Ulster Rugby vs Leinster

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Official Digital Matchday Programme of Ulster Rugby v Leinster, Friday 21st August 2015 at Kingspan Stadium.

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

OFFICERS Bobby Stewart // President John McKibbin // Senior Vice President Graffin Parke // Junior Vice President John McKibbin // Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd // Honorary Treasurer Denis Gardiner // Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan // Chief Executive Chris Webster // Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson // Financial Controller Fiona Hampton // Head of Sales & Marketing

It is my pleasure as President of the IRFU Ulster Branch to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium this evening for what I know will be a very exciting game against Leinster despite both sides missing key players who are on World Cup duties.

Leinster are Ulster’s oldest rivals and were the first side to play against Ulster at Ravenhill when the provincial side moved here in the 1923/24 season. I especially welcome the Leinster President, Robert McDermott, together with the Leinster Officers, Management, players and supporters who have made the journey to Belfast. It is the start of a new season and I am sure that the squad will put the disappointment of the end of last season behind them and begin afresh. Over the close season there have been a few comings and goings and I would like to pay tribute to Jonny Bell who gave 21 years of service to Ulster both as a player and more recently as the Defence Coach. Jonny has moved to join David Humphreys at Gloucester and I wish him every success. I would also like to thank Declan Fitzpatrick, Neil McComb, Michael Allen, Mike McComish, Charlie Butterworth, Michael Heaney, Dave Ryan, James Simpson and Ricky Andrew who have moved on or retired and I wish them all the best in the future. Having thanked those who have departed it is my pleasure to extend a very warm Ulster welcome to Joe Barakat as our Assistant Coach. Joe is an Australian and is a former Waratahs defence coach and for the last five seasons has worked in Japan. I wish him and his family a very happy and successful time in Ulster.

Also joining Ulster this year are Sam Windsor, Peter Browne, Paul Rowley and Willie Faloon. I hope that they too have a happy and fulfilling time with Ulster. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate both the Ireland Women’s and Ireland Men’s teams on their historic double Six Nations Championships and in particular the Ulster players who played such vital roles in their campaigns. I wish Ireland a very successful World Cup campaign and look forward to seeing the Webb Ellis Trophy on Irish soil. At this time of the year our clubs are also preparing for the new season and I want to wish everyone from the minis up to senior level every success for the incoming season. I also want to thank the countless hard working volunteers who support this fantastic game in schools and clubs across Ulster. This is also a very busy time for the Ulster Age Grade and Ladies Provincial teams who compete for their championships over the next few weeks and I thank their coaches, managers and all their support personnel for their dedication and hard work and I wish them well in their quest for success. Finally, enjoy the match; give Leinster a great Kingspan reception and “Stand up for the Ulstermen” Yours in Rugby, Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

Kingspan Stadium, 85 Ravenhill Park, Belfast, BT6 0DG T // +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

HARLEY FOLEY (8) Harley is from Bangor and attends Ballyhenry Primary School. He plays mini rugby at Bangor RFC and also enjoys swimming and learning about dinosaurs. He can’t wait to run out with the team and see the crowd from the centre of the pitch. His favourite player is Craig Gilroy because he is so fast!

LOIS CLYDESDALE (8) Lois is from Dromore and attends Dromara Primary School. She plays mini rugby at school and also enjoys horse riding, swimming and gymnastics. She loves to watch Ulster matches with her family, including new baby sister, Ellen. Lois’s favourite player is Tommy Bowe.

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SAMWINDSOR

POSITION OUTHALF AGE 28 BIRTHPLACE CANBERRA FROM NSW COUNTRY EAGLES CONTRACT 1 YEAR

NEW ARRIVALS

PETER BROWNE

POSITION SECOND ROW AGE 27 BIRTHPLACE BRISTOL FROM LONDON WELSH CONTRACT 2 YEARS

WILLIE FALOON

POSITION FLANKER AGE 28 BIRTHPLACE CRAIGAVON FROM CONNACHT CONTRACT 1 YEAR

NEW ARRIVALS

PAUL ROWLEY

POSITION SCRUM HALF AGE 27 BIRTHPLACE DUBLIN FROM LONDON WELSH CONTRACT 2 YEARS

JOE BARAKAT

POSITION ASSISTANT COACH AGE 52 BIRTHPLACE SYDNEY FROM TOSHIBA CONTRACT 2 YEARS

SAM ARNOLD

SAM ARNOLD: TAKING SENIOR TRAINING IN HIS STRIDE Arnold, who hails from Surrey, joined the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy last year and quickly made his mark. He became a key member of the Ulster U20 team who won the Interprovincial Championship before being selected for Ireland U20s and receiving a call up to the senior Ulster squad for games against Dragons and Glasgow.

