Ulster Rugby vs Oyonnax

First page 1 Next page Last page

Official Digital Matchday Programme of Ulster Rugby v Oyonnax, Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 23rd January 2016.

TAKE POSSESSION

LEADING THE FIELD

Welcome to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, for what we hope will be another memorable afternoon in Ulster Rugby’s European Rugby Champions Cup run. The Ulster Rugby players and coaching staff have worked tremendously hard and put in many a heroic performance throughout this Champions Cup campaign, leaving themselves in strong standing ahead of today’s second-leg encounter with Oyonnax Rugby. On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success today. Show your support, stand up for the Ulster men and help ensure this is another Kingspan Stadium match to remember.

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director

GET EVEN CLOSER TO THE ACTION THIS SEASON

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Kingspan Stadium this afternoon for this Round 6 match in the European Champions Cup against Oyonnax.

Ballynahinch and Belfast Harlequins continue to struggle and I hope that their fortunes change for the better in the near future. I would like congratulate Honorary Life Vice President, Ian Beggs, who was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen in the New Year Carrickfergus Rugby Club for 60 years and was their representative at the Ulster Branch for 41 years. On his retirement and for his services to rugby in Ulster, he was awarded the status of Honorary Life Vice President. I am delighted for Ian and his family. I hope that you all enjoy the game this afternoon and that we will be celebrating qualification to the quarter final stages of the European Champions Cup by the end of today! Good luck to Ulster and remember, STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN! Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch) for his services to rugby. Ian has been a member of

When Ulster visited Oyonnax, before Christmas, and again two weeks ago, we were given a very warm welcome both from the club and the residents of the town and in return I want you to give the team, officials and supporters a very warm Ulster welcome and I hope that they enjoy their time in Belfast. Two weeks ago the game was very unusual with Oyonnax winning 23-0 at half time and Ulster making a grand comeback to bring home a 23 points to 24 victory. However, I don’t think I could handle another game like that today! Qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions Cup can be achieved this weekend, but we must play at our utmost potential. With the Six Nations Championship approaching, the news of our injured players is encouraging with Jared Payne already back playing and Stuart Olding playing for the A team this weekend. On the domestic front, Ballymena, Banbridge and City of Derry are all well placed at or near the top of their respective leagues and I wish them further success.

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

T I SSOT PRC 2 0 0 AUTOMAT I C

TISSOT.CH

EPCR WELCOME

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

The pool stages are now reaching a tension- packed conclusion with prized quarter-final places on the line, and the streamlined format of both tournaments, which was introduced last season, has once again produced a series of compelling qualification matches. The clubs who manage to book places in the knockout stages will hope to continue their European journey towards the 2016 Lyon finals at the 59,000-capacity Grand Stade de Lyon in May. The state-of-the-art Grand Stade, which is situated in the Parc Olympique Lyonnais to the east of the city of Lyon, was officially opened earlier this month, and with close to 50,000 tickets already sold or allocated, the Champions Cup final is well on course for a sell-out attendance. Tickets are still selling for both the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup finals via epcrugby.com and we would encourage fans who want to experience a unique weekend festival of elite rugby in one of France’s finest cities to book their seats as soon as possible. EPCR’s tournaments are built on the rich heritage of 20 years of outstanding European competition and as we look forward to more great occasions this season and in the future, I particularly want to acknowledge the commitment of fans across Europe – your support is greatly appreciated. The clubs competing in the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup have qualified on merit from their respective domestic leagues – the PRO12, the Aviva Premiership Rugby and the TOP 14 – or via a play-off. At the conclusion of this season, there will be no play-offs for the 20th place in the Champions Cup On behalf of tournament organiser, EPCR, I am delighted to welcome you to today’s Round 6 match in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

with the winner of the Challenge Cup qualifying automatically for the 2016/17 tournament. In addition, the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition continues to provide important opportunities for emerging and more established clubs alike. Clubs from Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Romania and Spain, along with three representatives from Italy, are competing this season, and two will eventually qualify for the 2016/17 Challenge Cup. With EPCR’s Executive fully operational from its base in Neuchatel, Switzerland, the organisation’s commercial programme continues to gain further momentum. Turkish Airlines were announced as an Official Partner of the tournaments at the start of the current season, and Tissot are now the Official Timekeeper and Watch of the tournaments. These key new agreements with world-renowned brands complement the long-standing relationship with Official Partner, Heineken, while Canterbury supply match officials kit, and Gilbert provide match balls. With first-class broadcast coverage from our TV and radio partners – BT Sport, Sky Sports, beIN Sports, France Televisions, Sky Italia, BBC 5Live, Newstalk and RTE – the tournaments are in a strong position. Finally, I would like to wish today’s teams and their supporters every success as the pool stage reaches its conclusion. Yours in rugby, Simon Halliday // Chairman EPCR

Together Stronger

kukrisports.com

Providing quality bespoke sportswear to athletes and teams

TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

BENJAMIN NEILL (9) Benjamin is from Craigavon and attends

KORIN DEMPSTER (10) Korin is from Hillsborough and attends Dromore Central Primary School. She plays mini rugby for Dromore Eagles and also enjoys playing the trumpet, building lego and listening to music. Her favourite player is Rory Best because he is strong and is the best at lineouts.

