Ulster Rugby vs Bath

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

Today’s game is of huge importance with Ulster still aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals, and a win would book a place in the final eight for the second year in succession. Dan and the team will no doubt be frustrated with the defeat in Clermont last weekend, but it is encouraging that we now have a squad that will travel to one of the most difficult away venues in Europe and expect a result. Our opponents today have had a difficult and frustrating Champions Cup campaign, which started with Ulster edging out a 16-17 victory at The Rec in November. However, they still possess a squad littered with international quality, so I have no doubt that Ulster will be fully focused on the task at hand and will be well prepared for a significant challenge from Bath. After today’s game, the playing squad will get a well deserved break following a prolonged period of thirteen games in as many weeks, including six Heineken Champions Cup ties and four inter- provincial derbies. The Six Nations Championship is also on the horizon, and I congratulate the eight Ulster players who have been selected in Andy Farrell’s first squad, in particular Billy Burns and Tom O’Toole, who could earn their first international caps. It is also great to see another of Ulster’s most exciting young prospects Robert Baloucoune included in the development group, which is another nod to the work being done in Ulster’s player pathway. On the domestic front, I would like to congratulate Rainey Old Boys RFC who won the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership for the first time in the club’s history just before Christmas. Enniskillen RFC also had a historic maiden Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup title to celebrate, thanks to a thrilling win over City of Armagh at Kingspan Stadium. Well done to them. I would also like to send my support and best wishes to Dromore RFC who travel to Morrissey Park to take on Kilfeacle & District RFC in the All Ireland Junior Cup Final next weekend. To the visiting Bath Officers, management and playing squad, I hope you have an enjoyable, but not successful trip to Belfast. To the Ulster supporters – today is the third game in a row where you have packed out Kingspan Stadium. Thank you for your outstanding continued support, which I have no doubt makes a huge difference to the team. Let’s get right behind them again today from the very first whistle! SUFTUM! Gary Leslie President, IRFU Ulster Branch On behalf of Ulster Rugby, I would like to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this afternoon’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture versus Bath.

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2019/20 OFFICERS Gary Leslie President Philip Gregg Senior Vice President Denis Gardiner Junior Vice President & Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary Jonny Petrie Chief Executive Officer

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

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