SAM ARNOLD

“I have never ran out at Kingspan Stadium so to get the chance would be unbelievable. I have been to plenty of the games, the first Ulster game I watched was against Edinburgh three years ago when Stuart Olding was playing 12 and Pete Nelson was at 15. It just shows you that players are continuously coming through a quality Academy set up. I have played twice now for the seniors, against Dragons and Glasgow, last season. I remember during the Glasgow game we were camped on our 22 and I could just hear the Ulster fans roaring over the top of the

At the end of the 2014/15 season Arnold signed a development contract which thrust him into his first pre-season with the senior squad… “I came into a totally new environment this summer with the senior players and I have just been trying to learn as much as possible from them. There are no matches so it is the perfect time to ask questions and use this time to learn. You can ask senior players questions and they can tell you what they would normally do in a match situation. Usually I would go to Ian Humphreys or Louis Ludik, they are always willing to give me a hand and offer advice to improve the way I play. “That is probably the major physicality and the speed of your decision making. In U20s you feel like you have a good amount of time to make a decision about a play but here you have Nick Williams or Robbie Diack hunting you down so you have to be a lot more immediate.” Having only been at Ulster for a year, Sam has earned the attention of the coaching staff, who have faith that he can step up to the mark… “It’s really exciting for me. It’s my first season of professional rugby and it wasn’t easy when I first came in. But I am treated just like everyone else, the coaches aren’t afraid to tell you what you are doing wrong but at the same time they congratulate you when you are doing well. I think you need someone to tell you what you need to work on to keep pushing you to do better, that’s something that I have been really thankful to the coaches for. Joe, Clarkey and Doaky have all been pushing me in pre-season training, which can only benefit me.” Friday night will be the first time he pulls on a senior jersey at home and he is expecting a memorable experience… difference between this pre-season and last year, having support from those senior players and also the speed and intensity of training. From the U20s there is a big step up in

Glasgow fans and after that game I was thinking to myself, I wonder what Kingspan is like if that was an away game. I have heard the fans really blow the roof off this place so I am looking forward to getting some game time.”

With players away at the World Cup, it is a great opportunity for Arnold to gain a position in the starting XV… “There are a lot of players away, but Ulster are blessed with some pretty good centres at the minute. I am obviously going to take every chance I get but I think it is a matter of being patient as well. Jared (Payne) and Cavey may be away but then there is Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey so I am going to have to play well in this game against Leinster, get more game time, get my foot in the door and wait to see what plays out. I am not naïve to the depth that is in this squad, if I have to be patient, I will be, but I am going to try to take my opportunities when they come. “Pre-season has been a great experience, I’m loving it. The only time I haven’t enjoyed it is when I am close to throwing up in conditioning games. Other than that, I’m loving every minute of being part of the senior set up.”

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PETER NELSON

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? Homeland. FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Croatia. FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? Ramore Wine Bar, Portrush. FAVOURITE HOBBY/PAST TIME? Golf. IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? Dennis the Menace was my favourite character when I was younger so it would have to be him. BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN? To enjoy every minute on the pitch. WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? Eat plenty of pasta and chicken, read over the plays in the changing room and get out early for warm up. DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCKY CHARMS? No. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? Practice your skills as often as possible. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? To be a regular starter in the senior team and be successful with Ulster.

SQUAD Q & A

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PETER NELSON FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @PETERNELSON_15

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

DAVID HEWITT INDUCTED INTO THE IRISH RUGBY WRITERS’ HALL OF FAME Former Ulster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions centre, David Hewitt, has been inducted into the Irish Rugby Writers’ Hall of Fame.

HALL OF FAME

forth – that was it in terms of preparation and it was lovely!” “Ulster against Leinster was the big one when I was playing. Coming up against people like Tony O’Reilly and people like that who I had toured with was quite a challenge, but it was good fun and it wasn’t the end of the world if you lost. Your wages weren’t deducted and life went on! “In terms of coaching, we were left to our own devices. We had our own ideas – but not too many! One of our moves was when Noel Henderson had his breath back – he would say to Jack (Kyle) – give me the ball, I’m going to have a bit of dart! There isn’t as much space on the field these days. It wouldn’t be my way of playing rugby. Then you had forwards who stayed out of the way and backs who lined out against each other. Then, you only had your opposite number to beat! “I’m honoured to have been inducted into the hall of fame. It was lovely to meet some old friends from past rugby days at the dinner - past rugby days that ended in the early 1960’s.” Congratulations to David on his well deserved award.

Former Ulster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions centre, David Hewitt, has been inducted into the Irish Rugby Writers’ Hall of Fame. Hewitt was capped 18 times for Ireland (during which time he scored one try, two conversions and three penalties), and played in six Test matches while on tour with the Lions to Australia and New Zealand in 1959, and South Africa in 1962. His personal points tally for the New Zealand matches came to 112. David Hewitt played his domestic rugby for Queen’s University and then Instonians. While still at school, he played for the Ulster senior team, and at the age of 19 played for Ireland against Australia alongside fellow Queen’s graduates, Jack Kyle and Noel Henderson. Speaking at last week’s awards dinner, Hewitt recalled his days playing for his province: “I was still a schoolboy when I was called up to play my first match for Ulster. Jack Kyle called me up the day before the game and said ‘I’m going to have a run out at lunch time tomorrow, would you come down and join me for a run out?’ I went out with him and Noel Henderson and we ran up and down the pitch a few times and threw the ball back and

IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR AT ULSTER RUGBY CENTRA SUMMER CAMPS WITH OVER 1800 YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING PART IN 25 RUGBY CAMPS THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE. HERE ARE JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SUMMER…

CENTRA SUMMER CAMPS

IT’S ABOUT LOOKING AFTER BUSINESS

by ROD NAWN

FRIDAY night in late August at Kingspan Stadium, a familiar and fierce rivalry is about to be renewed, but this evening’s ‘derby’ with Leinster is shaped by a plethora of out-of-the-ordinary circumstances.

