Ulster Rugby vs Leinster

LEADING THE FIELD

Welcome to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, as we look forward to a Guinness PRO12 fixture against Leinster Rugby this evening.

I am delighted to welcome you to the final league game of the season. While it’s a tough ask to make it into the semi-finals, the Ulster squad deserve our full support as they take on table toppers Leinster. Ulster fans are known for the warm welcome they provide visiting teams and tonight is no different. Please show your appreciation and respect for the travelling Leinster supporters and team for their trip up North. Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby squad and management team every success this evening. To you the fans, enjoy the game, lead the way and help ensure this is another evening to remember at Kingspan Stadium.

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director

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CONTENTS

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME GUINNESS PRO12 WELCOME

3 4 7 8

TONIGHT'S MASCOTS

ROGER WILSON INS AND OUTS

13

SONI COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARDS

16 21 26 28 32 33 37 38 42

RICKY LUTTON RUAN PIENAAR

ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES

ULSTER TEAM

DOUBLE SIDED POSTER

LEINSTER TEAM

LEINSTER PROFILES

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

ALLEN CLARKE 45 SLIMS KITCHEN CHARITY NIGHT 46 ROD NAWN GUEST ARTICLE 54 CENTRA HALF TIME RUGBY 57 URSC CLUB NEWS 59 OUR CLUB NEWS 60 ULSTER RUGBY VALUES 63 STADIUM INFORMATION 65 MATCH PREVIEW 66 FIXTURES 59 THANK YOU 60

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In the Guinness PRO12, Ulster has unfortunately lost their last two matches away to Munster and Ospreys and qualification for the Play- offs has all but gone for this season. This is a disappointing outcome but it is clear that, as with the Champions Cup, our away performances need to improve if we are to compete for silverware. That aside, tonight’s game is an Inter-provincial and these games are always full blooded contests regardless of previous form. I know that the Ulster team will be looking to finish the season on a winning note and that our supporters will get behind the team, encouraging them on. My congratulations go to Rory Best, Jared Payne and Iain Henderson on their selection for the British and Irish Lions – a tremendous and well deserved achievement. It has been a busy and successful period on the domestic front for rugby in Ulster. Banbridge are to be congratulated on winning Division 2A of the All Ireland League and are now up to Division 1B. Congratulations also go to Armagh and Rainey who also won promotion, through the play-offs, to Division 2A and 2B respectively. In addition, Omagh came through the round robin play-offs and have now entered the AIL in Division 2C – a great outcome for all four of these clubs. In cup competitions, the RiverRock Towns Cup Final on Easter Monday was a great match with Ballynahinch 2nds winning narrowly against Enniskillen after extra time. The McCrea Cup Final was another excellent game with Malone 2nd XV narrowly defeating Cooke. Playing these two matches as a double header on Easter Monday was a very successful venture and made for a great day of rugby with an excellent crowd in attendance for both games. At the recent Cardiff game, the Ulster Branch were presented with the ‘Inclusive Sport Award' from Disability Sport NI in recognition of the Branch's commitment to creating a sports environment which is fully inclusive of people with disabilities. We are only the third sport to receive this award and the Ulster Branch staff deserve our praise for their work in achieving this award. Recently, the Ulster Branch was saddened to learn of the death of Hal Burnison. Hal was a long-serving member and Past President of Malone RFC. He was also a member of the Ulster Branch Clubs Committee for some 27 years and a member of the Competition Management Committee. Hal also looked after the international ticket allocation for the Ulster Branch for over 16 years and had been a life- long supporter of Ulster Rugby. Our sympathies go to his wife Maureen and the family circle. Back to this evening, let’s get behind the team and ensure we finish this season on a high with a win against our rivals in blue. I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight as well as the great facilities we have here at Kingspan Stadium and remember - “Stand Up For The Ulstermen.” John McKibbin President IRFU (Ulster Branch) It gives me great pleasure as President of the IRFU Ulster Branch to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s final home match in the 2016/17 Guinness PRO12 Championship. In particular, I am very pleased to welcome the Leinster team and their President, Frank Doherty, along with their officials and supporters. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2016/17 OFFICERS John McKibbin President Graf n Parke Senior Vice President Stephen Elliott Junior Vice President Denis Gardiner Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan Chief Executive Chris Webster Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson Financial Controller Fiona Hampton Head of Sales & Marketing Les Kiss Director of Rugby

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

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Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby Welcome

