Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

PRICE £3.00

RUGBY VS FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2015, KINGSPAN STADIUM, KICK OFF 19:35 CARDIFF BLUES

LEADING THE FIELD

Hello and welcome to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby. We are delighted to welcome you here in what is sure to be a rousing return to the Guinness PRO12. This evening’s fixture against the Cardiff Blues is sure to be a close one. Recent form and the history of this fixture would suggest that we are in for an exciting encounter and both sides will be hoping to secure a much needed win. The Rugby World Cup has proven that form is no sure indicator of success and there is a need to perform at ones best in every game to achieve it. Ulster Rugby is a club that not only understands this, but builds and plans for it – so too has Kingspan. Our partnership with Ulster Rugby plays a central role in that plan as we help each other to achieve success on and off the field.

On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success tonight, and for the month ahead.

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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 gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Kingspan Stadium this evening for this Guinness PRO12 match against Cardiff Blues.

I would particularly like to welcome the officials, players and supporters who have made the trip from Wales and I hope that you enjoy your time in Belfast. With the World Cup taking place this is just the fifth round of the PRO12, but more importantly it is just the second of 16 consecutive games for both teams. This will mean that the coaches will have to carefully manage the player’s game time to ensure that they get sufficient time to recover. Cardiff has got off to a shaky start with only one win to date and will be intent on bettering their position of eighth in the PRO12 this evening. Ulster have also got off to a shaky start and will want to capitalise on the reputation of ‘Fortress Kingspan’. I had hoped that I would be congratulating Ireland on reaching the semi-final of the World Cup but unfortunately that was not to be. When you look at the results of the quarter-finals I think the last pool game between France took too much out of both sides as they both looked tired in their matches. With the World Cup over for Ireland we can look forward to our Ulster

representatives returning to Kingspan Stadium. Les Kiss will be taking up his appointment as Director of Rugby in November and I welcome him and his family to Belfast and I hope that they enjoy their time here. This week sees the first round of the All Ireland Junior Cup and I wish Ulster’s representatives Bangor, Clogher Valley, Dromore and Instonians good luck and I hope to see their names in the quarter-final draw. Tonight is a special night for our charity of the year, Alzheimer’s Society. Fans have been asked to wear funky hats and bucket collectors will be around the stadium. Please donate as much as you can to this fantastic cause and help support their ‘Don’t keep it under your hat’ campaign. I hope that you all enjoy the game tonight and give Cardiff Blues a great Ulster reception this evening. Good luck to Ulster and remember, STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN!! 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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Welcome to Round 5 of the Guinness PRO12 Firstly, may I say what another great weekend of rugby that was with unfortunately three of our four PRO12 countries narrowly losing out in the quarter–finals at the Rugby World Cup. Italy have also ensured automatic qualification for RWC 2019 in Japan. The Guinness PRO12 had more representation in RWC 2015 than any other club competition with 106 players representing 10 countries participating, all these stars will be back with their clubs soon now that their RWC duties are done but they have helped ignite an excellent Rugby World Cup. Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar is still on RWC duty and we wish him well in tomorrow’s semi-final vs New Zealand. We have another great season of rugby ahead and the Guinness PRO12 will continue its year-on-year growth and development. All teams can now target and look forward to this season’s Guinness PRO12 Final at BT Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday 28th May 2016, one of rugby fans’ top destinations! Tickets are now on public sale and the demand is excellent. Our partnership with Guinness has been an unqualified success both on and off the park. The continued support of our other partners Specsavers and Rhino Rugby is also recognised as a key component in our growth as a competition. We again thank our very strong suite of broadcasters, our newest broadcast partner Sky Sports together with BBC - Alba, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, S4C, TG4 and Rai Sport in Italy. Today’s game will see Ulster trying to maintain their winning home record and move further up the table. Their Kingspan Stadium fixture against Cardiff Blues is always close and entertaining as the men of Cardiff like to run the ball a lot too, so there should be lots of exciting rugby tonight – enjoy! We acknowledge the excellent work of all of our match officials and disciplinary officers and wish them all well for Round 5 and the season ahead. The ongoing support of the media in promoting our sport and our competition is key to the development of the Guinness PRO12 and we look forward to continuing and enhancing our work together. To you the fans, we extend a very warm welcome back to Round 5 in the Guinness PRO12,

your support of your club is key. Have a great weekend of rugby!

Together Stronger

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

ABI TOLAND (9) Abi is from Carrickfergus and attends Rockport School. She enjoys sailing, hockey, netball, golf, swimming, horse riding and supporting Ulster. Her favourite player is Paddy Jackson because he is a really good kicker and when she grows up she would like to work in the film industry making animation films.

