Ulster Rugby v Harlequins

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CONTENTS

EPCR WELCOME

3 5 7 9

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME TONIGHT'S MASCOTS KINGSPAN WELCOME KIERAN TREADWELL

10 13 14 16 17 18 22 26 28 32 34 37 38 21

MATCH PREVIEW

ULSTER WOMEN’S UPDATE

PLAYER Q&A

#16THMAN

DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE

ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER ACADEMY

URSC NEWS

GUEST ARTICLE: ROD NAWN ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES

ULSTER TEAM

POSTER

HARLEQUINS TEAM

HARLEQUINS SQUAD PROFILES 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HARLEQUINS

41

NIALL MALONE CRAIG GILROY NICK TIMONEY

44 48

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HARLEQUINS: THE SEASON SO FAR

54

ULSTER RUGBY CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERS HALF TIME MINI RUGBY

56 58 59 62 63 64 65 66 67

OUR CLUB NEWS

WHAT'S ON

STADIUM MAP

STADIUM INFORMATION ULSTER RUGBY VALUES

FIXTURES

THANK YOU

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THE ONE TO WIN

ChampionsCupRugby.com

#ChampionsCup

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

EPCR WELCOME

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the back-to-back December contests in the European Rugby Champions Cup; a set of mouth-watering fixtures that will go a long way towards deciding which clubs will make the knockout rounds.

Rounds 3 and 4 will see the top two sides in each pool battle it out for supremacy and include a couple of re-runs of last season’s compelling final, when Saracens prevailed over ASM Clermont Auvergne. Other 100% records are on the line when former winners Toulon and Bath Rugby go head-to-head in Pool 5 and when Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs face Leinster Rugby, whilst Munster Rugby and Leicester Tigers give us plenty to look forward to in Pool 4. As well as those steeped in the history of the competition, we must celebrate the exciting and stylish arrival on the Champions Cup scene of La Rochelle, who have shown scant regard for reputation in their opening wins away to Harlequins and at home to Ulster Rugby. The action is capturing the imagination of fans beyond the borders of Europe’s ‘traditional’ rugby nations. Excitement is already building in Bilbao, the Basque Country and across Spain for our landmark Finals weekend this season, for which more than 40,000 tickets have now been sold. Going to a new venue not only gives us a chance to spread the word of European club rugby’s excellence - both on and off the field – but also allows us to enjoy more outstanding rugby experiences in a fantastic setting. To avoid disappointment, you can reserve your place at Finals weekend through ChampionsCupRugby. com.

We are delighted to be joined once again by Official Partners Heineken and Turkish Airlines, Official Supporter, Tissot, and Official Supplier, Gilbert. Moreover, we are enjoying another season of top quality coverage from our broadcast partners BT Sport, Sky Sports, beIN SPORTS and France Télévisions, taking the premium tournaments of European club rugby to homes across the world. As well as their coverage, you can stay close to the heart of the competitions through the website and official social media channels, where you can play our exciting new Fantasy Rugby game as well as winning some superb prizes by selecting your Try of the Round after each match week during the pool stage; there have already been some outstanding winners this season in the form of Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey and Scarlets’ Steff Evans. We invite you to tune in to another season of outstanding rugby across Europe and wish you a wonderful time culminating in a visit to our most ambitious venue yet, Bilbao. Enjoy the match and best wishes for the holiday season,

Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

We extend a special welcome to Harlequins Chairman David Morgan, together with all the Harlequins Management, supporters and players. We thank you for the excellent hospitality afforded to us at the Stoop and we hope you all have a very enjoyable experience here in Ulster. The away win last weekend keeps Ulster firmly in the mix to qualify for the playoff stages of this year’s competition, so we look forward to another hard fought game this evening, hopefully picking up another valuable win and no injuries. The Ulster A team, sponsored by CD Group, also had a crucial win over Hartpury RFC in the British & Irish Cup last week, which saw them move to the top of their pool, level with Scarlets Select and Cornish Pirates. The return fixture between Ulster A and Hartpury takes place at Ballymena RFC tomorrow afternoon, kick-off 2.30pm. The Ulster Women, sponsored by Deloitte, round-off their Interprovincial Series at home to Connacht tomorrow, 3.00pm at Belfast Harlequins RFC. We wish them the best of luck, and hope they finish off their campaign on a high. Next week two of the major domestic cup finals take place at Kingspan Stadium. In Tuesday night’s First Trust Senior Cup final, Ballymena will be hoping to collect their first title since 2013, while City of Armagh are on the hunt for their maiden success. On Thursday night, City of Armagh will be represented again as their 2nd XV aim to wrest the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup title from reigning holders, Ballynahinch 2nd XV. Due to the adverse weather conditions last weekend, very few domestic fixtures took place. This weekend we have an extensive programme of fixtures in the Kukri Ulster Championship, McCambley Cup and Butler Shield. As always, we encourage you to get out and support your local clubs. As the next Ulster fixture at Kingspan Stadium will be the New Year’s Day Interprovincial derby versus Munster, can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and thank you for your support throughout 2017. SUFTUM! Graffin Parke President IRFU (Ulster Branch) As President of the IRFU Ulster Branch, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Kingspan Stadium for tonight’s European Champions Cup game against Harlequins. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2017/18 OFFICERS Graffin Parke President Stephen Elliott Senior Vice President Gary Leslie Junior Vice President Denis Gardiner Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan Chief Executive Chris Webster Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson Financial Controller Fiona Hampton Head of Sales & Marketing Les Kiss

Director of Rugby Bryn Cunningham Operations Director

Kingspan Stadium, 134 Mount Merrion Avenue Belfast, BT6 0FT T +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

TONIGHT'S MASCOTS

MATTHEW MAGOWAN (8) Matthew is from Bangor and attends Victoria Primary School in Newtownards. He plays Mini Rugby for Donaghadee and enjoys motorbiking. This is the very first rugby match that Matthew has attended at Kingspan Stadium and he can’t wait to be a mascot for the team. His favourite player is Rory Best because he captains Ireland. When he is older, Matthew would like to be a farmer.

