and so have everything<br />

to play for this evening.<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> have secured a place in the <strong>Heineken</strong><br />

<strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> Round of 16 after claiming a<br />

bonus-point victory over Northampton Saints<br />

at cinch Stadium last weekend, and they will<br />

no doubt want to sign-off on the pool stages<br />

with a flourish this evening in front of a packed<br />

Kingspan Stadium.<br />

Over the festive period, we were boosted by<br />

the news that Ethan McIlroy, Stuart McCloskey,<br />

Nathan Doak, Jordi Murphy, Billy Burns, Marty<br />

Moore, Matty Rea, James Hume, Tom O’Toole,<br />

Will Addison and John Cooney have all<br />

signed contract extensions with the province.<br />

Ben Moxham has also been promoted to a<br />

development contract from the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong><br />

Academy. This is testament not only to their<br />

superb performances and commitment to<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong>, but also the high-performance culture<br />

that Bryn Cunningham and Dan McFarland<br />

have fostered at the club.<br />

We also announced the signing of back-row,<br />

Sean Reffell from Saracens - we look forward<br />

to him linking up with the squad in the summer!<br />

There will be an all-<strong>Ulster</strong> final in the All-Ireland<br />

Junior <strong>Cup</strong> as Ballyclare and Clogher Valley<br />

defeated Connemara and Newcastle West<br />

in their respective semi-finals on Saturday<br />

18th December. Huge congratulations to<br />

both teams; it is set to be a fantastic final at<br />

Kingspan Stadium on 29th January (5.30pm<br />

kick-off).<br />

We launched an updated version of our Code<br />

of Conduct as part of our #respectURgame<br />

campaign a couple of weeks ago. We know that<br />

many involved in rugby already live these values<br />

day-to-day, and we are keen to see that continue.<br />

Thank you for championing this message.<br />

On the schools’ front, the Danske Bank<br />

Schools <strong>Cup</strong> has progressed to Round 4 to<br />

be played next weekend, with the Danske<br />

Bank Subsidiary Shield, Bowl and Trophy all<br />

approaching the quarter-final stage, so there<br />

is a lot of activity which is fantastic to see.<br />

Up next, <strong>Ulster</strong> will turn their attentions to<br />

the United <strong>Rugby</strong> <strong>Champions</strong>hip next Friday<br />

when they will host Scarlets in Round 11 of the<br />

competition at Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm<br />

kick-off).<br />

I hope you enjoy the game and thank you for<br />

your support.<br />

Happy New Year to you all!<br />

Gary Leslie<br />

President, IRFU <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch<br />

5


EPCR<br />

Welcome<br />

A warm welcome to this <strong>Heineken</strong><br />

<strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> pool stage match as we<br />

anticipate once again elite clubs and top<br />

players producing the brilliance and drama<br />

which have for long been the trademarks<br />

of our truly world-class tournament.<br />

The two fixtures this month will determine<br />

the eight clubs in each pool which will<br />

qualify for the knockout stage and continue<br />

on the road to the Marseille finals weekend,<br />

so the stakes are high.<br />

We can then look forward to an innovative<br />

Round of 16 with home and away legs,<br />

followed by traditional quarter-finals and<br />

semi-finals which will guarantee a further<br />

series of compelling matches culminating<br />

in the 2022 showpiece final at the Stade<br />

Vélodrome on Saturday, 28 May.<br />

In addition, the three clubs ranked ninth to<br />

11th in each pool will have the opportunity to<br />

compete for silverware by qualifying for the<br />

knockout stage of the EPCR Challenge <strong>Cup</strong>.<br />

We are delighted to be joined on this<br />

season’s journey to Marseille by our longstanding<br />

title partner, <strong>Heineken</strong>, as well as<br />

by our newest official partner, DHL, who are<br />

providing customised logistics solutions for<br />

both the <strong>Heineken</strong> <strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> and the<br />

EPCR Challenge <strong>Cup</strong>, and we would also like<br />

to thank Tissot, the Financial Times, Gilbert<br />

and Kappa for their continuing support.<br />

We acknowledge the superb coverage<br />

provided by our TV partners BT Sport,<br />

beIN SPORTS, France Télévisions, Channel<br />

4, Virgin Media, S4C and Sky Italia whose<br />

output is complemented by the wide<br />

range of linear and OTT platforms which<br />

broadcast the <strong>Heineken</strong> <strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong><br />

globally.<br />

We recognise that these are particularly<br />

challenging times for players, club staff and<br />

supporters, however, rest assured that we<br />

are continuing to work with the leagues and<br />

unions so that as many fixtures as possible<br />

can be played safely.<br />

We remain optimistic that this season’s<br />

tournament will be completed successfully,<br />

and on behalf of all at EPCR, enjoy the<br />

match and best wishes to you, the fans,<br />

as well as to your club’s players and staff<br />

for what promises to be a compelling<br />

conclusion to the pool stage.<br />

Yours in rugby,<br />

Dominic McKay<br />

EPCR Chairman (interim)


Virtual<br />

Mascot<br />

Name: Tom Alexander<br />

Age: 13<br />

Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>,<br />

where this evening the <strong>Ulster</strong> squad welcomes <strong>Clermont</strong> <strong>Auvergne</strong> for<br />

the fourth round of the <strong>Heineken</strong> <strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong>.<br />

Following a promising start in the <strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong>, <strong>Ulster</strong> look to continue<br />

their strong run of form tonight. hey host a French side who need a win to book<br />

their spot in the playoff stages. All signs point towards a closely fought game.<br />

On behalf of the entire <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> and Kingspan community, we would like<br />

to extend the warmest of welcomes to our visitors and we have no doubt the<br />

loyal crowd in Kingspan Stadium will provide stirring support for the <strong>Ulster</strong> team.<br />

Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the <strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> squad and<br />

management team the very best of luck. To <strong>Ulster</strong>’s committed fans, enjoy the game,<br />

lead the way and help ensure that this is an evening to remember<br />

at Kingspan Stadium.<br />

From: Bangor<br />

Tom has been a Season Ticket holder for as<br />

long as he can remember and gets inspired by<br />

his side at the weekends, as well as enjoying<br />

post-match crepes with his friends and family.<br />

A pupil of Campbell College, he plays no.8 and<br />

has scored 18 tries scored so far this season.<br />

Tom enjoys travelling to watch and play rugby<br />

and has played as far away as New Zealand.<br />

Favourite Players: Rob Lyttle & Nathan Doak<br />

9


RUGBY.<br />

DELIVERED.<br />

TEAMWORK. SPEED. DELIVERY. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE<br />