Dickson Primary School. He plays mini rugby at school and also at Lurgan Tigers, while he also enjoys playing Xbox, fishing and pigeon racing. His favourite Ulster player is Craig Gilroy because he scored one of his famous tries in the first match Benjamin attended, against Treviso.

PADDY HITCHED TO ULSTER’S WAGON HE just checked who’d been listed in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad, quietly pleased to see that he was, inevitably, included.

was just part of a group who were successful and got noticed a bit,” he says modestly. The cascade of representative honours followed, apparently inevitably, with Ulster Under 20s, a Junior World Cup with Ireland in 2011, and it was in that year, at just 19, that he made his senior Ulster debut in a win over Scarlets. The next year would see Paddy Jackson’s talents being nurtured carefully by the Ulster management, and he was very clearly ‘one to watch’, but in April, 2012, he says being thrust into the European Cup spotlight came as a shock. “There hadn’t been any indication I’d play in the Heineken ‘semi’ against Edinburgh, and when my name ‘popped’ up in a squad meeting my heart gave a jump! Obviously I was pleased, and the whole group was so supportive, especially Ian Humphreys who would have been frustrated to lose out, but he and I get on really well and he backed me. “We got to the final in London and came up against a very good Leinster side, and on the day we weren’t good enough, but it was a huge experience.” Nine months later he was in an Ireland jersey, a defeat by Scotland, and he admits it wasn’t his finest hour as a player. “There was a bit of negativity at the time, around the team and around me. I’m human, I don’t like criticism, but I try to find the positives in everything, to learn all the time, and I know I’m still very much on that curve,” he says. Paddy Jackson is a player fans of the game love to watch, he’s attack-minded and positive, and it’s the same with his approach to life. Les Kiss’ arrival at the Kingspan he feels has galvanised the squad and the mood, and though he’d toured with Ireland in America under Kiss, and been involved with him at Ireland level, Jackson is ever more impressed by the Director of Rugby’s attitude. “He’s one of the most positive people I’ve ever met, and I really think that Ulster Rugby, and its fans, are very lucky to have him here.” And of Head Coach Neil Doak he could not be more enthusiastic. “Doaky has always backed me, since I was 17 he’s been there to put an arm around me, to offer the right advice at the right time, I owe him so much. And with Les he’s always encouraged me to be more attacking, they have got me reading the game so much better.” Jackson’s sense of humour and comedic gifts have entertained thousands on social media, and in more

He scours the sheet full of familiar names, and he’s happy that Stuart McCloskey has received his first senior call-up, and believes the choice of Rory Best as skipper is the right one by far. For Paddy Jackson, 24 just a couple of weeks ago, rugby has been a lifelong passion, something to be enjoyed but to be worked at to really fulfil potential. After a lunchtime chat about today’s game against Oyonnax, his ambitions for himself with Ulster and with Ireland, he’s heading back to the training ground for some kicking practice. “In the game today you really do have to give everything to improving and developing the skills you might have, to maintain the standards you hope you’ve set for yourself,” he says. “I just love playing. I really enjoy making things happen at No.10, and I want to do that for as long as I can, but it means putting in the hours, learning patterns, going through the phases. “Here at Ulster we’ve got a great coaching group of Les Kiss, Neil Doak, Allen Clarke, Joe Barakat and Niall Malone, and you learn something from them all,” says the engaging Jackson, a young man who’s already achieved so much but has longevity in mind. Born in Northern Ireland, his father’s work took the sporting Jackson family to England, and it was at the Sutton Coldfield club that Paddy first showed his prowess – and ambitions – at rugby, aged just eight. “The stories are trues, I’m afraid, I was playing mini- rugby and the Sutton Coldfield jersey had green squares on it, but I insisted always on playing in my replica Ireland top! I played a lot of football, and cricket, but I really enjoyed the rugby, and as Dad and my brother played I got really involved.” Returning to the Province, Jackson the youngster, as a student at Methody, was a regular at Belfast Harlequins age-group sessions, and he remembers fondly the encouragement and coaching he received from his friend’s father, former Ulster prop Arthur Campbell. “Those were good times, it was always so enjoyable, and to honest rugby became a big ‘thing’ for me. “At Methody, of course, I was lucky enough to play with good players and in good sides, and we won a Medallion Shield, and then I went on to win two Schools’ Cup Finals, and those are things that always remain with you. “The legendary David Wells had created such a winning mentality at the school - carried on by his successors - which continues today of course, and I

