Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme - Cardiff Rugby

ULSTER
Official Match Day Programme
v CARDIFF
Fri 4 Mar 2022, 7.35pm
Kingspan Stadium

In this Issue
Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby,
where tonight the Ulster squad welcomes Cardiff Rugby for the
thirteenth round of the United Rugby Championship.
Ulster look to finish the season strong and keep their place in the top four as the end of
the season approaches. Cardiff, on the back of multiple postponed and cancelled games,
aim to break into the top half of the table. It is sure to be an important clash for both sides.
On behalf of the entire Ulster Rugby and Kingspan community, we would like to extend the
warmest of welcomes to our visitors and we have no doubt the loyal crowd in Kingspan
Stadium will provide stirring support for the Ulster team.
Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby squad and management
team the very best of luck. To Ulster’s committed fans, enjoy the game, lead the way and
help ensure that this is an evening to remember at Kingspan Stadium.
10
5 President’s
Welcome
7
10
Our Virtual
Mascot
Player Interview:
Duane Vermeulen
18 Squad
Profiles
22 Team
Line-ups
24
24
37
40
48 44
New Signing
Shea O’Brien
26 Cardiff
Ones To Watch
29 Half-time
Exhibition Games
Last Time
30 Out
34 Q&A:
Declan Moore
New Signing
Frank Bradshaw Ryan
That Winning
Ulster Feeling
44 International
Women’s Day
Danske Bank Schools’
Cup Semi-Finals
52 Referees’
News
48
3

President’s
Welcome
Welcome to Round 13 of the United Rugby
Championship – it’s great to be back at
Kingspan Stadium!
I would like to extend a warm welcome to
our visitors, Cardiff Rugby, who haven’t
played a game since 29 January when they
defeated Leinster by two points in a pulsating
game at Cardiff Arms Park. Although their
game against Zebre Parma two weeks ago
was postponed, I am sure they are very wellprepared
by Dai Young and his coaching team.
For this game, I am delighted to welcome
representatives and champions of women
and girls’ rugby as my guests for a pre-match
dinner to mark International Women’s Day (8
March). I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to
everyone involved in women and girls’ rugby
for their stellar work in growing the game
across the province.
Six players from Ulster have been selected
in the Ireland squad ahead of the TikTok
Women’s Six Nations which kick off later this
month. Huge congratulations to Claire Boles,
Kathryn Dane, Brittany Hogan, Neve Jones, and
uncapped Vicky Irwin and Amanda McQuade.
We were delighted to announce the signing
of City of Armagh full-back, Shea O’Brien on a
Development contract ahead of next season.
It is fantastic that his talent and performances
for City of Armagh and Ulster Development
have been rewarded. I look forward to having
him join in the summer.
We also were bolstered by the news last week
about the signing of 6ft 9in second row, Frank
Bradshaw Ryan. He has really impressed
during his time at USON Nevers in the French
Pro D2. He will also be joining the province in
the summer.
It was a great weekend for Irish Rugby, as both
the Ireland U20s and Men’s teams defeated
Italy last Friday and Sunday. We had seven
players involved in the U20s side, and four in
the Men’s team, which is really encouraging
to see. A special mention goes to Mike Lowry
on making his international debut and his
brace of tries. Very well-deserved.
Well done to Methodist College Belfast and
Campbell College who have progressed to
the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final at
Kingspan Stadium after two thrilling games
on Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s sure to be
a hugely entertaining title-decider on Saint
Patrick’s Day.
As the club and schools’ competitions
progress, I’d like to remind everyone of our
#respectURgame campaign and our updated
Code of Conduct. Thank you in advance for
championing this message.
Enjoy the game and SUFTUM.
Gary Leslie
President, IRFU Ulster Branch
5

Virtual
Mascot
Name: Luke O’Neill
Age: 2
From: Belfast
Favourite Player: James Hume
Luke loves to dance when the crowd
sing Stand Up For The Ulster Men
and gets very excited when James
Hume appears on screen.
7

NEW CAPSULE RANGE
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CEO
Welcome
Welcome to Round 1 of the new United
Rugby Championship, and the first
competitive game of the 21/22 season.
I also extend a warm welcome to tonight’s
opponents, Glasgow Warriors. They clinched
an impressive win away to Worcester
Warriors a fortnight ago, so I am sure Dan
McFarland and the squad know how tough a
challenge this opening Round will be.
The URC brings an exciting new level of
competition, combining the top South
African clubs – Emirates Lions, DHL Stormers,
Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks - with the
Guinness PRO14 to create a world-class 16-
team league. We are very excited about the
season ahead in this new Championship.
Last week, we were delighted to announce
the signing of South African World Cup
winner, Duane Vermeulen, who will join Ulster
following the Autumn Tests. I think it’s safe to
say how excited we all are to have a player
of Duane’s calibre and experience added to
our back row and squad. We can’t wait to
welcome him into the fold in November.
Congratulations to the eleven Ulster players
who took part in Sunday’s Irish Rugby camp
in preparation for the upcoming Autumn
Nations Series. Well done to Will Addison,
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM ULSTER RUGBY
Robert Baloucoune, Billy Burns, James
ulsterrugbyshop.com
Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale,
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Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan,
Tom O’Toole and Nick Timoney.
Kathryn Dane, Neve Jones and Brittany
Hogan have been part of the Ireland team
competing for a place in next year’s Rugby
World Cup – after a narrow defeat to Spain
and superb victory over Italy, it all comes
down to the final Qualifier versus Scotland
tomorrow (5pm UK / Irish time, Stadio
Lanfranchi Stadium). Best of luck to our
three players and the rest of the women in
green!
The Deloitte Ulster Senior Women’s team
concluded their Vodafone Interprovincial
campaign two weeks ago, with a hardearned
draw against a tough Connacht side.
Well done to all the coaches and players who
were involved in the match-day teams and
the wider training squad.
It has been great to have Ulster feature
strongly in the current Development Inter-
Pro fixtures at the IRFU High Performance
Centre. Our young talent have missed out on
so much club and representative rugby over
the last 18 months, so it’s fantastic they’re
getting the chance to shine for their province.
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On the domestic front, it’s wonderful to see
club and schools’ rugby make a return to
competitive action over the last couple of
weeks – it’s set to be a bumper season ahead
Jonny Petrie
CEO Ulster Rugby
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Duane Vermeulen
Ulster’s South African back row is settling
well in the squad and is relishing his time
with the province so far.
How have you found your time so far in the
Ulster squad?
It’s been really interesting! I came over
from South Africa and have played at quite
a number of clubs all over the world – in
France and Japan – and got to Ulster where
the guys here are really nice. It feels like
I’ve slotted in very easily and the guys are
really helpful. I’m just settling in and getting
used to the style and the way we play. The
coaches, staff and everyone have been so
accommodating and I’ve really enjoyed my
stint thus far. I’m looking forward to what
is to come!
Have you had much of an opportunity to
enjoy the sights around the province and
how are your family enjoying being here?
When I arrived, I got COVID, so I was stuck
in the house for a while. That was difficult!
The big adjustment has been the weather
for us. Back in South Africa, you get a lot
of sun and it’s warm but over here there is
a lot more rain and it’s pretty cold! If you
look past that, it’s a beautiful country. We
haven’t had much of an opportunity to
drive around and see the countryside but
even if you get outside town for ten or
fifteen minutes, you see a lot of countryside
which is beautiful. We come from a farming
background, and I love driving around to
see all the farms and how people go about
their jobs there.
Who in the Ulster squad have you been
most impressed with since joining?
It’s actually the whole group! It’s a young
squad and the workload and energy within
the group is really good. It’s something that
I had to adapt to. I always thought northern
hemisphere rugby was a little slower than
what we were used to in Super Rugby.
Coming into the Ulster squad, you can see
the intensity the guys train and play at. There
are a lot of youngsters who have put their
hands up and have had opportunities to
get their international caps like Mike Lowry
last weekend. It’s impressive; he is a good
player for Ulster, and he really deserved his
first Test cap. I’m just mentioning him but
there are a lot of guys who really impress
me. I’m looking forward to keep working
with them and hopefully I can add a bit of
the mental approach and how to go into
bigger games. There have been a number
of guys who have really shown what they
can bring, and I look forward to keep
learning from them and maybe help them
along the way.
Back Row
03/07/1986
193cm
119kg
7
My family really loved their time here –
they went back to South Africa for now.
Logistically, it’s easier for them at the
moment. I’m loving it here and hopefully
the family will be back soon, and we can
keep experiencing more of what Ireland
and Northern Ireland have to offer.
11

