Ulster Rugby vs Llanelli Scarlets

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Official Digital Matchday Programme of Ulster Rugby v Llanelli Scarlets, Sunday 21st February 2016 in the Guinness PRO 12.

LEADING THE FIELD

Welcome to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, for an exciting Sunday afternoon tie against the Scarlets.

Ulster have been in determined form in recent weeks, showing grit and skill in equal measure to edge their way to a position at the top of the Guinness PRO12 table. No doubt that defeat to the Scarlets in week two will be on the players’ minds and I look forward to a thrilling contest between two teams with just one point separating their three-place difference in the league. On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success this afternoon. Show your support, let the Scarlets know what a different fixture this is at home and stand up for the Ulster men today!

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director

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

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Kingspan Stadium this afternoon for this Guinness PRO12 match against Scarlets.

a draw against Wales and a defeat against France, they will need a win to get back on track. Congratulations to Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne who have played in both games and I hope that some more of our players are selected before the campaign is over. The Danske Bank Schools’ Cup quarter-finals took place yesterday and I congratulate those schools who progressed to compete in the semi-finals. I hope that you all enjoy the game and give Scarlets a great Ulster reception this evening. Good luck to Ulster and remember, STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN!

I would particularly like to welcome the officials, players and supporters who have made the trip from Wales and I hope that you enjoy your time in Belfast. The importance of today’s game in terms of Ulster’s play-off aspirations cannot be underestimated. The Province currently sits in first place in the Guinness PRO12 but with so many teams within a few points of each other, every point gained or dropped could be crucial. When these teams last met back in September, Scarlets emerged as winners 22-12 and continued their winning ways, sitting on top of the league table until recently. So Ulster will have to be on top of their game today to secure a win. In the Six Nations Championship, Ireland take on England at Twickenham on Saturday and after

Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

Kingspan Stadium, 85 Ravenhill Park, Belfast, BT6 0DG T // +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

Welcome to Round 15 of the Guinness PRO12 championship and as we race towards the last quarter of the season, it is still unclear who will make it to the Play-Offs in April, as well as automatic qualification for Europe. Ulster and Connacht sit at the top of the table tied on 45 points apiece, only separated by points difference on their matches played. Leinster and Scarlets occupy third and fourth and are also on equal footing with each other on 44 points, but the Irishmen have a game in hand. Further down the table, but still in contention for a coveted Play-Off spot, seven points split Edinburgh in fifth (37 points) from eighth placed Glasgow (30 points) and the defending Guinness PRO12 champions have two games in hand. Munster are just one point behind Edinburgh, with a game in hand, and Ospreys are in seventh on 34 points. Cardiff Blues (ninth, 28 points) may rue the loss last weekend to Benetton Treviso, whilst they can still mathematically make the final stages of the championship they will be relying on other results to go their way to climb up the standings. Bottom-of-the-table Benetton Treviso, face another Welsh club this weekend when they host Newport Gwent Dragons (ninth, 22 points) and a back-to-back win would put them within seven points of tenth placed Zebre and challenge for the Italian qualification spot for next season’s Champions Cup. It is a credit to the unions, clubs, coaches and players that our championship is as competitive as it is and many of the talented players that compete in the Guinness PRO12 have been on international duty. Many of you got behind our #GUINNESSPRO12Hero campaign over the start of the RBS 6 Nations. If you want to be in with a chance of winning tickets and hospitality to the Guinness PRO12 Final at Murrayfield on the 28 May, then use the hashtag #GUINNESSPRO12Hero when a player from our championship scores a try in the tournament. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the teams, players and officials all the very best for their games this weekend and thank you, the fans, for your continued support. Enjoy the game.

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TODAY’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

MATTHEW HALLIDAY (11) Matthew is from Lisburn and attends Wallace High School. He plays rugby at school and at Lisburn RFC. Matthew also enjoys cricket, watching Manchester United and cycling. His favourite player is Paul Marshall because he is a brilliant scrumhalf and he always takes the time to speak to Matthew. When he grows up he would like to be the ‘new’ Paul Marshall.

JAMES WADDELL (10) James is from Dromore and attends Dromore Primary School. He plays rugby at school and at Dromore RFC, and he also enjoys WWE. James’ favourite player is Paddy Jackson because he is a great kicker and a great inspiration to young players. When he grows up, James would like to be a professional rugby player for Ulster.