PADDY JACKSON

private moments, but he’s anxious that he’s not just seen as a joker, a prankster. “It’s been a bit of fun, and it’s very important to me that there is more than rugby to life, and having a laugh can break up routine at the right time. But, no, we’re into the serious business end of the season with Ulster and with Ireland and I don’t think I’ll be ‘posting’ too much soon,” he says, looking up with a wry twinkle in his eyes. And there is a serious side to Paddy Jackson, which might prove a little surprising. “Modern professional sport means you must rest and relax properly, and I do like to ‘switch off’ completely, spend time with friends, listen to some music. “And at school I was always interested in Art and recently I’ve started drawing again, and that I do find is something which is relaxing.” So the creative urge isn’t confined to the rugby pitch? “Well, I don’t know about that. But I also like my music, and I’m a big fan of Mumford and Sons, and I’m into a guy called Jack Garrett, who I saw supporting them in concert, a really talented musician and songwriter. “And Fleetwood Mac, really like them. I listened to one of my dad’s CDs and became ‘hooked’! And it’s always great to be in Iain Henderson’s car, he’s got all these great 70s and 80s songs, love it!” He tries not to watch too much television, and for a surprising reason, given the amusement he’s given through modern devices. “I really do think technology is taking over the world, I don’t want to be numbed by it all. I live in the moment, and I play my rugby in the moment, it’s real, it’s something I can do something about,” he explains. But as he prepares to lace up his boots for that extra kicking practice Paddy Jackson again says that the little boy running around in an Ireland jersey in Sutton Coldfield still has much the same ambitions. “I want to get more games for Ulster, more games for Ireland, to make my mark, to be the best I can be, and who knows where than can take me. “This weekend I want to help Ulster get through to the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup. We know what Oyonnax are all about now, we’ve got to be patient and build, and we’re confident the tries we need will come if we keep to the game plan and do the things we can do well. “We’ll have to wait until Sunday to see if we’ve done enough, maybe, but this Ulster side is going to win things and I want to be very much at the heart of that.” His farewell is direct, friendly and sincere, but talking about himself isn’t his subject of choice and the lure of the pitch and kicking a rugby ball is already lighting up his eyes.

SUFTUM ORIGINAL LYRICS

To the tune of Pet Shop Boys’ ‘Go West’

Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Red hand on their chest They’ll do their very best Stand up and sing for them Our brave young Ulster men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Leicester and Stade did fall Toulouse the Wasps and all Stand up and sing for them Our proud young Ulster men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men

John Dickson

2% OF YOUR MORTGAGE BACK AS CASH.

Now that’s a mortgage with a difference.

For new residential customers with mortgages of 80% or less than the value of the property on our Cashback 5 year fixed rate mortgage.

bankofireland.co.uk 0800 169 0082

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Written illustrations are available on request from any branch. All mortgages are subject to status and lending criteria. Suitable security is required. Applicants must be 18 years or older unless otherwise stated. Bank of Ireland UK is a trading name of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered in England and Wales (No. 7022885), Bow Bells House, 1 Bread Street, London EC4M 9B E.

10210151215b

GET TO KNOW PAUL MARSHALL

SQUAD Q & A

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? Suits FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? The Rockies in Canada FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? Something pretty casual like the Ramore or Il Pirata FAVOURITE HOBBY/PAST TIME? Cricket and golf IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? Popeye, would see better results from eating spinach! BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Not to worry about what you can’t control WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? Nothing too specific, eat pasta and some pancakes with banana usually go down well. DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCKY CHARMS? No, I don’t believe in them WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? Keep your head down, literally and also when passing WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? To play as many games as possible and lift silverware.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PAUL FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @PAULMARSHALL9

Ulster Rugby’s official production company

We are a Belfast-based team of cinematic film-makers, who count Snow Patrol, Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Williams F1 among our portfolio of clients.

We are also Ulster Rugby’s production company of choice, telling the teams story through the power of film. Why not let us tell yours?

www.littlegiant.co.uk 028 9075 5380

ARTICLE BY RICHARD MULLIGAN SPORTS EDITOR & RUGBY CORRESPONDENT, NEWS LETTER @R_MULLIGAN1

DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE

Let’s tip our hats to Banbridge and City of Derry. They have continued their impressive All Ireland League campaigns into 2016 and are in strong positions to push on for promotion.

Banbridge’s recent home win over UCC saw them open up a six point gap at the top of Ulster Bank Division 2A. Daniel Soper has his side showing some consistent form and playing an attractive brand of rugby, which will hopefully continue through the six remaining games. The Rifle Park men have worked hard in recent years to build their squad and it is great to see their youth section producing talent now playing at senior level. It reflects the hard work put in by many volunteers and it is good to see it being rewarded. Of course the club has added another feather to its cap with this week’s confirmation that member, Rory Best, is the new captain of Ulster ahead of the forthcoming RBS Six Nations Championship. Rory is a stalwart of the club and recently, while there with my own son playing mini rugby, Rory along with brother, Simon, were standing in the heavy rain watching their own sons playing. Rory had just played for Ulster the previous evening. It takes a special person to lead Ireland, but Rory Best has many qualities, some of them unseen and unheard! I am sure everyone will wish him and the Ireland team all the best as they bid to win a third straight Six Nations title.

