Ulster Rugby v Scarlets

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £4

V SCARLETS FRIDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2018 KINGSPAN STADIUM, BELFAST KICK OFF 7.45PM

WELCOME BACK, MON AMI.

IN THIS ISSUE...

KINGSPANWELCOME PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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EPCRWELCOME

TONIGHT'S MASCOTS

INTERVIEW: IAIN HENDERSON

Q&A: SEAN REIDY

DANSKE BANK SCHOOLS' CUP

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KICK-OFF

STAFF PROFILE: FERGUS THOMPSON 15 WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP 17 ACADEMY SQUAD 19 CLUB Q&A: LISBURN RFC 23 RORY BEST EUROPEAN HIGHLIGHTS 24 ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES 26 ULSTER TEAM 30 SCARLETS TEAM 31 SCARLETS SQUAD PROFILES 32 OPPOSITION VIEW: WAYNE PIVAC 35

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MATCH PREVIEW

39 44 49 50 53 55

GUEST ARTICLE: ROD NAWN REFEREE Q&A: BARRY O'HARA INTERVIEW: KYLE McCALL SUBWAY HALF TIME TEAMS

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URSC

STADIUM INFORMATION 57 2018/19 COMPETITION STANDINGS 58 FIXTURES 59 SPONSORS AND PARTNERS 60

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Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, where the Ulster squad welcome Scarlets for Round 4 of the Heineken Champions Cup. After a thrilling victory in Parc y Scarlets last week, Ulster will be looking to consolidate their standing in Pool 4 in tonight’s return fixture. Despite a couple of difficult fixtures to come in the Champions Cup, a win tonight would put the Ulstermen in an excellent position to progress to the quarter finals of the competition. With Scarlets looking to make amends for last week’s defeat at home and Ulster chasing qualification from the pool, it’s sure to make for an enthralling encounter this evening. As ever, the Scarlets squad and travelling supporters are sure to receive a very warm welcome from the Kingspan Stadium faithful. Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby squad and management team the very best this evening as they continue to give their all in every facet of the game. To Ulster’s committed fans, enjoy the game, lead the way and help ensure that this is a day to remember at Kingspan Stadium.

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME On behalf of Ulster Rugby, it is a pleasure to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Heineken Champions Cup match against Scarlets. We are delighted to have some of the Scarlets directors with us and to them, the players, staff and supporters, we extend a warm Ulster welcome. We hope that you enjoy your visit to Belfast during this festive season.

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2018/19 OFFICERS Stephen Elliott President Gary Leslie Senior Vice President Philip Gregg Junior Vice President Denis Gardiner Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Jonny Petrie Chief Executive Officer Audrey Robinson Head of Finance & Operations Fiona Hampton Head of Sales & Marketing Bryn Cunningham Operations Director Chris Webster Head of Rugby Development

inexperienced players and without exception all have performed admirably. It was therefore great to see that there are further talented young men on the conveyor belt as evidenced by the win by Ulster U19s over the touring Australia Schools team. Up against a physically bigger team, the Ulster boys put in a spirited and structured performance to gain a first ever win by an Ulster age grade team over Australia. I recently attended a very well organised launch of this season’s Danske Bank Schools’ competitions which are now underway and I wish all those boys and girls taking part all the best at whatever level they are playing. Best of luck also to our club players young and old as they continue to take part in club competitions in what are often difficult conditions during attendance and support this evening and I hope you enjoy the match and the Kingspan Stadium entertainment. Stephen Elliott President, IRFU Ulster Branch these winter months. Thank you all for your

This is of course the second trip to Kingspan Stadium this season for Scarlets and we are getting to know each other very well, as we have also been to Llanelli twice in three weeks! Last week the Ulster team put in a magnificent display to bring home a bonus point victory and keep our hopes of qualification from the group very much alive. Those efforts will have been in vain if it is not followed up by another committed performance this evening, as anything less than that will not be good enough against what is a very dangerous attacking team. It was great to see all the hard work which the players and coaches have put in in training come to fruition on the pitch last Friday. I would like to thank the supporters who travelled to Wales last week. The passion which they showed in the stands mirrored that of the players during the match. We have two massive Friday night games with Scarlets and then Munster next week, and we need all the support we can attract so bring your friends and family along and create a real festive atmosphere.

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

This season Ulster has had to use a lot of young and

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THE ONE TO WIN

HEINEKENCHAMPIONSCUP.COM #CHAMPIONSCUP

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

After a breath-taking start to the Heineken Champions Cup season, welcome to these crucial back-to-back matches which will do so much to determine whose Road to Newcastle will continue into the knockout rounds.

The opening two rounds were marked with some titanic battles back in October including a thrilling win for Toulouse over Leinster Rugby in the meeting of the two most garlanded clubs in the history of this tournament. Two very different – yet equally compelling – draws, between Exeter Chiefs and Munster Rugby, Wasps and Bath Rugby, leave Pools 1 and 2 very open whilst Newcastle Falcons fans are no doubt still recovering after two fraught, tense victories sit them at the head of Pool 5. The second of those wins was screened live in the United States by NBC Sports which allies to the domestic improvement in broadcast platforms to make the viewing experience of our tournaments better for rugby fans. We have seen an excellent start to the season on BT Sport in the United Kingdom and Ireland and there has been plenty of fascinating action for both Channel 4 and Virgin Media viewers over the opening rounds as well. Crucially, we’ve had a growth of almost 10% in attendances for the first two rounds of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup combined, compared with last season, further highlighting the strength of the tournaments. It’s all building up to an atmospheric and memorable Finals Weekend at St James’ Park that has already captured the public imagination with tickets on general public sale in short supply for the Heineken Champions Cup and a strong crowd promised for the showpiece of the Challenge Cup as well. To avoid disappointment, you can guarantee your place at the iconic venue through HeinekenChampionsCup.com.