JASMINE BELL (10) Jasmine is from Moira and attends Moira Primary School. She plays mini rugby at Lisburn RFC and also enjoys horse riding, mountain biking, camping and video games. Her favourite player is Rory Best because he is big and strong and when she grows up she would like to be a Youtuber, an author and take care of horses and small livestock.

THE NSC WILL BE OPEN HALLOWEEN WEEK (MON 26th Oct to SAT 31st Oct) FROM 10AM - 5PM Email: nevinspencecentre@ulsterrugby.com to book.

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ROGER WILSON ON EDINBURGH: It was a disappointing away trip, we defended quite well for most of the game. We knew it was going to be a physical game as it always is over there, but looking back over the video analysis, we came out second best in terms of physicality. Teams are going to up their game on their home turf so we have to make sure we are better. We created plenty of opportunities but similar to the Scarlets game we just turned over too much ball and we really weren’t clinical enough. ON TRAINING THIS WEEK: Looking after the ball is our main priority, our handling was poor at times and there were a few unforced errors. It came as a bit of a shock to us how physical Edinburgh were in defence so we will put pressure on ourselves to hold onto the ball when there is a physical defence coming at us and a little bit on set piece also. Our performance obviously isn’t where we want it to be. ON LOOSING KEY PLAYERS TOWORLD CUP DUTY The team is affected when you are missing your international players, they are the ones with the most experience especially someone like Rory who has been a really good leader for us for a number of years. But in saying that we should have enough players with experience here to take the reins when they are away. As the game went on last weekend, there were maybe some more inexperienced players coming on off the bench but that isn’t an excuse. I think any team if you take away their four or five big leaders on international duty they will struggle a little bit but we should have enough experience in the side to deal with that. ON GETTING THEM BACK Ireland’s defeat was disappointing but it’s a double edged sword - its good for Ulster because we get those players back a little bit earlier but disappointing for the guys who have worked so hard over the past few months, I am sure the guys will

get some time off to recuperate and the guys that haven’t played an awful lot will be keen to get back into an Ulster jersey as soon as possible. The guys who have been away whether its World Cup, Autumn Internationals or Six Nation, they always tend to come back enthusiastic, which provides a lift for the team as a whole. ON CARDIFF BLUES We are always confident at home, no matter who we play, we have a good record against Cardiff so hopefully we will put last weekends disappointment behind us. We spoke about our inconsistencies during the week, we seem to get the performances right at home and then away from home the standard drops slightly. But we don’t want to worry about that this week, we will put our heads down and hopefully put in a good performance for the home crowd on Friday night. ON ULSTER’S SUCCESSFUL RUN AT HOME Teams always raise their game at home, whether that is down to home comforts, home crowd or regular routine, I don’t know. Referees also tend to favour the home team slightly as well so that could play a part. But those are small things and we are a team that has finished in the top four for the last number of years, we want to be the best in the league so those things really should not decide games. It’s a tough one to answer, but generally I just think teams up their game at home and therefore whenever we travel – we have to perform even better than we would at Kingspan Stadium. ON LES KISS JOINING ULSTER RUGBY Les has a great track record as a coach, he has experienced the highest level of rugby so has an added insight into what it takes to perform on an international stage. Preparation, mind set and discipline he will have a deep knowledge of. But we are very happy with our coaching set up at the minute so I think Les will really come in to enhance what is in place at the minute and wont make any drastic changes.

ROGER WILSON

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ROGER WILSON

“THE GUYS WHO HAVE BEEN AWAY WHETHER ITS WORLD CUP, AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS OR SIX NATION, THEY ALWAYS TEND TO COME BACK ENTHUSIASTIC, WHICH PROVIDES A LIFT FOR THE TEAM AS A WHOLE.”

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ASK LUKE MARSHALL

SQUAD Q & A

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? Grand Designs FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Donegal FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? Il Pirata in Ballyhackamore FAVOURITE HOBBY/PAST TIME? Waterskiing and walking my dog IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? Daffy Duck, because I think it would be fun to be a duck BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Success is just a matter of luck, ask any failure! WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? Just chill out in the house, walk the dog and listen to music just before the game to get me in the zone DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCK CHARMS? No WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? Practise your skills over and over again, even if it gets boring it is worth it WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? Have a better season than last year and stay fit!