OFFICIAL LOGISTICS PARTNER. DHL.<br />

Eight <strong>Ulster</strong> men included in Ireland’s Six Nations squad<br />

Andy Farrell and the Ireland coaching<br />

group have named a 37 player squad<br />

ahead of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations<br />

<strong>Champions</strong>hips which commence in early<br />

February. Eight <strong>Ulster</strong> players have been<br />

selected, including uncapped Mike Lowry.<br />

The squad will be captained by Johnny<br />

Sexton who earned his 100th cap for his<br />

country against Japan during the November<br />

international window. Ireland will host Wales,<br />

Italy and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium over<br />

the course of the <strong>Champions</strong>hip while also<br />

travelling to Paris and London to face France<br />

and England respectively.<br />

In addition to <strong>Ulster</strong>’s Mike Lowry, uncapped<br />

Connacht’s Mack Hansen has been selected.<br />

Both have trained with the national squad<br />

in the past six months, Lowry during the<br />

Vodafone Summer Series in July and<br />

Hansen during the Autumn Nations Series in<br />

November.<br />

Connacht’s Cian Prendergast will join the<br />

squad for the training camp in Portugal as<br />

a development player. The former Ireland<br />

U20 player has made nine appearances for<br />

Connacht this season.<br />

Andy Farrell, Ireland head coach<br />

commented, “In November we challenged<br />

the group to get up to speed quickly so<br />

that the team could perform at international<br />

level. The same will apply for this Six Nations<br />

campaign, we need to be at our best against<br />

Wales on the opening weekend.<br />

We have a strong squad with competition<br />

for places across the board, there is a nice<br />

blend of experienced internationals and<br />

guys who have had their first taste of this<br />

level in the past 12 months. The games in<br />

November gave us a good foundation to<br />

build on and areas where we know we will<br />

have to improve.<br />

It will be an exciting <strong>Champions</strong>hip with<br />

so many strong squads and impressive<br />

performances across the board during the<br />

autumn.”<br />

Ireland’s opening fixture of the 2022 Six<br />

Nations <strong>Champions</strong>hip is against Wales on<br />

Saturday 5 February. A week later the squad<br />

will travel to France to take on Les Bleus in<br />

Paris. In Round 3 on Sunday 27 February,<br />

Ireland host Italy at the Aviva and then<br />

travel to Twickenham to take on England<br />

two weeks later. In the final round of the<br />

championship Ireland host Scotland at the<br />

Aviva Stadium on Saturday 19 March.<br />

All games will be available on free-to-air<br />

television in both the Republic and Northern<br />

Ireland.<br />

Players selected:<br />

Robert Baloucoune, 2 caps<br />

James Hume, 1 cap<br />

Michael Lowry, uncapped<br />

Iain Henderson, 65 caps<br />

Rob Herring, 23 caps<br />

Tom O’Toole, 2 caps<br />

Nick Timoney, 2 caps<br />

Kieran Treadwell, 2 caps<br />

11


Q&A<br />

Nick Timoney<br />

Least favourite drill at training?<br />

Scrum practice<br />

Favourite 2021/22 <strong>Ulster</strong> kit?<br />

Red European Kit<br />

Favourite moment of career so far?<br />

Argentina game for Ireland<br />

One thing you can’t live without?<br />

A car to drive<br />

Most used app on your phone?<br />

YouTube<br />

Best player you have played with?<br />

Ruan Pienaar<br />

Most used emoji?<br />

Favourite TV show / Film<br />

Succession / The Dark Knight<br />

If you had to stuck on an island with a<br />

teammate, who would you pick and why?<br />

Any habits or rituals before a game?<br />

Listen to music<br />

Favourite try you’ve scored for <strong>Ulster</strong>?<br />

Against La Rochelle at home back in 2018<br />

David O’Connor - he’s been preparing for<br />

survival<br />

Q&A<br />

in the wilderness for years<br />

Back Row<br />

01/08/1995<br />

188cm<br />

114kg<br />

90<br />

2<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

13


BALLYGOWAN – OFFICIAL HYDRATION<br />

PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY<br />

A View from the Stands<br />

What a great start we’ve had to our<br />

European campaign this season.<br />

With a brilliant win away at <strong>Clermont</strong><br />

and then home and away victories<br />

against Northampton, we have already<br />

guaranteed a place in the Round of 16.<br />

Can we keep up the momentum this week<br />

when <strong>Clermont</strong> visit Kingspan Stadium?<br />

One of our problems this year has been a<br />

lack of consistency - one week magnificent,<br />

often against top opposition, the next<br />

week disappointing and uninspiring often<br />

against lesser opponents. The away wins<br />

at <strong>Clermont</strong> and Leinster in particular were<br />

truly inspirational and showed that we<br />

have the players and the resolve to beat<br />

the best. Like me, there must have been<br />

many supporters who celebrated mightily<br />

after these victories, which gave us all the<br />

hope that at last <strong>Ulster</strong> were really on their<br />

way. Unfortunately, we lost impetus with<br />

the COVID-enforced cancellation of home<br />

inter-pro games against Connacht and<br />

Leinster, and our lack of match time did us<br />

no favours prior to our visit to Limerick.<br />

However, all that is in the past. We have<br />

picked up the pace again with last week’s<br />

win in Northampton, where we fought<br />

like tigers for every ball and our brilliant<br />

backline set the place alight with a running<br />

display that was second to none. The<br />

question is, of course, can we maintain<br />

this momentum and level of play this week<br />

against a quality <strong>Clermont</strong> side who also<br />

had a good win last week and will certainly<br />

be up for a revenge match in Belfast. Yes,<br />

we have already qualified for the next<br />

round, but today’s match is crunch time in<br />

terms of our ability to step up on the big<br />

stage in Europe against the best sides and<br />

prove that we are a force to be reckoned<br />

with. It is a big ask, but we have the players<br />

who can, on their day, set the place on fire.<br />

What a major momentum shift that would<br />

also be in looking forward to the rest of our<br />

season both in Europe and at home.<br />

In our favour today:<br />

Guest article:<br />

Brian O’Hara<br />

Season Ticket Holder<br />

• We are at home where we fear no-one.<br />

• There will undoubtedly be a magnificent<br />

atmosphere with the stadium full to<br />

capacity.<br />

• Fervent <strong>Ulster</strong> supporters will give the<br />

team the incredible vocal support that<br />

only they can give. Support that makes<br />

the skin tingle and the blood pump. There<br />

is no better feeling.<br />

Let’s sign off the pool stage campaign<br />

in style!<br />

1 %<br />

IRISH<br />

NOW<br />

MADE FROM<br />

1 %<br />

RECYCLED<br />

PLASTIC<br />

*<br />

1 %<br />

RECYCLABLE<br />

15


#KEEPPERFORMING<br />

Photos © Pressesports


Dan Soper<br />

Assistant Coach<br />

Jared Payne<br />

Defence Coach<br />

Will<br />

Addison<br />

Iain<br />

Henderson<br />

Rob<br />

Herring<br />

James<br />

Hume<br />

Cormac<br />

Izuchukwu<br />

Dan McFarland<br />

Head Coach<br />

Roddy Grant<br />

Forwards Coach<br />

Craig Newby<br />

Skills Coach<br />

Utility Back<br />

20/08/1992<br />

185cm<br />

95kg<br />

26<br />

5<br />

Lock<br />

21/02/1992<br />

198cm<br />

116kg<br />

122<br />

65<br />

Hooker<br />

27/04/1990<br />

185cm<br />

105kg<br />

207<br />

23<br />

Centre<br />

07/09/1998<br />

188cm<br />