WILSON REACHES 200 CAPS FOR ULSTER Roger Wilson earned his first Ulster cap in 2003 against Neath-Swansea Ospreys and tonight he will feature for the 200th time against fellow Welsh side, Scarlets. Having been around the block for 13 years, we caught up with Roger to reflect on his double century innings…

that everything outside the game - the medical staff, the S&C coaches - all that has improved. The obvious changes are that players are more educated in terms of nutrition and well being. From when I started everything is just so much more professional. You have been playing for so long, reasonably unscathed, what’s your secret?

What have been your highlights? My highlights are picking up two pieces of silverware – winning the Celtic Cup in my first season and then in 2006 winning the Celtic League. Other small highlights include those big, difficult European games like when you travel to Welford Road and win, that is certainly up there as well. How would you

People talk about being durable, but I think it’s down to luck. I wouldn’t classify myself as being the most powerful of athletes compared to the likes of Stephen Ferris, whose sheer size can lead to pressure on the body. But I know when to push myself and when not to, that comes with experience. I pick my training groups wisely – I know not to go with the massive guys or young guys who want to knock lumps out of each other! What are your future goals?

ROGER WILSON

compare your 200th cap to your 100th? Achieving 100 caps and now 200 – is a great milestone to reach and it’s a great memory to look back on. To be involved and to get that many caps with a team like Ulster, who have been ranked among the best competitors in Europe, is not an easy thing to do. So to achieve that is something I am very proud of. How have you kept your enthusiasm for the game?

My goals don’t focus on caps – obviously getting to 200 will be a great achievement to look back on but I think when you come towards the end of your career – you want to look back at what you achieved as a team and not as an individual. Ulster has failed to deliver as much silverware as they probably should have, but I believe this year is a massive opportunity for us. Getting some silverware this season is the ultimate goal. What advice would you give to young players? Just to try and enjoy it. I would say, don’t get too uptight. Try to relax, have a bit of banter with the lads but work hard. If you want it bad enough – you have to work for it – and sometimes for years, so stick at it and I am sure you will get there in the end.

I have kept my hunger and enthusiasm for the game because I have a competitive edge about me, like most sports people. I feel like I still have a lot to offer, as long as the body feels good and the mind feels good. I feel extremely fortunate to be in this position, and we are all very privileged to be wearing the white jersey, so I think pride keeps you going too. How has the game changed? The game has changed quite a lot between now and when I started 14 odd years ago. The players have increased in size and there is a lot more emphasis put on the physical conditioning of the squad, so the impacts are higher and there’s more of them. But on the flip side of

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IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

GET TO KNOW WILLIE FALOON

SQUAD Q & A

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? That 70s Show FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? New York FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? Ulura, Armagh FAVOURITE HOBBY/PAST TIME? Anything outdoors is good with me IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? Probably Asterix or Obelix, great lifestyle and lots of wild bore to eat BESTADVICEYOUHAVEEVERBEENGIVEN? Tough times don’t last, tough people do WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? Don’t have one DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCKY CHARMS? No WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? It’s the same for any position, enjoy it WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? Just to have a successful season

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PETE FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @WILLIEFALOON7

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As part of their delivery of the DSD supported ‘Sport – a home for lifelong Volunteering’ programme, the three largest sporting bodies have officially recognised young people involved in volunteering in their clubs. YOUNG SPORTS VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATED At a joint awards ceremony last Wednesday will help these young people in their own personal development.”

evening in the Wellington Park Hotel, Ulster Rugby, IFA and Ulster GAA put the spotlight on young sports volunteers. The celebration event officially recognised all those young people aged 14-24 years who volunteer at their local sports club and who have completed 50, 100 or 200 hours volunteering as part of the GoldMark Programme. Jack O’Connor from the Department for Social Development, attended the event to congratulate all the young people involved, speaking at the event he said: “The contribution and achievements of volunteers are essential to sport in Northern Ireland. There is no doubt that many clubs and communities would not be sustainable if it weren’t for the commitment of their volunteers. I have been inspired by the number of young people here this evening who have accumulated so many hours of volunteering activity and I would like to thank you for your time, energy and dedication”. Ulster Rugby President Bobby Stewart highlighted that the skills gained through volunteering are transferable, he said: “This initiative has not only benefited the clubs but also has helped the personal and career development of the young people involved. We hope that the skills and knowledge attained by being part of the GoldMark Programme

Ulster GAA President Michael Hasson praised the young people saying: “Our sports clubs rely on volunteers and it’s great to see so many young people giving their time freely to help out. We hope the young people who participated in the GoldMark Programme will continue to be valuable volunteers for their clubs in the years to come.” Irish FA Football Committee Representative Gerard Lawlor recognised the benefits that volunteering can bring, saying: “I’ve been a volunteer for nearly my whole life and I know from personal experience the benefits it brings to the whole community. It’s fantastic to see so many young people interested in volunteering and nights like this serve to highlight the value they bring whilst giving their achievements the recognition it deserves.” Jane Gribbin from Volunteer Now said it was important to encourage volunteering, she said: “The GoldMark Programme is a widely recognised volunteering programme run by Vounteer Now and is accredited by the Department of Education. The certificates for 50, 100 and 200 hours volunteering is something these young people should be very proud of and put on their applications for further education or career development.”