Staying in Division 2A, Malone just cannot seem to get a decent run going, but they remain in the chase for the playoffs (for teams finishing second, third and fourth). Queen’s also have lacked consistency and back-to-back defeats by Banbridge pre-Christmas knocked them back a little, although they two can still make a serious push for the promotion play-offs. Moving to the other side of the Province and to the North West where City of Derry, like Banbridge, are flying their flag strongly in Ulster Bank Division 2B. Coach Terry McMaster has his charges fired up to achieve success this season, clearly signalled by the heavy defeat they inflicted on Highfield in their recent game at Judges Road. That win has seen Derry stay in top spot and move 13 points clear! It can be easy to get complacent in such a position, but McMaster will be taking no nonsense from his troops and they are firm favourites to secure the automatic promotion place. Armagh’s see-saw season has seen them balancing between the top and bottom half of the table, but Brian McLaughlin and Alex McCloy will be determined for a strong final run-in that could push the Orchard County (continued overleaf)

Kingspan Stadium. The Belfast men responded by defeating the Kukri One leaders at Shaw’s Bridge and close the Seasiders’ lead at the top of the table to five points - and they have a game in hand. It also ensured Clogher Valley and Portadown, who are a further five points behind, were able to close in as well. With only 10 points separating fourth to eighth places, Ballyclare, Omagh, Dromore and Cooke are also able to mount serious challenges to be among the top four finishers - with fifth becoming an option if the overall winners were to achieve promotion to the All Ireland League - but those already in those spots will not be giving them up too easily. This weekend the top flight junior clubs turn their attentions to the second round of the Powerade Towns Cup. And good luck to Instonians in the final of the All Ireland Junior Cup against Enniscorthy on Carrickfergus and Limavady respectively remain unbeaten this season in the league. Carrick have close pressure from Coleraine, who are four points behind and probably the only side who can mount a serious challenge for the Section Two honours, with third placed Enniskillen a further 10 points adrift. Limavady are a remarkable 20 points clear of their nearest challengers University of Ulster, Coleraine, in Section Three. The title is as good as bagged, but the North West men, who are 15 from 15 currently, will want to go all the way and finish with a ‘perfect 22’. Plenty happening all across Ulster in club land, so why not visit your local club! Keep up to date with all the latest on the domestic and All Ireland League fronts in News Letter’s Total Rugby every Tuesday. Saturday 6th February at Ashbourne RFC. Meanwhile, in Sections Two and Three,

men into the promotion play-offs, which would be a deserved way to finish their season. Dungannon and Rainey Old Boys slipped further down the Division 2A table to the dangerzone, although ninth placed Rainey are 14 points ahead of winless Seapoint. The key for both Rainey and Dungannon to avoid ninth place, which would see them dragged into a relegation play-off with the second to fourth placed teams in Division 2C. Ulster can ill afford to have any clubs relegated. With the European Champions Cup and British and Irish Cup the main focus for the provinces over this and last weekend, the Division 1A and 1B clubs have had some down time. However, Ballynahinch, who won the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup before Christmas when they defeated Ballymena at Kingspan Stadium, did compete in the All Ireland Senior Bateman Cup semi-final - losing agonisingly to Galwegians in Galway, 35-31. The Senior Cup success coincided with the Co Down club kick-starting their All Ireland League campaign, registering their first win of the season against Lansdowne and they also went on to defeat Galwegians. They still remain bottom of the table, but are only five points behind Terenure College and seven adrift of Galwegians, so all is not lost in spite of the poor first half to the season. Derek Suffern and the squad will be putting their full focus into hauling themselves off bottom spot at least and if they were unable to pull off a great escape at least a ninth place finish would give them a lifeline in the relegation/promotion play-offs. Ballymena continues to battle head-to-head with Division 1B leaders, St. Mary’s College - two points separate them - for automatic promotion back to Division 1A. All roads will obviously lead to Eaton Park on Saturday 6th February, when Andy Graham’s side face the Dubliners. Belfast Harlequins position at the bottom of Division 1B remains perilous, although they finally broke their duck and won against Blackrock College, which will be a serious confidence booster as they bid to improve their chances of survival. They have games to come against the two sides directly above them in the relegation zone, but they are relying on not only a change in fortune for themselves, but for a lot of other results to go in their favour. For now the clubs turn their attentions to the SONI Ulster Senior League over the weekend. Moving to the Kukri Qualifying League, get ready for a dramatic conclusion as the teams in Section One battle it out, not only for the title but the top four places to secure a spot in next season’s All Ireland Junior Cup. Bangor secured the first major honours of the season by winning the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup with a win over Instonians at

DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE

AFTER 60 YEARS IAN DESERVES A MEDAL! DO you ever wonder who those people are who give up their time so freely to work through the intricacies of the wonder that is the Ulster club rugby fixture schedule?