95kg<br />

51<br />

1<br />

Lock<br />

28/01/2000<br />

201cm<br />

117kg<br />

6<br />

John<br />

Andrew<br />

Hooker<br />

26/05/1993<br />

180cm<br />

100kg<br />

89<br />

John<br />

Cooney<br />

Scrum Half<br />

01/05/1990<br />

178cm<br />

85kg<br />

90<br />

11<br />

Robert<br />

Baloucoune<br />

Wing<br />

19/08/1997<br />

193cm<br />

92kg<br />

34<br />

2<br />

Angus<br />

Curtis<br />

Fly Half / Centre<br />

26/03/1998<br />

178cm<br />

88kg<br />

16<br />

Billy<br />

Burns<br />

Fly Half<br />

13/06/1994<br />

183cm<br />

87kg<br />

61<br />

7<br />

Nathan<br />

Doak<br />

Scrum Half<br />

17/12/2001<br />

185cm<br />

87kg<br />

12<br />

Sam<br />

Carter<br />

Lock<br />

10/09/1989<br />

201cm<br />

116kg<br />

32<br />

AUS 16<br />

Craig<br />

Gilroy<br />

Wing<br />

11/03/1991<br />

183cm<br />

91kg<br />

202<br />

10<br />

Greg<br />

Jones<br />

Back Row<br />

13/01/1996<br />

196cm<br />

108kg<br />

33<br />

Rob<br />

Lyttle<br />

Wing<br />

28/01/1997<br />

175cm<br />

85kg<br />

49<br />

Ross<br />

Kane<br />

Prop<br />

14/10/1994<br />

180cm<br />

118kg<br />

58<br />

Ian<br />

Madigan<br />

Fly Half<br />

21/03/1989<br />

178cm<br />

89kg<br />

25<br />

30<br />

Mick<br />

Kearney<br />

Lock<br />

29/03/1991<br />

198cm<br />

116 kg<br />

5<br />

Luke<br />

Marshall<br />

Centre<br />

03/03/1991<br />

180cm<br />

99kg<br />

144<br />

11<br />

Mike<br />

Lowry<br />

Full Back<br />

20/08/1998<br />

170cm<br />

76kg<br />

57<br />

David<br />

McCann<br />

Back Row<br />

13/06/2000<br />

193cm<br />

108kg<br />

12<br />

Senior Squad<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

19


Prop<br />

11/10/1989<br />

185cm<br />

118kg<br />

21<br />

56<br />

Jack<br />

McGrath<br />

Prop<br />

15/12/1992<br />

191cm<br />

134kg<br />

6<br />

Gareth<br />

Milasinovich<br />

Prop<br />

01/03/1991<br />

178cm<br />

123kg<br />

65<br />

10<br />

Marty<br />

Moore<br />

Centre<br />

08/08/1999<br />

183cm<br />

90kg<br />

22<br />

Stewart<br />

Moore<br />

Back Row<br />

22/04/1991<br />

188cm<br />

102kg<br />

48<br />

30<br />

Jordi<br />

Murphy<br />

Lock<br />

10/09/1992<br />

196cm<br />

110kg<br />

144<br />

Alan<br />

O’Connor<br />

Lock / Back Row<br />

19/05/1995<br />

193cm<br />

107kg<br />

15<br />

David<br />

O’Connor<br />

Prop<br />

30/11/1995<br />

185cm<br />

117kg<br />

73<br />

1<br />

Eric<br />

O’Sullivan<br />

Prop<br />

23/09/1998<br />

185cm<br />

123kg<br />

71<br />

2<br />

Tom<br />

O’Toole<br />

Full Back / Wing<br />

10/08/2000<br />

188cm<br />

86kg<br />

26<br />

Ethan<br />

McIlroy<br />

Centre<br />

06/08/1992<br />

193cm<br />

110kg<br />

146<br />

6<br />

Stuart<br />

McCloskey<br />

Back Row<br />

08/09/1997<br />

188cm<br />

108kg<br />

11<br />

Marcus<br />

Rea<br />

Senior Squad<br />

Back Row<br />

01/08/1995<br />

188cm<br />

114kg<br />

92<br />

2<br />

Nick<br />

Timoney<br />

Lock<br />

06/11/1995<br />

198cm<br />

115kg<br />

116<br />

3<br />

Kieran<br />

Treadwell<br />

Prop<br />

12/03/1991<br />

178cm<br />

116kg<br />

146<br />

Andrew<br />

Warwick<br />

Back Row<br />

21/09/1993<br />

193cm<br />

110kg<br />

69<br />

Matthew<br />

Rea<br />

Hooker<br />

04/01/1996<br />

175cm<br />

104Kg<br />

11<br />

WAL 1<br />

Bradley<br />

Roberts<br />

Wing/Full Back<br />

03/04/1996<br />

191cm<br />

102kg<br />

83<br />

35<br />

Jacob<br />

Stockdale<br />

Scrum Half<br />

20/06/1993<br />

175cm<br />

77kg<br />

76<br />

David<br />

Shanahan<br />

Hooker<br />

11/01/2001<br />

183cm<br />

103kg<br />

1<br />

Tom<br />

Stewart<br />

Wing<br />

24/08/200<br />

188cm<br />

94kg<br />

1<br />

Aaron<br />

Sexton<br />

Prop<br />

06/01/1999<br />

183cm<br />

117kg<br />

7<br />

Callum<br />

Reid<br />

Back Row<br />

10/05/1989<br />

183cm<br />

102kg<br />

150<br />

2<br />

Sean<br />

Reidy<br />

Back Row<br />

03/07/1986<br />

193cm<br />

120kg<br />

4<br />

SA 60<br />

Duane<br />

Vermeulen<br />

21<br />

ulster.rugby


Danske Bank Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> Update<br />

The draw has taken place for the 4th<br />

Round of the Danske Bank Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong>.<br />

It was conducted at Rainey Endowed<br />

School in Magherafelt by Principal Neil<br />

McClements, and Danske Bank Head of<br />

GB Mortgage Paddy Mullan.<br />

The following fixtures will take place on<br />

or before Saturday 29 January:<br />

• Foyle College v Sullivan Upper<br />

• Ballymena Academy v Coleraine GS<br />

• Dromore High v Regent House<br />

• Wallace High v Royal School Dungannon<br />

• Ballyclare v Royal School Armagh<br />

• Enniskillen Royal GS v Methodist College<br />

• Campbell College v Down High<br />

• RBAI v Omagh Academy<br />

The draw was also held for the Quarter<br />

Final of the Schools’ Bowl, which<br />

produced the following fixtures to take<br />

place on or before Saturday 29 January.<br />

• Grosvenor v Banbridge Academy<br />

• Belfast High School v Dalriada<br />

• Belfast Royal Academy v Bangor<br />

Grammar School<br />

• Rainey Endowed School v Limavady<br />

Grammar<br />

The Bowl Draw was carried out<br />

by Rainey Endowed Principal Neil<br />

McClements and Schools’ Committee<br />

Chairman Richard Clingan.<br />

Danske Bank Schools’ Competition Dates<br />

Danske Bank Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong><br />

Round 4, Sat 29 Jan<br />

Quarter Finals, Sat 12 Feb<br />

Semi Finals, 1-2 Mar 2.30pm, Kingspan<br />

Stadium<br />

In the event of a replay the date and venue<br />

will be decided by the Schools Committee<br />

and the <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch. The replay will take<br />

place on Sat 5 Mar.<br />

Final, Thu 17 Mar 3pm, Kingspan Stadium<br />

Danske Bank Subsidiary Shield<br />

Quarter-Finals, Sat 12 Feb<br />

Semi-Finals, Sat 26 Feb<br />

Final, Wed 9 Mar 2.30pm (venue TBC)<br />

Danske Bank Schools’ Bowl<br />

Quarter-Finals, Sat 29 Jan<br />

Semi-Finals, Sat 12 Feb<br />

Final, Wed 2 March 2022 (TBC)<br />

Danske Bank Schools’ Trophy<br />

Quarter-Finals, Sat 29 Jan<br />

Semi-Finals, Sat 12 Feb<br />

Final, Wed 2 Mar (TBC)<br />

23


1 O’Sullivan<br />

2 Herring 3 Moore<br />

1 Falgoux 2 Beheregaray 3 Slimani<br />

C<br />

4 O’Connor 5 Treadwell<br />

4 Jedrasiak 5 Lavanini<br />

C<br />

6 Rea 8 Vermeulen<br />

7 Timoney<br />

6 Cancoriet 8 Van Tonder<br />

7 Dessaigne<br />

9 Doak<br />

Referee: Luke Pearce<br />

Assistant Referees: Craig Evans, Paul Dix<br />

TMO: Rowan Kitt<br />

9 Parra<br />

11 McIlroy<br />

10 Burns<br />

11 Raka<br />

10 Hanrahan<br />

REPLACEMENTS<br />

REPLACEMENTS<br />

16 B Roberts<br />

12 Curtis<br />

16 E Fourcade<br />

12 Vili<br />

17 J McGrath<br />

17 D Bibi Biziwu<br />

18 T O’Toole<br />

18 C Ojovan<br />

19 S Carter<br />

13 Hume<br />

19 S Vahaamahina<br />

13 Barraque<br />

20 G Jones<br />

20 F Lee<br />

21 D Shanahan<br />

21 K Viallard<br />

22 B Moxham<br />

14 Baloucoune<br />

22 C Lopez<br />

14 O’Connor<br />

23 C Gilroy<br />

15 Lowry<br />

23 D Penaud<br />

15 Tiberghien<br />

25


NEW SIGNING<br />

THE HOME<br />

OF GREAT<br />

MUSIC<br />

New Signing: Sean Reffell<br />

23-year-old, Sean Reffell, will join <strong>Ulster</strong><br />

from Saracens, where he was awarded<br />

the Young Player of the Season award for<br />

2020/21. The Irish-qualified back row also<br />

holds the Saracens record for most tackles<br />

in a game, with 39 tackles made in the<br />

Premiership <strong>Rugby</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> semi-final versus<br />