GOLD MARK PROGRAMME

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Entries for the SONI Community Rugby Champions Award will close at noon on Friday 8th March and organisers are calling for last minute nominations. FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES THECOUNTDOWNISONTOFINDALOCALRUGBYCHAMPION

CELEBRATING RUGBY VOLUNTEERS

Judges will be looking for those who have made a positive contribution to their club and someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty for the love of the game and their club. Chris Webster, Domestic Rugby Manager at Ulster Rugby, encouraged those who know a hard-working and dedicated volunteer, to make sure they put them forward for nomination: “Rugby clubs play a huge part in their community and they rely heavily on the dedication of volunteers, who don’t always get the recognition they deserve. “The SONI Community Rugby Champions award is a fantastic way to recognise volunteers’ achievements and to say thank you for all their hard work, commitment and devotion to their local club. The runner up bursaries and the overall prize would have a significant impact on local rugby clubs and I’d encourage all clubs to put forward volunteers.” The deadline for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday 8th March. Anyone can nominate by filling out the online application form, at www.ulsterrugby.com/communitychampions. For more information on SONI visit www.soni.ltd.uk or follow on Twitter @soni_ltd.

The award, which is a new initiative launched by SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) and Ulster Rugby, aims to honour and recognise the dedication of community rugby volunteers across Ulster. SONI who is responsible for running the electricity grid across the Province launched the initiative at the beginning of the year following its recent announcement of its title sponsorship deal with the Ulster Senior League. Four finalists will be shortlisted from four regions and will be invited to attend Ulster Rugby’s glittering end of year awards ceremony with three runners up receiving a £500 bursary for their local club and the overall champion winning £1,000 - as well as being crowned the SONI Community Rugby Champion. But the clock is ticking says Robin McCormick, General Manager of SONI: “We want to ensure that all volunteers from across the Province have a fair chance to win the award and prize for their club. I would encourage everyone to put forward a volunteer they know who is worthy to be crowned our champion. We encourage entries across all disciplines, whether it’s the Head Coach, a young volunteer, fundraisers, minibus drivers or tea ladies – as long as they have been involved with the club for at least six months, they are eligible to enter.”

WHEN THE TOUGH GET GOING Ulster, top-of-the-table in the Guinness PRO12 after a busy, exhausting sequence of matches in league and in Europe.

physically he was clear what his targets could be, and equally he knew, given the studied guidance of the Ulster medical support team, just where he could and could not ‘push’. The old school of players would be astonished by the developments in sport science: no longer is it an ethereal non-practical aspect of how the modern professional club is structured. Coaches are highly-educated in the consequences of premature returns from injury, and of the possible, negative by-products of ‘hoping for the best’ when player take ‘knocks’ in games. The importance of physical contact in the game today is even reflected quite properly in the specialist functions delegated to coaches. This season the experienced Joe Barakat has brought his encyclopaedic knowledge of the ‘collision’ to the training ground. In the heat of competitive battle better skills are now evident in the positioning of the body in, say, a tackle situation, but these are complex and varied situations to cover, and a player’s best instincts are now allied to knowledge of the best possible options to adopt in executing and ‘taking’ the inevitable and increasingly powerful ‘hits’ which can have the watching spectator flinching. And for every Olding or Tommy Bowe, consigned to long, draining periods of disciplined inactivity and subsequent graduated returns to exercise, there are others in the Academy, from the ‘A’s and from the age-group and the clubs who are receiving expert treatment and very firm ‘return to play’ protocols. While concussions are so much in the news, and rightly concerning, by far the greater amount of time spent by the medics is devoted to real, often sophisticated injuries which, in another era, might have been career-ending. So it’s perhaps timely, while properly considering what has been a rather uninspiring and unspectacular few weeks in the PRO12 that there is ‘background’ too for a legion of players who would just love to be part of the action and contributing a lustre to the recent displays. There are other issues at work in Ulster’s less- than-spectacular performances of late, but they have been winning performances. The Six Nations inevitably causes disruption and familiar players

