Ulster Rugby v Wasps

The hard fought win against Connacht in the PRO14 last Friday evening took us up to second in Conference B and gave the team great momentum going forward into tonight’s game. Along with Wasps, who reached the quarter final stage of the competition last season, Ulster is joined by La Rochelle and Harlequins in Pool 1. Against such quality opposition, a win tonight would provide us with a much desired good start. We extend a hearty Ulster welcome to all the Wasps management, players and supporters and wish them an enjoyable stay in the Province. The Ulster A team, sponsored by CD group, also begin their British & Irish Cup campaign this weekend when they meet Scarlets Premiership Select side at Rifle Park, Banbridge, on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm). Your support would, as always, be most welcome. With the schools and age-grade inter-pro season having now been completed, we are pleased to congratulate all who took part, with a special mention for the 18 players from age-grade teams involved with National Training Squad during the summer, the 13 Ulster players currently in the Ireland U20 squad and the 12 Ulster Schools’ players selected for Ireland Schools’ Camp in early November. Six Ulster U19 players have also been selected for Ireland U19 Camp in the coming weeks. This would have been seven except that one player is currently in NZ and would not have been able to attend. After four rounds of All Ireland League games in as many weeks, the teams have a rest this weekend. With Ballynahinch and Banbridge lying second in Division 1B, Malone top of 2A with Armagh close behind, Rainey fourth in 2B and Bangor second in 2C, Ulster clubs are, in the main, performing well. This weekend most senior club games involve the various cup competitions – we have the First Trust Senior Cup quarter-finals and the first round of the Crawford and Foster Cups, as well as a full programme of fixtures in the three divisions of the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship. We also have a full programme of schools’ friendlies and age-grade games in local leagues across the Province, so get out and support 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 Round 1 game against English Premiership side Wasps. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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

your team! SUFTUM! Graffin Parke President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

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