Ulster Rugby vs Harlequins

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £4 ULSTER vHARLEQUINS

SAT 7 DEC 2019, 3.15PM KINGSPAN STADIUM

ISSUE INTHIS

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Today's Mascots Kingspan Welcome EPCR Welcome President’s Welcome Q&A: Craig Gilroy

2 3 5 7 9

Interview: Jacob Stockdale

10 12 15 19 21 22 25 26 28 32 33 34 39 40 43 44 49 52 55 57 59 61 62 63 64

Last Time Out

Player Focus: John Cooney

Match Statistics Academy Squad

Interview: Matty Rea

Women & Girls Rugby Update

Schools' Rugby Update Ulster Squad Profiles

Ulster Team

Harlequins Team Harlequins Profiles Guess the Player

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Kingspan Stadium Map

Stand Up Membership Packages

Guest Article: Rod Nawn

Referees Update Spot the Di™erence

URSC Update

Half-Time Rugby Teams

Stadium Map

Stadium Information Competition Standings

Fixtures

Sponsors and Partners

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TODAY'S MASCOTS

ANDREA HUGHES (9) FROM MONAGHAN

NATHAN GLENN (10) FROM CARRYDUFF

Andrea enjoys dancing and playing football. Her favourite player is Jacob Stockdale and when she grows up she would like to be a nurse.

Nathan attends Cairnshill Primary School and plays rugby for Ballynahinch RFC. He also enjoys playing football and golf. His favourite player is Jacob Stockdale as he is fast and strong and when he is older he would like to play rugby for Ulster.

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Welcome back to Kingspan stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, where this afternoon Ulster will face off against Harlequins in round 3 of the Heineken Champions Cup. Following a thrilling victory for the Ulstermen over Clermont, they will now look to copper-fasten their lead at the top of Pool 3. Harlequins will be confident of causing an upset having beaten Bath in the previous round. With a talented squad, they pose a significant threat to Ulster’s European ambitions. Ulster, who welcome back a number of front-line players, will look forward to a rousing atmosphere in Kingspan stadium. The Ulster faithful are known for providing a warm welcome and I am sure the Harlequins squad and their travelling supporters will experience nothing less from their visit. Finally, on behalf of Kingspan stadium, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby Squad and management team the very best of luck. To Ulster’s committed fans, enjoy the game, lead the way and help ensure that this is an afternoon to remember at Kingspan stadium.

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In the calendar year, fans have benefitted from greater access to the tournament than ever before through improved and innovative broadcast platforms and the all-time aggregate of spectators in the stadium passed 20 million as Saracens defeated Leinster Rugby to win their third title in Newcastle back in May. We have seen exceptional performances from clubs representing all three professional domestic leagues so far this season. Only Exeter Chiefs have returned a maximum haul of 10 match points from the November rounds but four other clubs have won two matches from two and there’s plenty to play for in each section, adding intensity to these home-and- away contests. As we celebrate the 25th season of club rugby’s blue riband tournament, there are plenty of opportunities to mark its memorable moments. These December rounds take us back to the sensational 2011 final in Cardiff, when Leinster Rugby turned around a 14-point half-time deficit to edge out Northampton Saints and earn the second of four stars on their jersey. Two other former winners come head-to-head in December, with the Munster Rugby-Saracens double-header likely to go a long way towards deciding who will emerge from Pool 4. It is with great pleasure that EPCR is presenting the eleven clubs on the tournament’s Roll of Honour with commemorative silver salvers during the Pool Stage to mark their contribution to what is now the Heineken Champions Cup. The anniversary season has been wonderfully supported by broadcast partners BT Sport Heineken Champions Cup, which bring the European club rugby action to a close for 2019. It’s been a very special year for the tournaments, and we can expect some more exciting chapters of its history to be written during these December rounds. A very warm welcome to the very special back-to-back rounds of the

as well as Channel 4 and Virgin Media, who take one live match per round to free-to-air audiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Stars of the global game have their eyes fixed firmly on the Road to Marseille for Finals Weekend on 22-23 May and the shores of the Mediterranean has already proved a fascinating allure for fans, with over 50,000 tickets sold across the two matches to date. Through the official website, you can secure your place to be part of this annual festival of cross-border club rugby competition. In this anniversary season, it’s a reminder of the longevity of the support and commitment of title partners Heineken to the tournament and we are delighted to be joined by them on our journey to the South of France. We also extend those thanks to Official Partner Tissot and official supporters Financial Times, Gilbert and Kappa, all of whom we look forward to working with in 2020. The intensity of the tournament goes straight into the New Year with concluding rounds next month defining the eight clubs who will progress to the quarter-finals. Before those come around, I would like to wish all of you and your loved ones all the best for the festive season and we look forward to enjoying the Heineken Champions Cup with you again in 2020.

Yours in rugby, Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman

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PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