The competitive Guinness PRO12 season is just two weeks away, so taking on Leinster in Belfast is certainly match-hardening preparation, as is next Friday’s trip to Goldenacre to play Edinburgh. Both these games are important to the respective managements as they consider their formations for the business to come of chasing titles and trophies in the ‘regular’ season and in the Champions Cup, where Saracens, Toulouse and competition debutants Oyannax constitute a considerable European challenge. But, of course, Ulster gets its season underway tonight against the background of the forthcoming World Cup through September and October, and with the Irish squad for the tournament about to be honed down to just 31 players. Head Coach Neil Doak must take credit for fulfilling part of his remit to the national cause by supplying so many quality players to the fancied squad Joe Schmidt is currently ‘auditioning’. Supporters will hope that the contingent from Ulster will be part of the 31-man panel which will be finalised at the end of the month, and Doak and his assistants know their task is to manage their priority with the resources left available. In short, some relatively unfamiliar names will feature for the Province over the next two warm-up games. It will fall to the remaining core of senior players – Rob Herring, Paul Marshall, Louis Ludik, Ian Humphreys, Franco van der Merwe and Wiehahn Herbst for instance – to offer a stable, experience platform on to which young talents such as Stuart McCloskey, Sam Arnold, Rory Scholes, Peter Nelson, Sean Reidy, Clive Ross, Frank Taggart and a clutch of others on the brink of the first-team squad can jump with confidence. For the two friendlies, and for up to six matches in the PRO12, Ulster’s World Cup hopefuls will not be available, their focus properly on the William Webb Ellis Trophy. That means opportunity for so many players, and it also challenges the management skills of Doak, Allen Clarke, the newly-arrived Joe Barakat and skills coach Niall Malone. They know they have genuine quality in the ranks, much of it relatively and deliberately unheralded, and it has been carefully nurtured with the future in mind. Into many of their hands Ulster will offer the chance to give the club a positive, challenging start to what is shaping up to be another fascinating and demanding year. And though the team sheets – because not just Ulster faces up to a new campaign without its internationals – will sometimes strike an inquisitive squad with the fans, these players will hopefully soon become recognised

as integral members of a powerful and well-balanced squad. When the Ospreys arrive at the Kingspan in two weeks for the PRO12 ‘opener’ the Ulster side will have been prepared thoroughly, skilfully and professionally to launch a new season. And the players in the matchday squad will have had a message drilled firmly into their minds: that they are Ulster’s first-choices, they perform in no-one’s shadow, that they have the ability and the responsibility to replicate the form which has seen Ulster come so tantalisingly close to silverware in recent seasons. Barakat’s arrival on a two-year deal promises to refresh the coaching set-up, and his international experience with the Waratahs, with the Fiji national side, and his fine record in the increasingly impressive and combative Japanese game as an expert in defence and the set piece brings a new eye and an original voice to the management. Neil Doak wants him to have a particular focus on the collision aspect of the modern game, and with the special expertise Clarke, Malone and the Head Coach himself bring, Ulster’s backroom team looks to have had a good pre-season and is concentrated on providing a winning, positive structure within which the ‘new boys’ can flourish. And this evening’s opponents, Leinster, will all-too- readily recognise the very particular hurdles and the opportunities posed by this World Cup autumn. It’s perhaps a signal of the club’s recent pre-eminence in the PRO12 and in Europe that last Saturday no fewer than 14 Leinster players were in Ireland’s matchday 23 against Scotland in Dublin! The national side has relied heavily on a province which would count the last couple of seasons as disappointing when contrasted to back-to-back PRO12 titles and a decade when the European Cup was regularly brought home to the RDS. The appointment of Leo Cullen as Head Coach this week confirms the high regard in which the former captain and Ireland international is held, and after a year as forwards coach he’ll be delighted to land the top job. But he’ll want to show he’s there on merit, and he has Kurt McQuilkin permanently on board, and Girvan Dempsey overseeing the backs, while manager Guy Easterby makes up the core of a wise management team. Cullen always regarded games with Ulster as important – his debut as ‘the man’ will make tonight even more intriguing as he matches up against Doak who has served a more complete ‘apprenticeship.’