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT IAN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @ILUKEMARSHALL121

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ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY Alzheimer’s Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the people who care for them. Through our work we support people to live well with dementia today and fund research to find a cure for tomorrow.

cannot receive the support, information and treatment they need to live well with dementia. Liz Cunningham, from Belfast, was 48 years old when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s: “I was still working as an IT teacher when I first started having worries about my memory and when I went to the Doctor, they thought it was just the menopause. I became very emotional, distraught and I couldn’t even form a sentence without crying - I never thought it would be dementia.

There are currently 19,765 people in Northern Ireland living with dementia, with that figure set to rise as the population ages. We have more than 135 local services and we rely on voluntary donations to provide these. We provide information and support to people through our National Dementia Helpline, CrISP (Carers Information and Support Programme), Dementia Advisers and Support Workers, Dementia Cafes, Befriending, Carer Support Groups and our innovative Singing for the Brain groups. We are dedicated to

“A year later I was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 48 years old. I am now 52 and my life has changed dramatically since my diagnosis. I can still do things, but I just have to find different ways of doing them. There is definitely life after diagnosis and I’m proof of that - you just need to pace yourself and not panic.

defeating dementia through pioneering research, and fund an innovative programme of research into the cause, cure, care and prevention of dementia. By 2017, we aim to spend at least £10 million a year on new research projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Dementia can be a very isolating disease - I’m lucky that I have a lot of support from my husband and family and of course, the Alzheimer’s Society. This support has helped me create a new more positive life that has made my life worth living.” MEMORYWALK This year’s Belfast Memory Walk was the biggest and best it’s ever been! Almost 3,000 people of all ages enjoyed the late autumn sun and walked around the Stormont Estate in Belfast. The annual event is a chance to remember loved ones, with people choosing to ‘walk for’ grandmothers, grandfathers,

We demand a better future for everyone affected by all forms of dementia and with the help of our members and supporters we campaign for change that will improve all aspects of care and support. To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society, please visit alzheimers.org.uk or call 028 9066 4100 ‘DON’T KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT’ Alzheimer’s Society is urging people worried about their memory ‘Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat’, which kick-offs at a special themed charity match tonight against the Cardiff Blues. Supporters are asked to wear a hat as a conversation starter, encouraging people to talk and support the campaign - the funkier the better! Many of us notice that our memory gets worse as we get older, but it can be difficult to tell whether this is a sign of an underlying condition like dementia. Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to seek help as soon as possible. There are nearly 7,000 people with dementia in Northern Ireland who don’t have a formal diagnosis and without a diagnosis they

wives and husbands affected by dementia. The event has already raised over £120,000 to help fund Alzheimer’s Society vital services across Northern Ireland. The walk was officially started by Ulster Rugby’s Craig Gilroy, who attended with his family. Every year the success of the Memory Walk is dependent on fantastic volunteers who help with marshalling, registration and countless other tasks. We would like to thank everyone who took part and everyone who supported this year’s Memory Walk. ULSTER RUGBY CHARITY PARTNER 2015/16

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TO DONATE CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER CARE LINE ON 0330 333 0804 OR VISIT WWW.ALZHEIMERS.ORG.UK/DONATE

ULSTER RUGBY CHARITY PARTNER 2015/16

DONATE TO ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY There are lots of ways to donate By phone contacting our customer care line on 0330 333 0804 Online at www.alzheimers.org.uk/donate Or even by good old fashioned post… FREEPOST RTLT-SSCX-RZUA Alzheimer’s Society Scott Lodge, Scott Road Plymouth PL2 3DU

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TO DONATE CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER CARE LINE ON 0330 333 0804 OR VISIT WWW.ALZHEIMERS.ORG.UK/DONATE

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

On Saturday 10th October Ulster Rugby launched a Women’s Athlete Performance Programme as part of a strategy to increase its representation in the Ireland squad ahead of the Women’s World Cup coming to Belfast in 2017. URSC SUPPORTS WOMEN’S ATHLETE PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME

FEMALE RUGBY

potential. Our intention as a province is to see Ulster Women represent Ireland and contribute to continued successes on the International stage.” URSC Chairman Jonathan Bill said: “URSC recognises the importance of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2017 and the need to use it to provide a legacy for growing the female game in Ulster.” Fellow URSC Committee member Niki Wild, herself an ex-Ireland international, added: “We hope that URSC funding will provide a local girl with an immediate opportunity to properly and professionally prepare for the biggest competition the women’s game can provide. In turn, hopefully the Irish team’s performance will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”

Around 15 talented players will be selected for the programme, which is part-funded with £2000 this season and next by the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club (URSC). The programme will include additional on-field training with advanced technical and tactical sessions as well as strength and conditioning support, rehab, mental skills and lifestyle support. Ulster Rugby’s Female Rugby Officer, Neal Johnston, welcomed the initiative: “With this generous donation from URSC, we are able to establish a programme of delivery to support female athletes with identified talent and provide more comprehensive support in a performance environment that will allow them the very best opportunity to reach their aspirations and

Whilst the Athlete Performance Programme represents the ambition to improve representation at the highest level, this can only be sustained with a vibrant and competitive domestic rugby environment.