Welcome to Round 22 and the very first Super Saturday in the Guinness PRO12. The final day of the season always provides plenty of drama and we hope that a full slate of derby games will add to your experience, no matter what game you’re at. We’re also on course to beat last season’s attendance figure and on behalf of our clubs, our title sponsor Guinness and the team at PRO12 Rugby, I’d like to thank all of our fans for continuing to display your passion and support for your teams and the Championship. Indeed, the crowd in Dublin for Leinster v Glasgow Warriors last weekend got to witness a small piece of history for the Guinness PRO12 when Rory O’Loughlin’s try brought us to 652 tries for the season – a tally that broke the previous all-time record of 651 which was set in the 2003/04 season. By the time the final whistle went on Round 21 we were at 683 tries for the campaign and I think everyone would be confident that we’ll see try Number 700 today at Super Saturday. Of course, there’s a lot at stake for so many clubs with Leinster, Munster and Scarlets already guaranteed their places in the Guinness PRO12 Final Series and Ospreys in need of just one match-day point to ensure their place. We all know how unpredictable sport can be and Ulster still have a chance if Ospreys lose at Parc y Scarlets and Les Kiss’ team produce a spectacular result at Kingspan Stadium. Tries will be the order of the day then in Belfast and that expectation will be nothing new in the Guinness PRO12 where our Positive Play statistics makes us the most exciting tournament to watch. The latest game-play statistics from World Rugby prove that teams from our Championship produce more positive rugby than anywhere else in the Northern Hemisphere where we have the quickest rucks, the highest ball-in- play time and the most tries. The clubs, their coaches, the players and our referees all play a huge part in fostering an environment where positive play can thrive: in every Guinness PRO12 match you’re likely to see at least five tries and 43 points scored, which is as good a reason as any to watch the action in person. I’d also like to say a special thanks to Independent News & Media, Energia & Mazda who have come on board as partners of the Guinness Final Series – another sign of how the Championship is going from strength to strength on and ož the pitch. Thanks also to the part played by our television broadcast partners: Sky Sports, BBC Wales, BBC Northern Ireland, Eurosport, BBC Alba, TG4 and S4C. They are integral to telling the story of our Championship and capturing the magic and excitement that gets supporters out of their seats every weekend. We’re also less than a month away from the Guinness PRO12 Final which will be held in Dublin on May 27 and if that game lives up to the action we’ve seen so far this season, then it’s going to be a classic. It promises to be an unmissable event and ticket sales have been incredibly strong so far, but you can avoid missing out by logging onto www.ticketmaster.ie to get yours. Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

HANNAH LENNON (9) Hannah is from Downpatrick and attends Downpatrick Primary School. She loves to watch Ulster play and has a keen interest in sport in general. She also enjoys playing Minecraft. Hannah’s favourite player is Rory Best, because he is a great player and when she grows up, she would like to be a rugby player.

LUCY McKIBBIN (9) Lucy is from Dromore and attends St. Joesph’s Primary School. She enjoys horse riding, playing hockey and supporting Ulster Rugby. Lucy’s favourite player is Paddy Jackson because he is a fantastic kicker. When Lucy grows up she would like to be a Marine Biologist.

“There is something different about Campbell. Pupils love it, teachers love it. It really is the best school.” Inspiring Individuals

Please call +44 (0)28 9076 3076 to arrange a visit.

www.campbellcollege.co.uk

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FAREWELL ROGER Wilson to make 221st and final Ulster appearance this evening versus Leinster

You are Ulster’s most capped player, how do you feel about saying goodbye? I don’t really do emotional to be honest, my wife will tell you that. But after a 15-year career, 11 of those years spent at Ulster, it’s fair to say I will miss it. About a third of my life has been spent in and around Ravenhill, so it will take a lot of getting used to, not turning up here every week. I am looking forward to the countdown over the next few weeks, it will be great to be involved in this game and looking back it has been an enjoyable time all round. With professional sport you get highs and lows and this season hasn’t gone as we had expected it to. But I am very grateful for all the good years I have had here. What are some of your highlights?

What was your favourite game to play in? Away against Leicester in the European Cup in 2014. When we topped the group and secured the quarter final against Saracens. We were fighting for the home quarter-final away at Leicester Tigers and as I’d been away at Northampton Saints for four years previously, they were big rivals with Leicester and there was a massive hype. So to go to Welford Road and get the win was brilliant. That season we finished top seeds so as a one-off game - that's a favourite. What will you miss the most? The big games! When the crowd are behind you and there’s a buzz around the game and the

ROGER WILSON

crowd are loud and passionate, that’s what I will miss the most. Also, the day-to-day, hanging out with my teammates and bantering each other. Bearing in mind I will be stuck at home with two young kids for the foreseeable future! With an expanding family, what does the future hold? Baby number two is due in September, so I have that to

On the field, definitely winning my first cap was a big thing. It is something you want to achieve from when you are a kid coming to watch Ulster play. Winning my first cap was amazing, then winning the league in 2005/06 was a massive highlight and getting those big European victories here at home are always good games to be involved in.

look forward to. There will be a fair bit of 'Daddy Day Care'. We have always talked about moving to America, my wife lived there for ten years and has citizenship so that makes it a little bit easier for us, so some time in the new year we will head to the States and figure out where we will live and work and in about 12 months we hope to make a long-term move over there. Good Luck Rog!

Off the field, the camaraderie and the bond that comes with playing professional sport, when you’ve got the win and your sitting in the changing rooms having a beer with the boys and you’ve just put everything on the line together as a team. It’s a great feeling and a special moment.