Worcester in 2019.<br />

Known for his impressive work-rate, the<br />

former England U20s openside has made<br />

close to 40 appearances for his current<br />

club since a debut in the Anglo-Welsh <strong>Cup</strong><br />

in November 2017.<br />

Follow<br />

us<br />

Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said:<br />

“We are looking forward to welcoming<br />

Sean to the province next summer. With<br />

an already impressive track-record for<br />

Saracens, he will be a great fit alongside<br />

some real quality in our back row, and I am<br />

confident he will be a valuable addition to<br />

our squad.”<br />

Downtown<br />

THE OFFICIAL<br />

SOUNDTRACK<br />

OF ULSTER<br />

RUGBY<br />

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN<br />

ulster.rugby 27


Ones to Watch<br />

Alivereti Raka<br />

09/12/1994 189cm 103kg<br />

Morgan Parra<br />

The Fijian-born winger and <strong>Heineken</strong> Challenge <strong>Cup</strong><br />

winner, is both big and fast. Having joined <strong>Clermont</strong><br />

<strong>Auvergne</strong> in 2015, Raka has established himself as a<br />

key figure in the back-line.<br />

Try scorer last weekend against Sale Sharks, Raka has<br />

continued to demonstrate power and speed. <strong>Ulster</strong> will<br />

need to ensure the ball doesn’t get into his hands in<br />

open space as he will be hard to stop.<br />

15/11/1988 180cm 83kg<br />

The 33 year old scrum half from Metz, France brings a<br />

wealth of experience to the team. With 69 international<br />

caps and a 2010 Grand-Slam victory, he has established<br />

himself as a household name.<br />

Now having kicked 48 consecutive penalities, he<br />

continues to show his class, earning the reputation of<br />

being ‘deadly off the tee’.<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> cannot afford to give away pentalies with Parra<br />

on such good form.<br />

Damian Penaud<br />

25/09/1996 192cm 96kg<br />

The 25 year old winger from Brive-la-Gaillarde, France,<br />

has now made over 90 appearances for <strong>Clermont</strong><br />

<strong>Auvergne</strong> and continues to go from strength-to-strength.<br />

Nominated for EPCR Try of the Round for his<br />

performance last weekend, Penaud is an incredible<br />

talent (see page 49). A key play-maker for <strong>Clermont</strong><br />

<strong>Auvergne</strong>, Penaud is a consistant threat to any<br />

defensive line..<br />

NAME POSITION HEIGHT WEIGHT<br />

Cristian OJOVAN Prop 183 cm 120 kg<br />

Daniel BIBI BIZIWU Prop 183 cm 112 kg<br />

Etienne FALGOUX Prop 182 cm 112 kg<br />

Giorgi BERIA Prop 175 cm 108 kg<br />

Peni RAVAI Prop 185 cm 119 kg<br />

Rabah SLIMANI Prop 178 cm 118 kg<br />

Sipili FALATEA Prop 184 cm 116 kg<br />

Adrien PÉLISSIÉ Hooker 181 cm 110 kg<br />

Benjamin BOUDOU Hooker 182 cm 102 kg<br />

Etienne FOURCADE Hooker 180 cm 103 kg<br />

Yohan BEHEREGARAY Hooker 180 cm 104 kg<br />

Edward ANNANDALE Lock 200 cm 116 kg<br />

Jaco VAN TONDER Lock 197 cm 118 kg<br />

Miles AMATOSERO Lock 203 cm 125 kg<br />

Paul JEDRASIAK Lock 200 cm 121 kg<br />

Sébastien VAHAAMAHINA Lock 203 cm 127 kg<br />

Thibault LANEN Lock 198 cm 110 kg<br />

Tomás LAVANINI Lock 202 cm 130 kg<br />

Alexandre FISCHER Back row 188 cm 107 kg<br />

Alexandre LAPANDRY Back row 193 cm 104 kg<br />

Arthur ITURRIA Back row 198 cm 112 kg<br />

Clément LANEN Back row 195 cm 105 kg<br />

Fritz LEE Back row 188 cm 108 kg<br />

Judicaël CANCORIET Back row 194 cm 114 kg<br />

Lucas DESSAIGNE Back row 188 cm 102 kg<br />

Peceli YATO Back row 196 cm 120 kg<br />

Baptiste JAUNEAU Scrum-half 178 cm 81 kg<br />

Kévin VIALLARD Scrum-half 174 cm 78 kg<br />

Morgan PARRA Scrum-half 180 cm 83 kg<br />

Sébastien BÉZY Scrum-half 174 cm 78 kg<br />

Camille LOPEZ Fly-half 176 cm 88 kg<br />

Gabin MICHET Fly-half 180 cm 83 kg<br />

JJ HANRAHAN Fly-half 183 cm 93 kg<br />

Apisai NAQALEVU Centre 184 cm 111 kg<br />

George MOALA Centre 187 cm 106 kg<br />

Jean-Pascal BARRAQUE Centre 182 cm 86 kg<br />

Tani VILI Centre 187 cm 112 kg<br />

Wesley FOFANA Centre 182 cm 93 kg<br />

Alivereti RAKA Wing 189 cm 103 kg<br />

Bastien POURAILLY Wing 177 cm 85 kg<br />

Damian PENAUD Wing 192 cm 96 kg<br />

Marvin O'CONNOR Wing 178 cm 86 kg<br />

Samuel EZEALA Wing 187 cm 99 kg<br />

Thomas ROZIÈRE Wing 177 cm 89 kg<br />

Cheikh TIBERGHIEN Fullback 186 cm 96 kg<br />

Kotaro MATSUSHIMA Fullback 175 cm 88 kg<br />

TJ MAGURANYANGA Fullback 194 cm 101 kg<br />

29


Half-Time Exhibition Games<br />

Players<br />

Players<br />

1 Erin McConalogue<br />

1 Codie McCloskey<br />

Inishowen RFC<br />

Coaches<br />

1 Tara McConalogue<br />

2 Oliver McConalogue<br />

3 Pierce McConalogue<br />

Club Colours:<br />

Green<br />

2 Niamh Doherty<br />

3 Kodi McDaid<br />

4 Grace Devlin<br />

5 Roisin Carroll<br />

6 Ruth Mc Laughlin<br />

7 Lauren Miller<br />

8 Lauren Porter<br />

9 Ava Gill<br />

10 Laura McCrossan<br />

11 Tara McDermott<br />

12 Ellie May Canning<br />

Limavady RFC<br />

Coaches<br />

1 Shane McDermott<br />

2 Stephen Rogers<br />

3 Chris Sloan<br />

Club Colours:<br />

Black / Red<br />

2 Elise McDermott<br />

3 Jessica McFarlane<br />

4 Ella Mark<br />

5 Rebecca Mason<br />

6 Casey Millar<br />

7 Rebekah Mullan<br />

8 Blaithin O’Hara<br />

9 Casey O’Neill<br />

10 Annie Robinson<br />

11 Jasmine Sherrard<br />

12 Anna Sloan<br />

AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End<br />

Players<br />

Players<br />

1 Elisa McKie<br />

1 Madison Fleming<br />

2 Jenni Jackson<br />

2 Kadie Griffiths<br />

3 Isabelle McNally- Grant<br />

3 Eve McConkey<br />

City of Derry &<br />

Finn Valley<br />

Coaches<br />

1 Kelly Gormley-Cregan<br />

2 Michelle Gormley-McLaughlin<br />

4 Morgan Hughes<br />

5 Ella Friel<br />

6 Coral Boyd<br />

7 Caoimha Parke<br />

8 Rose Ford<br />

9 Grace O'Connor-Donahue<br />

Carrick RFC<br />

Coaches<br />

1 Sabrina Higgins<br />

2 Rachael Robinson<br />

4 Jenna Clarke<br />

5 Lauren Montgomery<br />

6 Paige McCormick<br />

7 Eve McKeegan<br />

8 Caitlyn Ford<br />

9 Keera Reid<br />

Memorial Stand End<br />

3 Allen McCrea<br />

10 Raising Toye<br />

3 Jenny Frazer<br />

10 Fae Arthurs<br />

Club Colours:<br />

11 Aislinn Boyle<br />

12 Holly Porter<br />

Club Colours:<br />

Red / White<br />

11 Aimee McGonagle<br />

12 Katie McIlwaine<br />

LIVE STATS<br />

Click Here<br />

31


Last Time Out<br />

20 - 24<br />

That two-point gap was short-lived<br />

however, as <strong>Ulster</strong> responded three<br />

minutes later, when Mike Lowry once again<br />

acted quickly to catch a messy ball and<br />

race through for their third try. Nathan<br />

Doak fired over the conversion to put<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> nine points up at the break.<br />