Across Ulster we currently have two adult female teams competing in All Ireland League 1, six adult teams in Ulster Division 1, seven in Ulster Division 2, with four U15 and five U18 teams participating in competitive youth leagues. In addition to this their numerous clubs, both adult and youth at varying stages of development who play friendlies and take part in blitzes throughout the season. More females are taking up the game from mini to adult level and with this increased popularity

comes an increased need for coaches, parents and volunteers to help develop effective and sustainable structures. If you are a player, ex-player, coach, parent or someone with an interest in getting involved in this rapidly growing game in any capacity, please do not hesitate to contact Ulster Rugby’s Female Rugby Officer, Neal Johnston on 07767 115 764 or via email Neal.Johnston@Ulsterrugby.com

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MEET BRENDA BROWN

Brenda volunteers for Ulster Rugby, as well as for our 2015/16 charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society...

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

when my two passions came together this year and I decided to formalise the volunteering relationship and really get involved as a member of the Charity Action Team. I have been an accredited volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society in excess of six years. Having received help from them from my mother’s diagnosis until her death I wanted to support other families experiencing the same or similar issues to us. I started with fundraising and now help with the Memory Walk, volunteer recruitment and I am a Dementia Friendly Communities Champion - basically, any area of need where I can assist. HAVE YOU HAD ANY PARTICULAR HIGHLIGHTS WHILE VOLUNTEERING? I’ve had a few highlights so far, such as getting to meet Chris Henry and Iain Henderson and talking to other volunteers and rugby fans from all over the country. I think I am most looking forward to the ‘Don’t keep it under your hat’ night against Cardiff Blues. This is a great opportunity for people to start talking about dementia and for everyone to join in

NICKNAME: Wee B FAVOURITE SONG:

Uptown Funk - holds great memories of the marathon walk this year. Dancing along the Sydenham Bypass as it blasted out, making my sister-in-law hide behind her hands! FAVOURITE TV SHOW? Only Connect FAVOURITE ULSTER PLAYER? Unfair question - they are all good! WHAT’SYOURFAVOURITESPORTINGMEMORY? Ulster Rugby - 1999. Need I say more? WHOWOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? A lift engineer! TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT: I am shameless when it comes to promoting Alzheimer’s Society, even raising awareness by wearing my branded jersey while on holiday in Hawaii this year! (pictured) WHAT SORT OF VOLUNTEERING ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I have been helping out Ulster Rugby over the past few years - selling calendars, collecting donations and even helping people figure out how to get their print-out to scan the barcode reader at the gates! I have found that a bit of chat and a great big smile increases the positive experience for all supporters, as well as generating a bit of extra money into my bucket! WHAT MADE YOUWANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER? I enjoy rugby and have been happy to help as needed over the past few years. I was delighted

by wearing a funky hat or a cool cap! For more information on Dementia Friendly Communities, please visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk

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DALE FARM POURS INNOVATION INTO MILK Dairy company launches fresh milk with 50% additional natural milk protein.

OFFICIAL PARTNER

Dale Farm has developed a fresh milk product enriched with 50% more natural milk protein than standard milk and aimed at meeting the nutritional needs of the active consumer. The latest innovation from Northern Ireland’s leading dairy company, Dale Farm Protein Milk, has already been recognised by Ulster Rugby for its sports nutrition benefits, featuring it as part of the team’s nutritional programme. “Dale Farm continues to analyse emerging trends to ensure our product portfolio reflects the needs of today’s consumer,” explains Jason Hempton, Commercial Director – Branded Products at Dale Farm. “Consumers are increasingly more aware of the connection between nutrition and exercise, particularly the role of protein in the growth and repair of muscle and the hydrating power of milk. We developed Dale Farm Protein Milk to create a fresh product which naturally boosts protein intake, is convenient to consume and is similar in taste to standard fresh milk. We are delighted to say that we have achieved all three objectives. Having early recognition from Ulster Rugby is testament to the quality and nutritional value of the product,” Jason said.