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INS AND OUTS 2017/18 ULSTER RUGBY WILL WELCOME THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS TO THE SQUAD NEXT SEASON:

ARNO BOTHA

FULL NAME

Arnoldus Francois Botha 26 October 1991 // Age 25 Nylstroom, South Africa

DATE OF BIRTH PLACE OF BIRTH

INS AND OUTS 2017/18

HEIGHT WEIGHT POSITION

1.90 m 105 kg

Back Row Blue Bulls

FROM

CONTRACT

2 years

SCHALK VAN DER MERWE

FULL NAME

Schalk Willem van der Merwe 4 December 1990 // Age 26

DATE OF BIRTH PLACE OF BIRTH

Tzaneen, South Africa

HEIGHT WEIGHT POSITION

1.84 m 105 kg

Prop

FROM

Southern Kings

CONTRACT

3 years

JOHN COONEY

FULL NAME

John Clark Michael Cooney

DATE OF BIRTH PLACE OF BIRTH

1 May 1990 (age 26)

Terenure, Dublin

HEIGHT WEIGHT POSITION

1.78 m

87 kg

Scrum half

FROM

Connacht Rugby

CONTRACT

2 years

ULSTER RUGBY WILL SAY FAREWELL TO THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS:

Ruan Pienaar Roger Wilson Franco van der Merwe Ricky Lutton

Stevie Mulholland John Donnan Conor Joyce Mark Best

Lorcan Dow Johnny Murphy Callum Patterson

WE WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE

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P R O U D T O S P O N S O R

BUYAMATCHPROGRAMMEATANY HOMEGAMEANDCHECKYOUR EXCLUSIVE CODE TOSEE IF YOU’REAWINNER! Simply enter your code at our o cial programme stand or online at winit.ulsterrugbydigital.com #URinittowinit

MINPRINT OFFICIAL PROGRAMME PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY

*Terms & Conditions apply: One entry per person, per programme. You must be 16 years or over to enter. You must enter a valid email address to receive your prize and by entering your information you are agreeing to receiving promotions from Ulster Rugby and our sponsors. Ulster Rugby reserve the right to remove this competition at any point without prior notice.

MEET OUR COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS! COMMUNITY RUGBY CHAMPIONS HONOURED AT END OF SEASON AWARDS The SONI Community Champions Award recognises and rewards volunteers who contribute to the smooth running of grassroots rugby and who have a positive impact on their club and community.

The award, which is in its second year, is open to volunteers who perform a wide variety of roles, from coaches to fundraisers, treasurers to event managers in both adult and youth categories. After a rigorous shortlisting process four semi-finalists were chosen from the flood of nominations received. One winner from the adult category and one winner from the youth and

mini category will be chosen at the Ulster Rugby Awards on Saturday 6th May. The award scheme is initiated by SONI which is responsible for running the electricity grid across Northern Ireland, with the sole aim of rewarding volunteers who contribute to the smooth running of grassroots rugby, having a positive impact on their club and community.

SONI COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOUR FINALISTS:

CATEGORY: ADULT

CATEGORY: YOUTH AND MINI

SUSAN SPENCE HEAD OF ADMIN CITY OF DERRY RFC

GARY McFARLANE YOUTH CONVENOR/CORDINATOR LARNE RFC Gary McFarlane has been associated with Larne Rugby Club for three years. NOMINATED FOR: Gary has utterly transformed youth rugby at Larne RFC, growing the youth section from just 18 members in 2014 to nearly 100 this season by introducing a variety of processes and procedures and by streamlining communication between players enabling youth rugby at the club to flourish. Gary has taken on the role of Youth Convenor with absolute commitment providing coordination, establishing relationships with players and parents and developing a vision and code of conduct for all. Gary also plays a crucial part in seeking sponsorship, developing the club’s social media, attending training sessions and fundraising. Richard Black has been associated with City of Armagh Rugby Club for 35 years. NOMINATED FOR: Richard sees the enormous value that playing sport brings to young people and through his selfless devotion, youth rugby in Armagh is thriving. Richard has played an active part in the club as a player, coach, Honorary Treasurer, President and referee. Despite this, it’s his ongoing involvement with Armagh RFC’s youth teams that’s extra special. He has doubled the numbers in the section in just six years, he acts as referee, fixture organiser, coach and mentor, fundraiser, seeks sponsorship, encourages participation and has driven both the success and the reputation of Armagh RFC. RICHARD BLACK YOUTH CONVENOR, CITY OF ARMAGH RFC

SONI COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

Former Junior, then Senior Vice President, Susan was the first female to assume the role of President of a rugby club in Ulster and has been associated with City of Derry Rugby Club for over 20 years. NOMINATED FOR: Susan fulfills many roles while supporting others in theirs, bringing enthusiasm and vigor to everything she does and creating a real ‘esprit de corps’ at the club. Quick to volunteer for jobs that others might shun, her input across all areas of the club is unmeasurable and has made her the go-to individual for absolutely everything.

JOHN CURRY HONORARY SECRETARY RANDALSTOWN RFC

John Curry has been associated with Randalstown Rugby Club for over 30 years. NOMINATED FOR: Integrity is at the heart of everything that John does, and alongside fulfilling his many roles including fundraising, sustainability and arranging club tournaments, he played a major part in securing the Clubs of Ireland Excellence Award for Randalstown. John also acts as Welfare Officer (safeguarding). He always conducts himself in an exemplary

manner and quite simply has made a contribution to his club of immense proportions during his three decade commitment.