That sounds – and is – good news, but fans, players and management know that the ‘end game’ is approaching, and that in a congested queue for the top four, the quality and consistency of performances need to move to a level much higher than those which squeezed past the Dragons and Glasgow in the last fortnight. The Scarlets arrive at lunchtime today, and a point off the leaders, the Welsh will want to dine well and put an already unpredictable race for the play-offs into even more complex perspective. Munster have played twice since Ulster finally vanquished Glasgow, Connacht and Leinster – right in the rear mirror of Les Kiss’ side – will hope to have confirmed their places in the elite four, and there can be no doubt there’ll be a degree of pressure from the stands, terraces, the coaches to extend a winning run which has been solid but has not been entirely convincing. There have been ‘plusses’, palpable and more abstract: the resilience and character shown by individuals and by the team when confronted by sides which are increasingly well-drilled defensively, and in that most elusive of qualities, ‘finding a way’ when perhaps the most well-rehearsed and imaginative ploys have come up short. And, though so often repeated, the Ulster side has been refashioned in the last month to accommodate international calls, injuries and the all-important management of players who have been through the fire of a gruelling Champions Cup campaign and key PRO12 matches. There is constant scrutiny in training and in the all-seeing medical and Strength and Conditioning sessions of just what wear and tear a player’s body has taken and is able – with the longer term in view – to give with proper management. Rugby is a sport now so physically demanding that medical science plays a very real role in conversations about squad training, individual fitness regimes, and – ultimately – team selection. It’s stating the obvious that players returning from injury with a full bill of health is always good, refreshing news, and Stuart Olding is a high- profile example of how real care and attention to the detail of injury and to the process of ‘rehab’ is so important. And in those months when he was forced to go the ‘hard yards’ mentally and

ROD NAWN

ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

who might or might not be released for club duty only join the Kingspan training itinerary late in the preparations. It’s not just coincidence that the wonderful, truly admirable position into which Pat Lam has guided Connacht at the top end of the PRO12 has been relatively unmarked by the requirements of Joe Schmidt and his management team. Would Ulster swap with the Westerners? No, of course not, because the fans have thrilled to the side providing spectacular moments and games courtesy of quality players who have earned and deserved the invitation to the international table. The announcement last week of the imminent arrival of Springbok back-rower Marcell Coetzee fulfilled Kiss’s promise that only the best would be joining the squad as the quest to realise a vision beyond the immediate expectations is pursued by the team headed by Operations Director Bryn Cunningham. The visitors to Kingspan Stadium this Sunday afternoon have been confronted by many of the factors related to Six Nations’ calls which – to the mature credit of Kiss and Wayne Pivac – are never used as an easy explanation of sub-par performances. For Ulster fans, who do have very high expectations and have shown patience in the restructuring not just of a team but of a stadium and professional club structure the envy of Europe, the focus will always be on urging the players towards success. And perhaps next month, when panels are restored and some players make such welcome returns to the fray, the entertainment quotient will rise. But it’s probable that the capture of an end-of- season Guinness PRO12 semi-final spot, and the real belief that a trophy is within touching distance after one of the most competitive league campaigns for years, will help to draw the best out of what is an exceptional group of players and coaches. For those whose conviction might be fading, or concern growing, just look at how well the last few weeks have been negotiated in terms of results. There is another big finale to the season in prospect. Believe!

JOHN ANDREW

SAM ARNOLD

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg

Centre 08.04.96 182cm 96kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

11 —

12 —

MARK BEST

RORY BEST

Centre 02.12.89 185cm 87kg

Hooker 15.08.82 178cm 106kg 179 90

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

SQUAD 2015/16 CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg 100 —

Wing 22.02.84 190cm 100kg 135 67

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PETER BROWNE

DARREN CAVE

Second row 25.10.87 201cm 116kg 6 —

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 170 11 // 11A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ROBBIE DIACK

LORCAN DOW

Back row 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 166 2 // 2A

No. 8 27.01.95 191cm 106kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

WILLIE FALOON

CRAIG GILROY

Back row 30.09.86 186cm 100kg

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 124 6 // 2A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

67 —

* all information correct at time of printing

IAIN HENDERSON

CHRIS HENRY

Second row 21.02.92 199cm 117kg 52 23 // 3A

Back row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 141 24

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

WIEHAHN HERBST

ROB HERRING

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 120kg

Hooker 27.04.90 185cm 102kg 90 1 // 2A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