JORDAN MCGARVEY (10) Jordan is from Moneymore and attends

Churchtown Primary School. He is a huge rugby fan, plays Mini Rugby for Dungannon Rugby Club and was once in the Guard of Honour at the Ulster v Barbarians match. Jordan’s favourite player is Charles Piutau because he has great footwork and a fast pace. When he is older, Jordan would like to be a professional rugby player and a part-time farmer like Rory Best.

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Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, where the Ulster squad return for their home fixture against Harlequins in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The Ulstermen put in an impressive display last weekend in the snow at Twickenham Stoop Stadium where they came out on top of the 17-5 score line. The win was a welcome ERCC boost for Ulster who moved up to second in Pool 1 at the halfway point. Harlequins will be hurting from last weekend’s loss and looking to exact revenge so expect another tough contest. We are known for our warm welcome and I am sure you will extend this to the Harlequins squad and their travelling supporters, who have made the trip to join us here this evening. 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.

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TREADWELL RELISHING ANOTHER BATTLE AGAINST FORMER SIDE

Kieran Treadwell knows tonight’s opposition particularly well, having arrived at Kingspan Stadium in the summer of 2016 from the London side, with whom he made five appearances.

Having featured in 11 out of 13 Ulster games this season and represented Ireland in the Autumn Internationals, it is fair to say that the season is going well for Treadwell, but his eyes remain firmly fixed on what he can do to progress. “There’s obviously room to improve but I think the season is going well so far,” insists the 22-year-old lock. “At the moment, for me, it’s about kicking on for Ulster. We knew these two European games back-to-back against ‘Quins [Harlequins] were going to be tough but hopefully we can improve on what we did last week and give our supporters a win at home tonight.” Treadwell, who grew up in Sutton, qualifies for Ireland through his mother, who hails from Wexford. He joined the Irish camp for the recent Guinness Series, delivering a strong performance

Having previously played for Harlequins and having played against his former side last weekend, Treadwell is well aware of the challenge posed by them tonight, but is not discouraged. “I’m excited to play ‘Quins again tonight. Obviously, having played for them before there are a few familiar faces for me on their team. It was weird running out of the away changing room at The Stoop last weekend, but Ulster are my team now and I’m here to do a job and we’re hoping to give our supporters the win tonight on home turf. “We know it won’t be easy. ‘Quins will bring that fast expansive game that they like to play. They play quite an off-load game, quite a free-flowing game. I think this year we play quite a free-flowing game as well so it’ll be a good spectacle to watch. “I feel that ‘Quins haven’t gone as well in the Premiership this year as they would have hoped so they’ll be targeting this competition coming from the Challenge Cup into the Champions Cup. Obviously, we have to get our defence right, put in a big performance again and bring our A game.” At just 22 years of age, Treadwell has a bright future ahead of him and one that he is committed to working for. “I have different goals for different games. There’s stuff I need to work on and stuff that’s worked well and I just need to reinforce. I want to win. I’m at Ulster to win so long-term I want to get some silverware, but we need to continue working hard and building on our performances from week-to- week. “For me personally I’d like to put my name in the hat for the Six Nations but obviously, it all starts here - I’ve got to play well here and be consistently playing well for Ulster so l’m taking each week as it comes and aiming to get better week-on-week."

KIERAN TREADWELL that helped Ireland return a win against Fiji. “It was an unbelievable experience. Running out and singing the national anthem and all the build-up before the game - it was pretty surreal to be honest. Walking out of the hotels as part of the Irish team with all the fans, loads and loads of supporters cheering and wanting your autograph - it’s a surreal experience. But as soon as you get onto the pitch and start playing, you forget about it because you’re in the zone and you’ve got a job to do. It was the first time my mum and dad saw me play for Ireland at home in Ireland, so that was pretty special. Playing for your country always adds a bit of extra pressure, but overall it was a great experience.”

As one who is eager to learn and develop, the guidance of Ulster colleague Iain Henderson has been of great assistance. “Hendy has been a real help. He’s been in there (in the Irish squad) for a while now so he knows the system. If there are plays that I don’t know or don’t pick up, I’d ask him and he’d always have time to sit down and go through it with me which is great. He’s a great guy to go to for advice.”

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EUROPEAN RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP PREVIEW

ULSTER V HARLEQUINS FRIDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2017, KO 19.45 KINGSPAN STADIUM, BELFAST REFEREE: ALEXANDRE RUIZ

MATCH PREVIEW

LAST 3 MATCHES

SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2017 QUINS 5 – 17 ULSTER SUNDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2017 WASPS 41 – 10 QUINS SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2017 QUINS 27 - 34 LA ROCHELLE LAST 3 MATCHES

SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2017 QUINS 5 – 17 ULSTER SUNDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2017 LA ROCHELLE 41 – 17 ULSTER FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2017 ULSTER 19 - 9 WASPS