This weekend sees the first of the back-to-back Champions Cup ties with Harlequins, in what is a repeat of the same fixtures in December 2017, where Ulster recorded two victories. In terms of our European aspirations this season, these games once again will carry huge influence. Dan and the team come into today’s game on the back of three consecutive wins, which should have the boys in confident mood. We also welcome back a few players who enjoyed a well deserved break last weekend including captain Iain Henderson and fellow internationals Jacob Stockdale and Jordi Murphy. Unfortunately, Will Addison remains unavailable for the next three weeks, but the increasing depth in our squad and the performances of Louis Ludik and Matt Faddes against Scarlets last week will give the coaching team plenty to think about when it comes to selection. Today’s opponents are sitting mid-table in the Premiership but have secured two good back-to-back wins in recent weeks, with a strong victory over Bath in Round 2 of the Champions Cup and a victory over Gloucester last weekend in the Premiership. They appear to have benefited from the return of their Rugby World Cup contingent and will be as close to full strength as possible, as they aim to keep their playoœ hopes alive. On the local rugby scene, this morning saw the third and final group stage fixtures in the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup, so at the time of reading we will know who has booked their place in the last 16 along with the Tier 1 teams. I would like to record my thanks to the schools for embracing the new format, which has brought an additional fervour into the famous competition by providing a greater number of more meaningful games for all involved. I would also like to remind our supporters that Sunday is the day for women’s club rugby fixtures, and tomorrow we have a full round of games in the Deloitte Ulster Women’s Premiership and Championship. Why not check out the Domestic Rugby fixtures on ulsterrugby.com and get down to support your local women’s club! To the visiting ‘Quins O£cers, management and playing squad, I hope you have an enjoyable, but not successful trip to Belfast. To the Ulster supporters – I know you’ll make sure the 16th man is in full voice again this afternoon and hopefully we’ll cheer the Ulster men on to another memorable European Cup win. 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 Harlequins.

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 O¢cer

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

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PLAYER Q&A

CRAIGGILROY

When did you start playing rugby, and who was your first team? When I was 8 playing for Bangor Minis What’s your favourite rugby memory? My first cap for Ulster and Ireland If you could re-live one moment from your rugby career, what would it be? (Good or bad) Scoring my first try for Ireland playing against Argentina What’s the one thing you could not live without? My dog, Miley Favourite subject in school? Classical Civilisation All-time favourite movie? 300 Best player you have played with? Charles Piutau Best player you have played against? Isa Nacewa What’s your pre-match routine? Any superstitions? Clean boots, bag packed, good music and enjoy it What’s on your pre-match playlist? Bi™y Clyro Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby career and why? My parents, I want to give back to them because they gave me so much What area of your game do you want to improve most this season? Tackle Entry Tell us something not many people would know about you? I got my motorbike license a few years ago!

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We caught up with the 23-year-old winger to hear how he’s been getting on since returning from World Cup duties, and how he hopes Ulster will build on their winning form against Harlequins this week. JACOB STOCKDALE

faster pace than previously, which is a really positive thing. “The quality of the players, and in particular the younger guys coming through in the last year or two has caused us to step up because they’re so enthusiastic in training. They’re excited about getting their hands on the ball and it’s something that has been really good for the squad as a whole. The pace has also been pushed by the leadership group within the squad - Henderson, Burns, McCloskey and Marshall – those are the guys who are really driving that.” Stockdale and the wider Ulster squad have been closely monitoring their Pool 3 opponents, and are aware of how defensively strong Harlequins are, as well as the attacking threat they pose. “Harlequins have the highest tackle success rate in the English Premiership and they have the most amount of tackles as well so they’re impressive defensively. They try to exert pressure on teams and force them to play down dark alleys; they get turnovers oœ the back of that and are able to attack. “They have dangerous attackers; you look at players like Gabriel Ibitoye setting up James Lang against Clermont - that was a bit of individual brilliance - they do have those

It feels like a lifetime ago, but it has only been just over a month since Jacob Stockdale returned to his Province after Ireland’s World Cup campaign, and he’s delighted to be back at Kingspan Stadium. “It’s obviously a bit of a challenge to park the disappointment of the World Cup and come straight back in to play for Ulster, but when you see the buzz around the stadium with the guys and Ulster having a good start to the season, it makes it a lot easier to come back in and getting that drive to get back in and play rugby.” Stockdale has noticed one area of the Ulster set-up which has evolved markedly, and that has been the intensity of training within the squad, led by Dan McFarland and the rest of the coaching team. “Without a doubt, the training at Ulster has definitely stepped up over the last season or two. I came back from Ireland and was blowing after 20 minutes’ game time, which is great because it shows the guys are really fit and train incredibly hard. That’s partly to do with Dan, Jared and Dwayne really pushing the standards and training at a

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potent attackers we need to be aware of.” With two wins from two in the Heineken Champions Cup, Ulster are in an excellent position to push towards qualification

for the knock-out stages, but complacency is not occupying the mindset of anyone within the squad. “European group games are pretty much knock- out games; if you want a home quarter-final, you

have to win every game, and to qualify, you have to win five out of six and that’s something we’re acutely aware of. “Winning your first two games puts you in the driving seat, but at the same time that’s only two out of six games played with a long way to go in terms of our European season. It gives us a buzz and puts us in the right place but there is still a lot of work to do. “Going into the Six Nations period, if you’re in control of both the Guinness PRO14 Conference and Heineken Champions Cup Pool, it’s a massive bonus and hopefully we will do that. There are a lot of di£cult games leading into that period though; we have to take each game as it comes and not get ahead of ourselves.”

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LASTTIMEOUT ULSTER29 - 5SCARLETS

In his first appearance of the season Baloucoune was sensational in both attack and defence, and with Louis Ludik also celebrating his 100th cap for his adoptive

Ulster cruised to an emphatic five-try defeat of Scarlets at the Kingspan Stadium, killing o™ their opponents within half an hour to reduce the gap behind Guinness PRO14 Conference A leaders Leinster to four points. Maintaining the fine run of form that earned them back-to-back wins in the first two rounds of the Heineken Champions Cup, Dan McFarland’s side blew away the visitors – sitting at second in Conference B before kick-oœ – with first-half tries from Matt Faddes, John Cooney, Matthew Rea and Robert Baloucoune, before Faddes added a second right at the death.

province, there was plenty for the Kingspan faithful to cheer about.

Ulster showed that they meant business straight from the oœ, with McCloskey, Coetzee and Treadwell all bludgeoning through tackles in the opening moments before a Reidy steal at a Scarlets scrum set the gears in motion inside the visitors’ ‘22’. Baloucoune heralded his return with a pacy break down the right, and when the ball was moved infield to McCloskey, the centre showed a deft touch with his left boot, kicking into the path of the onrushing Faddes who touched down just within the outer limits of play.