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FAREWELL RICKY

RICKY LUTTON

something that you’ve dreamt of since you were a kid. Being a player for my home Province has been a dream come true for me, and to do it for so long has been an honour. It’s made me immensely proud wearing the Ulster badge. You have seen a lot of changes here too? Yeah, there has been a massive transition. When I first turned up at Newforge we were eating our lunches in our cars in the car park, so there have been massive changes in terms of professionalism. I think all the new facilities here are brilliant and there can be no excuses now to get some silverware in the cupboard over the next couple of years. Unfortunately, I’ll not be here but I’m sure the boys will go on to do something great. What does the future hold for you? I’m not too sure yet. I’ve got a couple of options across the water or I might end up playing and coaching club rugby locally. I also have my Sports Law Degree to finish off around Christmas time. So there are a few doors open, but it will be a difficult enough transition moving away from life at Kingspan. But at some point we all have to move on and I will embrace the change. Good Luck Ricky!

You have been a part of Ulster for so long now, you must be sad to say goodbye? Yeah, of course. I grew up coming to watch the boys and it’s been five years that I’ve been involved here now. So it’ll be tough to say goodbye, but I guess everything has to come to an end at some point. What are your favourite memories on and off the field? I’d say some of the things off the field I probably can’t talk about! But on the field, it would definitely be my first start down in the RDS in 2013 when we beat Leinster. It was a big moment for me and to get the win down there was pretty special. Also to beat Toulouse back- to-back last year both at home and away was a really good achievement for the team, so they would be two highlights for me on the field. Off the field, it has to be the friendships. I’ve seen a lot of my good mates come and go like Neil McComb and Niall Annett and boys like that who I came up through Harlequins with, but new guys come in, and the squad grows and you make good mates along the way so I’ll be sad to say goodbye but I wish the boys all the best. What will you miss the most about playing for Ulster? I’ll miss the camaraderie and the pride you get from turning up every Monday morning to do

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FAREWELL RUAN

Also, the semi-final at the Aviva. So many people travelled down to support us and from the moment we walked down the stairs at the Shelbourne Hotel, it was packed with Ulster supporters who all started clapping and singing and it was really emotional to see everyone. What will you miss most about Ulster? The people. They have made it really special. The guys I have met within the team and all the fans have really welcomed us. The people we have met will be lifelong friends and I will stay in touch with as many of them as I can. Belfast is a great place to live, it has its challenges, people

After seven years, it will be emotional saying goodbye to your Ulster Rugby family? It has been a rollercoaster; this week especially has been really emotional. I have thought about this moment, this last game and being involved with the team and this club, for the last couple of months now and it has come a bit quicker than I expected. Saturday will be tough and emotional for me and my family, but I will try to enjoy it as much as I can. It’s the last time I get to play a competitive match with the guys I have played with for a couple of years now so I am looking forward to it, but it will be really tough to say goodbye. What would you say are your Ulster Rugby highlights? Making my debut back in 2010

are sick of my jokes about the weather but it is an awesome place to bring up a family, it’s a beautiful country and like I said the people make it special so it’s sad to say goodbye. My daughter was born here so we will always have ties to this country, my wife has been terrific. We were only married a few months before we made the move here and thankfully we have adapted well and she has embraced the culture and made

RUAN PIENAAR was special. You come over here as a foreign player and you’re not sure how the crowd and your teammates will accept you. It was a big step and I was nervous but obviously making my debut was exciting. From

then every Friday night was such a good experience, running out to a packed stadium in front of

a passionate crowd. The fans always come out to support, no matter what the weather is like. European games are the ultimate experience and those are the games you love to be involved in. We have had some special wins at Kingspan Stadium over the years. The 2011/12 season stands out for me. We made it against all the odds which was incredible. We even surprised ourselves making that final and although we lost, it was a special occasion for the whole club and for the whole Province of Ulster. What was your favourite game to play in? I have two favourites. Firstly, at Thomond Park in the quarter final of the European Cup against Munster. It was my first experience down there and everyone said how tough it was going to be and it was exactly that, so to come away with the win against such a good team was great.

a lot of good friends. For my kids, my wife and I, it will be an emotional day on Saturday. It will be tough knowing in a couple of weeks, we have to get on a plane and leave these shores. What does the future hold for the Pienaar family? We are off to France for a couple of years, I will probably see my career out there. This is home for us now so hopefully we will have the opportunity to come back to Northern Ireland and settle here. If we could plan our perfect scenario, the plan is to come back and settle here in Belfast

in about five years. Good Luck Ruan!

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MARK BEST

JOHN ANDREW

RODNEY AH YOU

Centre 01.04.94 182cm 94kg

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg 26 — Prop 25.02.86 180cm 116kg 128 — Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 193 11 No. 8 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 192 2

Prop 27.10.88

187cm 129kg 17 3

— —

TOMMY BOWE

CALLUM BLACK

RORY BEST

Wing 22.02.84 190cm 100kg 150 69

Hooker 15.08.82

178cm 106kg

198 104

DARREN CAVE

PETER BROWNE 2nd Row 25.10.87 201cm 116kg

AARON CARINS

Scrum half 07.10.92 183cm 85kg 1 —

31 —

MARCELL COETZEE

JOHN DONNAN 2nd Row 16.02.93 197cm 115kg

ROBBIE DIACK

Flanker 08.05.91 191cm 112kg 4 SA 28

— —

ULSTER SQUAD 2016/17 28 LORCAN DOW Back Row 27.01.95 190cm 108kg 1 — Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 148 10 Prop 07.05.88 180cm 120kg 54 — CHRIS HENRY Back Row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 164 24