You have touched on this a little already,
but you have had great success throughout
your rugby career – as a newcomer, do
you sense something special is building
here at Ulster?
There’s a massive energy within the squad
and I think the guys are really challenging
each other in positions. They’re also pushing
one another to be a better player on and off
the field. I love the energy in the group and
the way everyone is sharing their worth.
I think there is really something special
within the squad and it’s nice to be part of
something like this. Everyone contributes a
lot and it’s been special. Hopefully we can
continue that and grow as a team together.
The back row is one of several very
competitive areas in the squad – what do
you make of the other players fighting
for a back row jersey and the different
qualities they bring?
Competition is always good in a squad.
Every single guy who is competing for a
starting spot in the back row every weekend
has got everything to contribute to this
team. It’s nice to see Marcus [Rea], Nick
[Timoney] and Greg [Jones], those guys
putting up their hands. David [McCann] is a
little bit younger and getting opportunities
to play and contributing well to this team.
There are a lot of guys putting up their
hands – Jordi Murphy is getting his first start
this season. It will be great to see what he
has to offer. It’s good competition and you
always want that. If your starting positions
are full, the guys on the bench or not far off,
there’s no major gap between those guys
and you know you have good depth in the
squad. That’s really good to see.
whether it’s raining or if it’s windy. They
come out in their numbers which is really
nice. Before I arrived, my Agent told me
he was at Kingspan Stadium once before
and the atmosphere was amazing. You
never know until you run out onto the field
how good it really is. It’s great to see the
people coming out after COVID; it’s great
to have fans back in the stands supporting
their team.
After these home games against Cardiff
Rugby and Leinster, the squad will be
heading to South Africa to play DHL
Stormers and Vodacom Bulls. How
excited are you about heading to South
Africa and getting an opportunity to play
against these teams in the URC?
I had been with the Stormers for seven
years and then with the Bulls where I
played for two years. I really loved my time
at both clubs, but you get opportunities
to move on in life. I’m looking forward to
going to play back in South Africa and
hopefully we as a squad can produce the
goods and come away with the win in
both games.
The big thing for the squad is that it’s
an experience; you have to take it all in.
It’s not just on the field, it’s off the field
as well. You’re building relationships
and memories and those are things you
can never take for granted. That builds
character and is a way to get to know
your team-mates. Hopefully we can do a
few things on our down days off the field
and have fun on the field and get a couple
of wins.
We face Cardiff at Kingspan Stadium on
Friday – how have you found the support
of the home crowd in Belfast?
Oh, it’s fantastic! It feels like you’re playing
in front of 80,000 people. The noise and
the support every weekend at home is
brilliant. You definitely hear the supporters
and they are there through thick or thin;
ulster.rugby
13

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SENIOR
SQUAD
Head Coach: Dan McFarland
Will
Addison
John
Andrew
Rob
Herring
James
Hume
Cormac
Izuchukwu
Greg
Jones
Assistant Coach: Dan Soper
Forwards Coach: Roddy Grant
Defence Coach: Jared Payne
Skills Coach: Craig Newby
Utility Back
20/08/1992
185cm
95kg
26
5
Hooker
26/05/1993
180cm
100kg
91
Hooker
27/04/1990
185cm
105kg
208
24
Centre
07/09/1998
188cm
95kg
53
3
Lock
28/01/2000
201cm
117kg
7
Back Row
13/01/1996
196cm
108kg
35
Robert
Baloucoune
Wing
19/08/1997
193cm
92kg
37
2
Angus
Curtis
Fly Half / Centre
26/03/1998
178cm
88kg
19
Billy
Burns
Fly Half
13/06/1994
183cm
87kg
65
7
Nathan
Doak
Scrum Half
17/12/2001
185cm
87kg
16
Sam
Carter
Lock
10/09/1989
201cm
116kg
36
AUS 16
Craig
Gilroy
Wing
11/03/1991
183cm
91kg
204
10
John
Cooney
Scrum Half
01/05/1990
178cm
85kg
90
11
Iain
Henderson
Lock
21/02/1992
198cm
116kg
123
66
Ross
Kane
Prop
14/10/1994
180cm
118kg
59
Ian
Madigan
Fly Half
21/03/1989
178cm
89kg
27
30
Mick
Kearney
Lock
29/03/1991
198cm
116 kg
7
Luke
Marshall
Centre
03/03/1991
180cm
99kg
144
11
Mike
Lowry
Full Back
20/08/1998
170cm
76kg
59
1
David
McCann
Back Row
13/06/2000
193cm
108kg
14
Rob
Lyttle
Wing
28/01/1997
175cm
85kg
52
Stuart
McCloskey
Centre
06/08/1992
193cm
110kg
148
6
SENIOR SQUAD
ulster.rugby
17