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Cooney’s conversion missed, but the scrum-half had little time to wait before getting his name on the scoresheet, landing his third try in as many games on eight minutes after more good work from Baloucoune – and showing great strength to fend oœ the final tackler just long enough to touch down right in the corner. This time the conversion was true, and with Ulster now threatening to put the game to bed as a contest before the end of the first quarter, try number three came via route one – an O’Connor lineout take, powerful rolling maul and touchdown from Rea. Conversion dispatched once again, Ulster soaked up five minutes’ worth of fairly benign Scarlets pressure before Faddes was touching down again – only for play to be brought back for an Ulster penalty as the centre’s foot had strayed into touch in the build-up. Ulster again mauled towards the line, and although stern Scarlets defence resisted the initial onslaught, luck proved to be on the hosts’ side when McCloskey’s looped – and somewhat risky – pass just eluded Steœ Evans and fell for Baloucoune, whose athletic leap over the line secured the bonus point. After a good ten minutes of plodding possession from Scarlets, McFarland mixed things up by replacing Coetzee, Herring and Cooney with Nick Timoney, Adam McBurney and David Shanahan – the latter thereby earning his 50th cap for the province. The changes did little to increase the pace of the second period, which remained sluggish until the clock passed the hour mark, when another protracted spell of Scarlets pressure eventually broke down without posing the scoreboard any threat. Back in possession, Ulster injected a touch more vigour going forward, but once their latest centurion had exited to a stirring ovation, replaced by Angus Kernohan, Scarlets began to establish a late foothold in the game.

With Gilroy sinbinned on 70 minutes for a high tackle on Ryan Lamb, Scarlets should have broken their duck wide on the right, only for Corey Baldwin to knock on metres from the line. They came again, however, with Jac Morgan adjudged to have grounded his 75th-minute try just before Shanahan bundled him into touch. There was still time, however, for Faddes to add his second of the night in the left-hand corner, seeing Ulster oœ 24 points to the good – a margin which their performance, in the first half certainly, had fully deserved.

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PLAYER FOCUS

JOHN COONEY Cooney made his senior debut for Leinster in 2011 away to Ospreys, before joining Connacht on a short-term loan deal. He made the move permanent ahead of the 2015/16 season before making the switch up to Belfast in 2017, signing a two- year contract at Kingspan Stadium. Cooney made an immediate impression at Ulster, winning Ulster Player of the Year, the Supporters Club Player of the Year and the Rugby Writers’ Player of the Year in his debut season. He was awarded with a contract extension which will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until at least 2022, and his continued excellent form in the 2018/19 season led to him being named in the Guinness PRO14 Dream Team.

SO FAR THIS SEASON

TRIES 5

POINTS 93

PASSES 546

TACKLES 32

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TODAY'SOPPONENTS HARLEQUINS

92 TOP METRE MAKER 30 TOP TACKLER

One of the founding members of the RFU, Harlequins is an English rugby union team that plays in the top level of English rugby, the Gallagher Premiership. Their ground in London is the Twickenham Stoop. Harlequins were crowned winners of the European Challenge Cup in 2011, the English Premiership for the first time in 2012 and won the LV Cup in 2013. The current club captain is Chris Robshaw while the current Head of Rugby is former England defence coach Paul Gustard.

CADEN MURLEY

WIL EVANS

1 TOP TRY SCORER 18 TOP POINT SCORER

HEINEKEN CUP CAMPAIGN SO FAR ROUND 1 SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER CLERMONT

ELIA ELIA

53 21

HARLEQUINS

ROUND 2 SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER HARLEQUINS

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BATH

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MARCUS SMITH

CURRENT POOL 3 STANDINGS TEAM PL W D L

PF PA DIFF TF TA TB LB PTS

Ulster Rugby

2 2 0 0 35 29 6

4 2 0 0 8

ASM Clermont Auvergne 2 1

0 1

66 39 27 8 5 1 1 6

Harlequins Bath Rugby

2 1 0 1

36 62 -26

3 7 0 0 4 1 2 0 2 2

2 0 0 2 25 32 -7

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STATISTICS SO FAR THIS SEASON

COMPETITION SPECIFIC

706

560

Metres Gained

229

209

Carries

255

258

Tackles Made

10

15

Turnovers Won

17

25

Penalties Conceded

Top Points Scorer John Cooney 25

Top Tackler Marcell Coetzee 28 Tackles

2019/20ABBEY INSURANCE ACADEMYSQUAD

MATTHEW AGNEW

AZUR ALLISON

GRAHAM CURTIS

MATTHEW DALTON

Year 2 Back Row 20.11.98 180cm 89kg

Year 2 Back Row 19.04.99 192cm 95kg

Year 2 Scrum Half 12.09.99 176cm 84kg

Year 3 Lock 16.11.98 197cm 105kg

JOE DUNLEAVY

AARON HALL

BRUCE HOUSTON

IWAN HUGHES

Year 3 Back Row 22.12.98 190cm 101kg

Year 4 Back Row 26.06.98 193cm 98kg

Year 2 Fly Half 16.08.99 192cm 84kg

Year 2 Back Three 06.04.99 174cm 79kg

HAYDEN HYDE

DAVID McCANN

STEWART MOORE

CONOR RANKIN

Year 1 Centre 15.09.00

Year 2 Back Row 13.06.00

Year 2 Centre 08.08.99 183cm 91kg

Year 1 Back Three 27.05.01 186cm 83kg

191cm 101kg

191cm 103kg

JACK REGAN

CALLUM REID

AARON SEXTON

TOM STEWART

Year 3 Lock 09.05.97

Year 1 Prop 06.01.99 183cm 111kg

Year 1 Back Three 24.08.00 188cm 88kg

Year 1 Hooker 11.01.01 182cm 97kg

197cm 108kg

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After scoring his first try against Scarlets last weekend, we spoke to Matty Rea about the bonus-point win, his influences in the squad and Ulster’s gaining momentum this season. R