39 —

IAN HUMPHREYS

PADDY JACKSON

Flyhalf 24.04.82 178cm 84kg 112 7A

Flyhalf 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 96 13 // 1A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CONOR JOYCE

LOUIS LUDIK

Back row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 —

Utility back 10.08.86 182cm 92kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

40 —

RICKY LUTTON

LUKE MARSHALL

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 113kg

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 97kg 74 6

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

43 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 166 3 // 2A

Hooker 02.01.92 177cm 111kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

15 —

* all information correct at time of printing

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Official partner of the Guinness PRO12 referees

STUART McCLOSKEY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Centre 06.08.92 194cm 111kg

Back row 04.07.90 193cm 108kg 2 —

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

37 —

JONNY MURPHY

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

Hooker 06.02.92 178cm 106kg

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 114kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

PETER NELSON

ALAN O’CONNOR

Utility back 05.10.92 180cm 85kg

Second row 10.09.92 197cm 114kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

31 —

23 —

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Utility back 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 39 2

POSITION BORN

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

63 12

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 109 SA // 88

Back row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

23 —

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 116kg

Back row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

28 —

* all information correct at time of printing

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RORY SCHOLES

DAVID SHANAHAN

Utility back 24.04.93 187cm 95kg

Scrumhalf 20.06.93 173cm 81kg 8 —

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

21 —

JONNY SIMPSON

JACOB STOCKDALE

Prop 19.08.90 184cm 110kg

Back Row 03.04.96 190cm 96kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

ANDREW TRIMBLE

FRANK TAGGART

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 202 60 // 3A

POSITION BORN

Back row 14.10.94 188cm 108kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

Second row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 134 11 // 4A

POSITION BORN

Second row 15.03.83 198cm 117kg 44 SA // 1

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ANDREWWARWICK

NICK WILLIAMS

Prop 12.03.91 179cm 110kg

POSITION BORN

Back row 02.12.91

POSITION BORN

189cm 125kkg

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

40 —

73 —

SAMWINDSOR

ROGER WILSON

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

Back row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 199 1 // 11 A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

* all information correct at time of printing

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

STUART OLDING

ANDREW WARWICK

14 13 12 11 9 10

CRAIG GILROY

JOHN ANDREW

RICKY LUTTON

DARREN CAVE

ULSTER RUGBY

LUKE MARSHALL

ALAN O’CONNOR

FRANCO VD MERWE

JACOB STOCKDALE

PADDY JACKSON

ROBBIE DIACK

PAUL MARSHALL

CHRIS HENRY

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 J MURPHY K McCALL B ROSS P BROWNE

C ROSS R PIENAAR

ROGER WILSON

S ARNOLD

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IAN DAVIES WRU, 41ST COMPETITION GAME NIGEL CORRELL IRFU // JOHN CARVILL IRFU

EDDIE WALSH IRFU ALAN ROGAN IRFU

* all information correct at time of printing

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Together Stronger

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ROBBIE DIACK

Kingspan has been a partner of Ulster Rugby for 10 years and we are now proud to give our name to this Stadium. Our passion, as a global leader in sustainable building solutions, is to deliver the highest levels of performance - always. Our respect for Ulster Rugby and its dedicated fans is absolute. Welcome to the Kingspan Stadium.

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14 13 12 11 15 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

PHIL JOHN

MICHAEL COLLINS

SCARLETS

LEADING THE FIELD GARETH OWEN

KIRBY MYHILL

PETER EDWARDS

REGAN KING

Hello and welcome to Kingspan Stadium, the impressive home of Ulster Rugby, for the opening game of the 2015/16 Guinness PRO12 season. Tonight’s game against the Ospreys, one of the most successful teams in the history of the league, is as fitting an opening fixture as any, with two teams hoping to find firm footing to start their title-contending campaigns. The start of the season is an exciting time for everyone, as players, staff and management are keen to show the product of a long and hard-working pre-season in the world-class facilities that we now call home. As long-term supporters of Ulster Rugby, we share the optimism and enthusiasm of all players, staff and supporters for the season ahead. In the business world, no one day defines your organisation, and at Kingspan we understand that the road to success is hard fought, but with the right team, supporters and infrastructure anything is possible. On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success tonight, and for the Guinness PRO12 season ahead. DTH VAN DERMERWE HADLEIGH PARKES STEVEN SHINGLER

GEORGE EARLE

DAVID BULBRING

AARON SHINGLER

WILL BOYDE

RHODRI WILLIAMS

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 R ELIAS D EVANS R JONES R PITMAN