We are delighted to say that the Financial Times has teamed up with EPCR as Official Supporter of the tournaments for the next four years, joining Gilbert on that status. The world’s leading global business publication undoubtedly enhances our suite of industry-leading partners alongside Tissot and, of course, Heineken, who have returned as title partner of Europe’s elite club rugby tournament this season. We thank all of them for their commitment and backing. The Heineken Champions Cup has certainly shown both the intensity and unpredictability that has marked itself out as The One to Win in the club game and you can get closer to the action through the official website and social media channels. The Champions Rugby Show is a free-download podcast bringing you the latest match previews after which, you can pick your Classic or Daily team for Champions Fantasy Rugby and be in the hunt to scoop some outstanding prizes, also on offer through the Try of the Round competition at the end of each weekend. We hope that you enjoy these back-to-back fixtures and, on behalf of EPCR, send you and your loved ones the very best for the forthcoming

festive period. Yours in rugby, Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman

Take them all on.

Join today 0800 201 2201 or visit bt.com/sport

TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

ANDREW HENDERSON (10) Andrew goes to Knockloughrim Primary School, and his main interests include farming with his dad, cycling and watching rugby with his family. He is very excited about being tonight’s mascot and can’t wait to experience the atmosphere in the tunnel and hear the crowd as he runs out. Andrew’s favourite player in Rory Best as he thinks he is a great leader, who is fearless on the pitch. When Andrew is older he would like to play for Ulster or be a farmer like his dad.

SAM CARLEY (10) Sam goes to Tullyallen Primary School and plays rugby for Boyne RFC. Sam participates in lots of different sports but particularly enjoys rugby. His favourite Ulster player is Rory Best as he plays in the front row, just like him. When Sam is older he would like to be an Ulster player.

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IAIN HENDE Last week's bonus point win over the Scarlets in Llanelli was one of the best performances of the season, with Henderson leading from the front with a barnstorming outing. After some up-and-down displays, and results, opponents in the second game of their Heineken Champions Cup back-to-backs. Having been part of the teams that did the December double over Harlequins last season, Henderson knows how to come out on the right side of the results. However, he also has experience of being on the other end.

over the international period - including a reversal to the Scarlets only three weeks previous - the full 80-minute performance had been coming, and Henderson was delighted to see it. "It was great," grins the 26-year-old. "It was good to see some really hard work being done on the training pitch coming together and us getting the reward for it. "I still think there's plenty more to come, the lads have spent a huge amount of time trying to get small improvements on the pitch and internally I've seen them getting better and better, and that's starting to come to fruition on the pitch. "There's many more steps to be taken forward, and I don't think we're nearly halfway done, but we're getting there. We've shown we're capable of producing performances now, the challenge is to do it week-on-week because that's what the top teams do." A good place to start would be following up last week's result with a similar one at Kingspan Stadium tonight over the same

"We've looked back at a few historical games, with Quins being one of them, but we've also talked about Northampton back in 2012 when we went away and picked up a bonus point win and then it was 10-9 in the return game they beat us here," the lock explains. "That week we got complacent, we got the bonus point away and at that time Northampton were one of the powerhouses of European rugby, so we just assumed the Ravenhill crowd would bring the atmosphere and we wouldn't have to add much, and it was complacency was the reason we lost. "That's something that group then was susceptible to, but this group is aware that's not how it's going to be. If anyone would be complacent and say the Scarlets are coming to Kingspan and we're going to beat them, they're definitely not in our squad anyway." The game itself is sure to be a hard-fought battle, with the Scarlets eager to get revenge for their defeat last week on their home

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SON turf, and the tight game on the opening day of the Guinness PRO14 season should be enough of a warning how good the Welsh side are.

In that regard, Henderson knows that they aren't going to roll over easily and is prepared for another 80-minute slog tonight. "The performance they put out last Friday isn't characteristic of them, and we feel that was down to the pressure we put on them, but we expect them to come out all guns blazing and it's up to us to back up our performance and get even better," demands Henderson. "The double headers are always a good battle, obviously you have the opportunity to see the same player in two games and one of the things I've noted in the past is the psychology of other players as to the difference home advantage or the weather makes to how someone plays. "We'll be expecting a different mindset from the Scarlets coming out this week."

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Q&A S E A N R E I D Y

Favourite rugby memory? Winning the Ranfurly Shield Favourite place to eat in Belfast? Jared Payne’s house (BBQ) Tv programme you can’t miss? Love Island The first music album you ever bought? Now that’s what I call music The last movie you watched? The Avengers Who is your sporting hero and why? Joeli Vidiri – I grew up watching him play, he was a freakish athlete Favourite thing about playing for Ulster? Spending time with your mates all day training to achieve a common goal If you could swap places with a celebrity for a day who would it be and why? Charles Piutau - to spend all his money If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why? Colonel Sanders – I’d want to pick his brains

on the secret herbs and spices Favourite post- match meal? Quarter Pounder Goal for this season? Make Ulster as successful as possible The key to success is… Doing the basic things well

BROWN SAUCE / RED SAUCE SUN / SNOW SING AND DANCE NIGHT OWL / EARLY BIRD COFFEE / TEA FORWARDS / BACKS FACEBOOK / TWITTER SNAPCHAT / INSTAGRAM HORROR MOVIE / COMEDY DINE IN / DELIVERY

QUICKFIRE

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DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP SET FOR KICK-OFF The 2018/19 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup will kick-off this Saturday 15th December, with four teams in action in the opening round of the famous competition.