international rugby, which I aspire to do myself. Everything I learn from them is a positive, and they are guys I look up to in leading the way. “The competition is driving our standards up as a unit - we’re getting some cohesion and working together regardless of whether you’re involved in the match-day squad or not. It’s for the better of the team and that’s something we maybe haven’t had so much of in years gone by.” The Glarryford native not only learns from them, but he also sees those players as his inspirations within the squad – Coetzee in particular with his devastating physicality and ball-carrying abilities. “They would be my influences because I’m so close with them and spending a lot of time analysing the same aspects of play together. Marcell would be one of the people everyone looks up to and someone you aspire to be like; he gives us energy and is a monster on the pitch. It’s a good thing for me and the younger guys to have someone like Marcell in the squad.” Currently top of Pool 3 in the Heineken Champions Cup and second in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14, it feels like Ulster are building on their form and performances week-to-week. This isn’t felt more keenly than within the squad itself. “We’re building a bit of momentum and it’s all good because it’s built around the club now. We had a tough start to the season and are coming into some form now. A lot of people are coming back and most of the squad is fit, so we’re definitely building at a crucial time of the year. It’s an exciting time for us that we can have such a big eœect on the rest of the season with the number of wins we’re carrying into it. “The more of these wins that we can get under our belt, the more teams fear coming to Kingspan Stadium, which is the way it used to be. It hadn’t been like that for the last couple of seasons, but now teams coming here will know they’ll have a tough game.”

Rea touched down for Ulster’s third try in a bonus- point win against a depleted Scarlets team in Round 7 of the Guinness PRO14 last Friday, and it marked his first competitive try for his Province, which he modestly tried to play down. “It was nice to score my first try but I can’t take too much credit for it,” he said. “We would give the other forwards some stick for hanging oœ the back of mauls to get on the scoresheet so I can’t take too much credit for it myself!” Although Ulster got the four-try bonus point, it was sewed up in the first half, and it wasn’t until the last minute of the game that Matt Faddes scored their fifth in a more fragmented second half, which Rea and the team felt could have been more clinical. “It was a game of two halves; we played some good rugby in the first half but took our foot oœ the gas in the second half which was frustrating. We should have pushed on and made it a really convincing win, but we’re pleased to get the full five points from the game.” Involved in eight out of Ulster’s nine games so far this season, Rea has cemented his place as a key part of the Ulster squad, and the regular game time he says has helped him hugely to develop his game. “It’s probably what you hope for at the start of the season - to get a run of games - and once you get a few games chalked up, it gives you the confidence to go out and play with less fear of making mistakes. It starts to come naturally and you get some cohesion with your team-mates. It helps me massively.” His regular involvement is all the more impressive considering the stiœ competition for places in the back row. The 26-year-old also sees it as a positive for the club as a whole, and he learns from the experiences shared by his fellow back-rowers. “Marcell Coetzee, Jordi Murphy and Sean Reidy are massively experienced guys and have played

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to them not only within the rugby lives but also within the classroom and general society. Rugby teaches the fundamentals of communication and respect, allowing those individuals who play to become more well- rounded individuals, as they will learn from experiences on the pitch which transcend through their lives outside of rugby. The blitz matches aren’t just for the players though! – there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes with a role for everyone to fill on the day. These events are really made possible because of the dedication from volunteers who help organise and execute the day itself. There are many roles which are vital to the success of these days, such as pitch coordinators, medical staœ, catering, refereeing and coaching to name a few. Get in touch with your local club to find out more information on volunteering opportunities as well as event dates going forward.

Since the 2016/17 season, the girls youth game has doubled in size with the blitz/ festival structure, these events allow any girl from any club to play rugby and participate regardless of her teams playing numbers. This is a huge advantage to player and game development as it allows girls of diœerent abilities and playing backgrounds to interact and learn from one another. There are an endless number of benefits to allowing girls across the youth age bands to play a team sport such as rugby, for instance spending time with their peers and those who are like minded, building confidence and resilience that will stand participating on the day with over 15 clubs represented from across the province, with an exciting and fun day had by all. Sunday 1 December saw Cooke RFC host the 5th Youth Blitz of the season. The event saw incredible numbers with over 200 girls

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SCHOOLS' RUGBY DANSKEBANKULSTER SCHOOLS’ ROUND-UP

A round-up of the latest schools’ rugby action, by Ulster Schools’ PRO, Barney McGonigle…

On the same afternoon, Banbridge Academy played Grosvenor Grammar School in a game the Grosvenor Grammar School team won by 19-7 On Friday 29 November, Ballymena Academy hosted Kirkham Grammar School from Lancashire, one of the top school teams currently playing in England. The Ballymena Academy team lost the game by 26-15 but had been leading by 15-14 going into the last ten minutes of the game. However, two Kirkham tries in the final five minutes, one of which was converted, secured the hard earned 26- 15 win for the Kirkham Grammar School team. On Saturday 30 November Wellington College, Belfast played Antrim Grammar School in their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Group match. The Wellington College, Belfast team won by 40-0 with tries from Chris Campbell, Justin Bingham and Kyle McWaters all of whom scored two tries, with Tom Stanfield adding five conversions. In the final game in the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield competition Lurgan College Medallion played Carrickfergus Grammar School Medallion in a game the Carrickfergus Grammar School Medallion team won by 10-7. The sixth, and final, game in the first round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup was played when Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4th XV played Sullivan Upper School 3rd XV in a game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4th XV won by 24-12. There was a series of friendly 1st XV games played on Saturday 30 November.

