Ulster Rugby vs Saracens

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Official Digital Matchday Programme of Ulster Rugby v Saracens, Friday 20th November 2015 at the Kingspan Stadium.

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

PRICE £4.00

RUGBY VS FRIDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2015, KINGSPAN STADIUM, KICK OFF 19:45 SARACENS

TAKE POSSESSION

LEADING THE FIELD

Hello and welcome to the home of Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium. We are excited to welcome you here for the opening home game of Ulster Rugby’s ERCC pool – and what a game we have in store. Saracens are in formidable form, leading the English Premiership with a string of impressive performances in the league. We know however that European Cup rugby is a different prospect and an ERCC game on a Friday night in Kingspan Stadium is something special altogether. The atmosphere that you, the supporters, create on a night like this can be more than enough to overcome any predictions or form. Kingspan is proud to be part of a world class rugby facility and it is you that helps to establish it as a European rugby fortress. On behalf of Kingspan, I encourage you to Stand Up for the Ulster Men this evening and join me in wishing the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success tonight and in their ERCC campaign ahead.

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director

GET EVEN CLOSER TO THE ACTION THIS SEASON

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

OFFICERS Bobby Stewart / / P resident John McKibbin / / S enior Vice President Graffin Parke / / J unior Vice President John McKibbin / / H onorary Secretary Michael Boyd / / H onorary Treasurer Denis Gardiner / / C ompetitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan / / C hief Executive Chris Webster / / D omestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson / / Financial Controller Fiona Hampton / / H ead of Sales & Marketing

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Kingspan Stadium this evening for this European Rugby Champions Cup match against Saracens.

My congratulations must go to Alex Codling and the Ulster A team for their comprehensive win over Bristol in round 1 of the British and Irish Cup last Friday night. I am sure we all send our best wishes to them for their second round game against Bedford Blues at Godlington Road tomorrow. Also taking place tomorrow are the quarter-finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup and I send my best wishes to the three clubs representing Ulster, Bangor, Clogher Valley and Instonians. It would be nice to see all three of them in the semi-finals. I hope that you all enjoy the game and give Saracens a great Ulster reception this evening. Good luck to Ulster and remember, STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN!! Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

I would particularly like to welcome Mark McCall and his management team, along with the players and supporters who have made the journey to Belfast this evening. I hope you all enjoy our hospitality. I had hoped to be reporting on the game that we had against Oyonnax in the opening round, However the tragic events in Paris last Friday evening resulted in the game being postponed. A decision that Ulster Rugby fully agreed with. I would like to thank our loyal band of supporters who were in Oyonnax for their understanding, and I am sure that after the fantastic hospitality that we received from the local people, they will want to return for the game whenever it takes place. Saracens had an impressive win against Toulouse in the first round and Ulster will have to be at their best to secure a win but I am sure that the Kingspan Stadium roar will urge the team on to glory.

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

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EPCR WELCOME

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

On behalf of tournament organiser, EPCR, I am delighted to welcome you to this evening’s Round 2 match in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Following a compelling inaugural season for both the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup, European professional club rugby now returns to centre stage as we start what promises to be an exciting journey to the 2016 Lyon finals which will be played at the state-of-the-art Grand Stade de Lyon next May. With tickets already selling fast via epcrugby.com for both the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup showpiece matches, 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. As you are aware, EPCR’s tournaments are built on the rich heritage of 20 years of outstanding European competition and as we look forward together to a bright future, I particularly want to acknowledge the commitment of fans across Europe – your support is greatly appreciated. Once again, 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 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 with the winner of the Challenge Cup qualifying automatically for the 2016/17 tournament. In addition, the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition provides 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 have recently been announced as an Official Partner of the tournaments, 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, BBC 5Live, Newstalk and RTE – we are prepared for the 2015/16 European season. Finally, I would like to wish this evening’s teams and their supporters every success in the coming months. Yours in rugby, Simon Halliday // Chairman EPCR

U L S T E R v T O U L O U S E 1 1 TH D E C E MB E R K I C K O F F 7 . 4 5 PM

B U Y Y O U R T I C K E T S N OW A T U L S T E R R U G B Y . C OM

U L S T E R v E D I N B U R G H 4 TH D E C E MB E R K I C K O F F 7 . 3 5 PM

M A T C H B U N D L E S O N S A L E N OW I N C L U D E S :