IAIN HENDERSON 2nd Row 21.02.92 199cm 117kg

CRAIG GILROY

74 32

ROB HERRING

WIEHAHN HERBST

Hooker 27.04.90 185cm 102kg 119 1

www. ULSTERRUGBY .com

CONOR JOYCE

PADDY JACKSON

BRETT HERRON

Back Row 05.07.93

Out half 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 122 23

Fly half 13.11.95 184cm 92kg 7 —

192cm 106kg 6 —

RICKY LUTTON

LOUIS LUDIK Full back 10.08.86 182cm 92kg 54 —

ROSS KANE

Prop 26.02.86 182cm 114kg 57 —

Prop 14.10.94 180.5cm 116kg

ULSTER SQUAD 2016/17

11 —

LUKE MARSHALL

PAUL MARSHALL

ROB LYTTLE

Centre 03.03.91 181cm 97kg 103 9 Centre 06.08.92 193cm 113kg 57 1

Scrum half 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 193 3

Prop 01.02.92 177cm 111kg 35 — Centre 03.03.91 181cm 97kg 8 — Back Row 07.04.90 193cm 108kg 2 —

KYLE McCALL

STUART McCLOSKEY

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

Out half 13.04.97 179cm 80kg

— —

PETER NELSON Full back 05.10.92 180cm 88kg 36 — JARED PAYNE Full back 13.10.85 186cm 97kg

JONNY MURPHY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Hooker 02.06.92

178cm 106kg 2 —

STUART OLDING

ALAN O’CONNOR 2nd Row 10.09.92 197cm 114kg 38 —

Centre 11.03.93 178cm 93kg 62 4

78 20

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RUAN PIENAAR

CHARLES PIUTAU

MATTHEW REA 2nd Row 21.09.93 193cm 110kg

Back Row 05.10.89 182cm 105kg 57 1 Scrum half 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 140 SA 88 Prop 19.08.90 184cm 110kg 4 — Wing 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 216 70 Back Row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 220 1

Utility back 31.10.91 183cm 102kg 22 NZ 16

— —

DAVE SHANAHAN

SEAN REIDY

CLIVE ROSS

Scrum half 20.06.93 174cm 90kg

Back Row 14.06.89 193cm 105kg

ULSTER SQUAD 2016/17

12 —

52 —

JOHNNY SIMPSON

JACOB STOCKDALE

KIERAN TREADWELL 2nd Row 11.06.95 198cm 121kg 20 —

Wing 04.03.96 195cm 96kg 23 —

ANDY WARWICK

ANDREW TRIMBLE

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE 2nd Row 15.03.83 198cm 117kg 73 SA 1

Prop 12.03.91 179cm 110kg 73 —

ROGER WILSON

Keep up to date with the latest player pro les, career stats and player news at www.ulsterrugby.com . PLAYER STATS

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15

1

ANDREW WARWICK

CRAIG GILROY

14

2

ANDREW TRIMBLE C

ROB HERRING

13

3

RODNEY AH YOU

LUKE MARSHALL

12

4

STUART McCLOSKEY

KIERAN TREADWELL

ULSTER RUBGY

11

5

CHARLES PIUTAU

ALAN O'CONNOR

6

10

ROBBIE DIACK

PADDY JACKSON

7

9

SEAN REIDY

RUAN PIENAAR

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 J ANDREW K McCALL W HERBST N TIMONEY

20 21 22 23

C HENRY P MARSHALL P NELSON J STOCKDALE

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ROGER WILSON

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

REFEREE ANDREW BRACE IRFU, 23RD COMPETITION GAME ASSISTANT REFEREES JOHN LACEY | EDDIE HOGAN-O'CONNELL IRFU CITING COMMISSIONER EUGENE RYAN IRFU TMO LEO COLGAN IRFU

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15

1

CIAN HEALY

ZANE KIRCHNER

14

2

ISA NACEWA C

JAMES TRACY

LEINSTER RUGBY

13

3

RORY O'LOUGHLIN

MICHAEL BENT

12

4

NOEL REID

DEVIN TONER

11

5

FERGUS McFADDEN

ROSS MOLONY

6

10

ROSS BYRNE

RHYS RUDDOCK

7

9

JAMISON GIBSON-PARK

JOSH VAN DER FLIER

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 R STRAUSS J McGRATH T FURLONG H TRIGGS