Ulster Rugby’s Head of Strength and Conditioning Jonathan Davis added: “We advocate a nutritional philosophy of ‘food first’ and Dale Farm Protein Milk fits perfectly with this. Protein plays a vital role in high performance sports and Dale Farm Protein Milk will help meet the team’s requirements by assisting with muscle growth and repair following a training session or match.” Dale Farm Protein Milk is the first fresh protein- enriched milk to be produced in Northern Ireland and is the company’s first step into sports nutrition. “We believe this product will appeal to the large segment of people who follow active lifestyles, from individual fitness regimes to team sports, and are confident that it represents a significant growth opportunity for our business and the Northern Ireland dairy farmers who supply us with milk,” said Jason. Dale Farm Protein Milk is available in Asda, Tesco, SPAR, Nisa, SuperValu, Centra and Costcutter stores across Northern Ireland – and comes in original, strawberry and chocolate flavours. Visit www.dalefarm.co.uk or www.facebook. com/dalefarmni for further information.

Ulster Rugby’s Andrew Trimble, Robbie Diack and Wiehahn Herbst ‘lined out’ to launch Dale Farm’s Protein Milk, a fresh milk with 50% additional milk protein, which is now available at stores across Northern Ireland, and forms an integral part of Ulster Rugby’s ‘food first’ performance nutrition programme.

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OFFICIAL CLOTHING PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY

ULSTER RUGBY DRESSED FOR SUCCESS WITH REMUS UOMO FASHION BRAND EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH ULSTER RUGBY Leading men’s fashion brand Remus Uomo has announced the extension of its association with Ulster Rugby as ‘official clothing partner’ for the 2015/16 season.

OFFICIAL PARTNER

The partnership, part of a major integrated marketing campaign for the menswear brand, will see the Ulster Rugby squad and key personnel tailored on match days in exclusive bespoke Remus Uomo outfits. Key pieces from Ulster Rugby’s Remus Uomo collection, which will be worn by the team on match days, include a navy wool-rich tweed jacket with contrast collar, a pale blue shirt with distinctive trim detail, a wool silk tie embroidered with the Ulster Rugby logo, a merino-wool sweater and navy, garment-washed cotton chinos. Adam Finlay from Remus Uomo said: “We have established a strong relationship with Ulster Rugby over the past 12 months and we are delighted to extend this partnership for the 2015/16 season. “This new commitment will allow us to further strengthen our affiliation with an iconic sporting organisation and help showcase the Remus Uomo menswear collection in a dynamic and impactful way. “We have once again delivered a quality, bespoke tailoring solution for Ulster Rugby that fits each

player individually and will certainly set them apart from the opposition.” Phillip Polack, Business Development Manager at Ulster Rugby, said: “Remus Uomo is a distinctly stylish brand and their designers have worked together with Ulster Rugby to deliver custom-made suits for the players to wear on match nights. The partnership will also aim to deliver bespoke experiences for supporters on match nights, which we are looking forward to delivering together.”

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SWITCHING ON THE ELECTRICITY! Ulster returned from Edinburgh last weekend ruing another away loss, and also reflecting on the narrow margins between a win and defeat.

“We play Cardiff here at Kingspan Stadium in front of our own fans and that is always a real ‘plus’ for the boys, you really can’t over-emphasise how important the support is. “I sometimes think that teams and officials might try to remember more that rugby should be a spectacle, something the crowd wants to see regularly, and in our games against the Ospreys and Treviso we did play some really entertaining stuff as individuals and as a unit. You can feel the electricity a packed Kingspan Stadium gives, and we want to give the supporters the rugby we can play and they want to see – entertaining, winning rugby. “It’s what we all want to see and now that the season is really underway we know it’s going to be demanding, but it sharpens the focus to have a game every week.” Doak has looked closely at tonight’s opponents and recognises the quality the Blues have in all areas of the pitch. Cardiff, like Ulster, contributed fully to the Word Cup squad and perhaps some of the more lightly-raced in the international group will play some role. Ulster’s Head Coach is taking a ‘softly, softly’ approach to the possibility of his Irish contingent’s availability for selection, acutely aware that mentally and physically they have all been in a gruelling environment at the World Cup. He intended to talk to all the healthy returned during the week, take advice and guidance from the Irish management and as a former top-drawer player himself, knows that individuals respond in different ways. Those who have been regularly figuring in the green shirt in the last five weeks, and been in an intense camp regime for months, may need some time to recharge batteries, some may want to put the ultimate disappointment behind them and play some part quite quickly. Sadly Jared Payne and Tommy Bowe were injured during the Ireland campaign, Ruan Pienaar continues his RWC odyssey with South Africa for at least another week, so they won’t be under immediate consideration, but the depth of the squad is such that daunting though the challenges ahead are, there’s total confidence in the players available for selection.