ROD NAWN

ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

Tonight’s match may be the opening skirmish of a much longer battle to follow over the next nine months, but the coaches and the players who will be involved – from the start or off the bench – will want to put down a ‘marker’ for the season, and Ulster against Leinster always has a rather special flavour, some would even say frisson! But what is certain is that the serious business starts here. The pre-season training has been, by all accounts, innovative, strenuous if enjoyable, and while many of us basked in the sun abroad or sheltered in the grey holiday skies closer to home, the Ulster squad has been gradually working towards what we, the supporters and observers, ultimately judge it by: the performances and successes. The qualities by which the team is always measured are no less expected in a ‘friendly’ than in the white- hot fervour of a Top Four encounter or vital European tie: imagination, cohesion, determination, focus and the ability to create, entertain and react to adversity. Neil Doak sends out a side this evening which will bear his unmistakeable imprint, and that will reflect all those qualities. As a player and as a coach he has always been associated with an attacking mind- set, but acutely aware of a team’s need to maintain concentration, to impose its authority and its talents on the game, and to use its intelligence to respond to the unexpected. So often the refrain is ‘get the basics right’, and it is a truism. Ulster expects those to be a ‘given’ and to see structures which allow the individual to flourish and stand out, but all in the overall cause of the team. Over the next two games anticipate many players we have grown to trust and respect to line out with new faces, some recent or current products of the Hughes Insurance Academy, and together they will be challenged to provide a convincing basis on which the competitive year can be launched when the always threatening Ospreys draw a full house to Kingspan Stadium on Friday 4th September. The work has been done, the playing pool prepared, all that remains to be done are making some ‘tweaks’ and the polishing of some partnerships and various game plans. Leinster has similar motivations, and it is a province designed to succeed. On the pitch and in its management are people hoping to make an impression. Just like Ulster.

JOHN ANDREW

SAM ARNOLD

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg 4 —

Centre 08.04.96 182cm 96kg 2 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RORY BEST

MARK BEST

Hooker 15.08.82 178cm 106kg 170 84

Centre 02.12.89 185cm 87kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

SQUAD 2015/16 CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg

Wing 22.02.84 190cm 100kg 135 62

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

86 —

PETER BROWNE

DARREN CAVE

Lock 25.10.87 201cm 116kg

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 160 9 // 11A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

ROBBIE DIACK

WILLIE FALOON

Back Row 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 152 2 // 2A

Back Row 30.09.86 186cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 107 6 // 2A

Lock 21.02.92 199cm 117kg 49 18 // 3A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back Row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 132 18

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 120kg

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

24 —

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 185cm 102kg 70 1 // 2A

Flyhalf 24.04.82 178cm 84kg 104 7A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PADDY JACKSON

PAUL JACKSON

Flyhalf 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 81 11 // 1A

Hooker 24.06.89 185cm 106kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

CONOR JOYCE

LOUIS LUDIK

Back Row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 —

Full Back 10.08.86 182cm 92kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

25 —

RICKY LUTTON

LUKE MARSHALL

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 113kg

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 97kg 62 6

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

25 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 146 3 // 2A

Hooker 02.01.92 177cm 111kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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STUART McCLOSKEY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Centre 06.08.92 194cm 111kg

Back Row 04.07.90 193cm 108kg

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

19 —

— —

JONNY MURPHY

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

Hooker 06.02.92 178cm 106kg

POSITION BORN

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 114kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

PETER NELSON

ALAN O’CONNOR

Utility Back 05.10.92 180cm 85kg

2nd Row 10.09.92 197cm 114kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

22 —

13 —

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Flyhalf 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 36 2

POSITION BORN

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg 61 7

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Flyhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 97 83 (SA)

Back Row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg 8 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 116kg

Back Row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

20 —

19 —

PAUL ROWLEY

RORY SCHOLES

Scrum Half 15.12.87 179cm 86kg

Wing 24.04.93 187cm 95kg 9 —

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

JONNY SIMPSON

LEWIS STEVENSON

Tighthead Prop 19.08.90 184cm 110kg

POSITION BORN

Lock 01.06.84 198cm 118kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

80 1A

FRANK TAGGART

ANDREW TRIMBLE

Back Row 14.10.94 188cm 108kg

Centre 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 188 58 // 3A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

Lock 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 126 11 // 4A

POSITION BORN

Lock 15.03.83 198cm 117kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

27 —

ANDREWWARWICK

NICK WILLIAMS

Prop 12.03.91 179cm 110kg

POSITION BORN

No. 8 02.12.91 189cm 125kkg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

29 —

57 —

ROGER WILSON

SAMWINDSOR

No. 8 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 181 1 // 11 A

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

ULSTER RUGBY v FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2 KICK O

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

JACK OWENS

14 13 12 11

ROB HERRING (C)

CRAIG GILROY

WIEHAHN HERBST

DARREN CAVE

ULSTER RUGBY

LUKE MARSHALL

PETER BROWNE

FRANCO VD MERWE

PETER NELSON

CLIVE ROSS

IAN HUMPHREYS

SEAN REIDY

PAUL MARSHALL

REPLACEMENTS FROM A WARWICK J ANDREW R LUTTON B ROSS A O’CONNOR D TUOHY C JOYCE

S WINDSOR J STOCKDALE S McCLOSKEY S ARNOLD

F TAGGART W FALOON S MULHOLLAND P ROWLEY D SHANAHAN

M BEST L LUDIK

ROBBIE DIACK

TODAYS OFFICIALS

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE OFFICIALS

ANDY BRACE JOHNNY PEAK JONNY ERSKINE // PETER MARTIN // RICHARD CHAMBERS

www.ulsterrugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

LEINSTER RUGBY 15 - KINGSPAN STADIUM F 19.30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