U L S T E R V E D I N B U R G H , 4 TH D E C U L S T E R V T O U L O U S E , 1 1 TH D E C U L S T E R V M U N S T E R , 2 ND J A N

TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

TOM CROTHERS (10) Tom is from Belfast and attends Inchmarlo. He plays mini rugby at school and at Instonians RFC. Tom also enjoys cricket, hockey, football and water-polo. His favourite player is Tommy Bowe because he is big, strong, quick and skilful. When Tom grows up he would like to be a Doctor but take some time out to play for Ulster!

MARC McADAM (11) Marc is from Monaghan and attends Gransha School. His hobbies are gaelic football, rugby, football and hurling. Marc’s favourite player is Tommy Bowe because he scores brilliant tries. When he grows up he would like to be a football player.

NICK WILLIAMS: THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

Following the postponement of Ulster’s first ERCC game against Oyonnax last weekend due to the tragic events in Paris, Nick Williams believes the the squad is feeling fresh ahead of the Saracens challenge this weekend…

Billy Vunipola was one of eight Saracens players to play for England in the RWC 2015, however lining up opposite him doesn’t phase Williams: “It’s why we play the game, we like to play against the big teams and the big players. He is playing outstanding rugby at the moment and he has got great people around him that give him the chance to do what he has been doing. “He is a very strong boy and a great off-loader, but you can’t really

“Saracens were very impressive against Toulouse, they play very wise and disciplined rugby and are very tough to play against. Look across the board at their team and it is difficult to find a weakness. As a team we have trained well this week, on Monday we had our heads in the analysis room and had a look at how they play. “They have a great defensive team, they have one

NICK WILLIAMS

or a maximum of two at every ruck when they are defending - they have poachers in their squad like Jacques Burger, Will Fraser and Kelly Brown. Saracens have an international forward pack and their backline isn’t too shabby either, Brad Barritt being the cornerstone there. Our coaches have been putting their heads

lock down on one person with a team like Saracens. You need to try and pick some weaknesses, maybe take some charges off him by cutting him early but we know he is a very dangerous player, one of a lot of them in their squad.” Nick’s contribution to the Ulster

together and we’re looking at ways to negate their threats and to try and put our mark on the game early. We need to get the details right to give them a real contest.” Having missed out on game time last weekend, it will be even more important to start Europe off with a win at home... “We have to win all of our home games, it’s a no brainer,” says Williams. “Rory (Best) has been talking up big time this week about our discipline, which has probably been the worst aspect of our season so far. We need to put that in gear otherwise Owen Farrell is going to take us for a ride with his boot. 50/55 metres out, we have to have our heads screwed on and make sure we aren’t making silly mistakes because we know the damage he can do. “Two years ago is two years ago and it hasn’t been mentioned once this week, it’s a new team, a new season, new personnel, so we are looking forward to it.”

squad this season has been pretty impressive – he has notched up five starts, two tries, 53 carries, 166 metres gained, made 45 tackles, 30 passes and picked up one man of the match award… “They are all just numbers at the end of the day, I have always believed rugby is a team sport and I wouldn’t be able to achieve these stats if it wasn’t for the boys around me, they give me the chance to express myself. “My family is happy and I’ve always told people if my family is happy, it makes me want to play, not just for the lads but for the Ulster crowd as well. It’s great to have all that data but at the end of the day it’s just about getting that little egg shaped ball over the white line, as long as I’m doing my job and getting better at it and playing within the perimeters of the game and how the coaches want to play, I’ll be happy!”

“TWO YEARS AGO IS TWO YEARS AGO AND IT HASN’T BEENMENTIONED ONCE THIS WEEK, IT’S A NEW TEAM, A NEW SEASON, NEW PERSONNEL SOWE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.”

NICK WILLIAMS

Together Stronger

kukrisports.com

Providing quality bespoke sportswear to athletes and teams

We would like to thank our travelling supporters who came to Oyonnax for their support and understanding.