Prop
11/10/1989
185cm
118kg
23
56
Jack
McGrath
Prop
15/12/1992
191cm
134kg
8
Gareth
Milasinovich
Hooker
15/09/1996
183cm
112kg
1
Declan
Moore
Centre
08/08/1999
183cm
90kg
23
Stewart
Moore
Back Row
22/04/1991
188cm
102kg
48
30
Jordi
Murphy
Lock
10/09/1992
196cm
110kg
147
Alan
O’Connor
Prop
30/11/1995
185cm
117kg
76
1
Eric
O’Sullivan
Prop
23/09/1998
185cm
123kg
73
2
Tom
O’Toole
Full Back/Wing
10/08/2000
188cm
86kg
29
Ethan
McIlroy
Back Row
08/09/1997
188cm
108kg
15
Marcus
Rea
Wing/Centre
06/09/2001
191cm
97kg
13
Ben
Moxham
Prop
01/03/1991
178cm
123kg
68
10
Marty
Moore
Back Row
01/08/1995
188cm
114kg
95
2
Nick
Timoney
Lock
06/11/1995
198cm
115kg
118
4
Kieran
Treadwell
Prop
12/03/1991
178cm
116kg
148
Andrew
Warwick
Back Row
21/09/1993
193cm
110kg
70
Matthew
Rea
Hooker
04/01/1996
175cm
104Kg
14
WAL 1
Bradley
Roberts
Wing/Full Back
03/04/1996
191cm
102kg
83
35
Jacob
Stockdale
Scrum Half
20/06/1993
175cm
77kg
79
David
Shanahan
Hooker
11/01/2001
183cm
103kg
1
Tom
Stewart
Wing
24/08/200
188cm
94kg
2
Aaron
Sexton
Prop
06/01/1999
183cm
117kg
8
Callum
Reid
Back Row
10/05/1989
183cm
102kg
150
2
Sean
Reidy
Back Row
03/07/1986
193cm
119kg
7
SA 60
Duane
Vermeulen
SENIOR SQUAD
19
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21

1 Warwick
2 Andrew 3 Moore
1 Thyer 2 Myhill 3 Arhip
C
C
4 O’Connor 5 Henderson
4 Turnbull 5 Screech
6 Murphy 8 Timoney
7 Rea
6 Jenkins 8 Botham
7 Navidi
9 Doak
OFFICIALS
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Peter Martin, Nigel Correll (IRFU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
9 Williams
11 Moxham
10 Burns
11 Summerhill
10 Evans
REPLACEMENTS
REPLACEMENTS
16 T Stewart
12 McCloskey
16 K Assiratti
12 Halaholo
17 J McGrath
17 R Carre
18 G Milasinovich
18 W Davis-King
19 S Carter
13 Hume
19 T Williams
13 Lee-lo
20 D Vermeulen
20 J Ratti
21 J Cooney
21 J Hill
22 I Madigan
14 Baloucoune
22 B Thomas
14 Lane
23 A Sexton
15 Moore
23 M Morgan
15 Amos
ulster.rugby
23

IT’S ALL
KICKING
Talented local player from City of Armagh
RFC signs on with Ulster Rugby
Newry-born, Shea O’Brien, has put pen
to paper on a one-year Development
contract which will see him join up with the
Ulstermen this summer.
The 22-year-old full-back, who claimed the
Player of the Match award whilst helping
City of Armagh to secure victory in the
Bank of Ireland Senior Cup in March 2020,
is no stranger to awards having also been
named the 2019/20 Ken Goodall Club
Player of the Year in the Ulster Rugby
Domestic Rugby Awards.
With an impressive skillset gained
through his involvement in the club game
at City of Armagh RFC from Minis level
through to competing in the AIL, as
well as being a talented GAA footballer,
O’Brien will be joining the Senior Men’s
set-up this coming pre-season, alongside
completing his medicine degree at
Queens University Belfast.
O’Brien’s Development contract follows
on from his starting role in Ulster’s
Development Inter-Pro fixtures versus
Leinster and Munster last season, as well
as putting in a try-scoring performance
against Connacht Eagles.
Head Coach, Dan McFarland said:
“Shea exemplifies a player who has taken a
less traditional route to being involved in the
professional set-up at Ulster. He impressed
in our Development side last September,
and I am excited for what he will bring to
our squad next season as a result of being
nurtured through club rugby in the province.”
Shea O’Brien added:
“I am delighted to have signed a Development
contract with Ulster Rugby. The squad and
coaching staff have already made me feel
very welcome. The group are ambitious and
I’m very excited and privileged to be a part
of it. I hope to use this opportunity to learn
more and develop myself as a rugby player.
“I’d like to extend a sincere thanks to
everyone at City of Armagh Rugby club for
the continued support they have given me
in my journey from the Mini setup, through
the youth system, and into Senior rugby. I
have worked with some great coaches and
players along the way, and I will be forever
grateful for this.”
OFF
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SOUNDTRACK
OF ULSTER
RUGBY
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ulster.rugby 25