Or what kind of person willingly deals with the minutiae of administration and with the plethora of problems the sport throws up on a daily basis? Well, someone who’s given almost 60 years of his life to doing just those things, and much more besides, for his beloved Carrickfergus club and for the Ulster Branch, is the indomitable Ian Beggs, so appropriately awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours list. At 81-years-young, it is a timely recognition of stalwart service and commitment to the sport from someone who, despite never having played the game, became its willing servant and its spirit and soul at Woodburn and at Ravenhill Park. Among the first to send his congratulations on the award was Shane Logan, Chief Executive of Ulster Rugby, and someone who knows only too well the application and enthusiasm Ian has applied in the administration of the game, and in its growth through the amateur era to the modern professional sport it has become at the top level. “Ian has devoted over half a century to the IRFU (Ulster Branch) and his local rugby club, Carrickfergus RFC. He has served with distinction in every role to which he has been elected and has made an outstanding contribution to rugby in Ulster over the last 60 years,” said Logan. “I am delighted that his hard work and dedication has been rewarded with an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and, on behalf of everyone here at Ulster Rugby, I would like to thank Ian for his long and valuable voluntary services to rugby in the Province.” And Ulster Branch President, Bobby Stewart, was eager to share his delight at the honour bestowed on someone who has done so much to build, strengthen and develop the structures of rugby in the Province, and who represents the importance of volunteers in the running of the sport. “Ian is the epitome of a volunteer, always willing to lend a hand and never complaining. To give 60 years’ service to any cause is commendable and Ian went above and beyond to devote all those years to Carrickfergus RFC, while living over 20 miles away, and always travelling by train. “His commitment has been exceptional,” said Stewart who, over the years, witnessed that quality in his friend and colleague. It was a September evening in 1956 when Ian was unwittingly recruited into the administrative fold. His brother and a group of friends were, they told him, off to the Annual General Meeting of Carrickfergus Rugby Club. “I didn’t want to be left out in the cold on my own, so in I went, and to my great surprise I left that evening as the club’s Secretary! And I haven’t looked back since!” he

recalls with a twinkle in his eyes. “My father and his brother played rugby for Carrick, my mother’s brother and my cousin all lined out in black and red. I was the odd man out. I sustained a bad break to my arm when I was nine, so I think that had something to do with putting me off playing. So cricket was actually my sport of choice.” Until, that is, that autumn evening on the Woodburn Road in Carrick! Since then Ian has served as Carrickfergus RFC’s Honorary Secretary, Club Trustee, he’s a Founding Member of the Carrick 7s Tournament, and for several decades the club’s representative on the Ulster Branch Clubs Committee. He has served on a myriad of Branch committees, including the International Ticket Allocation Committee, and he’s been chairman and a member of the Competitions Management Committee, privy to the many sacred secrets and protocols which, magically, have kept rugby organised and alive for generations of players. Ian is the model of what we now call ‘the volunteer’, and as if those long days and nights dealing with the detail of what makes the sport ‘tick’ Ian Beggs somehow found time, and the energy, to be a Voluntary Steward at Ravenhill, supervising the crowds and the timetable on match days. For his selfless and tireless work the IRFU (Ulster Branch) paid its tribute by making him Honorary Life Vice-President, an accolade not lightly conferred, indeed Ian is just one of three people to be so honoured. A beacon of common-sense, the wisest of counsels, and with an encyclopaedic knowledge of rugby’s administrative crannies, Ian Beggs has been an institution, admired and respected not just by the Carrickfergus club he holds so dear, but by hundreds of people and clubs in the Province, and across Ireland, who have sought and got guidance, direction and that most elusive of abstracts: a decisive opinion! Though born in the city, and educated at Belfast ‘Inst’, Ian grew up in Carrickfergus and was offered a job with British Rail following the untimely death of his father, and it was while working in that office that he met his wife Jean, who was the telephonist. They married in 1963 and had one son, who now lives in France. The couple now live in Belfast, but Ian’s fealty to Carrickfergus Rugby Club is undimmed, and as often as he can he takes the train to watch his club sides play. Throughout the years, Ian has retained many fond memories including receiving the 2007 Dorrington B Faulkner Award – donated by the legendary Perennials club - for his outstanding contribution to club rugby. And a year later he picked up the IRFU’s Mr Boots Award – a

