Ulster Rugby Annual Report

Leinster, so both teams had plenty to prove. The scene was set for a fantastic match and the level of physicality certainly confirmed how much it meant to the players. The abrasive contest came at a cost to Ulster who lost key players and Connacht took advantage to secure a 31-7 victory. The team showed glimpses of its capabilities and scored several fantastic tries. Individual performances from Neve Jones, Maeve Liston and Kathryn Dane saw them included in the National Emerging U23 XVs programme. Claire McLaughlin’s move from centre to back-row provided her with the platform to display her power and secured her place in the National XVs squad for the November International Series. As the squad continues with the in-season programme it will be further strengthened by the addition of some hugely talented graduates from the U18 Inter-Provincial squad. Despite another series without a win, there are definitely aspects about which we should be optimistic and excited.

to it, with nineteen new caps involved in the match day squad of twenty-three, from twelve different Clubs from across the province. Connacht got off to a great start and crossed for the first points of the game. Ulster scored a try to draw level, but fell behind again after Connacht converted a long range penalty. However, Ulster took control in the second quarter of the game and took the lead with a converted try. Both sides scored further points before the interval which arrived with Ulster leading 19-15. Although Connacht capitalized on Ulster’s sloppy start to the second half by getting their noses in front again, it was the Ulsterman who ultimately took the spoils, winning a very entertaining match by 34-20. Ballyclare RFC hosted Ulster’s second game against Munster on Saturday 4th May. The Ulstermen were slow out of the traps and conceded an unconverted try to go behind after two minutes. However, they took the lead with a converted try soon afterwards. Munster then scored three tries in a twelve minute period to lead 24-7 at the interval. Ulster replied with two of their own just after the restart, to bring the deficit down to just three points. Ulster looked to have won the match when they scored a converted try in the last minute to lead by 31-30, but Munster had time to restart, gathered the ball and won the match 33-31 with an excellent drop-goal into the wind. The final match, against Leinster, was played at Dundalk RFC on Saturday 11th May, with all four provinces still in the hunt for the title. Although Ulster scored first, the lead changed hands on a number of occasions before Leinster went in at half-time 21-13 ahead. Although Ulster pegged them back to 21-20, it was Leinster who scored next to restore their eight point advantage, and despite Ulster pressure during the final ten minutes Leinster managed to hang on to record a 28-20 victory.

. ULSTER JUNIORS Head Coach: Richard Boyd Assistant Coaches: Graeme Eastwood and Gavin Hogg Manager: Colin Hunter

Physiotherapist: Katie Barnard Resources Manager: Billy Savage

With three weeks of intensive preparation behind them, the Ulster squad opened their 2018/19 campaign on the road, away to Connacht at Castlebar RFC. Led by captain Cory Tipping, the squad had a very fresh look

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