Ones to Watch
Josh Navidi
Rey Lee-Lo is arguably the under-rated cog in Cardiff’s
star-studded backline, but he has starred for the Blue and
Blacks since arriving in Wales in 2015.
He has formed a formidable partnership with ex-
Hurricanes team-mate Willis Halaholo in the Cardiff
midfield, and his influence has been rewarded with
multiple inclusions in the league’s Team of the Year.
The Samoan international, who mainly featured in the
13 jersey, has an all-rounded skillset and is capable of
providing both flair and stability to a backline which
features a number of proven international attackers.
Owen Lane
Wales’ international back row, Josh Navidi, is set to make a
return from a shoulder injury in this evening’s clash, having
been sidelined since October.
As the son of an Iranian wrestler, it should come as no
surprise that Navidi provides a crucial physical presence
in the Cardiff back row, being highly influential both in the
contact area and with ball in hand.
Despite four years elapsing between his first and second
caps on the international stage, Navidi the back row star
has become a crucial asset for Wales in recent seasons and
his form earned him a place on the British and Irish Lions
tour to South Africa last summer.
Rey Lee-Lo
Owen Lane has been in fine form for Cardiff this season,
and will be looking to over-take Mack Hansen as the
league’s top try scorer in the coming weeks.
The homegrown product has an impressive 31 tries in 63
outings for the Blue and Blacks to date, and heads to the
Kingspan Stadium with four tries in his last three games.
With both pace and power out wide, Lane is quickly
building a reputation as one of the best finishers in the
United Rugby Championship and at only 24 years old,
the four-times capped Welsh international has plenty of
promise ahead.
NAME POSITION AGE WEIGHT HEIGHT
Josh Adams Wing 26 95kg 1.83m
Hallam Amos Full Back 26 96kg 1.86m
Scott Andrews Prop 32 121.5kg 1.86m
Dmitri Arhip Prop 32 117kg 1.81m
Keiron Assiratti Prop 24 119kg 1.78m
Liam Belcher Hooker 25 106kg 1.76m
Ellis Bevan Scrum Half 21 90kg 1.8m
James Botham Back Row 23 104kg 1.9m
Will Boyde Back Row 26 104kg 1.83m
Gwilym Bradley Back Row 20 103kg 1.87m
Rhys Carré Prop 23 128kg 1.9m
Kristian Dacey Hooker 32 106kg 1.88m
Seb Davies Lock 25 119kg 1.98m
Will Davies-King Prop 23 126kg 1.93m
Corey Domachowski Prop 24 121kg 1.84m
Jarrod Evans Outside Half 25 87kg 1.8m
Rhys Gill Prop 34 115kg 1.83m
Mason Grady Centre 19 110kg 1.96m
Uilisi Halaholo Centre 31 101kg 1.81m
Jason Harries Wing 32 107kg 1.94m
Iestyn Harris Hooker 22 104kg 1.84m
Jamie Hill Scrum Half 22 81kg 1.78m
Ellis Jenkins Back Row 28 106kg 1.85m
Owen Lane Wing 23 97kg 1.85m
Rey Lee-Lo Centre 34 99kg 1.91m
Dillon Lewis Prop 25 125kg 1.85m
Shane Lewis-Hughes Back Row 23 115kg 1.93m
Max Llewellyn Centre 22 105kg 1.96m
Harri Millard Centre 25 92kg 1.83m
Matthew Morgan Full Back 29 78kg 1.73m
Kirby Myhill Hooker 29 106kg 1.83m
Josh Navidi Back Row 30 105kg 1.85m
Rhys Priestland Outside Half 34 91kg 1.88m
James Ratti Utility Forward 23 120kg 1.93m
Matthew Screech Lock 28 116kg 1.95m
Luke Scully Outside Half 21 85kg 1.8m
Garyn Smith Centre 26 95.5kg 1.8m
Aled Summerhill Wing 26 93kg 1.88m
Rory Thornton Lock 26 119kg 2.01m
Ben Thomas Utility Back 22 93kg 1.83m
Brad Thyer Prop 28 114kg 1.81m
Jason Tovey Outside Half 32 87kg 1.8m
Josh Turnbull Utility Forward 33 115kg 1.93m
Lloyd Williams Scrum Half 31 88kg 1.83m
Teddy Williams Lock 20 118kg 1.99m
Tomos Williams Scrum Half 26 86kg 1.81m
Recent Results
Cardiff - Zebre
Cardiff 29-27 Leinster
Toulouse 0-28 Cardiff
Postponed
Awarded
URC
Position
12
27

Half-Time Exhibition Games
City of Derry RFC
Coaches
1 Peter MacCafferty
2 Marty Nelson
3 Stephen Jamison
Club Colours:
Green / Black
Players
1 Calum MacCafferty
2 Luca Keegan
3 Andrew Jamison
4 Alex Dunn
5 Harvey Devine
6 Trent Burke
7 Mathew Hughes
8 Jay Cloete
9 Jonathan McCafferty
10 Eli Ewan
11 Charlie Lynch
12 Garbhán Dohi
Virginia RFC
Coaches
1 Fergal Brady
2 Francis Dowd
3 Jonathan Reilly
Club Colours:
Black / White
Players
1 Gwilym Vance
2 Fionn Brady
3 Thomas Ward
4 Evan Sheirdan
5 Alex Maguire
6 Mark Dowd
7 Connor Daly
8 Tom Pierce
9 Paul Lynch
10 Sean O’Reilly
11 Kevin Smith
12 Killian O’Reilly
AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End
Players
1 Ross Campbell
Players
1 Harry Nutt
2 Samuel Irvine
2 Alfie Boyd
Enniskillen RFC
Coaches
1 Allun Hawthorne
2 Matthew Morrow
3 Stuart Campbell
3 Ellen Clarke
4 Caolan Mclernan
5 James McSorley
6 Rhys Payne
7 Matthew Hawthorne
8 Jacob Balfour
9 Jack Donnelly
10 Calum Pauley
Coleraine RFC
Coaches
1 James McCreanor
2 Jonny Diamond
3 Ian Pollock
3 Toby Hasson
4 Lewis Alcock
5 David McMullan
6 Sam Pollock
7 Ellis McGrath
8 Charlie Blair
9 Toby Feeney
10 Lucas McCloskey
Memorial Stand End
Club Colours:
Brugandy / Navy
11 Joel Crean
12 Lewis Jenkins
Club Colours:
Blue / White / Black
11 Zaachary Kane
12 Ellie Holmes
LIVE STATS
29

Ulster had a great chance on 33 minutes
after Nick Timoney and Marcus Rea worked
in tandem to earn a penalty for Billy Burns to
kick for the line-out. Nathan Doak bundled
over but after a TMO check, he was deemed
to be held up by Sam Davies and Rio Dyer.
attempt by Doak was just off-target.
Ulster now had the wind in their favour for
the second half, and it only took five minutes
to get their second try of the afternoon.
On their third successive 5-metre line-out
after Dragons illegally collapsed the first
two mauls, John Andrew made it over from
the third to score. Nathan Doak nailed the
touchline conversion to put Ulster 12 ahead.
Last Time Out
Sunday 20 February, 2pm
Ulster claimed a crucial away win as they
defeated Dragons at a wintry Rodney
Parade in a low-scoring affair.
Dragons had early pressure as they pounced
on a loose ball off an Ulster line-out, but
Ulster earned the penalty a few metres from
their line, allowing Billy Burns to kick clear.
The visitors had to contend with playing into
a fierce wind in the first half, which made
gaining territory difficult for their kicking
half-backs.
After a solid Ulster scrum on ten minutes,
Nick Timoney fed the ball to Nathan Doak
who hacked the ball through for a chasing
Robert Baloucoune. The Dragons covering
defence had no option but to carry the ball
over the line to ground the ball, which gave
Ulster a 5-metre scrum. They showed real
patience as Nathan Doak set the forwards on
a series of pick-and-goes, but the Dragons’
defence forced a knock-on.
Most of the next ten minutes were played
0 - 12
in the middle third of the field as both sides
struggled to make ground. On 20 minutes,
scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou attempted a
long-range drop-goal with the wind at his
back, but the attempt was wide.
Dragons enjoyed a spell of pressure as they
looked to probe Ulster’s defensive line, but
Marcus Rea did really well over the ball to force
the turnover and shut down their attack.
A minute before half-time, Ulster finally
broke the deadlock after a superb break
by James Hume and thundering run by
Nathan Doak who was dragged down just
short. Stuart McCloskey then popped the
ball out to Marcus Rea who crashed over.
The impossibly difficult touchline conversion
Watch
Match
Highlights
Dragons had a penalty opportunity in front
of the posts on 53 minutes, but Davies
missed the kick.
Cormac Izuchukwu made a welcome return
to rugby to make his first appearance this
season after injury, replacing Sam Carter.
The final quarter of the game slowed in
worsening conditions. Dragons went down
to 14 when Mesake Doge was sin-binned for
a no-arms tackle on Stewart Moore.
Ulster had a final shot with the clock in the
red as they were awarded a penalty just
inside the Dragons half. Nathan Doak opted
for a kick at goal but his impressive attempt
bounced off the uprights.
Full-time score:
Dragons 0 - 12 Ulster
ulster.rugby
31