20 21 22 23

D LEAVY L McGRATH J CARBERY T DALY

8

JACK CONAN

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MICHAEL BENT

ADAM BYRNE

BRYAN BYRNE

Prop 25.04.86 183cm 118kg

Full Back 10.04.94 191cm 98kg

Hooker 09.09.93

178cm 100kg

ROSS BYRNE

ED BYRNE

JOEY CARBERY

Fly Half 08.04.95 188cm 91kg

Prop 09.09.93 180cm 104kg

Fly Half 01.11.95 183cm 86kg

BARRY DALY

JACK CONAN

SEAN CRONIN

Wing 19.09.92 183cm 97kg

No. 8 29.07.92 193cm 113kg

Hooker 06.05.86 183cm 99kg

TOM DALY

BILLY DARDIS

MAX DEEGAN

Centre 31.07.93 193cm 102kg

Full Back 31.01.95 178cm 87kg

No. 8 01.10.96 193cm 108kg

PETER DOOLEY LEINSTER RUGBY 2016/17 TADHG FURLONG

JAMISON GIBSON-PARK

Prop 14.11.92 183cm 123kg

Prop 04.08.94 183cm 113kg

Scrum Half 23.02.92 175cm 83kg

JAMIE HEASLIP

OISIN HEFFERNAN

CIAN HEALY

No. 8 15.12.83 193cm 108kg

Prop 04.01.95 185cm 118kg

Prop 07.10.87 185cm 120kg

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ROBBIE HENSHAW

DAVE KEARNEY

MICK KEARNEY

Full Back 19.06.89 180cm 86kg

Full Back 12.06.93

Back Row 29.03.91 196cm 107kg

191cm 102kg

ROB KEARNEY

HUGO KEENAN

ZANE KIRCHNER

Wing 26.03.86 185cm 95kg

Back Row 18.06.96 183cm 90kg

Full Back 16.06.84 185cm 95kg

LEINSTER RUGBY 2016/17

DAN LEAVY

CATHAL MARSH

JEREMY LOUGHMAN

Flanker 23.05.94 191cm 107kg

Fly Half 10.01.92 178cm 91kg

Prop 22.07.95 183cm 119kg

FERGUS McFADDEN

MIKE McCARTHY

NICK McCARTHY

Scrum Half 25.03.95 178cm 83kg

Lock 27.11.81 193cm 115kg

Centre 17.06.86 183cm 92kg

JACK McGRATH

ROSS MOLONY

LUKE McGRATH

Prop 11.10.89 183cm 120kg

Lock 11.05.94 196cm 108kg

Scrum Half 03.02.93 175cm 82kg

IAN NAGLE

ISA NACEWA

JORDI MURPHY

Lock 17.10.88 198cm 113kg

Full Back 22.07.82 180cm 88kg

Flanker 22.04.91 188cm 106kg

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Join the 1,000s who have already moved toHughes Home Insurance

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Hughes Insurance Services Limited, a private company limited byshares, is registered in England andWales, No: 4451375. Registered Address: 20FenchurchStreet,London,EC3M3AW.HeadOffice:StrangfordHouse,4 JubileeRoad,Newtownards,CoDown,BT234WN.Hughes InsuranceServices Limited, trading as Hughes Insurance, is authorised and regulated bythe Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services RegisterNo: 305651.

SEAN O'BRIEN

RORY O'LOUGHLIN

ANDREW PORTER

Back Row 14.02.87 188cm 108kg

Centre 21.01.94 188cm 94kg

Prop 16.01.96 183cm 125kg

GARRY RINGROSE

NOEL REID

CHARLIE ROCK

Scrum Half 24.01.95

Centre 26.01.95 185cm 93kg

Centre 22.05.90 183cm 92kg

LEINSTER RUGBY 2016/17

— —

MIKE ROSS

RHYS RUDDOCK

DOMINIC RYAN

Back Row 13.11.90

Flanker 28.03.90 193cm 106kg

Prop 21.12.79 188cm 124kg

191cm 103kg

JOHNNY SEXTON

RICHARDT STRAUSS

PEADAR TIMMINS

Fly Half 11.07.85 188cm 93kg

Hooker 29.01.86 175cm 98kg

Back Row 08.01.94 188cm 97kg

DEVIN TONER

JAMES TRACY

HAYDEN TRIGGS

Lock 29.06.86

Hooker 02.04.91 183cm 107kg

Lock 22.02.82 201cm 118kg

211cm 128kg

JOSH VAN DER FLIER

For the latest player pro les, career stats and player news visit www.leinsterrugby.ie PLAYER STATS

Flanker 25.04.93 188cm 106kg

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FAREWELL FRANCO

I’m sure it’s an emotional time saying farewell to a club that you have been a part of for a number of years now? Yes it is. I’ve been here for three years now and I’ve got a lot of good memories. From day one we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here and it will always be a special place for us. Off the field our first daughter was born here and we will never forget that. What would you say are your highlights? Off the field, definitely the fact that our daughter was born here and also the first time I ran out onto the pitch and heard the SUFTUM song, that was really unexpected. I didn’t know about the song until earlier that week up and singing SUFTUM, I got goosebumps all over, so that was a pretty good highlight. But also there is the players, the staff, the management, the supporters, everyone – people have been really supportive to us over the last three years, which has been great. and someone said I was in for a surprise. When I ran out and there was a full crowd and everyone was standing we were at our best and to go to France to Toulouse and beat them was a great feeling. First of all we played them here and won, that was really good - but then to do it again, to go away and beat them there was unbelievable. What will you miss the most? The people, the players especially, as we spend almost every single day together. Sometimes I spend more time with them than I do with my wife and my family. When we go to away games there is a lot of craic and every day in training we have a laugh so it’s really the friendships I have developed with the guys that I will miss the most.

You’ve really embraced life here in Belfast, I’m sure it will hold a special place in your heart? It’s only been three years but it feels like I’ve been a part of the club for much longer than that. I think it’s because it’s such a well-supported and well-structured organisation. If you take from the top management all the way down to the players, you know the way it’s run that it's a really good club to be a part of. We have world class facilities so to come here and be part of Ulster and to realise what the guys are playing for makes it special every single time you wear the white jersey. Have you got a favourite place here?