There were three Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup Round 1 games, as well as two midweek friendly games, played on Wednesday 27 November, and one 1st XV friendly game on Friday 29 November. There was one final round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Group match and a 1st Round Danske Bank 3rd XV Cup match, plus a list of 1st XV friendly fixtures played on Saturday 30 November. There was also a 1st Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield game played on Saturday 30 November. On Wednesday 27 November, Bangor Grammar School 3rd XV played Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5th XV in the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup. The Bangor Grammar School 3rd XV won the game by 41-5. In the same competition, Ballymena Academy 4th XV hosted the Methodist College, Belfast 5th XV in a game which finished with the Methodist College 5th XV recording a 48-17 victory Meanwhile, Lurgan College 3rd XV hosted Limavady Grammar School 3rd XV in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup 1st Round game which the Limavady Grammar School team won by 27-0. The Methodist College, Belfast 4th XV defeated the Royal School, Armagh 4th XV by 39-5 in their 1st Round game in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup. There were two 1st XV friendly games played on Wednesday 27 the Royal School, Armagh team hosted Royal Belfast Academical Institution in a high scoring game the Royal School, Armagh team won by 36-22.

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Methodist College, Belfast entertained the Wallace High School team, and it was the Wallace High School team that celebrated a famous 14-7 victory at the home of Methodist College, Belfast rugby. Omagh Academy hosted Rainey Endowed School in an exciting game the Omagh Academy team won by 22-10. Royal School, Dungannon played the Coleraine Grammar School team that had missed out on a number of games in recent weeks either side of their recent Training Camp. It was a close encounter on the WK Armstrong pitch with the Coleraine team eventually recording a 24- 19 victory.

Belfast Royal Academy played Regent House School in a game the Belfast Royal Academy team won by 39-7. Dalriada School played Ballyclare High School in a game the Ballyclare High School won team won by 48-0. Dromore High School travelled to play Larne Grammar School in a game the Dromore High School team won by 33-12. Enniskillen Royal Grammar School hosted Campbell College, Belfast and recorded an impressive 31-18 victory. Lurgan College played the Royal Belfast Academical Institution 2nd XV in a closely contested game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won by 21-14. The “Match of the Day” was played on the Pristine Pirrie Park Paddock Pitch where

The full round-ups can be found at ulsterrugby.com/news/school-news

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2019/20 ULSTERSQUAD

Head Coach Dan McFarland Assistant Coach Dwayne Peel Forwards Coach Roddy Grant Defence Coach Jared Payne Skills Coach Dan Soper