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Q&A
Declan Moore
“I am really pleased to have signed with
Ulster, it’s a really good club, on the verge
of doing something special.”
Best moment so far?
Getting a try on my debut.
What has been your rugby pathway
so far?
I’m a New Zealand-born Australian, I grewup
in Sydney, played for Sydney University.
I was playing with some really good
players there. I got an opportuntiy with the
Super-Rugby side, The Melbourne Rebels.
Due to Covid-19, I didn’t get the
opportunity I wanted. I then signed for
Munster, before getting the opportunity to
come to Ulster.
Any pre-match rituals?
I don’t really have any habits. I just focus
on my preparation.
Favourite TV Show
Seinfeld
Most-used emoji
How have you settled into life in Belfast?
The team have all been very welcoming.
There is a really good buzz around the place.
I’ve visited the Titanic Museum and even
taken a Black Taxi tour. I’m getting upto-speed
on all of the local history. It’s a
fascinating place.
Most used App
Subway Surfers
If you had to be stuck on an island with
a teammate?
Favourite 2021/22 Ulster kit
(White/Red/Yellow)?
ulster.rugby
Sean Reidy
35
Yellow Kit
Hooker
15/09/1996
183cm
112kg
1
Q&A

A
ULSTER v
LEINSTER
SAT 12 MAR, 7.35PM | KINGSPAN STADIUM
Frank Bradshaw Ryan
signs for Ulster
FIND TICKETS
ulster.rugby
The 26-year-old Irish lock will join the
Ulstermen this summer on a 1-year deal.
Limerick-born Bradshaw Ryan, who stands
at over 2m tall, is set to bolster the province’s
second row when he makes the move from
French Pro D2 side, USON Nevers.
Known for his lineout skills and ability to
carry, the Munster sub-Academy graduate,
and former Ireland U19s player, will also
bring the leadership skills he has honed
over the last six years in France.
On his upcoming move to the province,
Bradshaw Ryan, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to have signed
for Ulster. It is a top club, based in a
fantastic city. I love watching Ulster play
at the moment, and they are playing a
great brand of rugby – and it’s a style of
rugby that I really enjoy playing.
“I can see with some of Ulster’s recent
signings, together with the top young
players coming through, that they are
intent on achieving big things. After
spending six seasons in France, I can’t
wait to get over and get started as, with
the set-up and coaches that Ulster have,
I feel it’s a great place for me to keep
learning and improving as a player.”
Head Coach, Dan McFarland, added:
“Frank has worked hard in France over the
last number of years to develop his game
and will offer us something different at
lock. We look forward to welcoming him
this summer and seeing what he can
deliver both on and off the field for Ulster.”
37

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39

Guest article:
Rod Nawn
That Winning Ulster Identity
Soaking wet, weather-beaten and at
times bemused by the banana skin which
so often has been Rodney Parade, Ulster
emerged last month with victory over the
Dragons.
It was a win which was as important and
well-earned as any this season. No swagger,
no complaints about the dreadful weather,
it was a team with its eye on the prizes on
offer this year.
This evening it is in the safe haven of
Kingspan Stadium that the enterprise,
diligence, and the intelligence which has
marked so many performances can surely
take to the stage again.
The inaugural United Rugby Championship has
more challenges ahead for Dan McFarland’s
side but a win tonight at Kingspan Stadium,
allied to last month’s ground-out victory at
the Dragons, would maintain the increasingly
realistic hopes of silverware.
In the URC and in the Heineken Champions
Cup, Ulster has produced an almost errorfree
sequence of results which has delighted
the returning fans and provided an authentic
prospect of domestic and European success.
Cardiff’s season has not had the chance to
gain such momentum, Covid playing havoc
with its league and, particularly, its Champions
Cup programmes. Having played only seven
games in the URC, the team is faced with a
gruelling race to complete its fixtures but one
indicator that Dai Young, his staff and players
will retain some confidence in finishing in the
play-off places is the defeat of Leinster at the
Arms Park at the end of January.
So, tonight’s clash is far from predictable,
though Ulster will start as many people’s
favourites. Like Cardiff, the home side will
have the very real bonus of being able to
include players released from the Wales and
Ireland international camps. In each case the
national coach wants these players to get
some effective game time.
The home supporters will be expecting with
some excitement to see Iain Henderson lead
his side after a catalogue of injury and illness
setbacks which has not diluted his huge
importance to his country.
Nick Timoney and James Hume have also
tasted Six Nations action already, and Robert
Baloucoune – who we might have anticipated
being a ‘banker’ selection for Andy Farrell –
will hope to press his claims for a place in a
hugely competitive backline. Internationals
all, this quartet will certainly strengthen
McFarland’s hand and given the reasons for
the release of these players it is highly likely
each will be handed vital roles this evening.
Cardiff has added prop Rhys Carre,
breakaways James Ratti and Ellis Jenkins and
the gifted centre Willis Halaholo to its squad.
They are all proven, experienced performers
and the pack and the three-quarter line
undoubtedly appears much strengthened by
their availability.
Hallam Amos and Owen Lane were tryscorers
in the defeat of Leinster five weeks
ago, and Rey Lee-Lo’s invention in midfield
was key to that scalp. Out-half Jarrod Evans’
boot kicked vital points and his scrum-half
Lloyd Williams’ vast international experience
helped guide the Welsh to a famous win.
Up front the international second row pairing
of Josh Turnbull and Rory Thornton never
gave an inch to the URC table-toppers, and
in the back row James Botham and Shane
Lewis-Hughes are young Welsh internationals
with areal athletic and physical presence.
That ball of back row energy Josh Navidi
is reportedly close to a return after lengthy
injury and Wales coach Wayne Pivac would
love to have him available for at least the
finale of the Six Nations so could he get a
run-out in Belfast this evening?
In the main, though, McFarland and Young
will be relying on that group of players which
has been preparing and playing during the
international window.
For Ulster, the success of the development
programme at Kingspan Stadium was
spectacularly highlighted by Michael Lowry’s
try-scoring elevation to the national side
last weekend. He, Hume, Baloucoune and
Henderson all went through the Academy
system and others like Jacob Stockdale,
Rob Lyttle, Ben Moxham, Stewart Moore,
Stuart McCloskey, and Nathan Doak have
emerged comfortably and promisingly into
the spotlight of the game at the top level.
Breakaways David McCann, Matty and
Marcus Rea and have all excelled in the Ulster
senior team and had their skills polished after
outstanding school careers.
These are just some of the younger squad
members who have been blooded in the URC
and in European competition, maintaining
their progress and offering the competition
any coach would want in every position.
Who would not lick their selection lips, for
instance, if Stockdale, Baloucoune, Craig
Gilroy and Moxham all vied for spots on the
wings?
Slowly but very definitely the club has a real
Ulster identity, something in which supporters
take particular delight as they cheer ‘their
own.’ That in no way diminishes the affection
and admiration for those who have come to
the province to sprinkle rugby stardust.
ulster.rugby
41