PETER DOOLEY

BILLY DARDIS

LEINSTER RUGBY

14 13 12 11

JAMES TRACY

DARRAGH FANNING

JAMIE HAGAN

BEN TE’O

NOEL REID

TADHG BEIRNE

TOM DENTON

ADAM BYRNE

DOMINIC RYAN (C)

CATHAL MARSH

JOSH VAN DER FLIER

LUKE McGRATH

TONY RYAN

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

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ULSTER RUGBY

TADHG BEIRNE

ROYCE BURKE-FLYNN

Lock 08.01.92 198cm 107kg

Prop 19.01.87 191cm 117kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

ADAM BYRNES

BRYAN BYRNE

Lock 29.07.81 201cm 118kg

Hooker 09.09.93 178cm 100kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SQUAD 2015/16

ED BYRNE

STEVE CROSBIE

Prop 09.09.93 180cm 104kg

Fly Half 10.02.93 185cm 92kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

TOM DALY

BILLY DARDIS

31.01.95 177cm 85kg Full Back

3107.93 193cm

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

102kg Centre

TOM FARRELL

IAN FITZPATRICK

Full Back 25.08.94 180cm 89kg

Centre 01.10.93 188cm 97kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

TOM DENTON

PETER DOOLEY

Lock 13.02.88 198cm 115kg

Prop 04.08.94 185cm 109kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

AARON DUNDON

DARRAGH FANNING

SQUAD 2015/ 16

Hooker 22.06.82 183cm 101kg

Wing 16.07.86 188cm 96kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

JAMIE HAGAN

IAN HIRST

Prop 14.06.89 188cm 118kg

Prop 15.04.87 191cm 126kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

MICK KEARNEY

DAN LEAVY

Flanker 23.04.94 191cm 101kg

Back Row 29.03.91 196cm 116kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

CATHAL MARSH

MIKE McCARTHY

Lock 27.11.81 193cm 115kg

Fly Half 01.10.92 178cm 84kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

NICK McCARTHY

LUKE McGRATH

Scrum Half 03.02.93 175cm 82kg

Scrum Half 25.03.95 178cm 82kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

KEVIN McLAUGHLIN

ROSS MOLONY

Lock 11.04.94 196cm 103kg

Back Row 20.09.84 193cm 109kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

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ISA NACEWA

COLM O’SHEA

Centre 19.01.91 180cm 92kg

Fly Half 22.07.82 180cm 91kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SQUAD 2015 / 16

NOEL REID

GARRY RINGROSE

Fly Half 22.04.90 185cm 90kg

Centre 26.01.95 185cm 89kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

RHYS RUDDOCK

DOMINIC RYAN

Back Row 13.11.90 191cm 111kg

Flanker 28.03.90 193cm 106kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

TONY RYAN

GAVIN THORNBURY

Back Row 23.10.91 183cm 102kg

Lock 19.10.93 201cm 108kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

JAMES TRACY

JOSH VAN DER FLIER

Prop 02.04.91 185cm 109kg

Flanker 25.04.93 185cm 98kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

BEN TE’O

DEVIN TONER

Back Row 27.01.87 188cm 104kg

Lock 29.06.86 208cm 124kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

D E V O T I O N M A K E S T H E 1 6 T H M A N

DAYS TO GO 15

S E A S O N T I C K E T S AVAILABLE NOW

16TH MAN B E T H E

Leinster Rugby are just through their eighth week of pre- season training under the stewardship of head coach Leo Cullen and like all teams it has been a case of getting to know the new faces while also getting to grips with the new voices from the side of the pitch. TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Some of the Academy names will be familiar to rugby supporters in general having performed well for the Irish U20s over the last few seasons. The likes of Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Cian Kelleher, Billy Dardis, Peter Dooley and Ross Molony have all performed well at U20s level but will now be hoping to seize the moment in the absence of so many Leinster players due to the World Cup. Similarly new recruits to the Senior squad like twins Bryan and Ed Byrne, Dan Leavy, Cathal Marsh, Gavin Thornbury and Josh van der Flier have already made their debuts and will be looking to kick on this season. The pre-season schedule has already included open training sessions in Edenderry and Skerries and after this evening’s game against Ulster, Leo Cullen’s men face Moseley RFC in the final pre- season game at home next Friday in Donnybrook. Leinster begin the Guinness PRO12 season on Friday 4th September with an away trip to Edinburgh.