WILL ADDISON

JOHN ANDREW

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE

BILLY BURNS

Utility Back 20.08.1992 186cm 93kg 15 IRE 4

Hooker 26.05.1993

Wing 19.08.1997 193cm 90kg

Fly Half 13.06.1994 185cm 86kg 29 —

181cm 104kg 59 —

15 —

SAM CARTER

MARCELL COETZEE

JOHN COONEY

ANGUS CURTIS

Lock 10.09.1989 200cm 116kg 7 AUS 16

Back Row 08.05.1991 192cm 114kg 34 SA 30

Scrum Half 01.05.1990 178cm 87kg 54 IRE 8

Centre 26.03.1998 178cm 92kg

12 —

MATT FADDES

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

ROB HERRING

Centre/Wing 06.11.1991 185cm 93kg 7 —

Wing 11.03.1991 183cm 92kg 174 IRE 10

Lock 21.02.1992 199cm 117kg 107 IRE 53

Hooker 27.04.1990 184cm 107kg 174 IRE 8

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ROSS OSS KANE

JAMES HUME

BILL JOHNSTON

GREG JONES

Centre 07.09.1998

Fly Half 07.02.1997 180cm 87kg 5 —

Back Row 13.01.1996

Prop 14.10.1994 180cm 118kg 44 —

187cm 98.1kg

196cm 105kg 14 —

15 —

ANGUS KERNOHAN

MICHAEL LOWRY

LOUIS LUDIK

ROB LYTTLE

Wing 02.03.1999 181cm 93kg 19 —

Fly Half 20.08.1998

Full Back 08.10.1986 182cm 90kg 100 —

Wing 28.01.1997 175cm 85kg 28 —

171cm 75.1kg 19 —

LUKE MARSHALL

ADAM McBURNEY

KYLE McCALL

ZACK McCALL

Centre 03.03.1991 181cm 97kg 132 IRE 11

Hooker 05.09.1996

Prop 02.01.1992 176cm 111kg 56 —

Hooker 10.02.1995

182cm 102kg 18 —

180cm 100kg

— —

STUART McCLOSKEY

JACK McGRATH

GARETH MILASINOVICH

MARTY MOORE

Centre 06.08.1992 193cm 111kg 113 IRE 3

Prop 11.10.1989 185cm 118kg 5 IRE 56

Prop 15.12.1992

Prop 01.03.1991 178cm 121kg 24 IRE 10

191cm 132kg

— —

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JORDI MURPHY

ALAN O’CONNOR

DAVID O’CONNOR

TOMMY O’HAGAN

Back Row 22.04.1991

Lock 10.09.1992 196cm 114kg 97 —

Lock 19.05.1995 194cm 110kg 1 —

Prop 05.10.1993

188cm 105kg 21 IRE 30

182cm 120kg 2 —

ERIC O’SULLIVAN

TOM O’TOOLE

MARCUS REA

MATTHEW REA

Prop 30.11.1995 185cm 115kg 34 —

Prop 23.09.1998

Back Row 08.09.1997

Back Row 21.09.1993 194cm 112kg 35 —

185cm 120kg 32 —

188cm 105kg 1 —

SEAN REIDY

CLIVE ROSS

DAVID SHANAHAN

JONNY STEWART

Back Row 10.05.1989

Back Row 14.06.1989

Scrum Half 20.06.1993 174cm 78kg 50 —

Scrum Half 20.02.1998 174cm 77kg

182cm 103kg 114 IRE 2

193cm 109kg 73 —

12 —

JACOB STOCKDALE

NICK TIMONEY

KIERAN TREADWELL

ANDREW WARWICK

Wing 03.04.1996

Back Row 01.08.1995 189cm 111kg 55 —

Lock 06.11.1995 198cm 118kg 80 IRE 3

Prop 12.03.1991 179cm 113kg 121 —

191cm 103kg 58 IRE 25

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TEAM

1 2

ULSTER

ERIC O'SULLIVAN

ROB HERRING

15 14 13 12 11 10

JACOB STOCKDALE

3 4 ALAN

MARTY MOORE

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE

O’CONNOR

LUKE MARSHALL

5 6 7 8

IAIN HENDERSON (C)

STUART McCLOSKEY

SEAN REIDY

LOUIS LUDIK

JORDI MURPHY

BILLY BURNS

MARCELL COETZEE

9

JOHN COONEY

TODAY’S OFFICIALS REFEREE MIKE ADAMSON SCO ASSISTANT REFEREES KEITH ALLEN SCO DAVE SUTHERLAND SCO TMO NEIL PATERSON SCO

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 A McBURNEY A WARWICK T O’TOOLE K TREADWELL

M REA D SHANAHAN B JOHNSTON M FADDES

20 21 22 23

*TEAMS NOT CONFIRMED AT TIME OF PRINT

TEAM HARLEQUINS

1 2

JOE MARLER

ELIA ELIA

15 14 13 12 11 10

ROSS CHISHOLM

3 4 MATT

WILL COLLIER

CADAN MURLEY

SYMONS

MICHELE CAMPAGNARO

5 6 7 8

STEPHAN LEWIES

JAMES LANG

TOM LAWDAY

GABRIEL IBITOYE

CHRIS ROBSHAW (C)

MARCUS SMITH

ALEX DOMBRANDT

9

DANNY CARE

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 JACK MUSK NICK AUTERAC KYLE SINCKLER TEVITA CAVUBATI

SEMI KUNATANI MARTIN LANDAJO FRANCIS SAILI TRAVIS ISMAIEL

20 21 22 23

*TEAMS NOT CONFIRMED AT TIME OF PRINT

2019/20

HARLEQUINS

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard General Manager Rugby Billy Millard Attack and Backs Coach Nick Evans Assistant Coach Sean Long Scrum Coach Adam Jones Assistant Coach Toby Booth

NICK AUTERAC

RENALDO BOTHMA

MIKE BROWN

SCOTT BALDWIN

Prop 12.11.92 6ft 0in 120kg

Back Row 18.09.89 6ft 2in 110kg

Hooker 12.07.88 6ft 2in 110kg

Fullback 04.09.85 6ft 0in 93kg

ROB BUCHANAN

MICHELE CAMPAGNARO

DANNY CARE

TEVITA CAVUBATI

Scrum-half 02.01.87 5ft 8in 84kg

Second Row 12.08.87 6ft 6in 120kg

Hooker 13.05.91 6ft 0in 112kg

Scrumhalf 08.02.1995 179cm 84kg

JAMES CHISHOLM

ROSS CHISHOLM

WILL COLLIER

ALEX DOMBRANDT

Back Row 11.08.95

Fullback 19.10.90 6ft 0in 85kg

Prop 05.05.91 6ft 0in 116kg

Back Row 29.04.97 6ft 3in 118kg

6ft 2in 105kg

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SANTIAGO GARCIABOTTA

ELIA ELIA

WILL EVANS

TOBY FREEMAN

Prop 19.06.92

Hooker 22.01.96 6ft 0in 110kg

Back Row 28.01.97 6ft 0in 99kg

Second Row 27.10.87 6ft 4in 108kg

6ft 1in 109kg

VERENIKI GONEVA

GABRIEL IBITOYE

GEORGE HEAD

BRETT HERRON

Wing/Centre 05.04.84 5ft 8in 102kg

Wing 05.03.98 5ft 10in 92kg

Hooker 04.08.99 6ft 1in 114kg

Fly-Half 13.11.95 6ft 0in 90kg

DINO LAMB

TRAVIS ISMAIEL

SIMON KERROD

SEMI KUNATANI

Lock 18.04.98 6ft 5in 119kg

Wing 02.06.92

Prop 25.08.92 6ft 0in 121kg

Back Row 27.10.90 6ft 3in 107kg

6ft 2in 100kg

MARK LAMBERT

MARTIN LANDAJO

PAUL LASIKE

JAMES LANG

Prop 19.02.85 6ft 2in 125kg

Scrum-half 14.06.88 5ft 7in 82kg

Centre 18.06.90 5ft 9in 113kg

Fly-half 04.04.95 6ft 0in 95kg

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TOM LAWDAY

STEPHAN LEWIES

JOE MARLER

CADAN MURLEY

Back Row 6ft 2in 109kg 11/11/1993

Second Row 6ft 6in 113kg 27/01/1992

Prop 07.07.90 6ft 0in 114kg

Wing 31.07.99 5ft 9in 96kg

LUKE NORTHMORE

SAM RILEY

JACK MUSK

CHRIS ROBSHAW

Hooker 04.03.00 5ft 8in 91kg

Centre 16.03.97 6ft 2in 99kg

Hooker 23.04.99 6ft 0in 108kg

Back Row 04.06.86

6ft 2in 108kg

FRANCIS SAILI

KIERAN SASSONE

NIALL SAUNDERS

KYLE SINCKLER

Centre 16.02.91 5ft 9in 99kg

Prop 24.09.99 6ft 2in 119kg

Scrum-half 21.12.97 5ft 10in 87kg

Prop 30.03.93 5ft 11in 120kg

MARCUS SMITH

PHIL SWAINSTON

MATT SYMONS

HUGH TIZARD

Fly-Half 14.02.99 5ft 7in 82kg

Second Row 12.12.89 6ft 1in 121kg

Second Row 04.08.89 6ft 6in 120kg

Lock 31.03.00 6ft 4in 120kg

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GUESS THE

I was born in May 1989.