John Cooney is a remarkable example of a
player who, despite his well-travelled rugby
background, is now instantly acknowledged
as an Ulsterman. Following the much-loved
Ruan Pienaar was some challenge, now the
scrum-half is a cherished favourite and he
may be fit enough to return to the white
jersey against Cardiff.
Johann Muller, Marcel Coetzee, Charles
Piutau, Christian Lealiifano and, currently, the
inexhaustible Duane Vermeulen are just some
of the big names who produced memorable
performances to match and became fully
integrated members of the Ulster squad.
Louis Luik and Robbie Diack gave great
service and immersed themselves in the
community, superb operators at the very
highest level and part of the dressing
room’s culture.
But there is undoubtedly something
special about the emergence of a Lowry,
a Stockdale and a Doak, and the sustained
excellence of a Henderson, Rory Best, Chris
Henry and Stephen Ferris who stamped
their very particular presence and pedigree
on their sides. They followed a lineage
which included Andrew Trimble, Tommy
Bowe, David Humphreys, Jonny Bell, Gary
Longwell, Tony McWhirter, Mark McCall, the
brothers Jan and Bryn Cunningham and
so many more who sustained the hardcore
Ulster ethos of the team.
Today the Province’s talent identification
programmes are so comprehensive that very
few great talents are not brought into the
Ulster embrace. In the ‘good old days’ the
best schoolboys did not necessarily have a
natural pathway to the senior game. What a
difference now.
In this week of two fine Danske Bank Ulster
Schools’ Cup semi-finals the four teams
involved have become fertile territories for
youngsters to thrive. Methodist College is
now a prolific provider of exceptional players,
as is Campbell College and it should be a
fine spectacle when they meet and highlight
their individual and collective abilities in the
showcase Final, happily confirmed, after a
two-year Covid hiatus, for St Patrick’s Day at
Kingspan Stadium.
Wallace High School and Belfast ‘Inst,’ the
defeated semi-finalists, are strongholds of
rugby and with excellent coaching structures
continue to produce players of mature quality.
This evening some of the more recent
graduates from the schools’ ranks will
feature in the Ulster team which will have its
focus solely on the gritty challenge offered
by Cardiff.
Next week Leinster arrive in Belfast for a
potential top-of-the-table clash and Ulster’s
strength in depth will be tested as the Six
Nations resumes.
But this evening the target is another win,
preferably with a coveted try bonus point, to
maintain a run of form and results which has
been truly eye-catching.
Hopefully, the conditions will be in stark
contrast to those at Rodney Parade last
month where Ulster battled the elements and
the Dragons with a display of real character.
Tonight, the team takes another important
steppingstone on the path to URC play-off
qualification, on the route to success on
both domestic and Champions Cup fronts.
It is not an easy journey, but it’s going to be
an enthralling trip.
BALLYGOWAN – OFFICIAL HYDRATION
PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY
1 %
IRISH
NOW
MADE FROM
1 %
RECYCLED
PLASTIC
*
1 %
RECYCLABLE
ulster.rugby
43

International Women’s Day
Celebrating Women & Girls Rugby in Ulster
ulster.rugby
45