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

ASK SAMMY ARNOLD

SQUAD Q & A

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? Misfits FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? Boojum FAVOURITE HOBBY/PAST TIME? Trying to take up golf, it’s going badly! IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? People say I look like Ash from Pokémon!? BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Work hard, stay humble and always be respectful WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? Arrive early and relax DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCKY CHARMS? I tie my boots several times until its perfect WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? Work hard on your skills (passing and kicking) and don’t be too worried about size WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? To get as much game time as possible

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SAMMY FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @SAMMYARNOLD9

This season’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, the world’s second-oldest rugby competition, was launched at Kingspan Stadium this week by the participating captains. 2015/16 DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP LAUNCHED

SCHOOL RUBGY NEWS

year of our partnership with the Schools’ Cup and it is a relationship we are immensely proud of. Supporting youth opportunity and achievement is a central part of our role in the community and the Schools’ Cup is great competition to be involved in. History has shown that the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup is a truly great platform for young talent to shine - you only have to look at today’s Ulster squad for proof of this. I am looking forward to another exciting tournament for the teams, supporters and spectators.”

Last season, Lewis McNamara led Royal Belfast Academical Institution to its 30th outright Schools’ Cup success, following a 14-10 win over Wallace High School. The competition was first won by Royal School Armagh back in 1876. The launch also saw Ivan McMinn, Head of Business Acquisition at Danske Bank and Bobby Stewart, President of IRFU (Ulster Branch), conduct the draws for rounds one and two of this season’s competition. Speaking at the launch, Ivan McMinn commented: “We are delighted to be entering the eleventh

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The draw for this season’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, was held at Kingspan Stadium this week, and is as follows: 2015/16 DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP ENTRY LEVELS & PROVISIONAL DATES

SCHOOL RUBGY NEWS

ROUND 1 Saturday 5th December 2015 Carrickfergus Grammar School v Strabane Academy

ROUND 4 Saturday 6th February 2016

The eight winners from Round 3 will be joined by the remaining eight sides: Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Coleraine Grammar School, Down High School, Methodist College Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Sullivan Upper School, Wallace High School.

ROUND 2 Saturday 9th January 2016

Larne GS v Royal School Armagh Lurgan College v Portadown College Cambridge House v Limavady GS Wellington College v Friends’ School Royal School Dungannon v Carrickfergus GS or Strabane Academy Banbridge Academy v Antrim GS Belfast HS v Foyle College ROUND 3 Saturday 23rd January 2016 The seven winners from Round 1 are joined by nine further teams: Ballyclare High School, Bangor Grammar School, Belfast Royal Academy, Dalriada School, Grosvenor Grammar School, Omagh Academy, Portora Royal School, Rainey Endowe chool egen ous chool.

QUARTER FINALS Saturday 20th February 2016 SEMI FINAL 1 Monday 29th February 2016 Kingspan Stadium, 2.30pm SEMI FINAL 2 Wednesday 1st March 2016 Kingspan Stadium, 2.30pm FINAL Monday 17th March 2016 Kingspan Stadium, 3.00pm

OFFICIAL CLOTHING PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY

AUDIO-DESCRIPTIVE COMMENTARY NOW AVAILABLE AT KINGSPAN STADIUM

Ulster Rugby will launch a pilot audio-descriptive commentary programme for the 2015/16 season at tonight’s sold-out Champions Cup game against Saracens.

AUDIO-DESCRIPTIVE COMMENTARY

Having pre-booked the equipment, please call into reception anytime from gates opening until kick-off to meet a member of the team and to collect your headset and receiver. Season ticket holders will simply need to show their season ticket and leave their contact details when collecting the equipment. All other supporters will be asked to leave a small refundable cash deposit of £10 or € 10, in addition to your contact details. Equipment must be returned to reception within 30 minutes of the termination of the match.

Helping to ensure that Kingspan Stadium is inclusive for all, a dedicated team of volunteers will provide descriptive match commentary to enhance the match experience for people affected by sight or hearing loss. Starting approximately 10 minutes prior to kick off, the team will set the scene for the night, commentate throughout the match and during half-time. If you would like to avail of the match commentary at the Edinburgh game, you should contact Jennifer McFedries in the Ticket Office prior to 1.00pm on Thursday 3rd: Jennifer.McFedries@ulsterrugby.com.

Meet the Commentary Team Following a robust

recruitment process, five volunteers were invited to join our match night team. Pictured from left to right are: Connor, Paul, Chloe, Sam & Graham.

HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? For professional sportsmen, and for the fans of any sport, pitting yourself against the very best raises the adrenaline levels and gets the emotions churning with excited expectation.

And the Kingspan Stadium crowd knows that the arrival of England’s all-conquering Saracens will be one of the most anticipated visits of the season. Add to that the lustre of European competition in the shape of the Champions Cup and a floodlit bowl in late November and the scene is set for one of the most colourful, vocal and partisan of occasions the ground will witness this year. Ulster belatedly makes its bow in this season’s competition, the tragedies of Paris a week ago understandably leading to the late postponement of what should have been the campaign opener at Oyannax the following day. Those supporters who made the trip to the lower reaches of the Alps represented the Province with distinction, taking the small town and its club to its heart, as they did the fans. So, sport having been put in proper if catastrophic perspective, the European journey starts here. And Saracens really does represent the very best the northern hemisphere offers at club level. Reigning champions in the Premiership in England, currently sitting atop the table with an unblemished record, and with a proud winning record in elite European competition, Ulster could hardly have been drawn against more distinguished opposition. David Humphreys and Mark McCall, of course, had memorably lifted the European Cup together at Lansdowne Road in 1999 when Colomiers was defeated, and the good friends have twice been on opposite sides as the respective Directors of Rugby for Ulster and Saracens. Many have followed their careers with interest, and as Humphreys continues the task of rebuilding the Gloucester club, McCall has embellished his credentials with two Aviva Premiership titles, a European Cup final, all achieved with a soft-spoken modesty but steely determination which typified his days as a thoughtful and inventive centre for Ulster and Ireland. Injury during that 1998/9 season meant that Ulster’s captain reluctantly had to retire as the journey for Harry Williams’ team was dotted with great nights and afternoons in Belfast, when Toulouse – another great club which has been drawn in this Champions Cup Pool One – and Stade Francais were despatched. McCall was integral to that success though, because when he had to admit a chronic neck injury had cruelly foreshortened his playing career, he threw himself with passion and guile into his role as an assistant coach to Williams as the route to Lansdowne Road in January, 1999, was joyously plotted.

He would eventually take on the role of Head Coach and brought the Celtic League title back to Belfast in 2006, but after building a truly professional set-up, providing unprecedented numbers to the national team, and imbuing the squad with his own tireless work ethic and thirst to improve. Mark left in 2007, disappointingly early for those who knew he was destined, given his understanding and forensic rugby brain, to go to the top in his profession. And so it has proved, and with spells in France refining his talents he was head-hunted by the most ambitious and demanding club in England. The names Paddy Johns and Ryan Constable are writ large in Ulster’s history but both achieved legendary status at ‘Sarries’, and now McCall is – right from the front – sustaining a link with the Province that is, each year, being decorated even more. In April 2013 Ulster and Saracens strolled through the European Pool stages and Ulster travelled once more to Twickenham, for a quarter-final clash which Saracens won convincingly, but the gap between the top PRO12 outfits and the elite English clubs was palpably closing. So wind the clock forward a year. Again the sides were in supreme European Cup form and drawn yet again to meet at the quarter-final stage of the Heineken Cup, and Ulster was considered a very real threat to the ‘big guns’ of France and England. Humphreys and his staff had recruited widely and wisely, younger players had developed an appetite and talent for the biggest of games. The spanking new Kingspan Stadium, filled to capacity, had an electricity running through it for hours before kick-off: this was a game Ulster could – fans thought would – win, and set down a ‘marker’ for a year which, in early autumn, was full of promise. Ulster paraded its array of star names – Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Ruan Pienaar, the fast-maturing Paddy Jackson, John Afoa, Rory Best, Chris Henry, Nick Williams - in a side which was one of the most mentally strong and gifted of its generation. Saracens had the flamboyant Chris Ashton, Owen Farrell, the Vunipola brothers, Brad Barritt, David Strettle, Mouritz Botha and a phalanx of international ‘gallacticos’, and a wonderful contest was anticipated. It was one of those days when spectators felt they would indeed be able to say ‘I was there’. And, in a way, the pre-match hype delivered, but in a hugely deflating way for home fans. After four minutes Jared Payne was adjudged to have taken out Andy Goode in the air: referee Jerome Garces studied the contact on the big screens for what seemed an eternity. No malice, no intent, but technically the