On the playing side back came Johnny Sexton and Isa Nacewa from sabbaticals abroad, while second row Mick Kearney joined from Connacht and Ian Hirst and Royce Burke-Flynn joined from the amateur ranks and indeed from the same club, Clontarf. Another to return was defence coach Kurt McQuilkin who had previously served in a similar position under Michael Cheika and was part of the back room team that brought a first ever Heineken Cup to Leinster. John Fogarty, has also come on board as scrum coach and his name will be familiar to supporters in Munster, Connacht and Leinster having had spells in all three provinces as a player. Like McQuilkin, Fogarty was also a part of that 2009 Heineken Cup breakthrough playing hooker on that fateful day. Of course, the majority of those same eight weeks have been spent with only a fraction of the playing staff available to Cullen and his coaching team, as the rest of the players prepare for the Rugby World Cup with Ireland which is now only weeks away. That has afforded the Academy players and indeed the younger Senior squad members an opportunity to impress upon the coaching staff just what they have to offer in the blue of Leinster.

CLUB STATS //Location Dublin, Ireland //Founded 1879 //Ground Royal Dublin Society Arena //Capacity 18,000

//Next Game Edinburgh Rugby (A) Fri 4th Sep 15, 19:35

STAFF // Coach Leo Cullen // Captain Jamie Heaslip

CONTACT Newstead Building A, UCD, Belfield Dublin 4

T +353 1 269 3224 F +353 1 269 3142 E information@leinsterrugby.ie

TICKET OFFICE T +353 1 223 5103

www.leinsterrugby.ie

leinsterrugby

Kingspan has been a partner of Ulster Rugby for 10 years and we are now proud to give our name to this Stadium. Our passion, as a global leader in sustainable building solutions, is to deliver the highest levels of performance - always. Our respect for Ulster Rugby and its dedicated fans is absolute. Welcome to the Kingspan Stadium.

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ULSTER RUGBY SCORES A BIG WIN FOR MENCAP

THANK YOU

Ulster Rugby and its supporters have helped raise a staggering £29,877 in aid of its official charity partner for 2014/15, Mencap in Northern Ireland, smashing its target of £25k.

centre in Northern Ireland and we are delighted to have helped play a part in that journey. “On behalf of all the players and everyone involved at Ulster Rugby, we would like to thank our supporters for getting behind this important cause and making such a difference for Mencap.” Vanessa Elder, Regional Fundraising Manager for Mencap in Northern Ireland added: “Having a partner like Ulster Rugby has been of huge value to Mencap over these important 12 months. Every penny of the funds raised will go towards our new centre, which will bring the therapeutic care, information and support young people with a learning disability and their families need, under one roof. “We extend a heartfelt thank you to Ulster Rugby and the supporters who gave so generously at matches and events - the impact of this contribution will be felt by many for years to come.” To find out more about Mencap’s Big Step Forward Appeal visit www.mencapbigstepforward.org.

Over the past 12 months, Ulster Rugby has hosted several fundraising initiatives and special events to raise vital funds for Mencap’s Big Step Forward Appeal, aimed at creating a new centre for children and young people with learning disabilities and their families in Northern Ireland. Thanks to the results of the partnership, as well as the ongoing generosity of the Northern Ireland public and other organisations, Mencap is now well on its way to reaching its £1.7m target to build, equip and run the new centre. Mencap’s new Children and Families’ centre is set to open in January 2016 in Newtownbreda, Belfast. At the heart of the centre will be the relocated Segal House, Mencap’s nursery for 2-4 year old children with a learning disability, autism and global developmental delay. Fiona Hampton, Head of Sales & Marketing with Ulster Rugby said: “We are exceptionally proud that Ulster Rugby and our supporters have raised this impressive sum for our chosen charity partner Mencap this year. It is a pivotal time for Mencap, as the charity builds towards the opening of its new

ULSTER SQUAD NAMED FOR LIMERICK 7S

Ulster coach James Topping has named his squad to take part in the World Club Sevens Tournament in Limerick this weekend...

The panel includes Ireland 7s players David McGuigan, Aaron Cairns and Michael Lawton, while David McIlwaine, capped at senior level by Ulster, will also feature in the two day event at Thomand Park. Having been drawn in Pool C alongside Connacht, Buenos Aires and Golden Lions, Topping is expecting a difficult weekend: “Having a look through the teams, clearly they have got a lot more experience than us,” he said. “We have got a lot of skilful guys, but it’s probably fair to say we are struggling for out-and-out flyers. “It’s going to be great to see how our guys match up against teams like the Golden Lions and Buenos Aires. If they go well, it might set them up to play at senior provincial level.” Pictured below is Ballynahinch’s Ireland 7s star Aaron Cairns. WORLD CLUB SVEVENS

DAVID McGUIGAN // BALLYNAHINCH JOSH McILROY // RAINEY OB THOMAS DONNAN // BALLYNAHINCH MARCUS MULGREW // DUNGANNON CHRIS SMITH // RAINEY OB AARON CAIRNS // BALLYNAHINCH MICHAEL LAWTON // DUNGANNON ROBBIE REID // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY JAMES BEATTIE // BALLYMENA DAVID McILWAINE // LEEDS UNIVERSITY/BALLYNAHINCH PATRICK COLHOUN // CARDIFF UNIVERSITY MARK GLOVER // BELFAST HARLEQUINS ULSTER SEVENS SQUAD WORLD CLUB 7S TOURNAMENT, THOMOND PARK, FRI 21ST & SAT 22ND AUGUST 2015

ULSTER WOMEN TO OPEN CAMPAIGN AT HOME TO LEINSTER Ulster Women start this season’s inter-provincial series against Leinster tomorrow (Portadown RFC, 3.00pm), with coaches Philip Doyle and Jarrett Truscott calling on a mix of youth and experience for their match day squad.