IAN BEGGS

prize based on one of the last pair of boots worn by Willie John McBride - for excelling in his work for junior rugby in Ireland. But for Ian there are three memories in particular which he cherishes above all others. “The first was taking on the role of club historian. I took immense pleasure from researching the history of Carrickfergus RFC, which included locating a minute book from its establishment in 1865. This research contributed to our 150th Anniversary Book, which was launched at a Gala Ball in the Titanic Building with Brian O’Driscoll last year. “It was a wonderful event and a memory I will always treasure,” he said, delighted to have chronicled the history of the club he cherishes, and clearly pleased that the evening the history was launched was decorated by the presence of Ireland’s most accomplished player of modern times. “My second highlight has to be when Carrick became the only junior team to ever reach an Ulster Senior Cup Final, against Bangor at Ravenhill in 1982. We’d beaten four senior teams that season and were unfortunate to lose to Bangor in the final, but,” he adds with typical humility, “it was an enjoyable occasion nonetheless.” And what about the personal achievements and rewards? Was here one to stand out? And Ian Beggs admits that at the end of last month the news of his inclusion in the Honours List was very special, though typically he links it to his longstanding love affair with the club which made him, at the tender age of 21, its secretary, and ultimately its constant driving force. “Yes, my final highlight would be receiving an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List in December. The award is a very fitting climax to Carrick’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, and it’s just the icing on the cake. The whole of last year was fantastic and this award is a fitting end to it all.” And though at 81 he may have cast off some of the vestiges of office Ian Beggs remains devoted to helping rugby, and Carrickfergus RFC in particular. “Everything I have done for Carrick RFC and the Ulster Branch has been one big pleasure, and it doesn’t stop here,” Ian insists. “I continue to offer my services to Bill Crymble, President of Carrickfergus, and I will continue to get the train down to Woodburn Road to watch a few big games. “I have made an unbelievable number of lifelong friends and I look forward to receiving this accolade sometime in the next seven months at either Buckingham Palace or at Hillsborough Castle.” To countless men and women in rugby in Ulster and further afield Ian Beggs has been the wise font of knowledge, and ‘the man who got things done’, and they will have shared in his modest delight at his MBE. Kingspan Stadium, and its professional players and its similarly sleek and efficient administration, owe him and his colleagues down many years so much. Congratulations Ian – for a wonderful contribution, on well-earned recognition, and for being a truly inspirational ambassador for rugby volunteering in Ulster!

KIERAN CAMPBELL

“HE HAS SERVEDWITH DISTINCTION IN EVERY ROLE TOWHICH HE HAS BEEN

ELECTED AND HAS MADE AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO RUGBY IN ULSTER OVER THE LAST 60 YEARS” SHANE LOGAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE ULSTER RUGBY

JOHN ANDREW

SAM ARNOLD

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg 8 —

Centre 08.04.96 182cm 96kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

11 —

MARK BEST

RORY BEST

Centre 02.12.89 185cm 87kg

Hooker 15.08.82 178cm 106kg 178 89

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

SQUAD 2015/16 CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg

Wing 22.02.84 190cm 100kg 135 67

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

96 —

PETER BROWNE

DARREN CAVE

Second row 25.10.87 201cm 116kg 4 —

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 166 11 // 11A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ROBBIE DIACK

WILLIE FALOON

Back row 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 163 2 // 2A

Back row 30.09.86 186cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

67 —

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 120 6 // 2A

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

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 140 24

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 120kg

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

39 —

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 185cm 102kg 86 1 // 2A

Flyhalf 24.04.82 178cm 84kg 109 7A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PADDY JACKSON

PAUL JACKSON

Flyhalf 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 93 13 // 1A

Hooker 24.06.89 185cm 106kg 1 —

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

38 —

RICKY LUTTON

LUKE MARSHALL

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 113kg

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 97kg 72 6

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

39 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 162 3 // 2A

Hooker 02.01.92 177cm 111kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

12 —

A leadingEnergy provider offering excellent value Electricity &Gas to all Industrial &Commercial customers throughout NI &ROI

Whatmakes us different; • No switchboard • Personal Account Management • Most competitive priceswithin themarket • Easy to switch • Online Account Management

028 8676 0600

sales @ gopower.energy www.gopower.co.uk

@ GoPower_Energy

ThePower behind…

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

35 —

JONNY MURPHY

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

Hooker 06.02.92 178cm 106kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 114kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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 —

19 —

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Utility back 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 36 2

POSITION BORN

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

62 10

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 107 88 (SA)

Back row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

19 —

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

24 —

25 —

PAUL ROWLEY

RORY SCHOLES

Scrumhalf 15.12.87 179cm 86kg 0 —

Utility back 24.04.93 187cm 95kg

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

19 —

JONNY SIMPSON

LEWIS STEVENSON

Prop 19.08.90 184cm 110kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

Second row 01.06.84 198cm 118kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

89 —

FRANK TAGGART

ANDREW TRIMBLE

Back row 14.10.94 188cm 108kg 0 —

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 201 58 // 3A

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 41 1 (SA)

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

39 —

70 —

ROGER WILSON

SAMWINDSOR

Back row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 195 1 // 11A

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

KYLE McCALL

JARED PAYNE

14 13 12 11 9 10

ROB HERRING (C)

ANDREW TRIMBLE

RICKY LUTTON

DARREN CAVE

ULSTER RUGBY

ALAN O’CONNOR

LUKE MARSHALL

FRANCO VD MERWE

CRAIG GILROY

ROBBIE DIACK

PADDY JACKSON

SEAN REIDY

PAUL MARSHALL

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 R. BEST C. BLACK B. ROSS C. ROSS

R. WILSON D. SHANAHAN I. HUMPHREYS R. SCHOLES

NICK WILLIAMS

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.