HEAD TO HEAD

4 2 2 0 6 4 11 1 74

4 2 2 0 10 5 6 0 78

PLAYED WINS

LOSSES DRAWS TRIES CONVERSIONS PENALTIES DROP GOALS POINTS

TOURNAMENT RECORD

TOURNAMENT RECORD

PLAYED

138

PLAYED

77 32 42

WINS

68 67

WINS

LOSSES DRAWS

LOSSES DRAWS

3

3

AVERAGE PTS PER GAME

21

AVERAGE PTS PER GAME

22

BIGGEST WIN

59 - 3 3 - 56

BIGGEST WIN

53-5 13-58

HEAVIEST DEFEAT

HEAVIES DEFEAT

CHAMPIONS

1

CHAMPIONS

0

MATCH FACTS

Ulster Rugby welcome Harlequins to Kingspan Stadium tonight hoping to hold onto their winning streak while Harlequins search for a first win in Round 4 of the European Rugby Champions Cup campaign. » English Premiership side Harlequins are propping up Pool 1 with a solitary point to their name following successive defeats in the opening rounds of European competition, losing to La Rochelle, Wasps and Ulster. » It is a crucial game for Ulster if they are to progress to the knockout stages, with Ulster Rugby languishing seven points behind Pool leaders La Rochelle having won two and lost one so far in the Champions Cup. » Ulster enter Round 4 of European action buoyant having defeated Harlequins on their home turf last weekend. » Ulster’s win over Harlequins last weekend was their first away win over an Aviva Premiership club since they defeated Leicester in Round 6 in the 2013/14 season. » Friday will be the fifth meeting between the sides with Harlequins looking to avenge their defeat last week at The Stoop.

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ULSTER WOMEN’S INTERPROVINCIAL SERIES CONCLUDES THIS WEEKEND Ulster Women, sponsored by Deloitte, will round off their Interprovincial Series at home to Connacht this weekend, having already played their counterparts from Leinster and Munster.

ROUND 1 ULSTER WOMEN 10 LEINSTER WOMEN 34 The Ulster Women began their Interprovincial campaign on Sunday 3rd December with a gallant performance against reigning champions Leinster at Dromore RFC. Ulster, who are coached this year by Derek Suffern, Davy Chambers and James McBriar, played with massive heart and resilience from the first whistle to last and spent the opening 20 minutes on the front foot in Leinster territory, but frustratingly could not find a gap in the blue wall. Leinster led 10-0 at the break following tries from Aimee Clarke and Lindsey Peat.

ROUND 2 MUNSTER WOMEN 34 ULSTER WOMEN 5 Last Saturday, the Ulster Women travelled to Garryowen RFC to take on Munster Women in the second round of the Women’s Interprovincial Series. The opening try arrived in the 20th minute when Munster won a turnover on halfway and moved the ball wide for Syphonia Pua to break up the wing. Rachel Allen supported her UL Bohemians club-mate on the inside and took the final pass to score and make it 5-0 at half-time. Following a tight first half, Munster began to take charge in the second half and added to their tally with tries from Chloe Pearse (46 minutes), Niamh Kavanagh (50) and Laura Sheehan (59). One of the scores was converted by Ellen Murphy to leave the home side in a commanding position. To their credit, Ulster never threw in the towel and replied with a try of their own from replacement Amy Graham, but Munster added a late gloss with further tries from Edel Murphy and replacement Christine Arthurs. ROUND 3 ULSTER WOMEN V CONNACHT WOMEN SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER, 3PM AT BELFAST HARLEQUINS RFC Tomorrow will see the final installment of the Senior Women’s Interprovincial Series as Ulster Women take on Connacht Women at Belfast Harlequins RFC. Here’s hoping the familiar home crowd will help the Ulster Women finish off the campaign on a high!

ULSTER WOMEN’S UPDATE Early in the second half, Leinster centre Michelle Claffey sliced through to stretch the lead further with a fine try, converted by Aine Donnelly. But Ulster managed to hit back with a five-pointer from former Ireland winger Eliza Downey, creating a glimmer of hope for the hosts as the gap was reduced to a slightly more manageable 17-5.

However, any thoughts of an Ulster revival were quickly extinguished when Railway Union full-back Susan Vaughan crossed the whitewash for her side's fourth try of the day and a 22-5 lead. Excellent teenage winger Clarke scored her second and third tries of the day before the end, one of which was converted by Donnelly. To their credit, Ulster never dropped the heads and kept doing the right things right to the end, and were rewarded with a late try from impressive replacement Teah Maguire.

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ULSTER WOMEN’S UPDATE

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WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME? The last of the Mohicans HOW WOULD YOUR TEAMMATES DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Absolute good lad WHAT ACHIEVEMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Becoming a father SPORTING HERO YOU MOST ADMIRE? Nigel Brady IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO USE A TIME MACHINE, WHAT YEAR WOULD YOU TRAVEL TO AND WHY? (PAST OR FUTURE) 1979 for the birth of Nigel Brady WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Turbulence on aeroplanes IF YOU COULD PLAY WITH ANY RUGBY LEGEND WHO WOULD IT BE? Jonah Lomu WHAT IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS FACT OR PHRASE YOU KNOW? Fact: the longest time between two twins being born is 87 days IF YOU HAD A BOAT, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Guilt Trip IF ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING YOU WANTED. WHAT WOULD ROBBIE DIACK ANSWERS FAN QUESTIONS

PLAYER Q&A

YOU ORDER? Starter: Sushi Main: Steak & Chips Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding

QUICKFIRE

ITALIAN FOOD / CHINESE FOOD MOVIE / THEATRE STAR WARS / INDIANA JONES EUROPE / AMERICA HIKE / BIKE BUNGEE JUMP / SKY DIVE UP EARLY / LIE IN SUPER MARIO / SONIC PLAYSTATION / X BOX IRON MAN / CAPTAIN AMERICA SUPERMAN / BATMAN X FACTOR / STRICTLY COME DANCING DOG / CAT

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IN PICS: SUPPORTERS AT ULSTER V BENETTON

#16THMAN

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'YOUR CLUB, YOUR COUNTRY' DRAW WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The 2017 'Your Club, Your Country' competition winners were announced on Monday afternoon following the official draw at Kingspan Stadium, conducted by Graffin Parke, IRFU Ulster Branch President.