Antrim Grammar will have home advantage for their tie against Carrickfergus Grammar, while Strabane Academy will host Wellington College in the other Round 1 fixture. The competition will then resume after Christmas when a further twelve teams join the fray. Last season, John McKee led Campbell College to a 19-13 final victory over The Royal School Armagh, securing a first title since 2011 for Campbell, and their 24th outright competition success. First won by The Royal School Armagh back in 1876, the Schools’ Cup has been competed for every year since, with 17 different schools having collected the famous cup, while Methodist College sit on top of the roll of honour with 35 outright titles.

2018/19 DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP

ROUND 1 Saturday 15th December 2018

Antrim Grammar v Carrickfergus Grammar Strabane Academy v Wellington College

ROUND 2 Saturday 12th January 2019

Limavady Grammar v Larne Grammar Grosvenor Grammar v Friends’ School Cambridge House v Banbridge Academy

Lurgan College v Foyle College Dromore HS v Regent House

Antrim Grammar / Carrickfergus Grammar v Down HS Belfast HS v Strabane Academy / Wellington College

ROUND 3 Saturday 26th January 2019

The seven winners from Round 2 will be joined in the Round 3 draw by: Ballyclare High School, Bangor Grammar School, Belfast Royal Academy, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Omagh Academy, Portadown College, Rainey Endowed School and Royal School Dungannon. The eight winners from Round 3 will be joined in the Round 4 draw by: Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Methodist College Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Royal School Armagh, Sullivan Upper School and Wallace High School. ROUND 4 Saturday 9th February 2019

QUARTER-FINALS Saturday 23rd February 2019

SEMI-FINALS Tuesday 5th March 2019, 2.30pm at Kingspan Stadium Wednesday 6th March 2019, 2.30pm at Kingspan Stadium FINAL Monday 18th March 2019, 3.00pm at Kingspan Stadium

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STAFF PROFILE

NAME: FERGUS THOMPSON ROLE: STADIUM FACILITIES MANAGER

Describe your role within Ulster Rugby? I’m the Stadium Facilities Manager so I look after the stadium grounds and buildings, and everything in them. The role covers maintenance, projects, health & safety, fire safety, cleaning, security, waste etc. I also have responsibility for the pitch as the grounds team report to me, headed by James Laird. On matchdays my role is different from the routine day-to-day stuff, as I have to ensure the stadium is safe, working, clean and ready to go when the gates open, and through until everyone leaves again. Describe your career / employment history? I have a background as a Chartered Building Services Engineer, having studied in University of Ulster, before working in Bombardier as a Facilities Engineer. I then spent time as a consulting engineer with Fin Engineering before taking up a Facilities Management job with Seagate Technology, working over 13 years at two different sites. Then the job for Facilities Manager at Ulster Rugby /Kingspan Stadium came up, and the opportunities to work for your favourite sports team are few and far between. Favourite thing about your job? My favourite thing is working on match-nights when the final whistle goes, Ulster have won, and there have been no incidents around the stadium during the evening. What do you enjoy most about working for Ulster Rugby? I enjoy the variety within my job and the responsibility of looking after a beautiful rugby stadium. I like being out and around the grounds occasionally bumping into some of the players and coaches for a chat.

What is your biggest achievement to date? The Women’s World Cup in August 2017 was a huge achievement for everyone working here. There was a massive amount of preparation and coordination by a large team behind the scenes, and it was a great success. The attendance and atmosphere at the matches was better than expected and the stadium looked fantastic. What is the most challenging aspect of your role? My most challenging role is trying to improve the relationships we have with our neighbours. The stadium is right in the middle of a large residential area with houses all around. We have up to 18,000 people here for matches and the travel and parking can cause lots of problems if you are trying to go about your normal life. The Kingspan Stadium Community Committee was setup in 2017 between Ulster Rugby, Ravenhill Residents Association, Cregagh Residents Association, PSNI, Belfast City Council and some local MLAs. I feel we have made good progress within the committee to improve relationships and communication so far. What are your plans/goals for the upcoming season? To continue keeping the stadium safe and looking fresh. As it gets older it gets harder and more expensive to maintain. Who is your favourite Ulster player? Louis Ludik, as he is always 100% committed on the pitch. When he gets the ball he runs flat out and when defending he is fully committed in the tackle. Plus, he’s a really nice guy.

To get in touch with Fergus, email fergus.thompson@ulsterrugby.com

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There were home wins across the board as Dungannon, Belfast Harlequins, Queen’s University and Cooke 2nd XV all booked their place in Round 2. Last year the Women’s Junior Cup final became the first women’s club final to be played at Kingspan Stadium, and the showpiece decider will once again return to the home of Ulster Rugby this season. WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP UNDERWAY The 2018/19 Women’s Junior Cup got underway last weekend, with eight teams in action in the opening round.

2018/19 WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP

Dungannon v City of Derry Cooke 2 v Belfast Harlequins Enniskillen – Bye Omagh - Bye

ROUND 1 Sunday 9th December 2018 Dungannon 39-7 Lisburn

Belfast Harlequins 35-7 Randalstown Queen’s University 38-5 Portadown Cooke 2 40-7 North Down Malone 2 - Bye

Quarter-Finals Sunday 10th February 2019 Round 2 winners will be joined by top two Division 1 teams – Malone 1 & Ballynahinch Quarter-Final losers will fall into the Junior Shield.