We have travelled a lot here in Ulster. We have been to the Causeway, up to Portrush and Dunluce Castle. Every time family or friends come over we take them up North so that is one of our favourite places to go to and some of our favourite restaurants are up there too. Is Ulster what you expected it to be?

When I signed, I didn’t even know where I was going to. There is a town in South Africa also called Belfast but it isn’t even close to what Belfast is like here. Everything is so green here but I didn’t expect anything. When I got here I was blown away by the friendly people, the amazing city, just everything about Belfast, I really have enjoyed every minute. What does the future hold for you? I’m not 100% sure what is going to happen after Cardiff but I am going to be playing there for the next while, after that I will have to see. I might have another year or two left in me, I might go back to South Africa and start a new career and maybe grow the family in the next couple of years. We are looking forward to the future but there is one more hurdle against Leinster this weekend that we need to get over so I’ll park the thought of Cardiff for another few weeks. Good Luck Franco!

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE What was your favourite game to play in? I would have to say the away game against Toulouse. That was probably one of the games

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FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

2014 2017

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www.dalefarm.co.uk /dalefarmni dale_farm

GOOD LUCK CLARKIE!

ALLEN CLARKE

forgets it. The European Cup success of 1999 seems like a life time ago but will always remain special. We weren't the most talented team in the competition but everybody dug deep for each other. The semi-final victory over Stade- Francais at Ravenhill is particularly memorable because of the crowd, the atmosphere and the performance. As a coach - winning the Celtic League in 2006, ironically pipping Leinster, with a victory over Ospreys in the final league game of the season. With five minutes to go Ospreys scored from a special play we’d prepared for all week. I still remember the silence between Smally (Mark McCall) and me; but fair play to the boys they managed the last few minutes fantastically and Humph hit a sweet drop goal off both posts before dropping over. It was a brilliant end to what was a fantastic season. "To all I’ve played with, colleagues at all levels, supporters and most importantly the players, some young and some not so young - thank you!"

I’m sure it is with mixed emotions that you are saying farewell to a club you have been a part of for so long? It has been an honour and privilege to play and coach for my home Province. I first played for Ulster in 1994, even though my club side was Northampton Saints. In those days, there were only about 8 to 10 Ulster fixtures per season made up of Inter-provincials and touring sides, nonetheless every game for Ulster was special. Tell us about your new position? I’m moving to Ospreys as Assistant Coach - the people I’ve met have been very impressive. The club is ambitious with a great mix of experience and talent coming through and the fans are knowledgeable and passionate about their rugby. It’s an exciting challenge, one my wife and I are looking forward to. We’ve found a beautiful small market town just outside Swansea called Ystradgynlais where we’re going to live - I’ll head over early June and Kerry will follow late summer. What stands out as your Ulster Rugby highlight? There have been many - as a player obviously my first cap for Ulster, no Ulster man ever

Clarkie

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COME DINE WITH ULSTER RUGBY AT SLIM’S KITCHEN Thanks to everyone who supported our charity night for Include Youth at Slim’s Kitchen on the Belmont Road last week. A great night was had by all!

SLIM'S KITCHEN CHARITY NIGHT

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SLIM'S KITCHEN CHARITY NIGHT

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ULSTER RUGBY & SUBWAY ANNOUNCE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMME Ulster Rugby, who have partnered with Subway as the title sponsor of all Ulster Rugby camps, have announced details of the 2017 Summer Camp programme.

The summer camps will feature 24 camps at 22 venues throughout the Province from 3rd July until 18th August, offering a fun-filled programme of rugby training and games for boys and girls of all ages and abilities. Five-day Junior Camps will continue to run at 15 locations for boys and girls aged 6-11 while two three- day Girls Camps at Malone RFC and Clogher Valley RFC will cater for 10-16 year old females. Newforge sports complex in Belfast will once again host a three- day Special Needs Camp, while an additional Special Needs Camp will also be held at Portadown RFC. Following on from the successful introduction of the School of Excellence Camps last summer, 5 similar three-day camps will be run for more experienced 11-15 year old boys and girls. All camps will run from 9am-1pm each day. The focus of all camps is about boys and girls enjoying rugby in a fun and safe environment, with young players benefitting from expert advice from IRFU qualified rugby coaches while Ulster professional players will also be on hand to give tips on the game, talk about life as a professional and interact with the participants. Subway Ulster Rugby Camps offer great value with £65 the cost for a place on the Junior Camp, £40 for the Girls and Special Needs Camps, and £85 for the School of Excellence Camps. Discounts are available for additional family members attending the same camp and for participants attending a second camp. The price includes a t-shirt, boot bag, rugby ball, plus promotional codes to claim a free ticket to an Ulster game at Kingspan Stadium and a free stadium tour, including a visit to The Nevin Spence Centre. As part of the lead-in to the Womens Rugby World Cup, the winners’ trophy will also be on show at a number of the summer camps for participants to get