ULSTER WOMEN

Lesley Megarity will captain the side from hooker and she is joined in the front row by experienced Cooke teammates Ilse van Staden and Nikita Armstrong. Omagh’s Naomi McCullough will make her senior debut in the second row alongside Colette Broome. Another debutant, Niamh Fitzgerald, has been named in the back row with Queen’s University duo Imogen Porter and Lauren Maginnes. Promising young Enniskillen scrumhalf Kathryn Dane has been included after a string of brilliant performances at Ireland underage level. She is partnered at half back by influential playmaker Jemma Jackson. Claire McLaughlin and ex-Ireland international Grace Davitt will combine in midfield, while Cooke players make up the entire back three; Eliza Downey, Amy Davis and Teah Maguire. There is plenty of experience among the replacements, while Jamie Love and Amy O’Neill will make their first senior appearances if called upon.

ULSTER WOMEN’S TEAM TO PLAY LEINSTER SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST 2015, PORTADOWN RFC, 3.00pm

1. ILSE VAN STADEN // COOKE 2. LESLEY MEGARITY // COOKE, CAPTAIN 3. NIKITA ARMSTRONG // COOKE 4. COLETTE BROOME // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 5. NAOMI McCULLAGH // OMAGH 6. NIAMH FITZGERALD // OLD BELVEDERE 7. IMOGEN PORTER // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 8. LAUREN MAGINNES // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 9. KATHRYN DANE // ENNISKILLEN 10. JEMMA JACKSON // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 11. ELIZA DOWNEY // COOKE 12. CLAIRE McLAUGHLIN // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 13. GRACE DAVITT // COOKE 14. AMY DAVIS // COOKE 15. TEAH MAGUIRE // COOKE REPLACEMENTS: 16. JAMIE LOVE // CITY OF DERRY 17. SORCHA CHIPPERFIELD // COOKE 18. SHANNON HEAPES // CITY OF DERRY 19. AMY O’NEILL // BLACKROCK 20. NOREEN NETHERCOTT // ENNISKILLEN 21. STACEY SLOAN // CITY OF DERRY 22. ZOE TEMPLETON // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 23. PEITA MCALISTER // QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY ULSTERWOMEN’S MANAGEMENT TEAM: COACHES PHILIP DOYLE & JARRETT TRUSCOTT TEAMMANAGER KERRY SPENCE RESOURCES CO-ORDINATOR ANDY WEIR PHYSIO ANDREW CREANEY

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACHES PAUL HEASLEY & STEWART WALKER

Ulster Rugby shop @ Kingspan Stadium Monday - Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 10am-2pm

www.ulsterrugbyshop.com

Together Stronger

kukrisports.com

Providing quality bespoke sportswear to athletes and teams

KUKRI Q&A WITH LAURA SMALL

KUKRI Q&A

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NEW2015/16 ULSTER RUGBY KIT? The Elite jersey features displaced side seams designed to minimise abrasion and give a neater fit, we wanted to create a design that would complement this. Both the home and away shirts feature a halftone pattern that follow the curves of the body, a change from previous shirts which have had more angular designs. In terms of colours we have followed the traditional Ulster colours for the home shirt while the away shirt is vivid with the main cyan body and distinctive electric lime trim, a slight risk compared to previous away shirts which have been less vibrant. The lack of red on the away shirt makes the Ulster logo really stand out which is great as we wanted this to be the main focus of the jersey. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NEW LEISUREWEAR RANGE FOR BOTHMALE AND FEMALE SUPPORTERS? For the leisurewear we always want to create a range that is stylish and comfortable enough for fans to wear on a day to day basis. We mainly used the Ulster colours but also included some of the cyan and electric lime to bring the range together and in keeping with the away shirt. WHAT ITEMS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT? We are excited about the alternate jersey. We are also really excited about the new Sparky range and the new knit wear accessories for men and women. IS THERE ANYTHING NEW AVAILABLE TO FANS THIS YEAR? Besides a completely new jersey and leisure range, there are lots of new accessories. After the success of the Sparky mascot bear we have dedicated a brand new range to him. This season we will have the mascot bear wearing the new kit, Sparky hats, Sparky slippers and Sparky keyrings. We have also extended our golf range to include cart and carry golf bags and added new products to our baby range. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BEST SELLER SO FAR? The away jersey was flown out the door. Based on previous years we are sure the performance tees will be a huge hit. They will be available in four different colours and are great value at £20.00.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM? The away jersey. The new design and the bright colour make it a really unique looking piece. THE COLLECTIONWAS LAUNCHED IN A SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR EVENT THIS SEASON. WHAT WAS THE THINKING BEHIND THE EVENT AND HOWDID IT GO? This was a combined project with Ulster Rugby. We felt that the jersey was so different from the way it was before that it would be great to launch it on a bigger scale with an outdoor celebration for 2015/16 Season Ticket Holders. We wanted to provide the supporters with a sneak peek at the leisure range in a light hearted fun way. It’s a long off-season and it was great to get everyone together at an event at the stadium before the season started again. It was a great way for fans to catch up before the start of a new season and the buzz was amazing. We had lots of really positive feedback about the event, which was great to hear. Thanks to everyone who came along!