Losers from Round 1 will fall into Rejenerate Cup, with the losers of those games falling into Rejenerate Shield.

ROUND 2 Sunday 6th January 2019

SEMI-FINALS Sunday 24th February 2019 FINAL Saturday 13th April 2019 at Kingspan Stadium

Round 1 winners and Malone 2 will be joined by five Division 1 teams for Round 2 – Omagh, Carrick, City of Derry, Enniskillen & Cavan.

Malone 2 v Queen’s University Cavan v Carrick

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STEWART MOORE MARCUS REA JAMES HUME AZUR ALLISON Year 1 Centre 08.08.99 183cm 91kg Malone Year 3 Back Row 08.09.97 189cm 105cm Ballymena Year 2 Centre 07.09.98 184cm 95kg Banbridge Year 1 Back Row 19.04.99 192cm 99kg Ballymena

Year 3 Hooker 10.02.95

AARON HALL MATTHEW DALTON JACK REGAN Year 3 Back Row 26.06.98 193cm 98kg Ballynahinch Year 2 Flanker 16.11.98 197cm 112kg Malone Year 2 2nd Row 09.05.97

Year 2 Scrum Half 12.09.99 174cm 85kg Malone GRAHAM CURTIS ERIC O’SULLIVAN IWAN HUGHES Year 2 Prop 30.11.95 186cm 115kg Banbridge Year 1 Back Three 06.04.99 173cm 77kg Ballynahinch

DAVID McCANN ZACK McCALL JOE DUNLEAVY MATTHEW AGNEW Year 1 Back Row 13.06.00 190cm 94kg Banbridge 180cm 100kg Ballynahinch Year 2 Flanker 22.12.98 190cm 101kg Malone Year 1 Back Row 20.11.98 180cm 95kg Malone

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE MICHAEL LOWRY BRUCE HOUSTON Year 2 Fly Half 20.08.98 170cm 81kg Banbridge Year 1 Fly Half 16.08.99 192cm 92kg Ballymena

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Q&A CLUB Who is your President?

L I S B U R N R F C

small team of others, has renovated parts of the clubhouse this summer How many teams do you field? 3 x Senior Mens, 1 x Senior Women, U12s, U14s, U16s & full mini section Most successful achievement? Towns Cup (1985) / Qualifying 1 Champions (2000) Proudest moment? Winning Qualifying 1 and competing in AIL Playoffs Tell us something unique that not everyone knows about the club? We hosted our inaugural Ladies Blitz on Sunday 23rd September

Gary Barlow Head Coach? Andrew Postlethwaite 1st XV Captain? Jamie Dickson Number of members? 480 3 players to watch? Adam Jamison, Epi Ratu, Conor Gasgoine Longest serving member? Bobby Watson Who is the ‘Club Clown’?

Andrew Barron Hardest trainer? Jake Bebbington Club’s unsung hero and why?

Email address: lisburnrfc@gmail.com Website: www.lisburnrugby.co.uk

The Tuesday Groundforce team who keep our pitches and premises in great condition. Special mention to Phil Jefferson, who, along with a

LisburnRugby @Lisburnrugby

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Tonight, Rory Best will become Ulster's most-capped player in the Heineken Champions Cup when he leads the team out against Scarlets. RORY LEADI THE WAY

into the knockouts, and it would be Best at the forefront again when they made their spectacular run to the final in 2012. Who could forget that superb 41-7 home win over Leicester where, although the backs scored all the points, it was a dominant forwards display that set the tone and effectively sealed Ulster's place in the last eight. The biggest game of that run, however, was the memorable quarter-final win over Munster in Thomond Park, with Best among those to put in a lung-busting 80-minute performance in an infamous 22-16 victory that will live long in the memory of all Ulster fans. Best also started the semi-final win over Edinburgh and was leading from the front in the biggest European game of his Ulster career when they took on Leinster at Twickenham in a valiant performance that saw them come up short. While the games since then perhaps haven't been of the same magnitude, Best has had several big results in Europe for Ulster as his number of appearances has grown. A first win in France came in January 2013 when a dogged performance saw Ulster

Making his 72nd appearance in European club rugby's most prestigious tournament, Best will overtake the previous marker set by Andrew Trimble, which he equaled last week in Llanelli. The captain made his debut in the tournament all the way back in January 2005 when he started at Ravenhill against Gloucester, playing 56 minutes in a 14-12 win. While that campaign may not be quite so fondly remembered, given Ulster finished third in their pool and failed to reach the quarter-finals, Best has been involved in many high-profile and top quality games in Europe. After several lean years for Ulster in European competition, which always ended in an early January elimination, the Province finally reached the quarter-finals for the first time since their 1999 win in 2011. One of the biggest wins in that campaign was at home to Biarritz, with Best captaining the side to arguably Ulster's biggest European win since that victory over Colomiers when Ian Humphreys' late penalty defeated the French side 9-6 at Ravenhill. Although that year Ulster would lose in the quarter-finals, they'd finally broken

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triumph 9-8 over Castres, with Best playing the full 80 minutes in that one too, which also secured top spot in the pool for the first time. An even bigger win in France followed in October of that year, however, as a huge away effort in the second game of the pool stage saw Best and his Ulster team- mates secure a massive 25-8 win over Montpellier at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir. That set up Ulster's best ever pool stage finish in which they went six-from-six and secured top spot in the pool, with another phenomenal outing from Best in Welford Road in that sixth victory. Ruan Pienaar may be the one remembered for his try and sensational kicking display, but once again it was Best at the forefront of a strong pack performance that went toe-to-toe with a massive Tigers pack and emerged victorious, 22-19. European campaigns since then haven't lived up to the excitement of that amazing pool campaign, but there have been some big results within some disappointing seasons, with Europe always driving up the standards within the squad. For instance, the high-scoring 39-32 win over Clermont Auvergne in the first game of the double-headers back in December 2016, Best captaining the side on that occasion and putting in a massive 77-minute shift in a typical European performance for the long-serving hooker. And tonight, Best will add another memorable occasion to an already glittering European career with Ulster, hoping that there will still be more to come before the end of the season.