Head Coach Neil Doak compared the performance of his side as sometimes too passive, observing a similarity in Ireland’s World Cup exit in Cardiff by Argentina. The lack of clinical finishing was also identified against the Scottish club which, under Alan Solomons, boasts four Guinness PRO12 wins in as many outings but whose attritional style seemed to disconcert the visitors. “I think it was clear we were the team that wanted to, and did, play the rugby, but they were well- organised, they posed real problems at the breakdown, and although we gave ourselves every chance we just didn’t capitalise,” he said, clearly frustrated by the meagre return of one losing point. And he might have been justified in wondering if Edinburgh rode their luck a little in terms of the interpretation of the offside law, for some of us with long memories the ghost of Finlay Calder – a wily former Scottish flanker and captain – had apparently been resuscitated for the bleak Friday night at Murrayfield! But Doak is not one for making excuses; rather he examines what more he and his players might have done in such circumstances, so this week the emphasis will have been on the areas where he places so much importance: accuracy and discipline. The defeat on the road at Scarlets had been littered with basic mistakes and some dubious decision- making, and there were shades of that again at Murrayfield. With a squad of such quality the issue of not replicating home performances away from Belfast is something the management don’t want to be prolonged. With two outstanding try-bonus wins at Kingspan Stadium this ‘stop-and-start’ season there is emphatic evidence of what can be achieved. “Hopefully now that we have embarked on a 16-match sequence in the PRO12 and in Europe we can get the continuity we definitely need,” said Doak. “We’ll work hard, as we do every week, and there’s no doubt that if this group of players can go on a bit of a run we’ll have the right mindset for a winning formula.

ROD NAWN

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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

The Blues came out narrowly on the wrong side of a high-scoring loss to top-of-the-table Munster last weekend, but coach Danny Wilson is shrewdly strengthening the squad, and with Phil John responsible for organising the backs, the Welsh team will undoubtedly be inventive. At flyhalf, Rhys Patchell is regarded as one of the brightest young stars of the game in Wales, and though he limped out of Kingspan Stadium last season, he’ll be someone the Ulster back row will hope to limit in his playmaking role. Along with centre Tom Isaacs, a try-scorer in Munster, Ulster will need to close down the midfield axis between him and his gifted outhalf. Hooker Matthew Rees is a veteran of the international scene, and the pack is one which Doak sees as a unit which Ulster must confront and master. That means the players leaving the home dressing room must be prepared, and quickly, for a game of immense physicality, and in Wiehann Herbst, Rob Herring, Franco van der Merwe and Roger Wilson providing a spine of some experience and strength, Ulster has the resources to provide a platform for the talented three-quarter line. “We now need to show that we have energetic minds and energetic bodies to kick-start the season,” said Doak. “We have three away games coming up but if we can get all the things we’ve worked on right against Cardiff, get the performance and the result, we put ourselves right in the PRO12 frame and have the launchpad for the busy schedule ahead.” Cardiff Blues is a club with a rich and proud tradition, the legends associated with the Arms Park are legion, but it arrives in Belfast hoping that it can realise the ambitions of its management and players and restore itself as the pinnacle of the club game in Wales and beyond. It’s an intriguing contest, one which promises some compelling, entertaining, attack-minded rugby. For home fans the wish is they will pour out of the stadium tonight with Cardiff still in possession of ‘the Blues’!

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JOHN ANDREW

SAM ARNOLD

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg 6 —

Centre 08.04.96 182cm 96kg 6 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

MARK BEST

RORY BEST

Centre 02.12.89 185cm 87kg

Hooker 15.08.82 178cm 106kg 170 89

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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 67

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

89 —

PETER BROWNE

DARREN CAVE

Second row 25.10.87 201cm 116kg 3 —

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

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ROBBIE DIACK

WILLIE FALOON

Back row 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 154 2 // 2A

Back row 30.09.86 186cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

66 —

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 111 6 // 2A

Second row 21.02.92 199cm 117kg 49 23 // 3A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

24

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 132 24

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 120kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

28 —

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 185cm 102kg 74 1 // 2A

Flyhalf 24.04.82 178cm 84kg 104 7A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PADDY JACKSON

PAUL JACKSON

Flyhalf 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 81 13 // 1A

Hooker 24.06.89 185cm 106kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CONOR JOYCE

LOUIS LUDIK

Back row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 —

Utility back 10.08.86 182cm 92kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

29 —

RICKY LUTTON

LUKE MARSHALL

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 113kg

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 97kg 65 6

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

27 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 150 3 // 2A

Hooker 02.01.92 177cm 111kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

25

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©2015 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

STUART McCLOSKEY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Centre 06.08.92 194cm 111kg

