Ulster Rugby - Annual Report 2017-18

The first of two warm up games was played at Ballymena Academy on the 12th August against the Ulster Schools Under 17s. In a competitive game, the Clubs dominated play with a positive attitude and application following the months of preparation. On Sunday 20th August Armagh RFC hosted the Clubs v Irish Exiles. A well drilled and physically bigger side from the Exiles dominated this game and left the Ulster team with work to do before the Inter Provincials began. The first match was against Leinster at City of Armagh RFC on a very wet and windy Saturday afternoon. Mistakes by the home team allowed Leinster to score within the first few minutes. This set the tone for the remainder of the game and the home side was unable to make any ground or develop any play with the few opportunities they created, ultimately losing by 45-0. A warm and sunny Sunday afternoon greeted the teams at Thomond Park. Munster dominated the first half of this game scoring thirty five points without reply. Ulster made too many handling errors, particularly under the high ball. From the kick-off at the start of the second half Ulster showed the determination and skill that had been evident during the summer preparation. A Niall Preston try under the posts for Ulster was the only score in the second half as the team pressed hard as was evidenced by the number of attempts held close to the Munster try line. The final score was Munster 35 Ulster 7. Despite enforced changes due to injuries sustained in the Munster game, Ulster welcomed Connacht to Armagh on a positive note, given the second half performance at Thomond Park. An early score by Sam Murray for Ulster settled the team but despite this the game remained flat with Connacht scoring either side of the break for a 14-5 lead. This scoreline remained for most of the second half with Ulster failing to convert their dominance into points, apart from a late penalty from Finlay Walker to leave the score at Ulster 8-14 Connacht. ULSTER UNDER 18 SCHOOLS Head Coach: Kieran Campbell Assistant Head Coach: Bryan Young Assistant Coach: John Creighton Strength and Conditioning: Matthew Maguire Manager: Richard Clingan While reports since 2005 had noted significant performances by the Ulster U18 Schools team the winning of the Inter Provincial title had proved elusive. However, the performance of the 2017 team ensured that the trophy returned to the province once again. The preparation phase followed the normal pattern of three sessions per week from early July at the Newforge Country Club followed by two warm-up matches against Saracens and Gloucester. Physiotherapist: Richard Johnston Resources Manager: Adrian Walker Video Analysis: Mark Chernek

In the first of these, played as a squad match at Campbell College on Wednesday 16th August, Ulster lost to Saracens by 10-21. The match, which was played in poor weather conditions, allowed all of the players to get some pitch time following their six weeks of preparation and also gave the coaches the opportunity to try out a variety of combinations in competitive situations. The second warm-up match, played at Hartpury College on Sunday 20th August, finished in a 24 all draw. On reflection it could well be this game that helped define the Ulster Schools season as the players worked hard to deal a large and physical Gloucester side but the outcome provided them with the confidence that they could deal with such circumstances. Inter Pro v Munster away: Lost 9-10 at Thomond Park on Monday 28th August. This game played in poor weather conditions saw Ulster Schools with several opportunities to score tries but they were frustrated by a lack of accuracy and poor execution close to the line. Inter Pro v Leinster at home: Won 18-17 at Campbell College on Saturday 2nd September. In this game some excellent rugby saw Ulster Schools take an 18-3 lead at half time before a strong Leinster come-back. However, a strong disciplined defensive effort in the last ten minutes saw them maintain their one point advantage. Inter Pro v Munster at home: Won 16-12 at RBAI on Saturday 16th September. The weather conditions were just like the away fixture, drizzling rain throughout the match. A nervous performance saw Ulster Schools take a 16-9 lead ten minutes into the second half. A few key plays and discipline in defence saw the team avenge the away defeat. Inter Pro v Leinster away: Won 18-17 at Donnybrook on Saturday 23rd September. This away game followed a similar pattern to the home fixture with Ulster leading 15 – 3 at one stage but a crucial penalty early in the second half proved sufficient for the team to record another one point victory and clinch the Inter Provincial Championship. The Ulster Rugby Academy invited the U18 Schools players and their rugby masters to attend Senior 1st XV training and have lunch with the 1st XV players and coaches at the Kingspan Stadium with Chris Henry speaking to the players. The event had been organised to recognise the support and commitment of the Schools and players which had been critical to this achievement. The challenge for this group of players now is to seek to progress to the senior Ulster and possibly Ireland teams, as Darren Cave did from that 2005 team. Thanks were recorded to the Board of Governors and staff at Campbell College who hosted the Saracens fixture and the home match against Leinster and similarly to RBAI who hosted the Munster match. Thanks also to Chris Galway and Stephen Robinson who acted as match commissioners for the home matches and the USRFR who provided touch judges for the home matches.

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18

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