I signed for Ulster in 2014 and have made 114 appearances to date. I mainly play openside flanker but can play the blindside position as well.

I am Irish-qualified and have been capped twice for Ireland. I have made 118 tackles, 57 carries and beaten 5 defenders so far this season.

I have scored one try this season against Isuzu Southern Kings .

THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY Nothing beats being gifted an experience, it’s a present they won’t forget. Bring your loved ones down to Kingspan Stadium for our Heritage Hospitality package. HERITAGE HOSPITALITY The Nevin Spence Centre o ers the perfect location for an informal match night hospitality experience. Enjoy a self-guided tour through The Nevin Spence Centre where you will experience the story of the growth and development of rugby in Ulster, told through a variety of artefacts, interactive games and insightful displays. The pre-match hospitality package includes 2x complimentary drinks (choice of beers, wines and soft drinks available on the night) and a selection of hot bowl foods (consisting of seasonal hot dishes) provided by local caterers Yellow Door, while you take in the history on show in the museum. Your evening continues with seated tickets in the Memorial Stand from where you can catch the best of the on-field action. The Heritage Hospitality package is available for just £80 per person and includes:

• Informal hospitality hosted in The Nevin Spence Centre • 2x complimentary drinks • Selection of hot bowl foods • Self-guided tour of The Nevin Spence Centre • Seated tickets in the Memorial Stand • Match programme

*food and drinks served in The Nevin Spence Centre

To book this package, contact 028 9049 3222 (option 2).

APERFECTGIFTFORCHRISTMAS 2019/20 'STANDUP' MEMBERSHIPS

Ulster Rugby has launched three new 'Stand Up' Membership packages for the 2019/20 season, which will allow supporters of all ages, at home and abroad, to keep in touch with the latest team news, plus get access to priority booking periods, exclusive gifts, competitions plus much more. Below are the details of the three membership options, and the benefits of each.

STAND UP JUNIOR AGED 11 AND UNDER »

AGED 17+ »

£20

Membership gift box Membership card

Membership gift box Membership card

» »

» » »

Free adult ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* First access to the O¢cial Digital Match Programme before every home fixture Priority purchase for tickets to home pool matches in the Heineken Champions Cup » Priority Booking Period for home Heineken Champions Cup knockout stages » Priority purchase for tickets to selected home games in the Guinness PRO14 Priority Booking Period for home knock out matches in the Guinness PRO14 Priority purchase for away match tickets when available to Ulster Rugby » » » » Priority purchase for 2019/20 Season Tickets Access to exclusive discounts from partners » »

Birthday card

Free junior ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* Access to exclusive discounts from partners Access to Stand Up members only competitions

»

»

STAND UP TEEN

£25

AGED 12-16 »

Membership gift box Membership card

» » »

Birthday card

First access to the O¢cial Digital Match Programme before every home fixture Free junior ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* Access to exclusive discounts from partners Access to Stand Up members only competitions

»

»

»

STAND UP ADULT

£30

*Terms and conditions apply. Postage costs will be applied.

BUY ONLINE For more information, and to purchase, visit ulsterrugby.com/memberships or call the Ulster Rugby Ticket O•ce on (028) 9049 3222 Option 2.

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ROD NAWN

Yes, you might feel a little confused, back to Kingspan Stadium for a third consecutive weekend! TAKINGCAREOF ‘QUINS

Ulster come oœ a five-try thumping of the Scarlets in the PRO14 last week, plus consecutive European wins at Bath and at home to Clermont Auvergne. ‘Quins arrive from a nail-biting but important Premiership win at home to Gloucester, and that followed a win over Bath to stay very much interested in what will develop in Pool 3 in the next month. Home fans will pack Kingspan Stadium to the rafters this afternoon, for there is something about this competition which has a special place in Ulster hearts. It was 20 years ago that Europe’s most glittering prize was won for the first time by an Irish side. There have been many disappointments since, but qualification for the quarter-finals is no longer rare, it is in fact confidently anticipated. Certainly the squad which has been assembled in Belfast is one of the ‘deepest’ and most competitive for a decade, and names like Jacob Stockdale, Luke Marshall, John Cooney, Billy Burns, Marcell Coetzee, Jordi Murphy, captain Iain Henderson and many more are familiar to the Continent’s best clubs. McFarland is a demanding coach, and he does not set targets in terms of trophies but in the palpable improvement in the performance, skills and tactical innovation of his selected XVs. His squad is, it can be truly said this season, a harmonious one which has ‘bought into’ the Head Coach and his management team’s hardworking ethic and the realisation of ambition. Ulster is now a team which is a threat for every minute of the 80, there’s a resilience and a surefootedness and stamina which has given supporters reasons to believe.