The hosts were the first to get on the board<br />

in the second half, after <strong>Ulster</strong> were penalised<br />

for going off their feet on 43 minutes, and<br />

Dan Biggar obliged with the penalty.<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> had a golden opportunity on 55<br />

minutes after a fantastic initial break by<br />

Mike Lowry brought them agonisingly<br />

close to the Saints’ line. They got a penalty<br />

when scrum-half Alex Mitchell infringed<br />

and saw yellow, and Ian Madigan went for<br />

the quick-tap, but the hosts were smart<br />

over the ball to force the turnover.<br />

The <strong>Ulster</strong> men in their European red<br />

colours, sealed the bonus-point try on 60<br />

minutes, when Ethan McIlroy scorched<br />

down the wing and drew the Northampton<br />

defence to send Lowry home for his<br />

second try of the afternoon.<br />

Northampton looked to be down and<br />

out but with a minute left to play, centre<br />

Rory Hutchinson broke through the<br />

middle to pounce over. George Furbank<br />

took the quick conversion bringing the<br />

gap to four points, but <strong>Ulster</strong> were able<br />

to regain possession and Star of the<br />

<strong>Match</strong>, Mike Lowry fittingly kicked the<br />

ball out for <strong>Ulster</strong> to take the victory and<br />

last-16 qualification.<br />

Full-time score:<br />

Northampton Saints 20-24 <strong>Ulster</strong><br />

Watch<br />

Highlights<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> progressed to the Round of 16<br />

in the <strong>Heineken</strong> <strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong>, after<br />

defeating Northampton Saints 20-24 at<br />

cinch Stadium on Sunday afternoon.<br />

The opening few minutes involved both<br />

sides sending the ball aerially – <strong>Ulster</strong>’s<br />

back three dealt with the high balls<br />

comfortably. Courtnall Skosan was unable<br />

to cleanly catch one of <strong>Ulster</strong>’s kicks in<br />

reply, giving <strong>Ulster</strong> the scrum which they<br />

won to put Northampton under pressure.<br />

Stewart Moore, Billy Burns and Nathan<br />

Doak set in motion their first try, with<br />

Robert Baloucoune collecting a loose ball<br />

just outside the Saints’ line to make the<br />

dive over.<br />

and made the conversion.<br />

It took until the 19th minute for the hosts<br />

to get on the board through a Dan Biggar<br />

penalty after <strong>Ulster</strong> were caught offside.<br />

Northampton enjoyed a period of<br />

possession and territory, and eventually<br />

got purchase through Dan Biggar dotting<br />

down under the posts. The Welsh out-half<br />

converted his try to bring the game to<br />

within two points.<br />

Saints had soon got themselves into a<br />

dangerous area of the field, but Mike Lowry<br />

made a superb pick-up of a loose ball to<br />

go on the counter-attack with Robert<br />

Baloucoune in hot pursuit. Baloucoune<br />

made a great run and Nathan Doak was in<br />

support to go over for <strong>Ulster</strong>’s second try<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

33


Behind the Player<br />

Gemma McCamley<br />

In our series, Behind the Player in association<br />

with Deloitte, <strong>Ulster</strong>’s Senior Women<br />

players share a little bit about themselves<br />

and their rugby careers.<br />

In the hot seat this time is Cooke RFC and<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> back-row, Gemma McCamley.<br />

Tell us a little about your rugby pathway<br />

to date.<br />

I didn’t start playing rugby until I was 17<br />

years old. I have a background in sport, so<br />

I grew up training in acrobatic gymnastics<br />

in my early teens. I held a few national titles<br />

competing with my sister and another girl,<br />

but I fell out of love with sport. It wasn’t<br />

really until I picked up rugby that my<br />

passion for exercise and getting involved<br />

in team sports was reignited. I played at<br />

Bangor RFC’s Under-18 set-up and had a<br />

fantastic coach, and I really loved the team<br />

but because I was 17, I grew out of underage<br />

rugby quickly. There wasn’t a senior setup<br />

at my local club, so I waited until I went to<br />

Queen’s University where I played for two<br />

years. That was an excellent introduction<br />

to development-level rugby and I learned a<br />

lot. After that, I felt it was time to challenge<br />

myself a bit more, so I moved to Malone<br />

RFC for two years. During the pandemic,<br />

I switched to Cooke RFC where I am now<br />

and I am really enjoying it. It was through<br />

Cooke that I got picked up by <strong>Ulster</strong><br />

<strong>Rugby</strong>. I had a bit of exposure to the <strong>Ulster</strong><br />

development squad in 2019 when I was<br />

playing for Malone, but first time I made<br />

it to the Inter-Provincial squad was when I<br />

was playing for Cooke.<br />

Who have been your main influences on<br />

your rugby career?<br />

My number one fan has always been my<br />

grandad. I still remember him coming to my<br />

first Under-18 game. He had no exposure<br />

to women’s rugby but he was so over the<br />

moon that someone in the family picked<br />

up the sport, as I don’t come from a very<br />

rugby-forward family. Through the years,<br />

my second biggest supporter would be<br />

my twin sister. We didn’t always get on as<br />

teenagers but in the last two years, she has<br />

come to rugby with me and it’s the closest<br />

we have been in years. She was the one<br />

person who was more excited than I was when<br />

I got my first <strong>Ulster</strong> cap. She was prouder<br />

than I was of me; that was really special for<br />

us and our relationship. It has really brought<br />

us together.<br />

How did it feel to make your debut at Kingspan<br />

Stadium against Munster?<br />

I was absolutely ecstatic! I was buzzing the<br />

whole week leading up to the match and<br />

had a smile on my face the whole time. It’s a<br />

phenomenal atmosphere going to your home<br />

pitch and being able to show everyone what<br />

we can do at home. I remember in the changing<br />

rooms, I had a little photo of someone special<br />

– it was a photo of me and my twin sister the<br />

first time we played on a pitch together. I knew<br />

going out that she was going to be there and<br />

my family were going to be there. Lining up<br />

on the pitch for kick-off was an incomparable<br />

feeling. It was so lovely and exciting.<br />

What are your rugby aspirations?<br />

From where I’m at now with my<br />

ACL recovery, it’s to make a<br />

comeback, and to come back<br />

stronger. I’m taking this year<br />

out as an opportunity to<br />

work on my weaknesses<br />

from a rugby, strength<br />

and mentality standpoint.<br />

Mental toughness is a huge<br />

aspect of the game that<br />

isn’t always appreciated.<br />

Whenever I get my boots<br />

back on the grass, I will<br />

be stronger mentally and<br />

physically, and ready to take<br />

on whatever challenges<br />

come my way. Hopefully, I’ll<br />

line out in a white shirt again.<br />

That would be a huge honour to<br />

get back to <strong>Ulster</strong> and get more<br />

caps under my belt.<br />

Back Row<br />

11/06/1997<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

35


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Kingspan’s Commitment<br />

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and I’m really looking forward to it.<br />

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HOME<br />

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573m<br />

In 2020 alone,<br />

we upcycled 573<br />

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ulster.rugby/buytickets<br />

39


<strong>Ulster</strong> Fancy a French Flourish<br />

<strong>Rugby</strong> fortresses away from Belfast<br />

have commonly been stormed in recent<br />

seasons, and this year the Stade Marcel<br />

Michelin and Franklin’s Gardens have seen<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> depart with impressive wins.<br />

ASM <strong>Clermont</strong> <strong>Auvergne</strong> and Northampton<br />

Saints are regarded as titans of the<br />

French and English first-class game, but<br />

Dan McFarland has sent out his teams to<br />

impose themselves on the opposition,<br />

no matter its reputation, and what a<br />

great journey fans are on in this season’s<br />

<strong>Heineken</strong> <strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong>.<br />

While the bread-and-butter United<br />

<strong>Rugby</strong> <strong>Champions</strong>hip has seen a few<br />

disappointing outings, it has been a<br />

refreshing and optimistic wind which has<br />

lifted supporters and will see the Kingspan<br />

Stadium witness a raucous roar of welcome<br />

Guest article:<br />

Rod Nawn<br />

to their favourites for the first time in 2022<br />

as <strong>Clermont</strong> arrives seeking to avenge the<br />

reverse in France last month.<br />

A place in the last sixteen of Europe’s<br />

premier tournament is already assured<br />

and a sequence of big occasions at home<br />

in the knockout stages is in prospect if this<br />

famous ground is to stage another great<br />

<strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> home victory under the<br />