Ulster Rugby
Academy
Based at Kingspan Stadium along with the
senior squad, the aim of the Ulster Rugby
Academy is to develop rugby talent to
reach their potential and perform to URC,
European and international standards.
Ben
Carson
Centre
24/02/2002
183cm
100kg
-
Reuben
Crothers
Flanker
29/01/2001
185cm
96kg
-
Jude
Postlethwaite
Centre
03/04/2002
193cm
101kg
-
ulster.rugby
James
Humphreys
Fly Half
11/04/2001
185cm
80kg
-
Conor
Rankin
Full Back
27/05/2001
185cm
89kg
-
James
McCormick
Hooker
08/01/2002
180cm
103kg
-
George
Saunderson
Prop
11/01/2001
191cm
118kg
-
Conor
McKee
Scrum Half
20/03/2001
183cm
87kg
-
ACADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
ACADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
ACADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
ACADEMY
Harry
Sheridan ACADEMY ACADEMY
ACADEMY Lock/Back Row
ACADEMY ACADEMY
21/09/2001
ACADEMY 196cm ACADEMY ACADEMY
111kg
ACADEMY - ACADEMY ACADEMY
ACADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY
ACADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Final
RBAI 15 - Methodist College 43
Methodist College Belfast were the first
confirmed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup
finalists after defeating a spirited RBAI at
Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Methody enjoyed a decent spell of territory
in the opening minutes; David Armstrong
bringing his forwards into the game, and
backs Lorcan Hanratty and Ben McFarlane
making strong carries. A knock-on outside
Inst’s 22 gave possession back and Inst out
of danger.
It wasn’t long however before Methody had a
scrum, and Number Eight, Michael Crothers
made a break. He was brought down but
the team in white were given a penalty
opportunity. Ben McFarlane obliged to put
them 0-3 up.
RBAI were first to break the deadlock on
eight minutes with an unconverted maul
try; their Number Eight Bryn Ward showing
great strength to power over.
Inst were almost over for another maul try
though Jacob Boyd, but Methodist College
were quick over the ball to get the penalty
and kick clear.
MCB claimed their first try on 14 minutes, with
winger Joe Dickson making a searing run down
the left wing to dot down in the corner. Ben
McFarlane fired over the tough conversion.
Just three minutes later, Inst chipped away
at the deficit through the boot of Josh
Eagleson, who landed the penalty.
The MCB side looked close to scoring in
the left-hand corner again, but excellent
defensive pressure from RBAI earned the
penalty and Eagleson kicked for touch.
RBAI found themselves temporarily down
to 14 when Rory Ellerby was sent to the
bin, and MCB profited immediately through
openside Josh Stevens who crashed over.
Ben McFarlane nudged over the extras.
Inst responded immediately with another
dominant maul; this time it was blindside
flanker, Daniel Moore who rumbled over for
their second try.
Methody stormed out of the blocks after the
break, and Joe Dickson raced clear for his
second try of the afternoon. Ben McFarlane
expertly drilled over the two points to extend
their lead.
The wind was in MCB’s sails, and they claimed
their fourth try on 42 minutes through centre,
Lorcan Hanratty, and McFarlane converted.
RBAI showed some lovely hands as they
looked to fight back, but a penalty for Methody
allowed McFarlane to relieve the pressure. Inst
re-composed themselves and went through
the hands again. Good defence from MCB
drove Inst into touch just a few metres out. A
dropped ball just short allowed MCB to go on
the counterattack, but Inst defended well to
keep them out for the time being.
Methody struck again on 58 minutes, and
their backs showed lovely hands in the buildup
to send Liam Black in for their sixth try
of the afternoon and McFarlane slotted the
extras to extend their lead.
RBAI fought hard in the final few minutes of
the game but Methody kept them pinned
back to see out the game and seal their place
in the final.
Final score:
Royal Belfast Academical Institution 15
Methodist College Belfast 43
Scorers
RBAI
Tries: Bryn Ward, Daniel Moore
Cons: Josh Eagleson
Pens: Josh Eagleson
Methodist College
Tries: Joe Dickson (2), Ryan Kidd, Josh
Stevens, Lorcan Hanratty, Liam Black
Cons: Ben McFarlane (5)
Pens: Ben McFarlane
Line-ups
RBAI
(15-9) James Hilman, Ryan Stewart, Rory
Ellerby, Jack Parkinson, Jamie Beattie, Josh
Eagleson, Conor McGrath (Capt.);
(1-8) Andrew Armstrong, Oliver Clark, Jacob
Boyd, Myles Lowe, Christopher Beaumont,
Daniel Moore, Callum Simms, Bryn Ward.
Replacements: Andrew Hamill, Rory
Stewart, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Edwards, Oscar
Dunbar, Callum Soper, Flynn Morrow, Adam
Hawthorne.
Methodist College
(15-9) Ben McFarlane, Chris Bradley, Peter
O’Hagan (Capt.), Lorcan Hanratty, Joe
Dickson, Ryan Lindsay, David Armstrong;
(1-8) Callum White, Johnny O’Kane, Finn
McAdam, Ryan Kidd, Harry Palmer, Patrick
Fullarton-Healy, Josh Stevens, Michael
Crothers.
Replacements: Ben Wilson, Matteo
McGlaughlin, Harry Pratt, Josh McAdam, Ben
Neill, Liam Black, Jacob Kelly, Lewis Doh
ulster.rugby
49

Wallace had a great opportunity after
Matthew Crowe made a break off the back
of the scrum, and they worked their way to
just a few metres out, but Campbell got the
5-metre scrum and out of immediate danger.
Line-ups
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Final
Campbell College 28 - Wallace High School 6
Campbell College Belfast will meet
Methodist College Belfast in the Danske
Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final after
defeating Wallace High School in the Semi-
Final at Kingspan Stadium on Wednesday.
Campbell looked threatening with ball in hand
in the opening minutes, their second row Joe
Hopes making a couple of impressive carries.
Wallace held firm in defence under sustained
pressure and got the scrum just 5 metres
from their line. They ran the ball with Charlie
Beattie making his way up to the 22-metre
line with a great run.
Wallace soon had a line-out and
demonstrated their impressive attacking
maul which made several metres of ground.
Campbell were able to regain possession
however, and eventually got a penalty which
they kicked for touch. Campbell then went
on the maul and opted for the pick-and-go
– Wallace did really well to hold Campbell
College up on two occasions, but eventually
Matthew Booth showed great strength to
cross over for CCB’s first try, and Peter Caves
added the conversion.
Campbell College probed again, and
eventually got their second score on 24
minutes when winger Henry Johnson raced
in under the posts, and Caves made no
mistake with the extras to put the Belfast
side 14 points up.
Wallace enjoyed a period of pressure and
again used their strong attacking maul to
make ground, but the Belfast side eventually
did well over the ball to make the turnover
on half-way.
After the break, Wallace worked hard to get
into a promising area of the field, and soon
had a penalty opportunity on 39 minutes,
which Matthew Halliday duly obliged and
knocked over the three points.
WHS were in the ascendancy and pressed
Campbell College; prop Cameron Doak
prominent in the loose, making hard carries.
They earned another penalty on 46 minutes
and Halliday was on-target with the three.
Campbell College didn’t take long to
respond, and they had an opportunity to
show the threat their attacking maul could
carry. Co-captain Zac Solomon crashed over
to claim their third try, and Caves nailed the
difficult conversion.
Campbell College had the final say in the
last minute of the game, when winger Oliver
Topping ran clear for their fourth try. Peter
Caves made it four from four off the tee with
the excellent conversion.
Final score:
Campbell College Belfast 28
Wallace High School 6
Scorers
Campbell College
Tries: Matthew Booth, Henry Johnson, Zac
Solomon, Oliver Topping
Cons: Peter Caves (4)
Wallace High School
Pens: Matthew Halliday (2)
METHODIST
COLLEGE
FINAL
CAMPBELL
COLLEGE
Thu 17 Mar, 3pm | Kingspan Stadium
Campbell College
(15-9) Peter Caves, Oliver Topping, Matthew
Booth, Callum Florence, Henry Johnson, Tom
Crowther (Capt.), Johnny McCracken;
(1-8) Cameron Hillis, Zac Solomon (VC),
Darragh Hanlon, Alexander Brennan, Joe
Hopes, Oliver McCauley, Luke Johnston,
Cameron Faith.
Replacements: Christopher Massey, Lucas
Perez De Leza, Matthew Murphy, Reece Bell,
Cameron Faith, Matt Rea, Stuart Johnson,
Jake Daly.
Wallace High School
(15-9) Charlie Beattie, Ben Armstrong,
Finn Rankin, Zac Lindsay, Noah McCluskey,
Mathew Halliday, Ethan Patterson;
(1-8) Cameron Doak, Ethan Gilliland, Nicholas
Macklin-Copeland, Philip Kennedy (Capt.),
Fraser Harrower, Michael Waite, Adam
McClean, Matthew Crowe.
Replacements: Harry Wright, Josh Hanna,
Fionn McCloskey, Aaron Bailie, Daniel
Hearne, Lewis Stevenson, Ethan Dunbar,
Jacob Longley
ulster.rugby
51