S HUGHES A DAVIES A THOMAS S EVANS

MORGAN ALLEN

*correct at time of printing

MORGAN ALLEN

JAKE BALL

Back Row 12.03.90 188cm 115kg —

Lock 21.06.91 198cm 121kg WAL // 15

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

DAVID BULBRING

WILL BOYDE

Lock 12.09.89 201cm 113kg —

Back Row 15.12.94 180cm 93kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16 MICHAEL COLLINS

ALED DAVIES

Wing / Full Back 03.06.93 188cm 94kg —

Scrum Half 19.07.92 175cm 86kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

GARETH DAVIES

GEORGE EARLE

Scrum Half 18.09.90 178cm 88kg WAL // 11

Lock 09.01.87 198cm 110kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

RYAN ELIAS

PETER EDWARDS

Hooker 07.01.95 185cm 108kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 12.08.80 178cm 117kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

DYLAN EVANS

ROB EVANS

Prop 25.01.89 183cm 118kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 14.04.92 185cm 116kg WAL // 5

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

* all information correct at time of printing

STEFFAN EVANS

STEFFAN HUGHES

Wing 01.09.94 180cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 17.02.94 180cm 92kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

RHODRI JONES

PHIL JOHN

Prop 25.04.81 188cm 121kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 23.12.91 191cm 116kg WAL // 13

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SAMSON LEE

REGAN KING

Prop 30.11.92 180cm 115kg WAL // 19

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 02.10.80 188cm 93kg NZ // 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

CONNOR LLOYD

KIRBY MYHILL

Scrum Half 27.07.94 168cm 77kg —

Hooker 05.02.92 183cm 103kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

GARETH OWEN

KEN OWENS

Hooker 03.01.87 185cm 109kg WAL // 36

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Full Back 05.11.88 183cm 95kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MASELINO PAULINO

HADLEIGH PARKES

Lock 21.06.88 206cm 113kg SAM // 7

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 05.10.87 188cm 101kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

* all information correct at time of printing

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TOM PHILLIPS

RORY PITMAN

Back Row 13.02.96 191cm 107kg —

No. 8 06.10.89 196cm 117kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

TOM PRICE

LEWIS RAWLINS

Lock 22.01.93 203cm 100kg —

Lock 13.04.90 198cm 109kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

AARON SHINGLER

STEVEN SHINGLER

Fly Half 20.06.91 191cm 94kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Back Row 07.08.87 198cm 105kg WAL // 8

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

DTH VAN DER MERWE

ALED THOMAS

Wing 28.04.86 183cm 98kg CAN // 39

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Fly Half 02.01.85 183cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

LIAMWILLIAMS

RHODRI WILLIAMS

Scrum Half 05.05.93 175cm 81kg WAL // 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Full Back 09.04.91 185cm 87kg WAL // 28

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

TOMWILLIAMS

SCOTT WILLIAMS

Wing 02.04.91 180cm 86kg —

Centre 10.10.90 185cm 100kg WAL // 34

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

* all information correct at time of printing

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Most of the season has been spent as league leaders but things couldn’t be tighter at the top with only one point separating first placed Ulster and Scarlets in fourth. It was a dramatic victory over the PRO12 champions that got the Scarlets’ season off to a positive start in the first round. In the midst of Rugby World Cup fervor and with two tries, two penalties and a dramatic finish to rival any World Cup game the Scarlets closed out a 10-16 victory with only 11 players on the field to secure a first success at Scotstoun by an opposition side in the PRO12 since November 2013. The Scarlets backed up their dramatic victory over Glasgow in Scotstoun with another win over tough PRO12 opponents, Ulster Rugby. It wasn’t always comfortable for Scarlets fans as the home side conceded two tries and saw three players sent to the sin bin. Ulster have yet to pick up a victory at the Parc since 2010. A classic it may not have been but an 8-20 victory over Zebre Rugby at their Stadio Lanfranchi home ensured an historic day for the Scarlets in the PRO12 in round three. Scarlets were looking for a seventh consecutive PRO12 victory in Italy to ensure their best ever run in the competition. The victory over Zebre also meant five consecutive victories on the road. A defiant Leinster were put to the sword at Parc y Scarlets as DTH secured a brace on debut. Despite a late resurgence from Leinster in the second half, the Scarlets had done more than enough to secure a comfortable victory in the end. As the Scarlets went in search of their ninth consecutive victory, so too were Munster looking to continue their own run of victories, not having lost a game all season. It wasn’t the start the home crowd had hoped for with Munster drawing first blood and going ahead early on. It was the Scarlets who made the most of possession in the opening exchange however and a pair of tries ensured the game would come down to a tense climax. The first time the Scarlets took the lead was in the 80th minute with the final kick of the game. A win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the side’s first Welsh derby of the season was followed quickly by a first defeat in the PRO12 this season as Leinster reigned supreme at their RDS home ahead of the Champions Cup opener. Scarlets got back to winning ways with a pair of Italian jobs secured over Zebre, at the Parc, followed by a tense affair against Treviso sandwiched in between the European rounds. There was no festive spirit in West Wales as the Scarlets recorded defeats in both Christmas derbies, against Ospreys at the Parc and Cardiff Blues at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. A 21-19 victory over this afternoon’s opposition a few weeks back, at Parc y Scarlets, ensured that the Scarlets remained at the top of the table before heading into the final rounds of the Champions Cup campaign. West was best as January came to a close but the West of Ireland and not West Wales as Connacht ran in four tries to defeat the Scarlets 30-17 as the Welsh failed to capitalise on opportunities and allowed indiscipline to rule the roost. Last week’s home game, against Edinburgh, was a much-needed win with Aled Thomas showing nerves of steel kicking a penalty to win the game in the dying moments. afternoon’s opposition, Ulster, looking for a result that will keep them in the top four and play-off positions. With only seven rounds of the regular Guinness PRO12 season remaining, Scarlets take on this SCARLETS SEASON SO FAR …