kingspan.com

RUAN PIENAAR

STAY from £83 pps

STAYED

PLAYED

Only a pitch shot from the famous Slieve Donard Resort & Spa are the world famous golf links of Royal County Down. A few miles away are two more beautiful courses at Kilkeel and Ardglass. It’s the golfing break of your dreams. The Slieve Donard CL ASS I C GOL F. CL ASS I C HOSP I TAL I T Y. Call 028 4372 1066 Complimentary onsite car parking • hastingshotels.com

14 13 12 11 15 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

LAURENT DELBOULBÈS

QUENTIN ETIENNE

OYONNAX

JODY JENNEKER

SILVERE TIAN

ANTOINE GUILLAMON

VINCENT MARTIN

EAMONN SHERIDAN

FABRICE METZ

GEOFFREY FABBRI

UWA TAWALO

MAURIE FA’ASAVALU

NICKY ROBINSON

FABIEN CIBRAY (C)

OLIVIER MISSOUP

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE’S CITING COMMISSIONER TMO TONIGHT’S OFFICIALS REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 J. MAUROUARD S. TONGA’UIHA G. VEPKHVADZE V. URSACHE

P. GUNTHER J. BLANC R. LESPINAS G. BOUSSES

VILIAMI MAAFU

MARIUS MITREA ITA MATTEO LIPERINI ITA // SIMONE BOARETTO ITA

MAURIZIO VANCINI ITA STEFANO PENNE ITA

* Teams correct at time of print

ARTHUR AZIZA

JULIEN BLANC

Scrum Half 17.01.94 176cm 76kg —

Scrum Half 04.10.92 175cm 81kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

THOMAS BORDES

GUILLAUME BOUSSES

Hooker 10.05.90 178cm 100kg —

Centre 12.10.81 184cm 92kg France

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16 FABIEN CIBRAY (C)

RORY CLEGG

Scrum Half 15.10.85 177cm 88kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Outside Half 06.01.90 190cm 88kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MARC CLERC

DUG CODJO

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Tight Head Prop 09.06.87 181cm 117kg —

Wing 22.04.87 176cm 94kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

LAURENT DELBOULBÈS

FLORIAN DENOS

Loose Head Prop 17.11.86 181cm 102kg —

Full Back 20.05.85 183cm 85kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

QUENTIN ETIENNE

MAURIE FA’ASAVALU

Full Back 14.07.90 181cm 83kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Back Row 12.01.80 186cm 105kg Samoa

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

GEOFFREY FABBRI

FLORIAN FAURE

Lock 07.06.92 195cm 116kg —

No 8 26.03.83 194cm 108kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

ANTOINE GUILLAMON

PIERRICK GUNTHER

Tight Head Prop 04.06.91 192cm 139kg —

Back Row 16.10.89 190cm 107kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

DANIEL IKPEFAN

ROIMATA HANSELL PUNE

Centre 06.11.86 189cm 105kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Wing 18.10.93 185cm 92kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

REGIS LESPINAS

JODY JENNEKER

Hooker 10.04.84 185cm 106kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Outside Half 06.10.84 185cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

VINCENT MARTIN

VILIAMI MAAFU

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

No 8 09.03.82 193cm 108kg —

Full Back / Wing 04.09.92 184cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

NICOLAS METGE

JEREMIE MAUROUARD

Hooker 23.09.92 181cm 99kg —

Wing 04.05.94 180cm 85kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Rugby’s Original brand

CREATED 2 PERFORM

Official Ball

#PrepareForRugby

JOIN TEAM GILBERT:

gilbert_rugby

GILBERTRUGBY1823

gilbertrugby

www.gilbertrugby.com

OLIVIER MISSOUP

FABRICE METZ

Back Row / Lock 23.01.86 197cm 115kg —

Flanker 05.02.81 193cm 100kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

LEON POWER

HORACE PUNGEA

Lock 27.02.86 201cm 114kg —

Tight Head Prop 18.02.86 190cm 135kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

NICKY ROBINSON

GEORGE ROBSON

Lock 04.11.85 196cm 109kg England

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Outside half 03.01.82 185cm 93kg Wales

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

UWA TAWALO

EAMONN SHERIDAN

Wing 27.02.92 190cm 104kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 14.05.89 191cm 107kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SILVERE TIAN

SOANE TONGA’UIHA

Loose Head Prop 21.01.82 195cm

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Full Back / Wing 19.07.80 176cm 92kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

132kg Tonga

FETU’U VAINIKOLO

VALENTIN URSACHE

Centre/Wing 30.01.85 179cm

Flanker 08.12.85 194cm 110kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

101kg Tonga

OYONNAX RUGBY

OPPOSITION

STATISTICS THIS SEASON

CLUB STATS // Location Oyonnax, France // Founded 1942 // Ground Stade Charles Mathon // Capacity 11,400 // Last Game Toulouse(H) 32 - 14 (W) Sat 16th Jan 2016 at 16.15 // Next Game Racing 92 (A) Sat 30th Jan 2016 at 18.30 //Recent Form L L L L W