ROD NAWN

Frenchman felt he had no alternative but to issue Payne with a red card. What followed may have been forgotten by some, for in the immediate aftermath of Payne’s exit supporters’ hopes slumped. But somehow, drawing on every ounce of character and formidable skill, Ulster went in at the break in the lead, and after 80 minutes Saracens had prevailed by just two points. It was an epic game with so many sub-plots and twists and turns, but in the end Ulster’s European journey was ended, Saracens continued on its route. Tonight two great clubs meet again, in a Champions Cup Pool which surely does qualify as ‘a group of death’. McCall’s side took on Toulouse last Saturday at home and impressed, but perhaps regretted not securing a try bonus point. Ulster had hoped to continue to banish its ‘awayday blues’ with an encouraging win at tournament debutants Oyannax but will be fresh and prepared fully for a challenge from England’s best after the aborted visit to France. All over the Kingspan Stadium pitch will be intriguing match-ups: Farrell and Jackson, Trimble and Ashton, Cave and Barritt, Best and Brits, Henry and Burger, or any one of the Allianz Park club’s glittering back row cast list. And there’s a fascinating duel in the coaching booths, with Head Coach Neil Doak alongside Ulster’s new Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, who makes his competitive bow at home after protracted duty with Ireland. And McCall is once again in charge of the visitors, his tenure recently extended, and no wonder given his achievements in a club environment which is lavishly funded but which is extraordinarily demanding. His success is evidence – contrary to the glib cliché - that good guys can finish first. For this evening those filling every space at Kingspan will he that, for once, Ulster takes the spoils and provides a rare disappointment for one of its favourite sons. In a week which has reminded us of how fleeting the most cherished and valuable things in life can be, and how easily snuffed out, we can all celebrate how fortunate we are that in sport we have distractions and relief of such passion and pride.

ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

JOHN ANDREW

SAM ARNOLD

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg 7 —

Centre 08.04.96 182cm 96kg 9 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

MARK BEST

RORY BEST

Centre 02.12.89 185cm 87kg

Hooker 15.08.82 178cm 106kg 171 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

91 —

PETER BROWNE

DARREN CAVE

Second row 25.10.87 201cm 116kg 4 —

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 163 11 // 11A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ROBBIE DIACK

WILLIE FALOON

Back row 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 155 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 114 6 // 2A

Second row 21.02.92 199cm 117kg 49 23 // 3A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 134 24

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 120kg

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

31 —

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 185cm 102kg 77 1 // 2A

Flyhalf 24.04.82 178cm 84kg 105 7A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PADDY JACKSON

PAUL JACKSON

Flyhalf 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 84 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

30 —

RICKY LUTTON

LUKE MARSHALL

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 113kg

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 97kg 65 6

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

30 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 153 3 // 2A

Hooker 02.01.92 177cm 111kg 4 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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STUART McCLOSKEY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Centre 06.08.92 194cm 111kg

Back row 04.07.90 193cm 108kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

26 —

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

28 —

13 —

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

61 10

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 98 88 (SA)

Back row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

14 —

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

23 —

22 —

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

12 —

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

85 —

FRANK TAGGART

ANDREW TRIMBLE

Back row 14.10.94 188cm 108kg 0 —

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 193 58 // 3A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

Second row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 131 11 // 4A

POSITION BORN

Second row 15.03.83 198cm 117kg 33 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

35 —

62 —

ROGER WILSON

SAMWINDSOR

Back row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 187 1 // 11 A

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg 0 —

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ULSTER RUGB FRIDAY 20TH NOVEMBER KICK O

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

CALLUM BLACK

LOUIS LUDIK

14 13 12 11 9 10

RORY BEST (C)

ANDREW TRIMBLE

WIEHAHN HERBST

DARREN CAVE

ULSTER RUGBY

DAN TUOHY

STUART McCLOSKEY

FRANCO VD MERWE

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

PADDY JACKSON

CHRIS HENRY

RUAN PIENAAR

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 R HERRING K McCALL R LUTTON R DIACK