OPPOSITION

CLUB STATS //Location Llanelli, Wales //Founded 2003 //Ground Parc y Scarlets //Capacity 14,800 //Last Game Edinburgh Rugby (H) 22 - 21(W) Friday 12th Feb 2016, 20:15 //Next Game Edinburgh Rugby (A) Sunday 28th Feb 2016, 14:05 //Recent Form L L W L W

STAFF // Coach Wayne Pivac // Captain Ken Owens

CONTACT Parc y Scarlets Pemberton Retail Park Llanelli Carmarthenshire Tel +44 1554 783 900 TICKET OFFICE Tel +44 1554 783 900

www.scarlets.co.uk

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

MORGAN ALLEN

OPPOSITION

Son of former Welsh international Andy Allen, the Newport born number eight has provided the Scarlets with the powerful ball carrying option that they had been craving. After recovering from a ruptured bicep, which kept him side-lined for ten games, Allen finally made his PRO12 debut with a brace of tries and has appeared for the West Wales region in every game since; making a telling impact from the back row. At 6’ 1” and weighing over 18 stone, the 25 year old has deceptive pace and is a difficult player to stop once he gets a full head of steam! Parkes was an innocuous signing for the Scarlets ahead of the 2014-15 season, but has since become one of the Scarlets’ most consistent and impressive players, regularly a candidate for Man of the Match and a receiver of the accolade on several occasions. The centre, recruited from the Super Rugby franchise, Eastern Province Kings, is uncompromising in defence and a potent attacking threat, often taking several defenders to bring the Kiwi down. Captaining the team today, Parkes is capable of playing in the centre or on the wing, possessing a reliable boot that gives the backline an addition kicking option. Canada’s stand-out performer in the Rugby World Cup, claiming tries in each of their pool games, the South African born flier is no stranger to the try line. The winger, who signed for the Scarlets from fellow PRO12 competitors Glasgow Warriors ahead of the 2015-16 season, has scored 6 tries in 9 appearances for the Welsh region and doesn’t show signs of stopping. A constant threat in the wider channels, van der Merwe is also regularly found hunting the ball off his wing as an additional strike runner for the Scarlets half-backs.

HADLEIGH PARKES

DTH VAN DER MERWE

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FAN FOCUS

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY SARAH ENNIS! Love from husband William, Christian and Layla. SUFTUM!

#KINGSPANSTADIUM SELFIE

If you are heading to an Ulster Rugby game this season simply take a selfie of you/ your friends enjoying the action and tweet the image to @KingspanStadium with the #KINGSPANSTADIUM before midnight on Sunday (following the match). The winner, with the best selfie will then be announced by Q Radio’s Stephen Clements on his Monday morning show and also via Twitter. The winner from each home match week will then be invited, along with a friend, to attend Kingspan Stadium in April to take part in a training session with members of the Ulster Rugby squad. For full T&Cs please visit www.ulsterrugby.com. Congratulations to Ash Mac winner of #KINGSPANSTADIUM selfie competition at the Warriors game. Ash and a friend will be attending a training session with Ulster players later this season. Kingspan is offering seven lucky Ulster fans, plus a friend the opportunity to train with the Ulster squad simply by tweeting a #KINGSPANSTADIUM selfie.