This year the fundraising initiative raised £89,295 for the 39 participating clubs across the Province, up from £83,070 in 2016. The initiative supplied all clubs with an initial allocation of 1,600 tickets to be sold at £5 per ticket, with the club retaining 100% of the ticket sale revenue. The IRFU / Ulster Rugby and

partners supply the prizes for the 'Your Club, Your Country' Grand Draw, ensuring clubs reap the maximum benefit from the fundraising scheme. Omagh Accies RFC sold the greatest number of tickets once again this year, 1,453 in total, therefore benefiting to the tune of £7,265.

2017 'YOUR CLUB, YOUR COUNTRY' DRAW WINNERS

1. £2,500 holiday voucher

6. Ireland v Scotland 2018 6 Nations tickets Aviva Stadium, Dublin Two match tickets Compliments of The Hospitality Partnership

Compliments of Ulster Bank Winner: Trevor Laughlin, Sold by: Dungannon RFC 2. France V Ireland 2018 6 Nations VIP trip to Paris with the IRFU Patrons Club Return flights, hotel accommodation, match tickets and spending allowance for two persons Compliments of Canterbury Winner: Derek Curtis Sold by: City of Derry RFC 3. England v Ireland 2018 6 Nations VIP trip to Twickenham Stadium, London Return flights, hotel accommodation, match tickets and spending allowance for two persons Compliments of Volkswagen Winner: Stephen Crozier Sold by: Academy RFC 4. Ireland v Italy 2018 6 Nations tickets Aviva Stadium, Dublin Two match tickets Compliments of The Hospitality Partnership Winner: Norman Finney Sold by: Ballymoney RFC 5. Ireland v Wales 2018 6 Nations tickets Aviva Stadium, Dublin Two match tickets Compliments of The Hospitality Partnership Winner: Marion Martin Sold by: City of Derry RFC

Winner: Dr Basil McNamee Sold by: Dungannon RFC

7. Argento Jewellery Voucher Voucher to the value of £250

Compliments of Argento Jewellery Winner: Gilbert Paton Sold by: Belfast Harlequins RFC

8. Corporate Hospitality

Ulster v Edinburgh tickets for 4 people Compliments of Ulster Rugby

DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE

Winner: Ronnie Campbell Sold by: Dungannon RFC

9. Corporate Hospitality

Ulster v Edinburgh tickets for 4 people Compliments of Ulster Rugby Winner: Ruairi McBrien Sold by: Clogher Valley RFC

10. Corporate Hospitality

Ulster v Edinburgh tickets for 2 people Compliments of Ulster Rugby

Winner: Wilson Torrens Sold by: Coleraine RFC

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DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE

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ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER ACADEMY TOM O'TOOLE

NAME Tom O'Toole DOB 23.09.98

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS Humble, committed and coachable STRONGEST AREA OF YOUR GAME Mobility AREA TO WORK ON Scrummaging THING YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUGBY Friendships and working within a team environment OTHER HOBBIES Watching movies and coaching FAVOURITE MOVIE Saving Private Ryan PRE-GAME SONG Way down we go - Kaleo Shook ones, Pt. 2 - Mobb Deep CHEAT MEAL BBQ Ribs PRE-MATCH SUPERSTITIONS Good music is a must when showering on the day of a game

PREFERED POSITION Tight-head Prop PREVIOUS TEAMS Campbell College HONOURS Ulster U18s & U19s - Ireland U18s & U19s

ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER ACADEMY

RUGBY INFLUENCES Kieran Read & Maro Itoje SPORTING IDOLS Conor McGregor & Tom Brady RUGBY AMBITION

Play and remain at Ulster for as long as possible, and hopefully play for Ireland and the British & Irish Lions A FACT NOT MANY PEOPLE WOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU I enjoy photography and filming BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED Focus on the present moment, don't worry about the past or future because that current moment may be your opportunity to do something great

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URSC PRESENT JACK KYLE BURSARY TO ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY

The Ulster Rugby Supporters Club (URSC) recently presented the annual Jack Kyle Bursary of £2,500 to the Ulster Rugby Academy.

The presentation was done in front of almost 100 URSC members who had gathered at Kingspan Stadium to hear Kieran Campbell, Head of the Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy, and Willie Anderson, Elite Player Development Officer, talk about the structures and operations of the Academy programme. Academy players Adam McBurney and Jonny Stewart also spoke about their rugby experience that led to the provincial system, life in the Academy, and their future goals. Director of Rugby, Les Kiss delivered an interesting insight into how the coaching staff in both the Academy and senior team work together, and how Academy players are integrated into the first team. While in the second part of the evening, senior players Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe took part in a panel discussion on the current Autumn international series.

Presenting the cheque, URSC Chairman Jonathan Bill commented: “We are delighted that this bursary will support all the players in the Academy with increased performance psychology services. From hearing Kieran and Willie this evening, we are confident that the structures and processes within our Academy are among the best around, so we are more than happy to play our part in supporting them.” Head of the Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy, Kieran Campbell added: “We are very grateful to the URSC for their continued support. We are committed to providing the best services and opportunities to our young players and the award of this bursary will allow us to further enhance the performance psychology aspect of our programme, which is now such a critical part of what we do.”