Saturday evening lights.<br />

The coaching team has reiterated its<br />

determination that the squad selected<br />

for the return tie in Pool A will have been<br />

well-prepared against any complacency,<br />

that it will be as determined and focussed<br />

on another win as it was in the previous<br />

three successes.<br />

Another success might see <strong>Ulster</strong> finish top<br />

of the pool but that will not be the primary<br />

target: the players have demonstrated a<br />

strength of character allied to the huge talent<br />

and intelligence they possess in seeing off<br />

<strong>Clermont</strong> abroad and Northampton home<br />

and away.<br />

Some individuals have shone so brightly<br />

and so recently that their international<br />

credentials have been under the spotlight,<br />

and for the ‘young guns,’ particularly in<br />

the much-lauded backline, their eyes<br />

must be firmly set on consolidating their<br />

reputations with consistent performances<br />

of high quality. McFarland, his assistants<br />

Dan Soper, Roddy Grant and Jared Payne<br />

– sadly to depart for new challenges soon<br />

– have shown that keeping minds on the<br />

job of being a professional rugby player<br />

in tandem with honing the players’ visible<br />

skills is something at which they excel.<br />

Complacency, as James Hume remarked<br />

this week, is not on the agenda and he cited<br />

basketball superstar Kobe Bryant’s careerlong<br />

mantra that ‘the job isn’t done.’<br />

But it will be a challenge to extract just as<br />

much in terms of attitude and approach<br />

from a group which has, in Europe at least,<br />

been as cohesive as it has been combative<br />

and concentrated. But with a packed<br />

house providing a chorus of approval and<br />

encouragement, it promises to be another<br />

thrilling Kingspan Stadium occasion, one<br />

made even more exciting by the prospect<br />

of downing another of French rugby’s<br />

biggest names.<br />

Inevitably some of a certain vintage will<br />

draw parallels with – and high hopes from –<br />

the wondrous trail to European <strong>Cup</strong> winning<br />

glory in 1999. The squad of this modern<br />

era is better equipped in so many ways to<br />

chase that same trophy: it has access to the<br />

best training facilities, coaches, medical and<br />

nutritional guidance. But ultimately it must<br />

merge those assets to natural rugby ability<br />

and an understanding of the complexities<br />

of the 21st Century sport.<br />

Last weekend at Franklin’s Gardens we<br />

were all in thrall to the vision, opportunism<br />

and determination of the outstanding<br />

Michael Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, Hume,<br />

Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy and Nathan<br />

Doak, while out-half Billy Burns was the<br />

experienced and thoughtful pilot against<br />

an athletic, heavily-built Northampton<br />

Saints outfit.<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

41


Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlum and Sam<br />

Matavesi were outflanked by some clever<br />

coaching and super execution, while<br />

behind the scrum Dan Biggar, the feisty<br />

Alex Mitchell, Courtnall Skosan and George<br />

Furbank always offered an attacking threat<br />

of which Payne’s well-drilled defence was<br />

acutely aware.<br />

This evening, <strong>Clermont</strong>’s team will include<br />

players of great physicality and verve in<br />

both forward and back divisions.<br />

The French club’s hands-on Director<br />

of <strong>Rugby</strong> is, of course, familiar to all at<br />

Kingspan Stadium. Jono Gibbes did not<br />

stay with <strong>Ulster</strong> long enough to fulfil the<br />

expectations many held in him, and the<br />

manner of his departure in 2018 still rankles.<br />

Fortunately, Dan McFarland was identified<br />

as the man to take on a formidable job in<br />

shaping the current <strong>Ulster</strong> side and he has<br />

been a stable and reliable presence, as well<br />

as a Head Coach of invention, reason and<br />

singular character.<br />

Parra has set a record for consecutive<br />

penalty successes, forty-eight to be precise,<br />

and his 71 French caps merely confirm his<br />

quality and emphasises the talent available<br />

to his club.<br />

In midfield Damian Penaud is in the finest<br />

traditions of French centres, free running,<br />

often unpredictable but always exciting to<br />

watch, while his international team-mate<br />

Alivereti Raka is as swift a winger as he is<br />

imposingly strong. Kotaro Matushima, the<br />

established Japan international, can be<br />

deployed anywhere along the backline and<br />

has proved a particularly resilient full-back<br />

since his arrival at <strong>Clermont</strong> two years ago.<br />

In the pack, Jaco van Tonder is equally<br />

effective at flanker or lock, and in the second<br />

row Argentina’s Tomas Lavanini, the fiery<br />

Sebastien Vahaamahina and Paul Jedrasiak<br />

are fine options for Gibbes. The front row is<br />

grizzly and in the image of the coach, and<br />

the youthful Daniel Biziwu, Etienne Falgoux<br />

and hookers Yohan Beheregaray and<br />

Etienne Fourcade demonstrate the calibre<br />

of competition in that area.<br />

Rob Herring, Marty Moore and Tom O’Toole<br />

will not be fazed in the setpiece or in the<br />

loose, while Kieran Treadwell and Alan<br />

O’Connor formed a forceful and effective<br />

pairing for <strong>Ulster</strong> last weekend, with Sam<br />

Carter on the bench an experienced<br />

‘finisher.’ Duane Vermeulen’s contributions<br />

are not showy but there is a reason he is<br />

such a Springbok titan, and turnovers<br />

aplenty this winter can be traced to his<br />

technical and physical expertise. Nick<br />

Timoney’s star continues to rise, and<br />

Marcus Rea, Greg Jones and Sean Reidy<br />

offer a variety of skills across the back row.<br />

It would be foolish to describe tonight’s<br />

attractive encounter as season-defining for<br />

either team, though <strong>Clermont</strong> know only a<br />

win can copper-fasten its qualification for<br />

the <strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> knockout stages.<br />

The motivation for the home side is to<br />

continue its form in Europe through to<br />

the URC and the visit of the Scarlets<br />

next week, but also the opportunity to<br />

show the Kingspan Stadium fans just<br />

what levels the team and the individuals<br />

involved can reach.<br />

It will be a colourful and noisy Saturday<br />

evening, there will be inevitable echoes of<br />

big European nights which McFarland has<br />

somehow managed to make almost ritual<br />

during his tenure!<br />

It will be a fascinating game, one perhaps<br />

where the tactical approaches will be<br />

intriguing, but both clubs’ history is<br />

grounded in creating space and time<br />

for attacks to flourish. Let’s hope for a<br />

memorable evening, good rugby and time<br />

spent with some good companions after<br />

recent ‘blank’ festive days in Belfast.<br />

Allez!<br />

McFarland does not dwell on the trivial,<br />

but he does ‘do’ detail, and there will have<br />

been minute analysis of the opposition’s<br />

performance in narrow victory over Sale<br />

last weekend, and on some fluctuating form<br />

in the Top 14.<br />

Danger still hovers right through the<br />

<strong>Clermont</strong> line-up. Captain and out-half<br />

Camille Lopez is as adept in his game<br />

management as he is in his kicking game,<br />

and with JJ Hanrahan and the marvel that<br />

is Morgan Parra vying for half-back places,<br />

the visitors have a powerful points-scoring<br />

armoury.<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

43


All-Ireland Junior <strong>Cup</strong> Final<br />

BALLYCLARE v<br />

CLOGHER VALLEY<br />

Sat 29 Jan, 5.30pm | Kingspan Stadium<br />

Available Now<br />

gilbertrugby.com<br />

Kingspan Stadium will host the All-Ireland<br />

Junior <strong>Cup</strong> Final between Ballyclare and<br />

Clogher Valley next Saturday 29 January.<br />

2022 sees the first ever all-<strong>Ulster</strong> decider<br />

in the Energia All-Ireland Junior <strong>Cup</strong> and<br />

just the second time the final will be staged<br />

outside of Leinster after Portadown hosted<br />

the decider between Dundalk v Bangor<br />

in 2015.<br />

There are two <strong>Ulster</strong> names already on<br />

the trophy. Rainey Old Boys won the first<br />

ever final in 2006 with City of Derry raising<br />

the cup in 2010. Both sides have gone on<br />

to establish themselves in the Energia All-<br />

Ireland League.<br />

Speaking about the announcement, IRFU<br />

Committee member and Junior Working<br />

Party Chair Joe McDermott said:<br />

“I have witnessed first-hand the kind of<br />

quality we can expect from Ballyclare and<br />

Clogher Valley in this year’s competition and<br />

it will be great to see another outstanding<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> club add their name to this trophy.<br />

The Energia All-Ireland Junior <strong>Cup</strong> was<br />

one of the last rugby competitions to be<br />

completed before the pandemic took hold<br />

and it means so much to the entire rugby<br />

community that club games like this can<br />

take place once again.<br />

I would like to take this opportunity to<br />

commend every club who contributed to<br />

making this year’s competition such as<br />

success.”<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> CEO Jonny Petrie said:<br />