TOTAL TRIES SCORED

TOTAL POINTS SCORED

LEADING TRY SCORER

2 FABIEN CIBRAY

LEADING POINTS SCORER

22 NICKY ROBINSON

TURNOVERS

MOST TURNOVERS

3 UWA TAWALO

TACKLES

564

MOST TACKLES

41 LAURENT DELBOULBÉS

METRES

1,673

MOST METRES

185 SILVERE TIAN

OFFLOADS

MOST OFFLOADS

4 FETU’U VAINIKOLO

STAFF // Coach Johann Authier // Captain Florian Denos CONTACT CS 80106 Arbent 01117 Oyonnax France

Tel +33 4 74 81 67 77 Fax +33 4 74 73 41 82 TICKET OFFICE Tel +33 4 74 81 67 77

www.usorugby.com

USOyonnaxRugbyOfficiel @OyonnaxRugby

usorugby

MAXIMUM RETURN IS THE TARGET! Nothing quite stirs the rugby juices than the prospect of a glamorous European contest at Kingspan Stadium, and if today’s opposition is relatively new to the ‘big time’, Oyonnax has certainly made a firm impression this season!

ascended to the top tier of the French game was never an ‘easy touch’. Perhaps too quickly observers of the competition had dismissed Oyonnax as lambs to the rugby slaughter, but logic – and that old mind-bender, hindsight – now proves that the side preparing in the away dressing room at Kingspan this lunchtime has been poorly-served by some parts of the media and by rugby followers unfamiliar with the game in France. In fullback Quentin Etienne, former Welsh international Nicky Robinson at half-back, in winger Uwa Tawalo, centre Eamonn Sheridan, prop Laurent Delboulbes, lock Fabrice Metz and flanker Maurie Fa’asavulu, there is a clear, quality spine to the team. Recent changes in the coaching team, the decision to dispense only this week with Piri Weepu, an All Black 71 times, have been distractions – but not to opposition players and managements. Les Kiss, Ulster’s Director of Rugby, cautioned against unrealistic expectations from the rescheduled trip to Oyonnax a fortnight ago, and assistant coach Allen Clarke – who had analysed performances minutely – was an unapologetic admirer of a big but mobile pack. On Saturday last Toulouse came unstuck and could not navigate a way to match that forward unit and to undermine a well-drilled and often innovative backline. Ulster was under the hammer for forty minutes, which sparked some social media incredulity in genuine fans who had journeyed to the Rhone-Alpes region, charmed by the environment but mostly convinced that maximum points would be extracted on a dank French afternoon on an artificial surface which would surely unleash the visitors’ free-running backs! Professional sport just isn’t as predictable as that now, and Saracens before it, and Toulouse a week later, shared Ulster’s experience of a team of talented and shrewdly-recruited players prepared well by Johann Authier. It remains a group determined to represent itself – and a community swelling with pride at its recent rise to rugby’s top table – with a performance justifying the form of the last two years which has earned Top 14 and now European Champions Cup rugby.

Just two weeks ago the small club in the shadow of the Alps came perilously close to causing one of the big shocks of the season, and in the process derailing an Ulster side which in previous weeks had moved ominously through the gears. The small town club’s rise to the heights of the domestic Top 14 is something of a fairytale, and now it may well hold the key to further progress for Ulster in the Champions Cup. Few rugby matches have provoked more comment, been chronicled more fully, than the game on a gloomy French Sunday when the presumed ‘minnows’ rushed into a 23-0 interval lead, the pride of Ulster apparently put to the sword. The truth – and the myths! – of how Ulster was transformed, and how it battled back to win the tie with Paddy Jackson’s mammoth 78th penalty, will provide discussion and debate for many a year. That Les Kiss returned with his squad that night 24- 23 winners, with four vital points gained – rather than five potentially squandered in the Alpine foothills – will loom large in the memory of those who were there, nerves mangled, emotions tortured, and of those at home, watching or listening, as the bizarre events in the Stade Charles-Mathon unfolded. Would Ulster fans this afternoon, packing Kingspan Stadium to the rafters, as the side seeks the emphatic win against the same opposition which could secure a Champions Cup quarter-final, want to be put quite so thoroughly ‘through the mill’ again? Perhaps nerves and blood pressure would not be so forgiving! The upshot of last weekend’s round of games in all five pools was, as we perhaps all expected, a final series of matches which will determine the quarter- final line-up. And Ulster has known since the loss at Saracens last Saturday that only an emphatic – probably bonus point – win today will place it in a genuine position to reach the last eight. And that was never going to be easy, and if there was frustration with the escape from Oyonnax with a win that must now be put in context, for the tournament debutants showed the first half against the Ulstermen was no freak. The demolition of Toulouse - as Saracens confirmed its domination of the group with qualification at Allianz Park - demonstrated that the side which only recently

ROD NAWN

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60

Made with FlippingBook