R WILSON P MARSHALL I HUMPHREYS P NELSON

NICK WILLIAMS

v SARACENS 015- KINGSPAN STADIUM F 19:45

14 13 12 11 15 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

MAKO VUNIPOLA

ALEX GOODE

SARACENS

SCHALK BRITS

CHRIS ASHTON

PETRUS DU PLESSIS

DUNCAN TAYLOR

BRAD BARRITT (C)

GEORGE KRUIS

MARO ITOJE

CHRIS WYLES

MICHAEL RHODES

OWEN FARRELL

JACQUES BURGER

R WIGGLESWORTH

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 J GEORGE R GILL J FIGALLO A HARGREAVES

J WRAY N DE KOCK C HODGSON M BOSCH

BILLY VUNIPOLA

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE’S CITING COMMISSIONER TMO TODAYS OFFICIALS

ROMAIN POITE FRA CYRIL LAFON FRA // PIERRE BROUSSET FRA PATRICE FRANTSCHI FRA ERIC GAUZINS FRA

CHRIS ASHTON

RICHARD BARRINGTON

Wing 29.03.87 183cm 93kg Eng(37)

Loose Head Prop 24.09.89 185cm 123kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

BRAD BARRITT

MARCELO BOSCH

Centre 07.08.86 186cm 95kg Eng(22) Lions

Centre 07.01.84 186cm 92kg Arg(33)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16 SCHALK BRITS

KELLY BROWN

Hooker 06.05.81 180cm 98kg SA(5)

Back row 08.06.82 194cm 109kg Sco(64)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JACQUES BURGER

NEIL DE KOCK

Back row 29.07.83 189cm 105kg Nam(30)

Scrum half 20.11.78 177cm 81kg SA(10)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

PETRUS DU PLESSIS

MICHAEL ELLERY

Tight Head Prop 31.05.81 183cm 115kg —

Wing 08.09.89 193cm 102kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

OWEN FARRELL

JUAN FIGALLO

Outside half 24.09.91 181cm 94kg Eng(29) Lions

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Tight Head Prop 25.03.88 186cm 112kg Arg(22)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

WILL FRASER

JAMIE GEORGE

Hooker 20.10.90 181cm 108kg —

Back row 29.10.89 186cm 104kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

RHYS GILL

ALEX GOODE

Loose Head Prop 30.10.86 180cm

Full back 05.05.88 181cm 91kg Eng(17)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

111kg Wal(6)

ALISTAIR HARGREAVES

JIM HAMILTON

Lock 17.11.82 203cm 127kg Sco(61)

Lock 29.04.86 201cm 115kg SA(4)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MARO ITOJE

CHARLIE HODGSON

Outside half 12.11.80 178cm 82kg Eng(38)

Back row/Lock 28.10.94 197cm 110kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

TITI LAMOSITELE

GEORGE KRUIS

Lock 22.02.90 197cm

Loose Head Prop 11.02.95 180cm 130kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

117kg Eng(7)

BEN RANSOM

NILS MORDT

Full back 05.12.83 185cm 95kg —

Full back 16.02.92 181cm 88kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JARED SAUNDERS

MICHAEL RHODES

Back row/Lock 19.12.87 197cm 110kg —

Hooker 18.09.90 181cm 108kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

BEN SPENCER

TIM STREATHER

Scrum half 31.07.92 180cm 89kg —

Centre 14.06.88 183cm 87kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

NICK TOMPKINS

DUNCAN TAYLOR

Centre 05.09.89 189cm 105kg Sco(12)

Centre 16.02.95 182cm 93kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MAKO VUNIPOLA

BILLY VUNIPOLA

Back row 03.11.92 190cm 128kg Eng(16)

Loose Head Prop 14.01.91 182cm 121kg Eng(19) Lions

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH

SAMU VUNISA

Back row 19.09.88 192cm 121kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Scrum half 09.06.83 176cm 83kg Eng(20)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

CHRIS WYLES

JACKSON WRAY

Full back 13.09.83 183cm 93kg USA(45)