“I’d like to firstly congratulate both Ballyclare<br />

and Clogher Valley on their successful runs<br />

to the final. To have 2 <strong>Ulster</strong> clubs perform<br />

so well is something we’re immensely proud<br />

of, and I believe it’s a great testament to the<br />

strength of our domestic game.<br />

We’re also incredibly excited to host the<br />

final at Kingspan Stadium, as it presents the<br />

clubs with a chance to win this prestigious<br />

trophy in their home province.<br />

After all the challenges of the last couple<br />

of years, it’s fantastic to see things really<br />

moving forward, and we eagerly await the<br />

final at the end of the month.”<br />

All-Ireland Junior <strong>Cup</strong> Final<br />

Ballyclare v Clogher Valley<br />

Sat 29 Jan, 5:30pm<br />

Kingspan Stadium<br />

FIND TICKETS<br />

The oval trim design is a registered trademark of Gilbert <strong>Rugby</strong>.<br />

ulster.rugby 45


<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Academy<br />

Azur<br />

Allison<br />

Back Row<br />

19/04/1999<br />

191cm<br />

106kg<br />

1<br />

Ben<br />

Carson<br />

Centre<br />

24/02/2002<br />

183cm<br />

100kg<br />

-<br />

Reuben<br />

Crothers<br />

Flanker<br />

29/01/2001<br />

185cm<br />

96kg<br />

-<br />

Lewis<br />

Finlay<br />

Scrum Half<br />

19/01/2000<br />

168cm<br />

74kg<br />

-<br />

James<br />

Humphreys<br />

Fly Half<br />

11/04/2001<br />

185cm<br />

80kg<br />

-<br />

James<br />

McCormick<br />

Hooker<br />

08/01/2002<br />

180cm<br />

103kg<br />

-<br />

Conor<br />

McKee<br />

Scrum Half<br />

20/03/2001<br />

183cm<br />

87kg<br />

-<br />

CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY<br />

CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY<br />

CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY<br />

CADEMY Jude ACADEMY Conor ACADEMY<br />

George<br />

Postlethwaite Rankin Saunderson<br />

CADEMY Centre<br />

ACADEMY Full Back ACADEMY<br />

Prop<br />

03/04/2002 27/05/2001<br />

11/01/2001<br />

CADEMY 193cm ACADEMY 185cm<br />

ACADEMY<br />

191cm<br />

101kg<br />

89kg<br />

118kg<br />

CADEMY - ACADEMY - ACADEMY<br />

-<br />

CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

CADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY<br />

Ben<br />

Moxham<br />

Wing<br />

06/09/2001<br />

191cm<br />

97kg<br />

9<br />

Harry<br />

Sheridan<br />

Lock/Back Row<br />

21/09/2001<br />

196cm<br />

111kg<br />

-


If exceptional tries are what you like, you can<br />

always count on ASM <strong>Clermont</strong> <strong>Auvergne</strong> wing,<br />

Damian Penaud, to deliver. Fans witnessed<br />

some great scores in Round 1 of the <strong>Heineken</strong><br />

<strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> and EPCR Challenge <strong>Cup</strong><br />

including Penaud’s spectacular effort against<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>.<br />

“Great break from JJ Hanrahan to expose the<br />

opposition front row and beat him one-on-one,<br />

followed by a perfectly-timed pass to Penaud,<br />

who has the kick accuracy, speed and a worldclass<br />

finish to score a superb try,” was how BT<br />

Sport’s Sam Waburton described the score.<br />

Warburton’s verdict, combined with the public’s<br />

votes, determined the winner, and although<br />

Penaud fully deserved the accolade, it was<br />

a close call between his effort and Anthony<br />

Jelonch’s memorable try for Stade Toulousain<br />

against Cardiff <strong>Rugby</strong>.<br />

For the sixth season in a row, the Try of the<br />

Round activation is launched on the Monday<br />

after each round, and fans will also be able to<br />

vote for the Try of the Season immediately after<br />

the Finals Weekend next May.<br />

Cheslin Kolbe won the award for the best try last<br />

season, Juan Imhoff topped the poll in 2019/20,<br />

then it was Maxime Médard in 2018/19, Tadhg<br />

Beirne in 2017/18, and first of all, Nick Abendanon<br />

back in 2016/17.<br />

Who will succeed all these great names of<br />

European club rugby? You can make the<br />

difference by voting for your favourite!<br />

EPCRUGBY.COM/TOTR<br />

49


Mike Lowry<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

Full Back<br />

20/08/1998<br />

170cm<br />

76kg<br />

57<br />

The <strong>Ulster</strong> full-back has a lot to be pleased<br />

about having been awarded <strong>Heineken</strong><br />

<strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> Star of the <strong>Match</strong> last<br />

Sunday and being selected in the Ireland<br />

Six Nations squad, with the challenge of<br />

French giants <strong>Clermont</strong> coming to town<br />

this weekend…<br />

Congratulations on being called-up to<br />

the Ireland Six Nations squad! How do<br />

you feel?<br />

Great! I didn’t really expect it and was<br />

keeping my head down over the last few<br />

months, working hard. Thankfully, I’ve<br />

been recognised and been selected! I’m<br />

absolutely buzzing and my family and<br />

friends are delighted too.<br />

What will you be looking forward to the<br />

most about the Ireland camp and what do<br />

you hope to get out of it?<br />

There will be a lot to look forward to. It will<br />

be the first time being involved with the<br />

likes of Johnny Sexton. I know a few of the<br />

lads from the Summer Tour but this time<br />

the Lions lads and Johnny will be back, so<br />

it will be interesting to learn from those<br />

experienced players. I want to push myself<br />

towards the team and hopefully get a game<br />

when I can run out in the green jersey!<br />

Switching back to <strong>Ulster</strong>, how is the mood<br />

in the squad this week coming into the<br />

game against <strong>Clermont</strong>?<br />

The sprits are high after Sunday’s<br />

performance against Northampton Saints.<br />

We have to continue that on this week. It’s<br />

a must-win game if we want to get a home<br />

second leg in the Round of 16. <strong>Clermont</strong><br />

have a must-win game to qualify, so it will<br />

be some battle. Everyone is looking forward<br />

to it – these are the games everyone wants<br />

to play in these big European nights at<br />

home in front of a packed crowd. These are<br />

the exciting weeks that we all love.<br />

<strong>Clermont</strong> are still very much in the hunt<br />

coming to Belfast – what threats do you<br />

expect they will bring on Saturday?<br />

<strong>Clermont</strong> are full of international stars;<br />

they have some classy players who we will<br />

have to nullify, for sure. They will have no<br />

fear coming over here despite the fact that<br />

they have to win to qualify. They’re a really<br />

dangerous side and we have to respect that,<br />

but we want to play our game in our house.<br />

We want to show them what Kingspan<br />

Stadium means to us.<br />

A lot is being talked about <strong>Ulster</strong>’s young<br />

back line – how much are you enjoying<br />

being part of it?<br />

It’s been brilliant. We all get along so well, it<br />

makes everything a lot easier. We can have<br />

those tough conversations with each other<br />

as well as enjoying each other’s company<br />

on and off the pitch. It definitely helps<br />

and we’re just enjoying getting game time<br />

together.<br />

It’s been a while since <strong>Ulster</strong> last played<br />

at home – how much are you looking<br />

forward to running out again at a full<br />

Kingspan Stadium?<br />

When we played Northampton before<br />

Christmas in front of a sell-out crowd, it was<br />

a “goosebumps down the back” moment<br />

coming out under the lights. Those special<br />

nights at home in Europe are hard to beat.<br />

I don’t think there are many places that<br />

Kingspan Stadium would be beaten by,<br />

especially with a home crowd. We’re all<br />

buzzing to be back at home. We’ve had a<br />

few weeks on the road, which is enjoyable<br />

too, but there’s something a bit more special<br />

about being home and putting on a good<br />

performance.<br />

51


Code of Conduct<br />

Follow the laws<br />

of the game<br />

Accept the referee’s<br />

decision<br />

Win with humility,<br />

lose with dignity<br />

Remember who you<br />

represent<br />

Please be respectful<br />

of players’ abilities<br />

Keep your language<br />

clean<br />

Zero tolerance for<br />

abuse / harassment<br />

Respect your<br />

opponents<br />

Play fair and<br />

with discipline<br />

Lead by example<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> has launched an updated<br />

Code of Conduct for all players, coaches,<br />

volunteers, referees and spectators as part<br />

of the #respectURgame campaign.<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>’s Head of <strong>Rugby</strong> Development,<br />