COMPETITION TIME

LOOKING GET AN ‘A’ GRADE

The thoroughly modern structures of a professional rugby club means the public isn’t always aware of just how complex strands are drawn together to bolster the present on the pitch, and secure the future.

We always welcome the emergence of new faces, and we know that at age-group level the most talented youngsters are being nurtured, the relationship with the schools’ game has never been healthier, and the breadth of the process to identify the Ulster players of just a few short years down the ‘road’. The U18s, U19s, U20s at provincial and Irish level are coherently managed and developed, and there is now a very real staircase to offer a route to a career in the sport. And, critically, there is recognition that for some the highest level might just be beyond reach, but effective, successful club rugby can be regenerated by the influx of players who’ve been well-coached, experienced the best disciplines and improved basic skills through careful development by an army of motivated coaches. And an important part of the formula to sustain Ulster, and to provide what Les Kiss regards as integral nourishment of the Kingspan operation is an increasing focus on the ‘A’ side, and all the functions it provides, the opportunities it offers, and the invaluable links it has with the senior set-up, the Academy group, and with the club game in the Province. He’s been a regular spectator at the team’s games this season, and his staff’s tangible guidance and practical help, and the full panoply of resources expended on the PRO12 and European squads, are full extended to the players involved with the ‘A’s. While in terms of results the Ulster ‘A’ team might not have set the British and Irish Cup competition alight, it has been a proving ground for players and coaching staff. And the value of the side, sponsored by the CD Group, taking on teams such as Bristol, Bedford and the Scarlets Premiership Select has already demonstrated itself on many fronts. In May last year, Alex Codling was recruited to the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy, a key part of the responsibilities of the much-travelled English international lock’s was as Head Coach of the Ulster ‘A’ team. He maintains that the Academy at Kingspan Stadium has benefited, the senior side has been able to ‘blood’ some outstanding performers, and Ulster ‘A’s unique pool of talent, drawn from within the Ulster structure and from the Province’s clubs, is going to increase in importance. “Les Kiss, the Director of Rugby, is extremely keen on the B&I Cup, sees it having a big future, and he and the rest of the staff take a real, hands-on interest in the ‘A’ side’s other games, treating us all as a key part of the Ulster player development system”, says Codling, an enthusiastic coach with experience at a tranche of English, Welsh and continental clubs.

Having used 43 players to date this season there is perhaps an indication of the challenges the ‘A’ management faces, but Codling sees it as exciting and fulfilling a truly critical role in blending and blooding Academy youth alongside some experienced, familiar names and drawing from the clubs, offering a serious platform for talent there to shine. But those who have studied the ‘A’s this year have been struck by its very real identity, it is not what some might have seen as a somewhat disjointed unit, useful for those returning from injury to thrust themselves back into the senior panel. There’s the character and spirit of a team with a determination to improve itself as a collective unit, and for individuals to fulfil their potential, and to expose themselves at a higher level of this great game. That was a quite deliberate ambition by Ulster to ‘up’ the profile and the meaningful role of the ‘A’ side, and with Academy Manager, Kieran Campbell, deeply involved in the coaching management, there is no doubt about what is now expected – a team which is to be truly competitive, and a key conduit in drawing talents from all the various playing pools across the Province. “That’s an achievement, down to the players who wanted to play, didn’t feel it was a step down, but knew it offered opportunities and the preparation and game time to make an impression,” says Codling. Injury curtailed a career which took him to the very top of the English game, playing for Harlequins, Saracens and Northampton, then playing and coaching in Wales at Neath and for Montpellier in France. “In the ‘A’ team we have many roles to play, to be a vehicle for players returning to fitness and to the senior squad is one of them. That brings some issues which are up to us to resolve, how to keep the team’s DNA when quite rightly rotating our selection to ensure, for instance, that Stuart Olding most recently got valuable competitive action before making his welcome return to the senior team so successfully”. But Ulster ‘A’ is a side too where players can improve and add to the skills and potential identified by Ulster’s talent ID team. And Kiss, Neil Doak, Allen Clarke and Niall Malone recognise that only a well-organised and properly resourced ‘A’s, offering well-drilled coaching and experiencing good competitive rugby prepares the up- and-coming for an even greater test. And when players who’ve been playing with Ulster in the PRO12 or in Europe are rested, perhaps, or replaced, coming into the ‘A’ fold is not at all a demotion, it’s very much another stage on which to impress and respond.

ULSTER ‘A’ UPDATE

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