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WILL ADDISON Utility Back 20.08.1992 186cm 94kg

Hooker 26.05.1993

Hooker 15.08.1982 180cm 106kg 214 Ireland 113

BILLY BURNS Outhalf

RORY BEST

13.06.1994 185cm 85kg 12 —

JOHN ANDREW

181cm 104kg 48 —

6 3

DARREN CAVE Centre

Utility Back 03.02.1994 183cm 90kg 4 —

JOHN COONEY Scrumhalf 01.05.1990 178cm 87kg 33 Ireland 4

Back Row 08.05.1991 192cm 114kg 17 S Africa 28

05.04.1987 183cm 96kg 216 Ireland 11

DAVID BUSBY

MARCELL COETZEE

ULSTER SQUAD 2018/19

ANGUS CURTIS Centre 26.03.1998 178cm 90kg 7 —

IAIN HENDERSON Second Row 21.02.1992

Prop 05.07.1988 180cm 117kg 76 —

CRAIG GILROY Wing

11.03.1991 183cm 91kg 168 Ireland 10

199cm 117kg 98 Ireland 42

WIEHAHN HERBST

ROB HERRING Hooker

ROSS KANE Prop

ROB LYTTLE Wing

Back Row 13.01.1996

GREG JONES

27.04.1990 185cm 102kg 151 Ireland 7

14.10.1994 179cm 116kg 30 —

28.01.1997 174cm 83kg 14 —

196cm 106kg 7 —

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Centre 03.03.1991 181cm 97kg 119 Ireland 11

Hooker 05.09.1996

KYLE McCALL Prop

Utility Back 08.10.1986 182cm 90kg 81 —

LOUIS LUDIK

02.01.1992 176cm 108kg 49 —

182cm 102kg 10 —

LUKE MARSHALL

ADAM McBURNEY

ULSTER SQUAD 2018/19

Outhalf 13.03.1997 179cm 85kg 18 —

Prop 01.03.1991 178cm 119kg 7 Ireland 10

Centre 06.08.1992

Second Row 19.06.1995

MARTY MOORE

194cm 108kg 93 Ireland 3

191cm 103kg

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

STUART McCLOSKEY

— —

CALEB MONTGOMERY

Back Row 22.04.1991 188cm 105kg 6 Ireland 26

IAN NAGLE Lock

Full Back 05.10.1992 180cm 87kg 53 —

ALAN O’CONNOR Second Row 10.09.1992

17.10.1988 201cm 114kg 2 —

JORDI MURPHY

PETER NELSON

197cm 114kg 75 —

Back Row 21.09.1993 193cm 114kg 22 —

TOM O'TOOLE Wing

JACK OWENS Wing

Prop 05.10.1993 183cm 118kg

MATTY REA

23.09.1998 185cm 113kg 14 —

04.10.1995 188cm 94kg 1 —

TOMMY O’HAGAN

— —

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Back Row 10.05.1989

Back Row 14.06.1989

Scrumhalf 20.06.1993 174cm 90kg 30 —

Wing 24.03.1988 186cm 97kg 9 Australia 19

CLIVE ROSS

SEAN REIDY

182cm 103kg 92 Ireland 2

192cm 110kg 63 —

HENRY SPEIGHT

DAVE SHANAHAN

ULSTER SQUAD 2018/19

Scrumhalf 20.02.1998 174cm 77kg 8 —

Utility Back 03.04.1996 191cm 103kg 48 Ireland 14

ALEX THOMPSON Second Row 21.11.1995 201cm 115kg

NICK TIMONEY Back Row 01.08.1995 190cm 113kg 35 —

JONNY STEWART

JACOB STOCKDALE

— —

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

Second Row 06.11.1995

Prop 12.03.1991

198cm 118kg 57 Ireland 3

179cm 112kg 107 —

ANDREW WARWICK

KIERAN TREADWELL

UlsterRugby

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14 13 15 12

1

LOUIS LUDIK

ERIC O’SULLIVAN

7 8 6 5 4 3 2

HENRY SPEIGHT

RORY BEST (C)

MARTY MOORE

WILL ADDISON

IAIN HENDERSON

STUART McCLOSKEY

11

ULSTER RUBGY

JACOB STOCKDALE

KIERAN TREADWELL

10

SEAN REIDY

BILLY BURNS

9

JORDI MURPHY

JOHN COONEY

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 R HERRING K McCALL T O’TOOLE M REA

20 21 22 23

N TIMONEY D SHANAHAN J McPHILLIPS D CAVE

MARCELL COETZEE

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE LUKE PEARCE (ENG) ASSISTANT REFEREES JP DOYLE (ENG) | KARL DICKSON (ENG) TMO GRAHAM HUGHES (ENG)