Back row 04.07.90 193cm 108kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

23 —

JONNY MURPHY

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

Hooker 06.02.92 178cm 106kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 114kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PETER NELSON

ALAN O’CONNOR

Utility back 05.10.92 180cm 85kg

Second row 10.09.92 197cm 114kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

26 —

13 —

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Utility back 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 36 2

POSITION BORN

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

61 10

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 97 87 (SA)

Back row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

11 —

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 116kg

Back row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

22 —

22 —

27

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PAUL ROWLEY

RORY SCHOLES

Scrumhalf 15.12.87 179cm 86kg 0 —

Utility back 24.04.93 187cm 95kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

11 —

JONNY SIMPSON

LEWIS STEVENSON

Prop 19.08.90 184cm 110kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

Second row 01.06.84 198cm 118kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

82 —

FRANK TAGGART

ANDREW TRIMBLE

Back row 14.10.94 188cm 108kg 0 —

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 191 58 // 3A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

Second row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 127 11 // 4A

POSITION BORN

Second row 15.03.83 198cm 117kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

29 —

ANDREWWARWICK

NICK WILLIAMS

Prop 12.03.91 179cm 110kg

POSITION BORN

Back row 02.12.91

POSITION BORN

189cm 125kkg

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

33 —

60 —

ROGER WILSON

SAMWINDSOR

Back row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 185 1 // 11 A

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

29

ULSTER RUGBY FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER KICK O

15

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

CALLUM BLACK

LOUIS LUDIK

14 13 12 11 9 10

ROB HERRING (C)

ANDREW TRIMBLE

WIEHAHN HERBST

SAM ARNOLD

ULSTER RUGBY

LEWES STEVENSON

STUART McCLOSKEY

FRANCO VD MERWE

CRAIG GILROY

ROGER WILSON

IAN HUMPHREYS

SEAN REIDY

PAUL MARSHALL

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 J ANDREW A WARWICK R LUTTON P BROWNE

W FALOON D SHANAHAN P JACKSON D CAVE

8

NICK WILLIAMS

TODAYS OFFICIALS

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE’S CITING COMMISSIONER TMO

BEN WHITEHOUSE SRU, 11TH COMPETITION GAME NIGEL CORRELL IRFU // PAUL HAYCOCK IRFU EDDIE WALSH IRFU BRIAN MACNEICE IRFU

30

CARDIFF BLUES 015 - KINGSPAN STADIUM F 19:35

14 13 12 11 15 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SAM HOBBS

DAN FISH

CARDIFF BLUES

MATTHEW REES

ALED SUMMERHILL

CRAIG MITCHELL

TOM ISAACS

ADAM THOMAS

LOU REED

JAMES DOWN

RICHARD SMITH

CAM DOLAN

RHYS PATCHELL

JOSH TURNBULL

TAVIS KNOYLE

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 E LEWIS T DAVIES T FILISE C DICOMIDIS

M COOK, L JONES J EVANS G SMITH

JOSH NAVIDI (C)

31

CORY ALLEN

MACAULEY COOK

Centre 11.02.93 193cm 102kg Wales (4)

Lock 31.12.91 193cm 112kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

ALEX CUTHBERT

KRISTIAN DACEY

Wing 05.04.90 198cm 106kg Wales (39)

Hooker 25.07.89 188cm 112kg Wales (2)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16 GARETH DAVIES

TOM DAVIES

Fly Half 02.03.84 175cm 83kg —

Prop 10.03.93 188cm 109kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

CHRIS DICOMIDIS

CAM DOLAN

Lock / Back Row 14.09.85 198cm 115kg —

No. 8 / Lock 07.03.90 201cm 110kg USA (20)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JAMES DOWN

GAVIN EVANS

Lock 29.08.87 201cm 122kg —

Centre 18.07.84 191cm 100kg Wales (1)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JARROD EVANS

TAUFA’AO FILISE

Fly Half 25.07.96 178cm 86kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 26.05.77

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

188cm 124 kg Tonga (17)

32

DAN FISH

SAM HOBBS

Full Back 19.12.90 185cm 86kg —

Prop 13.05.88 193cm 123kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

JARRAD HOEATA

TOM ISAACS

Lock 12.12.82 198cm 112kg N Zealand (3)

Centre 18.02.87 183cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

GETHIN JENKINS

ELLIS JENKINS

Back Row 29.04.93 183cm 103kg —

Prop 17.11.80 188cm 121kg Wales (119)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

TAVIS KNOYLE

LEWIS JONES

Scrum Half 24.11.92 173cm 73kg —

Scrum Half 02.06.90 185cm 91kg Wales (11)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