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Back row 10.11.90 191cm 108kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Four wins in four matches in the Aviva Premiership, including two fine wins away from home at Kingsholm Stadium (Gloucester) and Franklin’s Gardens (Northampton Saints), have seen Saracens top the league table going into the European Champions Cup. Last weekend Saracens welcomed Stade Toulousain to Allianz Park to kick-off Pool 1 in somewhat sombre circumstances in the aftermath of the Paris attacks a day before the game. Sarries were in the groove that night, with England stars Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt both impressing in their 32-7 win over the four-time European Cup winners. USA Rugby World Cup captain Chris Wyles crossed for two tries in the game with Mako Vunipola powering over for the other score. After reaching the final four of Europe’s premier competition, Saracens will once again be hoping to make their mark this season, but will face one of the toughest away assignments the competition has to offer when they face Ulster in tonight’s round two Pool 1 clash at Kingspan Stadium. SEASON SO FAR Saracens 100% start to the 2015/16 season in both the Aviva Premiership and European Champions Cup has seen Mark McCall’s side continue their fine late season form that saw the club lift the Aviva Premiership title.

OPPOSITION

CLUB ST //Location London //Founded 1876 //Ground Allianz Park //Capacity 10,000 //Last Game T oulouse (H)32-7(W) Sat 14th Nov 2015 at 17.30 //Next Game Worcester Warriors (H) Sun 28th Nov 2015 at 15.15 //Recent Form W W W W W

ST // Director of Rugby Mark McCall //Captain Alistair Hargreaves

CONT Unit 3, Kingsley House Sandridge Park, Porters Wood St Albans AL3 6PH England Tel +44 203 675 72 00

TICKET OFFICE Tel +44 203 675 72 00

www .saracens.com

SaracensOfficial Saracens

saracensofficial

Suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

Official suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

www.robinsonsshoes.com

9A West Street, Carrickfergus, BT38 7AR T. 028 9335 5464 E. info@robinsonsshoes.com

PLAYERS TO WATCH

OPPOSITION

MICHAEL RHODES

Saracens didn’t recruit heavily in the off-season, but one of the few fresh faces introduced to a settled squad in north London has already made an instant impact. In his new surroundings of Allianz Park, loose forward Michael Rhodes has instantly become a fan favourite with his uncompromising and abrasive style of play immediately endearing him to the Sarries faithful. Signed from South African Super 15 side, Stormers, Rhodes has also represented Western Province, The Sharks and the Lions in his native South African Currie Cup tournament. A former neighbour of Saracens captain Alistair Hargreaves during their time in Durban, Rhodes has seemlessly slotted into the Saracens squad. Saracen’s very own Mr Dependable arguably doesn’t receive the plaudits his consistent performances warrant. A cornerstone of Saracen’s strong set-piece, Petrus Du Plessis’ displays in the Sarries number three jersey were key to the club’s Aviva Premiership win last season. The No3 shirt is possibly Saracen’s most competitive position to fill. Australian Kieran Longbottom and the highly regarded Argentine Juan Figallo are both vying for the spot, so is USA World Cup star Titi Lamositele and Academy bolter Biyi Alo. Du Plessis though has been in superb form once again this season. His contribution in his side’s scrummaging performance against a much-fancied Toulouse front-row will pay testament to that. Saracens’ young forward was crowned an Aviva Premiership champion in his breakthrough season with the club after he captained the club to victory in the LV= Cup and Premiership A-League success earlier in the season. A World Cup training camp would follow an amazing season that also saw Itoje win an England Saxons call-up. The powerful 21-year old, who is equally adept in the back row as he is at lock forward, has made a big impression so far in the 2015/16 season. Itoje, alongside Will Fraser, Jamie George, George Kruis, Jackson Wray and the Vunipola brothers is part of an exciting set of youngsters that are currently packing down for the Men in Black

PETRUS DU PLESSIS

MARO ITOJE

JARED PAYNE: REFLECTS ON HIS RWC 2015 EXPERIENCE

JARED PAYNE

up high for the effort they put into the tournament. bitter-sweet but we will all look back on it as a great memory. ON HIS INJURY You could say I brought home an unwanted souvenir (the moon boot). I snapped my middle metatarsal bone in my foot so that was a disappointment. It was done at a training session and I didn’t think too much off it, I put it in a boot and got some physio on it and I was hoping that it would settle down but it didn’t and the doc said we better get this x-rayed. I didn’t really want it because I was worried it would put an end to my World Cup and unfortunately the x-ray did show a break. It was disappointing but injuries are a part of sport and you just have to get on with it. I got the operation done quickly, woke up in hospital on my birthday, was on the couch for two weeks straight after and then got moving. It will be six weeks next week when I go back to see the surgeon and hopefully he will give me some good news. Ideally I will be back playing some time in January and I can’t wait!