ULSTER RUGBY KUKRI SHOP

Opening hours Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday 10am to 2pm Follow us on: Twitter @UlsterShop Visit our website: www.ulsterrugbyshop.com Call: 028 9064 7903 Email: ulsterrugby@kukrisports.com

JOIN THE URSC

Joining URSC brings you the following benefits: • Priority booking for European Cup away games and knockout matches. Season Tickets Holders will get first priority, followed by URSC members. There will also be an allocation of tickets reserved solely for non-season ticket holding URSC members should we qualify for an away quarter final. These tic kets will be allocated to URSC on the same day as the Season Ticket allocation and distributed by URSC. • Passes for access to 1924 Bar are available on application to URSC (restricted to six per match). • Discounted away travel to Guinness PRO12 League matches in Ireland. Away travel to Scotland may be arranged, subject to match kick off and ferry timings. • Official URSC lapel badge, car sticker and welcome gift. • Free prize draw for two stand tickets for each Autumn International (not in 2015 because of RWC) and each of Ireland’s Six Nations matches at the Aviva Stadium (adult members only). • Ballot for right to purchase tickets for all Ireland home internationals at the Aviva Stadium (adult members only). URSC allocation is 40 tickets per match. • ‘Meet the Players’ events, run in conjunction with Ulster Rugby, hosted in the H3 Lounge at Kingspan Stadium. • Vote for Player of the Month and Player of the Year • Full colour URSC Member’ Magazine “Stand Up” • Competitions and prize draws on the URSC web site, club magazine and Facebook page. Yet again we have kept our membership fee at a miserly £10 for adults, £5 for children and £25 for a family... join up, last season 1341 people did!

SUPPORTERS CLUB BENEFITS

STOP PRESS: NEARLY 700 FANS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR URSC MEMBERSHIP THIS PRE-SEASON - THANK YOU ALL!

TO BECOME A MEMBER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.URSC.CO

THE URSC INFORMATION POINT

THE BIG BALLOT Each year the URSC awards its Jack Kyle Bursary to an up and coming player from the Ulster Rugby Academy. The Bursary is worth £2500. To fund the Bursary URSC runs a Big Ballot with the draw being made in December. Big ballot prizes provided by local businesses this year include: • Overnight stay for two in a central Belfast Hotel, return taxi from the hotel to Kingspan Stadium and two match tickets for Ulster v Munster (Bank of Ireland); • Odyssey Concert tickets (Heineken); • Golf cap signed by McIlroy, Clarke, McDowell, Hoey & Maybin; • Vouchers for Ryan’s Bar Lisburn Road Belfast; • Vouchers for Molly’s Bar & Restaurant Newtownards; • Golf at Shandon Park; • Golf at Galgorm Castle; • Steve Love “Last Stand” Framed Ravenhill Photo; • Signed Suzy Quatro CD set; • Meal for two at Bureau by the Lough, Jordanstown; • Jenny Hailes 12 personal training sessions & nutrition & diet session; • Kukri sportswear vouchers • Cookery Class for two at Belfast Cookery School • Voucher - Ulster Rugby Shirt ...WITH MORE TO COME! Ballot tickets cost £1 each and can be purchased on match night at the URSC info point or online from the www.ursc.co shop

The URSC Information Point situated within the Food Village opposite the Kukri Shop proved a huge hit with fans last season. So we are there again, fill in your membership forms, sign up for away trips, get your tickets for events or simply come over for a chat. We usually also have a player there to sign autographs or take selfies... for example, at the Cardiff Blues match we had Stuart McCloskey. Who will be there tonight?

SUPPORTERS CLUB NEWS

AWAY TRAVEL MUNSTER AWAY, FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER The Big Yella Bus is on the move! URSC intends to run a bus to the Guinness PRO12 match in Limerick. It’s half term, so all accompanied children will travel free of charge! Further details from the Information Point.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

WINNERS

Tuesday 22nd September 7.30pm Meet the new players Tuesday 3rd November 7.30pm

Congratulations to Ian McCaugherty and Christopher Sherwin who joined URSC at the Family Fun Day and won a Ruan Pienaar signed Springboks t shirt and a gym bag signed by Chris Henry respectively. Congratulations also to Chris Simmons who will tonight collect the Rougerie 12 Clermont shirt he won in the URSC’s “Euro Supa Dupa Cup” competition.

For a post World Cup / European Cup Preview. Both events will be held in the H3 lounge in the Kingspan Stadium Venue to be confirmed

in coming weeks. Free to members. Come along to hear and meet your favourite Ulstermen!

TO BECOME A MEMBER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.URSC.CO

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