14 13 15 12

1

JOHNNY McNICHOLL

WYN JONES

7 8 6 5 4 3 2

TOM PRYDIE

KEN OWENS (C)

SCARLETS

SAMSON LEE

JONATHAN DAVIES

HADLEIGH PARKES

JAKE BALL

11

STEFF EVANS

DAVID BULBRING

10

LEWIS RAWLINS

RHYS PATCHELL

9

WILL BOYDE

GARETH DAVIES

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 R ELIAS P PRICE W KRUGER T PRICE

20 21 22 23

J HELPS S HIDALGO-CLYNE D JONES P ASQUITH

UZAIR CASSIEM

Utility Back 12.08.93 182cm 95kg

Centre 13.10.98 183cm 95kg

JAKE BALL Lock

Full Back 30.08.90 185cm 87kg

21.06.91 197cm 124kg

PAUL ASQUITH

COREY BALDWIN

CLAYTON BLOMMETJIES

Back Row 15.12.94

Lock 12.09.89

Back Row 17.03.90 189cm 98kg

Wing 05.02.99 178cm 92kg

WILL BOYDE

UZAIR CASSIEM

RYAN CONBEER

183cm 103kg

199cm 113kg

DAVID BULBRING

Lock 29.03.92 201cm 113kg

Scrumhalf 18.08.90 178cm 88kg

JAMES DAVIES Back Row 25.10.90 187cm 93kg

Centre 05.04.88

SCARLETS SQUAD 2018/19

GARETH DAVIES

STEVE CUMMINS

186cm 104kg

JONATHAN DAVIES

Hooker 30.07.95 184cm 108kg

Hooker 07.01.95

DYLAN EVANS Prop 25.01.89 185cm 117kg

Scrumhalf 25.07.92 183cm 89kg

RYAN ELIAS

TAYLOR DAVIES

187cm 110kg

JONATHAN EVANS

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ROB EVANS Prop

SHAUN EVANS Back Row 14.09.96 183cm 101kg

Wing 01.09.94 178cm 82kg

Prop 09.10.96 182cm 93kg

14.04.92 186cm 116kg

RHYS FAWCETT

STEFFAN EVANS

SCARLETS SQUAD 2018/19

Centre 02.02.88

Prop 10.02.90

Wing 22.12.88 177cm 85kg

Scrumhalf 30.11.95 183cm 87kg

KIERAN HARDY

185cm 105kg

185cm 126kg

KIERON FONOTIA

SIMON GARDINER

LEIGH HALFPENNY

JOSH HELPS Lock

Scrumhalf 04.08.93 175cm 76kg

Hooker 08.01.96 178cm 101kg

Centre 17.02.94 178cm 83kg

22.12.94 197cm 116kg

STEFF HUGHES

DAFYDD HUGHES

SAM HIDALGO-CLYNE

DAN JONES Flyhalf

WYN JONES Prop

ED KENNEDY Lock 19.09.94

Prop 23.01.85 190cm 117kg

07.01.96 183cm 90kg

26.02.92 184cm 114kg

196cm 110kg

WERNER KRUGER

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SAMSON LEE Prop

Back Row 27.10.96

Wing 24.09.90 185cm 96kg

Wing 03.04.98 185cm 96kg

30.11.92 180cm 115kg

JOSH MACLEOD

IOAN NICHOLAS

189cm 110kg

JOHNNY McNICHOLL

Flyhalf 17.09.94 180cm 89kg

KEN OWENS Hooker

Centre 05.10.87

Flyhalf 17.05.93 191cm 92kg

03.01.87 184cm 110kg

ANGUS O’BRIEN

RHYS PATCHELL

187cm 101kg

HADLEIGH PARKES

Back Row 13.02.96

PHIL PRICE Prop

TOM PRICE Lock

Fullback 23.02.92 189cm 95kg

TOM PHILLIPS SCARLETS SQUAD 2018/19

TOM PRYDIE

10.11.88 185cm 114kg

22.01.93 203cm 100kg

192cm 110kg

LEWIS RAWLINS Back Row 13.04.90

Back row 07.08.87

Scrumhalf 14.09.97 175cm 85kg

Lock 04.12.90

DECLAN SMITH

198cm 109kg

197cm 105kg

198cm 106kg

BLADE THOMSON

AARON SHINGLER

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PIVAC: IT HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATING CAMPAIGN Scarlets head to Kingspan Stadium tonight looking to turn around last weekend’s defeat to Ulster Rugby in Round 3 of the Heineken Champions Cup.

same situation as last season but credit to Ulster (on Friday), they were very good. “Unfortunately we’ve had a lot of injuries, which hasn’t helped the situation, but all in all we had opportunities to win those games and didn’t take them.” Reflecting on the defeat to Ulster, Pivac said; “We’re clearly disappointed. We knew what was riding on the game. I thought we improved in areas when we had the ball but we lacked energy in defence. We conceded three tries through a lack of real urgency.”