DILLON LEWIS

REY LEE-LO

Prop 04.01.96 183cm 116kg —

Centre 20.02.86 180cm 90kg Samoa (6)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

CRAIG MITCHELL

ETHAN LEWIS

Hooker 28.03.94 180cm 105kg —

Prop 03.05.86 183cm 126kg Wales (15)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

33

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RHYS PATCHELL

JOSH NAVIDI

Flanker 30.12.90 185cm 95kg Wales (1)

Fly Half 17.05.93 191cm 92kg Wales (2)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

LOU REED

MATTHEW REES

Lock 10.09.87 198cm 120kg Wales (5)

Hooker 09.12.80 183cm 108kg Wales (60)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

GARYN SMITH

BLAINE SCULLY

Full Back / Wing 29.02.88 193cm 93kg USA (29)

Centre 12.07.95 180cm 91kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

ALED SUMMERHILL

RICHARD SMITH

Centre / Wing 08.11.87 188cm 101kg —

Full Back / Wing 22.11.94 188cm 91kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JOSH TURNBULL

ADAM THOMAS

Back Row 12.03.88 193cm 111kg Wales (7)

Centre 22.08.86 188cm 95kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

LLOYD WILLIAMS

SAMWARBURTON

Back Row 05.10.88 188cm 99kg Wales (60)

Scrum Half 30.11.89 183cm 87kg Wales (24)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

35

Cardiff Blues complete the final leg of lengthy Irish adventure this evening after a busy spell of games in the Emerald Isle in the Guinness PRO12.

of Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams and Alex Cuthbert to the ranks - although tonight’s game will come too soon. Fans could also see the likes of Samoa centre Rey Lee-Lo and USA internationals Blaine Scully and Cameron Dolan following the completion of the competition for their respective teams. Plenty of reasons to be positive, but for Head Coach Wilson it is long-term success that remains his priority as he guides his young team through the opening weeks of the campaign. He said: “We are a young side at the moment and we are bringing on even more youngsters from the bench with the knock-on effect of boys being away at the World Cup. “That showed late in the game at Munster, but credit to our boys they dug in, showed plenty of fighting spirit away from home and we were extremely disappointed not to come away with anything. “We now have the end of the trips to the four Irish provinces to look forward to at Ulster and then another away game after that against Zebre,” added Wilson. “It is extremely hard on this group of players to play five away games on the bounce. It’s a tough place to be, but we will get on with it and will get those games back at home at the end of the season.”

Just five rounds into the new domestic season and Cardiff Blues will have already faced all four of the Irish provinces away from home. Head Coach Danny Wilson – installed in the hotseat at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in the summer – opened the new season with a convincing bonus point win over Zebre as new-look Cardiff Blues ran in 11 tries. But with the artificial pitch at the region’s iconic Arms Park home then transformed into an Official Fanzone for the Rugby World Cup, Blues have been on the road – and plane over to Ireland - ever since. Cardiff Blues were handed the unenviable task of facing five of the first six rounds of competition being away – but they have tackled the Irish challenge head-on. The RDS Arena was first up as Cardiff Blues pushed Leinster all the way with in-form fly half Rhys Patchell kicking them ahead late in the game before a rally saw the Dubliners run out 23-15 winners. Then came Galway with a late try from prop Sam Hobbs – for the second successive season at The Sportsground - ensuring Blues left defeated but with two bonus points in the bag. Last weekend they visited Cork and gave Munster a huge scare with a thrilling attacking brand of rugby seeing them surge ahead, after tries from Tavis Knoyle, Richard Smith and Tom Isaacs, before a late surge sent the home side top and unbeaten. So there has been plenty for new boss Wilson to be pleased about in the opening weeks with Cardiff Blues showing new attacking flair – they are the top try scorers in the Guinness PRO12 – and new defensive resolve since the introduction of coach Graham Steadman. With Wales exiting the Rugby World Cup late on to the Springboks last weekend, there will also be the return

CLUB STATS //Location Cardiff, Wales //Founded 2003 //Ground BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park //Capacity 12,000 //Last Game Munster Rugby (A) 35-27 (L) Saturday 17th Oct 2015, 13.30 //Next Game Zebre Rugby (A) Saturady 31st Oct 2015, 14:00 //Recent Form W W L L L

STAFF // Coach Danny Wilson // Captain Josh Navidi

CONTACT BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park Westgate Street Cardiff Wales T 029 2030 2000 E enquiries@cardiffblues.com

TICKET OFFICE T 029 2030 2030

www.cardiffblues.com

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