URSC NEWS

URSC Chairman Jonathan Bill presents the Jack Kyle Bursary award of £2,500 to Ulster Rugby Academy coaches and players Willie Anderson, Adam McBurney, Jonny Stewart and Kieran Campbell

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ULSTER RUGBY SUPPORTERS CLUB (URSC) NEWS

URSC MEMBERSHIP 2017/18

BIG BALLOT IN AID OF THE JACK KYLE BURSARY Tickets just £1 each. Prizes, provided by local businesses, include: > Grandstand tickets, overnight accommodation in a Belfast hotel & transfers for the Ulster v La Rochelle match. Courtesy of Bank of Ireland > £200 gift voucher for Gardiner Brothers Jewellers, Belfast > 3 month membership pass for leisure centres in Antrim & N'abbey Borough area > £50 Horatio Group voucher > Canine Swim Session > Golf cap signed by 4 time Major winner Rory McIlroy > Golf cap signed by 2017 European Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood > Golf cap signed by Ronan Keating > £30 Voucher for Silhouette Boutique, Belmont Road, Belfast > Love Images "Last Stand at Ravenhill" framed print

925 HAVE JOINED URSC THIS SEASON... DON’T GET LEFT BEHIND! URSC membership for the 2017/18 season is NOW OPEN through the URSC shop by PayPal. To renew or join up for the first time and thus maximize your benefits for the season, go to membership.urs.co or email membership@ursc.co.uk URSC are running a bus to the Connacht match on 23 December leaving Belfast at 1pm. Costs are: CONNACHT V ULSTER AT SPORTGROUND

URSC NEWS

£30 adult member; £35 non-member £20 for under 18s.

Price is for bus only. Travelling supporters are responsible for their own match tickets.

LEINSTER V ULSTER AT RDS, DUBLIN

URSC are also running a bus to the RDS, Dublin on 6th January for the Leinster v Ulster match. Full details, including cost and departure times, to follow on www.ursc.co in due course.

STAND UP EDITOR STANDING DOWN

After 12 years, Ken Arthur, Editor of URSC's Stand Up magazine is standing down. If you know anyone who would like to take on this role contact standup@ ursc.co.uk putting "EDITOR" in the subject line. Journalistic skills would of course be helpful but enthusiasm, love of rugby and hard work are more important!

For more information on URSC, please visit membership.ursc.co or email membership@ursc.co.uk.

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MIGHTY QUINS COULD OFFER ANOTHER FESTIVE GIFT

Just five days on from the stunning 17-5 Champions Cup win at the famed Twickenham Stoop, Ulster does battle with Harlequins this evening at Kingspan Stadium in a revived quest for a coveted place in the knockout stages in the New Year.

Tim Visser’s move south hasn’t diluted the powerful winger’s appetite for the charging run and the approving roar for his prolific try-scoring exploits, and if full-back Mike Brown plays with what might seem to be a simmering anger for everyone and everything not in 'Quins colours, he is a brave counter-attacking option. He for one will relish the opportunity to rile both opposition and the Kingspan crowd by reversing fortunes for his club tonight. Following Conor O’Shea as Director of Rugby at 'Quins was always going to be an unenviable task, but Kingston has steadied the rugby ship in an era when the club game in England has never been so cut-throat. The defeat in front of their own fans on Sunday was hard to digest given the celebratory scenes a week earlier when Saracens was put to the Premiership sword. The famous quartered colours and instantly recognisable logo have been worn by Carling, Woodward, Greenwood, Monye, Luger, Leonard, Wood, Skinner, Winterbottom, Brooke, Kirton, Mehrtens and an endless galaxy of world-class players and that could weigh heavily on the current squad in these more ‘results business’ days. This week will have decided its Champions Cup fate; defeats by the daunting La Rochelle and by Wasps ensured the meetings with Ulster would be make-or-break affairs. For Ulster, the opening home win over Wasps, hard-earned if somewhat laboured, was a sound platform for qualification to the knock-out stages, though quite understandably the machine that is La Rochelle meted out a dose of harsh rugby realities the following October week in France. But the win in London was as cheering as it was unexpected by many loyal Ulster supporters. Champions Cup ambitions, if not sky-high, are fully revived, and what a transformation in morale on and off the pitch would be achieved with a maximum return this evening. The final two group games in January at Wasps and at home to La Rochelle would suddenly become ‘hot’ tickets! With some conviction, Kiss argues that to have taken 12 points out of a possible 15 in the last three Guinness PRO14 games is hardly

It’s the fourth game in the Pool for each side and the prospect of exiting Europe in 2017 is very real for the London giant – with no hope of pre-dawn renegotiations. For Ulster, still very much ‘alive’ in the tournament, a victory even more convincing and rewarding than that on Sunday would mean 2018 holds a panoply of prizes. On maintaining a realistic Cup ambition in 2018, victory – and perhaps an important try-bonus point – is what would really give Les Kiss’ players the present they want. For 'Quins Director of Rugby John Kingston, three matches already lost surely means Europe must wait another year. Immediately before this back-to-back tie with Ulster, tonight’s welcome visitors had impressively stalled a sequence of poor Premiership and Champions Cup results with a thrilling 20-19 win at The Stoop over Europe’s top side of the last two years, Saracens. Those clubs’ fierce rivalry over decades possibly has an overblown importance for 'Quins fans, but ‘derbies’ tend to be about more than just 80 minutes, ‘bragging rights’ in the English capital have historic significance. But that victory did demonstrate that Kingston had at his disposal talent which was, when roused, a formidable force. Danny Care’s determination to be England’s first-choice scrum-half gathered support with a clever and brave display, and Wales’

GUEST ARTICLE: ROD NAWN Jamie Roberts looked back to his threatening best. Flanker Chris Robshaw – apparently having to prove himself on a weekly basis at club and international level – was unyielding in the ruck and maul, and a huge influence in guiding his England team-mate, the unmistakeable prop Joe Marler, to use his many physical and technical gifts in a positive, selfless way.

Add Lions success, and last week’s try-scorer, Kyle Sinckler to the front row and skipper James Horwill, the much-capped Australian lock, and Ulster’s pack could again be seriously tested early on this evening. But is there an appetite to avenge the loss at The Stoop, where Kiss and Head Coach Jono Gibbes clearly out-thought 'Quins tactically, and their players were splendidly disciplined and remarkably error-free?