Ulster Society of Rugby
Football Referees
with Richard Kerr
We welcome Hollie Davidson (SRU) and her
team of officials to the Kingspan Stadium for
this evenings United Rugby Championship
Round 13 match against Cardiff Rugby. This
is Hollie’s third game in this competition
and we wish her well.
All spectators are reminded of their
responsibility to respect the decisions of the
match officials at all times.
In this match programme, we continue to
profile Ulster Rugby’s Referee Development
Manager, Richard Kerr. The previous
programme focused on his refereeing
career whereas this programme looks at his
professional role as Referee Development
Manager.
Name: Richard Kerr
Family: Married to Heather with two young
children – Matthew (10) and Aimee (9)
Career to date: I was a PE teacher in
Cookstown High School for 20 years before
taking up my current post with Ulster
Rugby in September 2018. I absolutely
loved teaching and had the pleasure of
working in a wonderful school with fantastic
colleagues and even better pupils! Whilst
not a traditional rugby playing school, I had
the privilege of teaching and coaching many
famous sports stars including Stuart Dallas
(Northern Ireland and Leeds United football),
David Ames and Ian Sloan (Ireland, Great
Britain and England hockey) and one of my
more recent pupils was Nicholas Griggs – a
rising star in athletics.
Current job: When the role of Referee
Development Manager came up in 2018,
I jumped at the opportunity to apply.
As mentioned in the previous match
programme, I have been a referee for 21
years, so my hobby basically became my job!
It is an absolute privilege to work for Ulster
Rugby / IRFU and I love the challenges that
every new day brings.
What does your role involve:
Now that’s a good question! The main
responsibilities are to:
• Recruit new referees
• Retain the referees that we have
• Educate and develop the referees
But like any job, there are so many ‘extra’
challenges that are not necessarily on the
job description!... but I suppose that is the
beauty of this role.
I work very closely with the Ulster Society
of Rugby Football Referees to ensure that
all rugby matches in the province have a
referee appointed. This is no easy task and
I must pay tribute to the fantastic band of
volunteers who make the USRFR work.
I am the only full time paid employee
directly involved with refereeing in Ulster –
so there is no shortage of things to do!
Challenges of the role: I think the biggest
challenge is the fact that rugby referees are
volunteers. The domestic game in Ulster
relies on these men and women giving up
their time on a weekly basis to referee games
across the province. I hate using the phrase
‘no ref no game’ but it is true! Players, coaches
and spectators need to remember that and
I would really emphasise the importance of
this to all rugby people. I do have a concern
about the lack of respect creeping into our
game. Respect works both ways of course
and it is very important that our referees are
upskilled not only on the Laws of the game
and how to apply them, but also on how to
communicate and manage their way through
a game effectively.
Refereeing rugby reminds me of my former
career. No two teams are the same – just
like no two classes in a school are the same.
Effective communication and managing
people can have a real impact on how you
plot your way through the game – just like a
teacher controlling a class.
Targets: we have a very proud history in
Ulster of having referees at the very top
levels of the game. It is exciting to watch the
progress of Chris Busby as he now operates
in the professional game. Ulster currently
have 18 referees on the IRFU National Panel
– the most of any of the four provinces. We
are actually victims of our own success as
this means that our top referees are very
often not available for selection for games
in Ulster! It is my job to continue that trend
and to increase the numbers at the bottom
of the pyramid. It is encouraging to see a very
strong group of new young referees coming
through but actually, our most important
group of officials are the ones who will never
reach the highlights of the Kingspan Stadium
or even the top levels of junior rugby. I
have the utmost respect for the majority of
referees in the USRFR who turn out week in,
week out, sometimes three or four times a
week to cover the matches in Ulster. Those
are the real heroes of refereeing. And how
could I not mention the dedicated group of
volunteer referee evaluators, coaches and
mentors who keep us all right. Last but not
least, our committee men and women are
the absolute bedrock of the USRFR and I am
blessed to have a great working relationship
with them all.
Any other comments: As we hopefully
continue to move out of the Covid-19
pandemic, I am really looking forward
to working closely with the rest of the
Rugby Development staff in Ulster Rugby.
I firmly believe that the relationship
between players, coaches and referees is
fundamental to the future development
of the game. It will also be important to
engage spectators and other stakeholders
in order to bring them along with us.
Respect is fundamental to our game and
without effective engagement, barriers
could very easily form between referees
and other key groups.
If interested in hearing more, please contact
Richard Kerr
Referee Development Manager
richard.kerr@irfu.ie | 07493 868 388
Follow the laws
of the game
Accept the referee’s
decision
Win with humility,
lose with dignity
Remember who you
represent
Please be respectful
of players’ abilities
Respect your
opponents
Zero tolerance for
abuse / harassment
53

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FIXTURES
LEINSTER
SAT 12 MAR, 7.35PM
TOULOUSE
SAT 16 APR, 8.00PM
Rugby World Cup 2023
Ireland Match Breaks
MUNSTER
FRI 22 APR, 7.35PM
CELL C SHARKS
w/o 20-22 MAY, TBC
ulster.rugby/buytickets
ulster.rugby
55

COVID-19
Reduce the Risk
SPIRIT OF ‘99
RAVENHILL PARK GARDENS
THE 1924
ONSLOW PARADE
TURNSTILES
PROMENADE 1
PROMENADE 2
Wear Face
Covering
when indoors
Wash Hands
Regularly
and cover coughs
and sneezes
Be Distance
Aware
and respectful of
other supporters
ABBEY AUTOLINE FAMILY STAND
EAST TERRACE
FOOD
VILLAGE
ADMIN’
BUILDING
ISOLATION
A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE / VIP BOXES
ROOM
C-19 MEDIC
Respect Policy
Stadium Facilities
TURNSTILES
We are passionate
in our support
We are silent during kicks
at goal
We respect the match
officials’ decisions
We drink
responsibly
Catering
The Food Village will be in operation,
serving a variety of cuisines, while the Cool
FM Crew will provide the soundtrack for
the evening.
All five public bars will also be in operation,
with live entertainment in the Clubhouse Bar.
Audio descriptive match commentary to
enhance the match experience for people
affected by sight or hearing loss will be
available. Earpieces can be collected from
the admin building reception prior to the
game, or you can book your equipment by
calling Jen on (028) 9049 3222.
We do not tolerate
abusive or discriminatory
language
We respect opposition
players, management
& supporters
We are mindful
of our language
INCIDENT HOTLINE
07790
200 200
Kukri Store
The Kukri Store will be open from gates
open until 30 minutes after full-time.
OUR Club
The activity centre for our Junior Season
Ticket holders will not be in operation for
this fixture.
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