The one-point defeat leaves the Scarlets all but out of this season’s competition, but coaches and players alike will be keen to ensure a performance and result this weekend to overturn current fortunes. The Scarlets will once again be without some key personnel as injuries keep players sidelined as well as ruling out additional players who picked up knocks in last Friday’s clash. Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Head Coach Wayne Pivac said; “It has been a frustrating campaign. We were virtually in the ROUND 1 Saturday 13th October 2018 Scarlets 13-14 Racing 92 ROUND 2 Friday 19th October 2018 Leicester 45-27 Scarlets ROUND 3 Friday 7th December 2018 Scarlets 24-25 Ulster ROUND 4 Friday 14th December 2018 Ulster v Scarlets ROUND 5 Saturday 12th January 2019 Scarlets v Leicester ROUND 6 Saturday 19th January 2019 Racing 92 v Scarlets 2018/19 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP FIXTURES & RESULTS

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ULSTER RUGBY IN NUMBERS

15,522 Home Match Attendance*

54 Affiliated

2.1 MILLION population

Rugby Clubs

10,303 Season Ticket Holders*

16K Retail Jerseys Sold*

38K Players

96 Affiliated Schools

*Last 3 years average

KEY TERRITORIES

92K Average Broadcast Audience

400K Social Media followers

IRELAND UK EUROPE S. AFRICA

100 HOURS of live coverage across channels

35K Ezine Subscribers

For sponsorship enquiries, contact Fiona.Hampton@ulsterrugby.com

ULSTER V SCARLETS IN EUROPE

HEAD TO HEAD

8 3 5 1

8 5 3 1

CURRENT STANDINGS 2 4

LAST TIME 24 25 07.12.18 PARC Y SCARLETS

PLAYED WINS LOSSES DRAWS

OVERALL EUROPEAN RECORD

OVERALL

HOME

AWAY

WON 72 DRAWN 3 LOST 69

WON 67 DRAWN 3 LOST 78

WON 51 DRAWN 1 LOST 20

WON 42 DRAWN 3 LOST 27

WON 21 DRAWN 2 LOST 49

WON 25 DRAWN 0 LOST 51

CURRENT SEASON PERFORMANCE

METRES

POINTS SCORED

TRIES SCORED

2470 2760

132 207

15 22

TURNOVERS

TACKLES

CLEAN BREAKS

45 60

729 1244

62 62

31 746 104 95 50 9 924 132 63

51 843

OFFLOADS MADE CARRIES DEFENDERS BEATEN TURNOVERS CONCEDED PENALTIES CONCEDED

123 107 71 20 1229 200 97

CONVERSIONS PASSES MADE KICKS FROM HAND LINEOUTS WON

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GUINNESS PRO14 ULSTERv MUNSTER FRIDAY 21 st DECEMBER 7.35 PM - KINGSPAN STADIUM ERT

ULSTERRUGBY.COM/ BUYTICKETS

That splendid, nailbiting Heineken Champions Cup win at Parc y Scarlets a week ago immediately lit the fuse of expectation amongst Ulster fans – and understandably so. R O D N A W N

PROMISE AND POTENTIAL TAKING FLIGHT!

So too Louis Ludik, the epitome of the modern professional, whose value and skillset are often realised fully when he’s been unavailable. Marcell Coetzee scored the bonus-point try, but in tandem with Jordi Murphy, it was the Springbok’s ball-carrying, his tackle count and intelligence at the breakdown which made all Ulster supporters realise what they’d missed in his two-year absence. If Coetzee’s many painful months of knee surgery and rehab are to be rewarded with playing standards like those on show in West Wales, then McFarland could reap huge individual and competition which is so dear to Ulster hearts, and 20 years on from that historic first Irish triumph in Europe, expectations do rise, sometimes to unnatural levels. Racing 92 and Leicester still have much to say about the final outcome in this group when January arrives very quickly! If in 2018/19 this team achieves even a measure of success in the Champions Cup or in the Guinness PRO14 then Eric O’Sullivan will surely know he has set himself a standard after last week’s thunderous hour at prop which he must maintain and indeed improve if he’s to realise the potential Operations Director collective benefits this season. With such an important win in a

But in tonight’s return Pool 4 game at Kingspan Stadium, though supporters may nurse real hope of another memorable European night, there’ll be a very hard- edged mood in the home dressing room, and the opposition will have many reasons to prove the 25-24 defeat in Llanelli demands a response. Tonight will be the fourth time since September that these sides have met, honours shared in the PRO14, but Ulster hadn’t won away for six years until last weekend. Yet Scarlets effectively saw the chance of qualification crushed by what was surely the most complete Ulster performance since Dan McFarland took the Head Coach reins in August. His Backs Coach Dwayne Peel, an unbowed and distinguished son of Llanelli, saw his work rewarded in spades as Jacob Stockdale, Henry Speight and the meteor that is Will Addison sped over for wonderful tries. Jared Payne, who is making the impact he did on the pitch in his new role as Defence Coach, must have allowed himself a smile as the Scarlets’ athletic and innovative assaults from deep and from an experienced, ‘been there before’ pack. Speight, whose short stay will end far too soon, was stalwart in defence and attack, a controlled physical presence and an imaginative, creative and steadying influence at the back.

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Bryn Cunningham could see when wrenching him from a frighteningly-talented Leinster Academy. McFarland had restored something of the natural order in being able to install the indomitable Rory Best at hooker, Iain Henderson at lock, while Addison, Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey have been impressing for Ireland in recent weeks and know that talent needs application and focus. Before last week’s game, McFarland, tellingly, insisted that though European games had a different sense of occasion he did not expect players to be more motivated to perform: any game in an Ulster shirt should command total respect and commitment. To achieve consistency and for the club to compete and to win trophies – and that is overdue – his statement had, perhaps, a nuanced message to his charges and to fans. McFarland was explicit, while recognising the distinctive flavour of Europe, and he was right. When Munster come calling next weekend he’ll demand his squad applies itself and prepares just as emphatically as it as for last weekend and – critically – this evening. Jonathan Davies, that superb Lions centre, was in fine form last week but Addison was operating on a different plane, so that will be just one match- up which will be intriguing, and Wales hooker Ken Owens will be hurting still from the loss at Parc y Scarlets. Top-class players litter the visitors’ panel tonight, but McFarland’s determination to successfully gel gifted youngsters with established, proven international players was positively repaid seven days ago – though that’s a long time in rugby! An Ulster victory at home would achieve two things: relevant European competition going into 2019, and evidence that real progress is being made in restoring the club to the rank of consistent contenders for honours. It’s an important game, yes. The players have reason to believe, and the supporters will pour into the stadium relishing a unique occasion under the lights, allowing themselves justifiable hope of going home full of seasonal cheer. Winning this evening is not a ‘given’, but there are genuine, realistic ambitions for tonight and the future.