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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

unsatisfactory. The nature of the performance at Harlequins renewed a lot of faith in the Kingspan and travelling Ulster congregation, and it was positive proof that the coaches and players work hard and intensely. That’s never been questioned, but consistent selection has not characterised the season, and Kiss and new Head Coach Gibbes have been hampered by the absence of important players due to summer tours and, that bane of all managements, injuries. New blood, recruited and from the Academy, has flowed into the Ulster senior team’s veins, the priceless virtues of John Cooney and Christian Leali’ifano provided almost instant succour at half- back, while Greg Jones, Aaron Hall, John Andrew, Nick Timoney and Matt Dalton, for instance, have hinted at being considerable home-grown influences in the future. Leali’ifano, so sadly, leaves the northern hemisphere very soon, Ulster has indeed been fortunate to have him even for such a short time, while quite apart from his all-round intelligence at scrum-half, Cooney’s boot has been an enormous bonus. As he demonstrated, right on cue on his return to Ulster from Ireland duty, Jacob Stockdale’s star soars, the latest addition to Ulster’s imposing production line of superb wingers. Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring and Rory Best are also at the core of the international squad, while Stuart McCloskey, Sean Reidy, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Jared Payne hopefully, and Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe evidence a depth of top-class talent available to Ulster. That they all – Payne apart – have seen competitive action might be interpreted as encouraging, and Kiss and Gibbes would certainly support that thesis. Sport is – as the cliché has it – all about opinions, and we all have views, mostly well-meaning, constructive and always interesting, about who we’d like to see out in the middle in the white jersey. Against Harlequins a page was turned as the side which compete weekly in the draining arm- wrestle that can be the Aviva Premiership were often outmuscled and certainly out-thought by Ulster. Perhaps more evidence does need to be presented but the side at The Stoop offered a provoking prima facie case!

The arrival in the summer of prop Marty Moore from Wasps and of Leinster breakaway Jordi Murphy will literally and metaphorically add weight to the belief that, boldly managed, Ulster will have an ‘eight’ – and more! – to take on the best in the PRO14 and in Europe. By any standards, Operations Director Bryn Cunningham has done good business in a ruthless marketplace, and that Charles Piutau, Coetzee, Leali’ifano, Cooney, Jean Deysel and Schalk van der Merwe have signed in at Kingspan Stadium is testament to the undeniably good case – and deals – he made on behalf of the coaching teams of recent years. Kiss, Gibbes, Dwayne Peel, scrum coach Aaron Dundon and acute analyst Niall Malone have the resources, playing and material, and the Director of Rugby insists the players and management are at one, convinced that the first full third of the season has been navigated more-or-less safely and that the primary target of the PRO14 knock-out stages in May is in view. The Champions Cup was not ever a sideshow, and any Ulster coach would have long-term aspirations to add lustrous European gloss to his tenure and fulfil every fan’s dream. What last Sunday brought was unexpected cheer and, if moderate and considered, fans can throw themselves full- voice into the Champions Cup fray – starting this evening! Next weekend the festive PRO14 Inter-Provincial feast travels down to Galway to eat at the Connacht table, and the intensity doesn’t take a breath as Munster arrive at Kingspan Stadium on New Year’s Day. So there’s much to play for, literally, and constancy in fervent support home and away will be deserved. It goes without saying that the Ulster crowd can play a real role in getting what could be an important result this evening against Harlequins. All Together Now, sang The Farm back in 1991 in relation to far more devastating events than a game of rugby. But the call is as relevant this evening so, let’s hear that Kingspan Stadium congregation in chorus! And, oh, a very Merry Christmas, one and all!

GUEST ARTICLE: ROD NAWN

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RODNEY AH YOU

JOHN ANDREW

RORY BEST

Prop 27.10.88 186cm 128.1kg 27 3 Prop 25.02.86 180cm 116.8kg 137 —

Hooker 26.05.93

Hooker 15.08.82 180cm 105kg

180cm 99.1kg 36 —

201 105

TOMMY BOWE

PETER BROWNE

CALLUM BLACK

Wing 22.02.84

Lock 25.10.87 200cm 115.8kg 33 — Centre 05.04.87 182cm 93kg 199 11 Flanker 05.03.85 191cm 118kg 6 SA 4

191cm 98.6kg 162 69

DAVID BUSBY

AARON CARINS

DARREN CAVE

Wing/Full Back 03.02.94

Scrum half 07.10.92

179cm 89.8kg 2 —

176cm 84.9kg 2 —

JEAN DEYSEL

MARCELL COETZEE

JOHN COONEY

Back Row 08.05.91

Scrum half 01.05.90 177cm 88kg 11 1

191cm 122kg 5 SA 28

ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES 28 CRAIG GILROY Wing/Full back 11.03.91 182cm 94kg 153 10 WIEHAHN HERBST Prop 05.07.88 177cm 120.9kg 64 — CHRIS HENRY Back Row 17.10.84 187.cm 105.5kg 175 24 ROBBIE DIACK No. 8 12.11.85 193cm 110.8kg 202 2

IAIN HENDERSON

Lock/Back Row 21.02.92 200cm 117kg 81 3

ROB HERRING

Hooker 27.04.90

182cm 106kg 130 3

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BRETT HERRON

ROSS KANE

CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO

Fly Half 13.11.95 183cm 89.9kg 8 —

Prop 14.10.94 179cm 113.5kg

Centre 03.03.91 180cm 98kg 111 11 Centre 06.08.92 190cm 108.8kg 68 2 Out half 24.09.87 180cm 91kg 12 AUS 19

