Ulster Rugby vs Cheetahs

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

It is great to be back at Kingspan Stadium after a five week gap, for what is our twelfth game in the Guinness PRO14 championship this season, and what will hopefully be part of a memorable weekend for both Ulster and Ireland. Tonight’s game has significant potential ramifications for the race to the PRO14 playoffs with Ulster currently sitting second in Conference A, just six points ahead of the Cheetahs in third. Both teams will also be keen to get back to winning ways after experiencing defeat on the road last weekend; Ulster at Ospreys and Cheetahs at Leinster. It is not often that we get the opportunity to welcome a club legend, who has contributed so much to Ulster, back as an opposition player to Kingspan Stadium. I am sure the home crowd will give Ruan Pienaar a fitting welcome, but I am equally sure that Dan and the Ulster team will be fully focused on reversing the defeat inflicted by Pienaar and co in Bloemfontein back in October. This is my first chance to formally congratulate the two Rob’s, Iain, Jack, Tom, John, Billy, Will and Stuart on their selection for the extended Ireland Six Nations squad. In particular, congratulations to Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Jacob Stockdale and John Cooney on their inclusion in each of the match-day squads to date. I also want to congratulate David McCann on his selection as captain of the Ireland U20s for their Six Nations campaign. There is a fantastic Ulster representation on this squad, with no less than eight Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy / Sub-Academy players included. Finally, I would like to congratulate Kathyrn Dane on her selection for the Irish Women’s team who, at the time of writing, have won both of their opening championship games with Kathryn starting at scrum-half. On the domestic front all the club competitions are well under way and thankfully have been reasonably unaffected by the poor weather in recent weeks. All the cup competitions are approaching the latter stages and I wish all teams involved over the next few weeks all the best. To the visiting Toyota Cheetahs officers, management and playing squad, I hope you have an enjoyable, but not successful trip to Belfast. To the Ulster supporters – lets continue to make Kingspan Stadium a fortress and cheer the Ulster men on towards another crucial victory! SUFTUM! Gary Leslie President, IRFU Ulster Branch On behalf of Ulster Rugby, I would like to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Guinness PRO14 fixture versus the Toyota Cheetahs.

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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