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Q&A REFEREE Why did you decide to take up the whistle? I took up rugby union refereeing by pure chance. I was playing ITRA Tag Rugby at Malone back in 2006 with a group of friends. I was asked if I would referee a couple of Tag games, which I did. Brian Lyle, who was the venue Tag manager asked if I’d be interested in completing the USRFR new referee course and I haven’t looked back since. What is the biggest thing you have learned since you started refereeing? The Laws! I didn’t have a background in rugby and as David Wilkinson (former Ulster Rugby Development Manager) said, I referee differently to most other refs, as they have an understanding from a players perspective. I spent a long time reading and re-reading the Law book and constantly bombarding David with silly questions and scenarios to answer. But it helped my understanding and hopefully makes me a better referee. What is your favourite thing about refereeing? I love to get out every Saturday and keeping fit as well. There is great camaraderie between referees and I’ve made some very good friends over the years. What is the most memorable game you’ve been involved with so far? I was very fortunate to be appointed 5th official

B A R R Y O ’ H A R A

at the opening night of Kingspan Stadium. Ulster took on Leinster in a very feisty match with a red card against Ulster’s Tom Court in the first five minutes. What is your pre-match routine like? Normally my kit is packed on a Friday night and set out ready to go. I usually like to be at the ground an hour before kick-off just to help me prepare, say a quick hello to the coaches and try to get team sheets. Then out for a warm up, check studs and chat to the captains. I like to have the formalities over 30 minutes before kick- off to let me start concentrating on the match. What is your ambition as a referee? I have been selected several times as 5th official at Ulster games. The professional game is so different to running out on a Saturday afternoon refereeing an amateur game. I’d love to be involved at that level again in some capacity. What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up refereeing? Stick at it. It’s never going to be a smooth ride, every game is different and you’ll learn something from every game. Refereeing is all about experience, so the more games you get to referee the better you will become.

UlsterRugby

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After working his way back from tearing a tendon in his elbow before the first game of the season, Kyle McCall is eager to get back to action with Ulster and make up for lost time. KYLE McCA

getting back with Ballynahinch and getting involved with the team sessions." Now, having played a couple of games in Division 1B of the All-Ireland League with 'Hinch to work his fitness back up, McCall is ready to jump back up to the senior level and start competing again with Andy Warwick and Eric O'Sullivan for the loosehead jersey. "I hadn't played for 'Hinch for about three years so it was great to get back there and get some minutes under my belt and contribute to them. It was great playing rugby again, getting that enjoyment back," says the former Wallace High prop. "It's great to see Eric O'Sullivan doing so well. Having that competition is something that we all need to strive to push each other in. There's a loosehead spot for the taking and one of us needs to take it, so it's about trying to get the best out of each other and fair play to Eric and Wazza (Andy Warwick) who have been doing brilliantly." This week McCall will again be on the bench when the Scarlets come calling to Kingspan Stadium in the second game of the Heineken Champions Cup doubleheader.

Having initially been named on the bench for that opener against the Scarlets, McCall suffered a freak injury when doing some additional work after training when he hyper-extended his arm, tearing the tendon. It led to a frustrating three-month stay on the sidelines which, for the Lisburn man, was a bitter pill to swallow having put in a lot of hard work and impressed during pre-season. "It was tough realising I was injured before the first game of the season, I'd put in a lot of graft during pre-season so the first few weeks was tough trying to get my head around that, but once I was back in training it was good for me," admits McCall. "I was given a time frame of 12 weeks and the whole way through I was a couple of weeks ahead of schedule so it was just giving myself a target in different areas to get back playing. "I focused on a few key areas I wanted to work on in the gym, and Dan Soper has been a great addition to the club, he does skill sessions every day with us to keep us on top of that. "It was great to improve myself while injured, but the last few weeks have been great,

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L

After last week's bonus point victory at the Parc y Scarlets, which has put Ulster in a strong position in Pool Four, there is the perception that backing it up against the Welsh side, who are more or less eliminated, should be a formality. However, McCall warns against complacency, believing that last year's semi-finalists aren't coming to Belfast simply to make up the numbers, but to exact revenge for last Friday's result. "It's no different to how you approach the first game. We're going out to win, especially at Kingspan," insists the 26-year- old. "We're not relying on the atmosphere, obviously the atmosphere at Kingspan is amazing but we can't rely on that, we need to back it up by going out and playing our game and doing our thing. "We have to prepare well - if you're not complacent in your preparation then you won't be complacent during the game, you'll lead into the game well and you'll start the game well. That's what we're focusing on, preparing well to bring it into the game."

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Subway proudly welcomes mini rugby’s finest from across the Province at half time. We’d like to say a big thank you to the coaches, parents, and volunteers who dedicate their time to mini rugby - you’re creating the future stars of Ulster Rugby. Fresh talent

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