16 —

ROB LYTTLE

LUKE MARSHALL

LOUIS LUDIK Full back 08.10.86

Centre 28.01.97

ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES

182cm 92.4kg 65 —

174cm 86.2kg

10 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

STUART McCLOSKEY

Scrum half 26.07.85

Prop 02.01.92 177cm 106.7kg

170cm 76.0kg 201 3

41 —

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

PETER NELSON

ALAN O’CONNOR 2nd Row 10.09.92 195cm 113.2kg 49 —

Fly Half 13.04.97

Utility back 05.10.92 180cm 87kg 43 —

180cm 88.9kg

— —

TOMMY O'HAGAN

JACK OWENS

CALLUM PATTERSON

Prop 05.10.93 182cm 120kg

Wing/Full Back 04.10.95

Centre 10.08.92

189cm 98.6kg 1 —

181cm 93.3kg

— —

— —

MATTHEW REA Back row 21.09.93 193cm 110.8kg 7 —

JARED PAYNE

CHARLES PIUTAU

Centre/Full back 13.10.85 187cm 94kg

Utility back 31.10.91 186cm 103.5kg 34 NZ 17

78 20

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Working Together

SEAN REIDY Back row 10.05.89 182cm 103kg 69 2

CLIVE ROSS Back row 14.06.89 190cm 107.2kg 57 —

DAVE SHANAHAN

Scrum half 20.06.93

174cm 77.4kg

17 —

JONNY SIMPSON

JACOB STOCKDALE

KIERAN TREADWELL

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 98kg 225 70 Prop 19.08.90 182cm 108.3kg 4 —

Utility back 03.04.96 190cm 102kg 32 3

Lock 06.11.95 198cm 115kg 32 3 Prop 12.03.91 177cm 113kg 83 —

ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES

ANDREW TRIMBLE

SCHALK VAN DER MERWE

ANDREWWARWICK

Prop 04.12.90 184cm 110kg 2 —

Keep up to date with the latest player profiles, career stats and squad news at www.ulsterrugby.com . PLAYER STATS

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15

1

CHARLES PIUTAU

CALLUM BLACK

14

2

CRAIG GILROY

ROB HERRING

13

3

WIEHAHN HERBST

LOUIS LUDIK

12 ULSTER TEAM

4

STUART McCLOSKEY

ALAN O'CONNOR

11

5

KIERAN TREADWELL

JACOB STOCKDALE

6

10

CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO

IAIN HENDERSON C

7

9

CHRIS HENRY

JOHN COONEY

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 J ANDREW A WARWICK R KANE M REA

20 21 22 23

S REIDY P MARSHALL P NELSON A TRIMBLE

8

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1

15

LEWIS BOYCE

ROSS CHISHOLM

14

2

CHARLIE WALKER

ELIA ELIA

HARLEQUINS TEAM

3

13

WINSTON STANLEY

KYLE SINCKLER

4

12

JAMIE ROBERTS

GEORGE MERRICK

5

11

ALOFA ALOFA

CHARLIE MATTHEWS

6

10

ARCHIE WHITE

MARCUS SMITH

7

9

DAVE WARD C

IAN PRIOR

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 C PIPER M LAMBERT P SWAINSTON M LUAMANU