Chris Webster commented:<br />

“It’s vitally important that everyone<br />

associated with the game is aware of our<br />

Code of Conduct, and so I would encourage<br />

people to take a few minutes to make<br />

themselves aware of the key messages.<br />

“We recognise that for most, these principles<br />

will be familiar and demonstrated every day;<br />

we want to see that continue.<br />

Value volunteer referees<br />

and coaches<br />

“For those involved in the game as players,<br />

coaches, volunteers, referees and spectators,<br />

the quality of their rugby experience is<br />

crucial; this is greatly enhanced when we<br />

respect each other and respect the game.<br />

These principles help guide all of us on what<br />

this quality experience looks like.<br />

“I’d like to thank everyone for the<br />

good work that they do in promoting<br />

rugby across the province in clubs<br />

and schools, and for championing the<br />

#respectURgame message.”<br />

<strong>Rugby</strong> World <strong>Cup</strong> 2023<br />

Ireland <strong>Match</strong> Breaks<br />

Register<br />

ulster.rugby 53


YOUR ACCESS TO THE HEART OF EUROPEAN<br />

RUGBY HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER<br />

HEINEKENCHAMPIONSCUP.COM<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

#<strong>Heineken</strong><strong>Champions</strong><strong>Cup</strong><br />

55


<strong>Ulster</strong> Society of<br />

<strong>Rugby</strong> Football Referees’<br />

Lee Evans | Lisburn RFC<br />

What is the process for someone who<br />

only wants to become an affiliate referee?<br />

There is a separate pathway for anyone<br />

who simply wants to referee in their own<br />

club and/or school. This is called the<br />

Affiliate Referee programme and further<br />

details can be found by clicking below:<br />

Click Here<br />

If interested in referring, please contact<br />

Richard Kerr<br />

Referee Development Manager<br />

richard.kerr@irfu.ie | 07493 868 388<br />

We often find that individuals start out as<br />

affiliate referees but very quickly decide<br />

that they want to develop their refereeing<br />

further by joining the USRFR.<br />

We welcome Luke Pearce (RFU) and<br />

his team of officials to the Kingspan<br />

Stadium for this evenings European<br />

<strong>Champions</strong> <strong>Cup</strong> match. The game<br />

of rugby prides itself on the core<br />

values of discipline, respect, integrity,<br />

passion and solidarity and we ask all in<br />

attendance to recognise these.<br />

In this digital match programme we profile<br />

the USRFR’s recently appointed Trainee<br />

Referee co-ordinator Lee Evans.<br />

<strong>Rugby</strong> background:<br />

I started playing youth rugby at<br />

Ballynahinch RFC before moving on in later<br />

life to play adult rugby at Lisburn RFC.<br />

I wasn’t much of a player so I decided to<br />

take up the whistle early in my career.<br />

How long have you been a member of<br />

the USRFR?<br />

15 years and counting.<br />

What level have you refereed at?<br />

I started as a trainee referee back in 2006<br />

before moving through the ranks to referee<br />

on the IRFU National Panel which included<br />

Senior rugby & the All Ireland League<br />

What is your current role within the USRFR<br />

and how long have you been doing it?<br />

I have just this season taken on the role of<br />

trainee referee coordinator. My first group<br />

included eight new trainee referees which<br />

included six males and two females. I will<br />

guide them through a 12 week process<br />

which will see them cover all aspects of<br />

refereeing from watching live matches,<br />

touch judging and refereeing youth & adult<br />

matches under the guidance of mentors<br />

from the society who will be there to<br />

help oversee and guide them along to full<br />

membership of the USRFR.<br />

What advice would you give to anyone<br />

who is thinking about becoming a referee?<br />

Do it! The opportunities to develop new<br />

skills, travel, meet new people, give back to<br />

the game etc. etc. …the list really is endless.<br />

Once you have completed your traineeship<br />

the world is your oyster.<br />

Briefly outline the process of becoming a<br />

referee for the USRFR<br />

You will be asked to do some pre course<br />

online training before attending an<br />

induction day with myself & Richard<br />

Kerr (Provincial Referee Development<br />

Manager) to talk all things refereeing.<br />

After this you will take part in a range of<br />

activities from touch judging, refereeing<br />

youth & adult games and taking part in<br />

a group sharing exercise which will help<br />

develop and guide you through the 12<br />

week programme to full membership.<br />

How have some of the recent Trainee<br />

Referees been getting on?<br />

Really well actually. We are currently ten<br />

weeks into the programme and four have<br />

already been promoted to full membership<br />

of the USRFR. The future of refereeing in<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> and Ireland is bright if this talented<br />

group are anything to go by!<br />

ULSTER v<br />

SCARLETS<br />

FRI 28 JAN, 7.35PM<br />

KINGSPAN STADIUM<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

57


RAVENHILL PARK GARDENS<br />

Important:<br />

ONSLOW PARADE<br />

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all supporters,<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> would ask all supporters to follow the latest public health<br />

guidance in relation to COVID-19 restrictions.<br />

SPIRIT OF ‘99<br />

THE 1924<br />

TURNSTILES<br />

Please DO NOT attend Kingspan Stadium if you are<br />

experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.<br />

PROMENADE 1<br />

PROMENADE 2<br />

Clean Hands Keep Distance Wear Face Covering<br />

ABBEY AUTOLINE FAMILY STAND<br />

EAST TERRACE<br />

FOOD<br />

VILLAGE<br />

ADMIN’<br />

BUILDING<br />

When travelling around the Stadium, please wear a face covering,<br />

make use of hand sanitisation stations, and be distance-aware and<br />

respectful of other supporters.<br />

A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE / VIP BOXES<br />

ISOLATION<br />

ROOM<br />

C-19 MEDIC<br />

Respect Policy<br />

Stadium Facilities<br />

Catering<br />

TURNSTILES<br />

Audio Descriptive Commentary<br />

We are passionate<br />

in our support<br />

We are silent during kicks<br />

at goal<br />

We respect the match<br />

officials’ decisions<br />

We drink<br />

responsibly<br />

The Food Village will be in operation,<br />

serving a variety of cuisines, while the Cool<br />

FM Crew will provide the soundtrack for<br />

the evening.<br />

A new stretch tent has been added to the<br />

Fan Zone, where supporters can enjoy a<br />

covered, well ventilated space.<br />

Audio descriptive match commentary to<br />

enhance the match experience for people<br />

affected by sight or hearing loss will be<br />

available. Earpieces can be collected from<br />

the admin building reception prior to the<br />

game, or you can book your equipment<br />

by calling Jen on (028) 9049 3222.<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 />

INCIDENT HOTLINE<br />

07790<br />

200 200<br />

Kukri Store<br />

The Kukri Store will be open until 30<br />

minutes post-match.<br />

OUR Club<br />

The activity centre for our Junior Season<br />

Ticket holders will not be in operation for<br />

this fixture.<br />

ulster.rugby<br />

59


Thank You!<br />

FIXTURES<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> wish to thank all of our sponsors<br />

and partners for their continued support.<br />

Main Sponsor<br />

Kit Sponsor<br />

Official Sponsors<br />

Domestic Sponsors<br />

Official Partners<br />

Official On-kit Sponsors<br />

H Glasgow Fri 24 Sep W 35-29 URC<br />

A Zebre Sat 2 Oct W 3-36 URC<br />

H Benetton Fri 8 Oct W 28-8 URC<br />

H Emirates Lions Fri 15 Oct W 26-10 URC<br />

A Connacht Sat 23 Oct L 36-11 URC<br />

A Leinster Sat 27 Nov W 10-20 URC<br />

A Ospreys Sat 4 Dec L 19-13 URC<br />

A <strong>Clermont</strong> Sat 11 Dec W 23-29 HCC<br />

H Northampton Saints Fri 17 Dec W 27-22 HCC<br />

A Munster Sat 8 Jan L 18-13 URC<br />

A Northampton Saints Sun 16 Jan W 20-24 HCC<br />

H <strong>Clermont</strong> Sat 22 Jan 5.30pm HCC<br />

H Scarlets Fri 28 Jan 7.35pm URC<br />

H Connacht Fri 4 Feb 8.15pm URC<br />

A Dragons Sun 20 Feb 2.00pm URC<br />

H Cardiff Fri 4 Mar 7.35pm URC<br />

H Leinster Sat 12 Mar 7.35PM URC<br />

A DHL Stormers Sat 26 Mar 1.00pm URC<br />

A Vodacom Bulls Sat 2 Apr 1.00pm URC<br />

H Munster Fri 22 Apr 7.35pm URC<br />

A Edinburgh Sat 30 Apr 7.35pm URC<br />

H Cell C Sharks 20-22 May TBC URC<br />

BACK<br />

TOGETHER<br />

UK/Ire Time<br />

ulster.rugby 61


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