their photo taken and learn more about the big event, which climaxes in Belfast this August. Commenting on the announcement of the 2017 Subway Ulster Rugby Summer Camp programme, Ulster Rugby’s Domestic Rugby Manager Chris Webster said: "We are delighted to launch our annual summer camps programme and also to welcome Subway on board as our new sponsor. The summer camps have gone from strength to strength and I am delighted that we have been able to increase the number of camps on offer this year, in particular building on the success of our popular Schools of Excellence and Special Needs camps. “In the year in which the Women’s Rugby World Cup comes to Ireland and Belfast plays host to the Final, it is great to see that, with the increasing interest in the female game, we are able to offer camps specifically for the next generation of female players.” Scot Heyes, Subway NI Marketing Chairman, added: “Our partnership with Ulster Rugby represents a perfect match for Subway and we are proud to be supporting a forward-looking, ambitious organisation which demonstrates and promotes passion, drive, and a will to succeed at all levels of the game. “With a combined team spirit, Subway looks forward to cultivating the deep grass roots enthusiasm for the sport and growing community participation and engagement at all levels in an exciting, proactive way.” Places on each camp are strictly limited, so parents are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

SUMMER CAMPS - BOOK NOW

For full details of this year’s Subway Ulster Rugby Summer Camps, or to book your place online, visit www.ulsterrugby.com/camps.

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2017/18 SEASON TICKETS

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This evening’s visit to Kingspan by table-topping Leinster means the prospect of another intriguing and riveting contest with Ulster’s longstanding Inter-provincial rivals. ULSTER FACING UP TO HARSH REALITIES

But mouth-watering as that duel always is, there is no evading the sense of disappointment which most home supporters will feel as they take their places in the seats and on the terraces of the state-of-the- art stadium for the last game of the regular season. It was one which promised so much, started well, alarmingly ‘dipped’, then appeared to recover its momentum and some of its style before reaching the vital run-in to semi-final qualification before stuttering frustratingly once more. Last weekend’s hugely uninspiring display in defeat at the Ospreys has effectively ensured the hosts will end another campaign with a whimper rather than with the roar and gusto which might have been anticipated. The form and results of the three games in April yielded a paltry three points and ceded ground to the Scarlets and the out-of-form Ospreys in the race for a Top Four finish. Given that six successive wins in the Guinness PRO12 since January had given grounds for genuine ambition the last month has been one to test the mood of the most resilient supporters. A fateful home draw with Cardiff Blues – in hindsight – meant that trips to Thomond Park and Liberty Stadium were unlikely to offer a rich harvest given the uneven displays and the morale-sapping catalogue of injuries which has definitely prevented the necessary consistency of selection which most will accept is a formidable tool at critical stages of the year. Indisputably there have been performances by individual players which offered more than a hint of what this talented and carefully-assembled squad might achieve, and Rob Lyttle, Jacob Stockdale and John Andrews are just a few of those who are sure to be handed important roles as Ulster – as it must now – looks forward to another assault on the PRO12 and on Europe in August. Les Kiss and his coaching staff wouldn’t point at the list of casualties as a reason for the failure to realise the potential at Kingspan, but the long-term absences of such as Stuart Olding, Peter Nelson, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Wiehahn Herbst, Chris Henry and Marcel Coetzee does provide an insight into the wounding damage their particular gifts and experience might have offered if they had been consistently available. Leinster, today’s visitors, has been hit hard by injuries but there has been a depth to the pool at the disposal of Leo Cullen and his assistant Stuart Lancaster which Ulster is attempting to build but can only envy as it ponders ‘what might have been’ while the men in blue contemplate a home semi-final

in the PRO12. Only the most startling of twists in this evening’s final round of games would see the teams meet again competitively this campaign, and only a thumping Scarlets win over the Ospreys, a bonus- point win for Ulster and the unlikeliest scale of points ‘swing’ could deliver a Top Four spot for a third Irish side. That won’t be happening, and home fans will admirably hope for the truly miraculous intervention of fortune but should instead translate that misguided hope into fervently, vocally urging one final demonstration of what the Ulster players can produce and will be already determined to provide consistently when serious combat is renewed in late summer. Director of Rugby Les Kiss and Head Coach Neil Doak have never hidden their disappointment that the hard work the coaches and players have done has not been matched in terms of a persuasive sequence of displays and results which a club such as Ulster can expect. With Allen Clarke and Niall Malone – and for a short time Joe Barakat - the coaching ticket has invested not just time but no little invention in preparing and encouraging individuals to perform to their very, very best. And, at times, their best has been very, very impressive. A squad providing three British and Irish Lions this summer, which can call on uniquely-gifted players such as Charles Piutau, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Darren Cave, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Alan O’Connor, Sean Reidy and so many more topline professionals does not lack quality. Whatever the factors which have contrived to prevent them realise the aspirations they share with the supporters and the administrative set-up at Kingspan the bottom line is that Les Kiss will accept that continuing and overlong under-achievement is unacceptable. A side which can produce wondrous European nights against giants like Clermont Auvergne, swat away the challenges of the PRO12’s best when in the right frame of mind is not to be dismissed as unfit for purpose. Anyone who might suggest the latter face- to-face with an intelligent, dedicated warrior like Rory Best would be as misguidedly brave as wrong! Of course there will be ongoing reflection and deliberation in the management, but when Jonno Gibbes arrives as Head Coach in the summer, with Dwayne Peel taking the responsibility for the attack, the human playing material with which they will work is already identified and signed up at Kingspan.

ROD NAWN

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