20 21 22 23

D LAMB J LANG T VISSER M BROWN

8

RENALDO BOTHMA

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LEWIS BOYCE

RENALDO BOTHMA

ALOFA ALOFA

Prop 30.06.96 185cm 116kg 7

Back Row 18.09.89 188cm 110kg 1

Wing 12.03.91 183cm 80kg 39

DANNY CARE

ROB BUCHANAN

MIKE BROWN Full Back 04.09.85 183cm 93kg 288

Scrum Half 02.01.87 170cm 84kg 234

Hooker 13.05.91 183cm 102kg 119

DEMETRI CATRAKILIS

HENRY CHEESEMAN

ROSS CHISHOLM Full Back 19.10.90 183cm 85kg 82

Fly Half 06.07.89 170cm 87kg 2

Wing 29.09.95 188cm 103kg 8

WILL COLLIER

JAMES CHISHOLM

JACK CLIFFORD

Prop 05.05.91 183cm 116kg 118

Back Row 11.08.95 188cm 105kg 43

Back Row 12.02.93 191cm 110kg 72

ELIA ELIA

JOE GRAY

BEN GLYNN

Hooker 22.01.96 183cm 107kg 8

Hooker 05.08.88 185cm 102kg 142

Lock 27.03.91 198cm 120kg 12

HARLEQUINS SQUAD PROFILES

CAMERON HOLENSTEIN

ADAM JONES

JAMES HORWILL

Prop 11.03.95 188cm 129kg 1

Prop 08.03.81 183cm 124kg 30

Lock 29.05.85 196cm 118kg 50

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JONO KITTO

JAMES LANG

MARK LAMBERT

Fly Half 04.04.95 183cm 95kg 11

Prop 19.02.85 188cm 125kg 220

Scrum Half 30.03.92 175cm 81kg 2

Scrum Half 29.04.89 170cm 80kg 5 DAVE LEWIS

MAT LUAMANU

JOE MARCHANT

Back Row 04.03.88 191cm 127kg 52

Centre 16.07.96 183cm 87kg 45

HARLEQUINS SQUAD PROFILES

JOE MARLER

CHARLIE MATTHEWS

JOSH McNULTY

Prop 24.03.94 188cm 120kg 3

Lock 23.07.91 201cm 115kg 149

Prop 07.07.90 183cm 114kg 159

GEORGE MERRICK

JONAS MIKALCIUS

AARON MORRIS

Wing 01.05.94

Wing 10.01.95 188cm 94kg 12

Lock 04.10.92 198cm 126kg 70

191cm 108kg 0

CHARLIE MULCHRONE

CHARLIE PIPER

IAN PRIOR

Hooker 18.02.96 15cm 99kg 4

Scrum Half 21.08.90 178cm 85kg 1

Scrum Half 14.05.89 175cm 86kg 18

CHRIS ROBSHAW

FRANCIS SAILI

JAMIE ROBERTS

Back Row 04.06.86 188cm 102kg 248

Centre 08.11.86 191cm 110kg 40

Centre 16.02.91 175cm 99kg 2

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MARCUS SMITH

HARRY SLOAN

KYLE SINCKLER

Fly Half 14.02.99 173cm 82kg 12

Centre 16.06.94 185cm 92kg 36

Prop 30.03.93 183cm 122kg 107

PHIL SWAINSTON

WINSTON STANLEY

STAN SOUTH

Prop 12.12.89 185cm 121kg 4

Centre 11.02.89 173cm 97kg 18

Lock 24.07.96 193cm 108kg 9

TIM SWIEL Full Back 04.06.93 175cm 88kg 48

SAM TWOMEY

TIM VISSER

Lock 09.05.92 198cm 118kg 54

Wing 29.05.87 193cm 101kg 47

DAVE WARD

CHARLIE WALKER

LUKE WALLACE

Hooker 21.05.85 175cm 102kg 128

Wing 23.12.92 175cm 85kg 76

Back Row 02.10.90 185cm 96kg 151

HARLEQUINS SQUAD PROFILES

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10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HARLEQUINS

1

8

Harlequin FC was formed in 1820 after a split in Hampstead Football Club – those who took a different view went on to form the club now known as Wasps. During its first 40 years the club led a nomadic existence, playing in no fewer than 15 ‘home’ venues. In 1906 the Rugby Football Union – of which 'Quins were a founder member – invited the club to play its home games at the new national stadium at Twickenham. The purchase of a 14-acre athletics ground opposite Twickenham in 1963 subsequently became home: The Twickenham Stoop. In the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final, 'Quins supplied a record number of players – seven to England, one to winners Australia. Douglas Bader, the feted World War 2 fighter pilot, played for the club before famously losing both his legs in a plane crash. In 2010’s Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to Leinster at The Stoop, the notorious ‘Bloodgate Scandal’ subsequently saw Director of Rugby Dean Richards banned from rugby for three years.

Conor O’Shea was appointed to succeed Richards in March 2010, and in 2012 a first Aviva Premiership title was secured with a 30-23 defeat of Leicester at a packed Twickenham. 'Quins’ reputation for adventurous rugby has seen it recruit overseas stars such as Zinzan Brooke, Earle Kirton and Thierry Lacroix. Eddie Jones, the current Head Coach of the England national rugby squad, has Harlequins Mike Brown, Danny Care, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler and Chris Robshaw in his squad.

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HARLEQUINS

2 3 4 5 6 7

9

10

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An unmissable line up on BT Sport Visit bt.com/sport or call 0800 201 2201

THE ASHES

CUP

GETTING TO KNOW: NIALL MALONE

All the top sports teams use data and video analysis to manage players’ performance these days and Ulster Rugby is no exception. We caught up with Performance Analyst and Skills Coach, Niall Malone, to find out how his role helps shape the development of the Ulster men.

“The week for me flows from the match night,” explains Malone. “I do all the capture of the games and set up all the computers so that we have a live feed of the game so that we can review and identify areas for improvement after. “I work on these recordings of the game at the weekend, pulling together facts and figures for the coaches and Ryan (Dennison) helps with coding the individuals. From this footage we present a review to the players of how we think they played on Monday morning, then we preview the next team that we are scheduled to play that week and start analysing their game.” As Malone shares, the purpose of his role is to collect data and give the coaches as much insight as possible into how their own players and the opposition play. “Team-wise, we’ll look at some general points that we need to bring through in a group presentation - what we think will be effective against our next opponents and what we thought worked really well against our previous opponents. We work with individual players as well. If for example, there’s a player doing something particularly well or particularly badly, we would do one-to-ones with that player.” Former Ireland out-half Malone started his coaching career with Ulster as a Skills Coach in the Abbey Insurance Academy, before taking control of video analysis. “When I started there wasn’t a huge amount of video analysis being done and as it was coming in bit by bit, someone needed to manage it and I volunteered. When I was playing and coaching I had always tried to think quite deeply about things so the role is a good fit for me and it just kind of snowballed from small beginnings. “There was an opportunity for the senior team and because I’d been doing analysis for the Academy for a few years and it’s such a niche

area of work, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” The use of video analysis has brought rugby to a new level, providing insights which can help teams develop successful game plans, but Malone admits that some value it more than others. “In his end-of-season speech after his retirement, Roger Wilson joked that he wasn’t sure what my job was as he never did any analysis. It was a bit tongue-in-cheek but it made me laugh. He’d been a brilliant player for a long time and I genuinely don’t know if he would have improved with analysis. “I think the new age players are more receptive to the concept. You hear them coming back from Ireland camp and the amount of analysis and skills work that they do there is just incredible. Analysis used to be an add-on but now it’s very much a core part of your development as a rugby player. “You notice a difference in the quality of understanding from players who are heavily invested in analysis versus those who don’t do any. Those who do a lot of analysis have a deeper understanding of the game and what we are trying to achieve through analysis.” While collecting data can be important, it is not enough - the interpretation and presentation of that to the players is the key. Whatever your opinion on the validity of video analysis it cannot be denied that all the analysis in the world is worthless if it doesn’t get translated into something useful on the pitch, in training, or when player scouting. As Malone says, when it is translated into something useful, that is what makes his job so enjoyable. “If we work on something very specific and then we do it on the pitch at the weekend and it is

NIALL MALONE

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