To be clear, we’re packing the ground out again this Saturday afternoon for a Heineken Champions Cup date – and an important one – with the famous Harlequins. One of the English Premiership’s iconic clubs, and one emerging firmly from a form of relative torpor to challenge more convincingly on the domestic and international stage. While Ulster has a cerebral Head Coach in Dan McFarland. he has huge regard for the skills of his opposite number at The Stoop. Paul Gustard is widely regarded as one of the best defence and forward coaches of his generation, and England supremo Eddie Jones was very reluctant to lose his ‘out-of- the-box’ thinking in 2018 as this World Cup year beckoned. McFarland might oœer a wry smile at the tales of Gustard’s apparently more eccentric training methods: such, when at Saracens, bringing live wolves into the dressing room to emphasise the meaning, reality of ‘the pack’, hunting down opponents and trophies. Ulster’s Head Coach is actually just as innovative, the studious and ‘picky’ – one of his favourite post-match adjectives as he analyses even the best performance – allied to what John Cooney has described as an unique ‘personable’ concern for his players, as the best rugby footballers they can be and as people. Both teams meet on what appears to be on an upward curve in results and in performance, and each might justly claim to have ‘momentum’ going into the first leg of this unique back-to-back format in the pool stage of the Champions Cup.

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Gustard has a real treasure trove of hookers from which to select, and the man in possession is the 23-year-old Samoan Elia Elia, while last weekend the plaudits swarmed over the display of No.8 Alex Dombrandt, just 22 and already inked into the England back-row of relatively imminent vintage. Italian international centre Michele Campagnaro has been key to the good work of the last month, and, with Care and out-half Marcus Smith, poses an innovative attacking line down either side of scrum or ruck. It’s going to be a raucous afternoon at Kingspan Stadium, and if the weather is fair and the ground firm there will be some energy-sapping – and that’s just for fans! – preference to wear the ‘underdog’ tag and will most certainly be looking to claim the spoils, and those wearing the team colours in the seats and on the terraces will crave that elusive bonus point! Harlequins, you’re very welcome visitors to Belfast, but Ulster has real designs on Pool 3 success so you may have to wait to ‘Stoop’ to even consider conquering this particular team next weekend. and free-running play to admire. Ulster has long since outgrown its

Today’s distinguished opposition will be paid great respect, and its clear and present dangers to Ulster hopes will have been examined all this week in meticulous but rewarding preparation. Harlequins are known for their attacking flair, and Gustard hasn’t diminished that instinct but – like McFarland, Dwayne Peel, Jared Payne, Roddy Grant and Dan Soper in the home coaching box – has added that consistent hard-edged defensive element right though the team. There are players we have all long admired in the panel this afternoon, and scrum-half Danny Care’s contest with the multi-skilled John Cooney will be one for spectators to relish. Two classy, international operators who have a healthy regard for each other, but with a competitive streak which will not easily be diluted. At flanker, former England skipper Chris Robshaw must still be in England, but has he and his breakaway partners encountered a back-row with the ball-carrying, physical gifts of Coetzee, Murphy, Sean Reidy or Nick Timoney? Rob Herring and Marty Moore oœer Quins an Irish threat in the front-row, and Gustard will be keen that his English and Lions prop Kyle Sinckler is fit to take his place. In the last 18 months he is arguably the most improved prop in the world, and with the unmistakable Joe Marler on the other side of the front row that is another compelling, feisty contest. Stuart McCloskey, who demonstrated that amongst an already admirable set of gifts he is fleet of thought and now of boot, will probably be in tandem with the rejuvenated Luke Marshall, and it’s a midfield with a very obvious creative yet unyielding core. Louis Ludik, international wings Craig Gilroy and Jacob Stockdale and perhaps Robert Baloucoune are prolific try-scorers, but more defensively and physically assured by the game.

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UPCOMING HOME FIXTURES

FRI 27 DEC, 7.35PM ULSTER vCONNACHT ULSTER vMUNSTER FRI 3 JAN, 7.35PM

UlsterRugby.com/BuyTickets

USRFR ULSTERSOCIETYOFRUGBY FOOTBALLREFEREESUPDATE

6th o£cial / statistician Record all replacements and reasons for red and yellow cards Timekeeper Manage stadium clocks and assist referee with exact match timing Citing commissioner Watch for any foul play that may be missed by the on-field o£cials during the game. Liaise with both team managers in the hours after the game to ensure that any foul play is dealt with accordingly Performance reviewer Assesses the performances of the whole match o£cial team with the emphasis on improvement. As you can see, there is a lot going on behind the scenes at a professional rugby match. The referees changing room is a hive of activity before and after the match. The TV crew and communications team are also making sure that the referee is ‘miked up’ properly so it is a very busy place. If you are interested in anything to do with refereeing please feel free to contact Richard Kerr (Referee

Many spectators may not understand the exact role of each o£cial so here is a quick snapshot of what each person does: Referee Pre-match organise the toss and inspect players clothing (main emphasis on studs) During match sole judge of fact and Law. Must apply the Laws of the game fairly Post-match communicate the score to the match organiser and report any sending’s oœ Assistant referees (known as touch judges in the amateur game) Assist the referee with decision making – primary focus on touch, touch in goal, kicks at goal and foul play Television Match O£cial (TMO) Assist referee with in-goal decisions and foul play 4th and 5th o£cials Manage the technical zones and assist with replacements during the match We welcome Mike Adamson and his team of o¢cials from the SRU to Kingspan Stadium this evening.

Development Manager). Email: richard.kerr@irfu.ie

QUICKFIRE LAW QUIZ

1. Can a player claim a ‘mark’ from a restart kick? 2. How many players must be in each pack at an uncontested scrum? 3. The ball is on the ground with at least one player from each team in contact over the ball – is this a ruck or a maul?

4. How long does a player have to take a conversion kick? 5. Can the number 8 pick and go from an uncontested scrum? 6. What is the sanction for a player dummying a pass from a scrum, ruck or maul? Yes; 6. A free kick.

from when the try was scored; 5.

Ruck; 4. 90 seconds

1. No – a mark cannot be claimed from a kick o™ or restart kick after a score; 2. 8; 3.

ANSWERS

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