ON THE WORLD CUP It was an awesome experience; it was everything I had imagined. The supporters were amazing, the way they got behind the team and the atmosphere that they created in the stadiums was unbelievable. We also had a lot of fun off the pitch, meeting some interesting people like Usain Bolt, the experience really was a dream come true for me and I loved every minute of it. ON HIS FAVOURITE MOMENT My favourite moment was definitely the first bus trip to the Millennium Stadium – seeing the magnitude of the support and the sea of green was unbelievable. At that moment you realised how important what we were doing was to so many people. It really showed how much rugby means to

this nation, which was pretty special. ON THE QF DISSAPOINTMENT The quarter-final against Argentina was

disappointing, the boys came up against a pretty good team that day unfortunately. They did well to get back into the game but Argentina managed to finish us off towards the end. It was difficult, we had high hopes to go a lot further but at the same time, I think everyone involved can hold their heads

CARRICKFERGUS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB ESTABLISHED IN 1865 IS CELEBRATING ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2015

It was probably in the mess room in Carrickfergus Castle, away back in 1865, where a group of army officers sat around the table and decided to find a field somewhere and have a go at this new game called rugby.

Munster in May, during the Carrick Sevens weekend. Events included a tour to West of Scotland in April, with a return visit in August. West of Scotland also having travelled here to mark the 125th Anniversary of both clubs. A Gala Dinner was held in June at the Titanic Building, Belfast, with Brian O’Driscoll as the guest of honour. This event also saw the launch of a commemorative book celebrating 150 years of Carrickfergus RFC. Club President, Bill Crymble, said: “It is truly an honour and privilege to serve as President of Carrickfergus RFC during our 150th Anniversary. The club we see today is a testimony to every single member, past or present, all of whom have helped shape Carrickfergus RFC into the club it is today. A wonderful range of events has made 2015 a year to remember as we celebrate our rich history, but we must also focus on the future and the new chapters, which our players and members will be a part of.” A limited edition 144 page hardback book ‘A history of Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club 1865-2015’ is available from the club, priced £12.50. Contact the club or email kathryn@carrickfergusrfc.co.uk

The earliest record, so far, of a newspaper report was in the Carrickfergus Advertiser, 2nd January 1885, when a 12 a-side match was played on Christmas Day in a field off Woodburn Road. Carrickfergus won by three goals to nil, the tries being secured by J Carson, D Houston, and H McFerran, and the goals kicked by J E Holmes. According to the report ‘the play was very good throughout on both sides. This was the first match of the season, and we hope that it will not be the last of this invigorating game.’ The Carrickfergus team is recorded as: J E Holmes, J Jack (Captain), D Houston, J Carson, J Shearer, H McFerran, A Holmes, R Mackey, R Lattimore, W Carson, J Craig, J Logan. The Schoolboys team: F Armstrong, W Bathurst, W J McMillan, A K Hamilton, J Sproull, H Donald W Meyers, J Patrick, W Gibson, W McMaster, A Parker, D Gillespie. There were quite a few well-known local names on both sides. As the oldest junior club in Ulster and one of the oldest in Ireland, celebrations have taken place throughout the year, with a special 150th Anniversary kit being worn during 2015. The club was particularly proud to host the Junior Ulster Inter-provincial fixture between Ulster v

CARRICKFERGUS RFC

A historyof Carrickfergus RugbyFootballClub 1865-2015

CARRICKFERGUS RFC

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

#KINGSPANSTADIUM SELFIE

Kingspan are offering seven lucky Ulster fans, plus a friend the opportunity to train with the Ulster squad simply by tweeting a #KINGSPANSTADIUM selfie.

COMPETITION TIME

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 www.ulsterrugby.com Congratulations to Ruth Kimbley who won our last #KINGSPANSTADIUM selfie competition. She and a friend will be attending a training session with the squad next year.

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CLUB PROFILE: VIRGINIA RFC

“CLUB DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT HAS WORKED FOR US” First and foremost we have built a culture at mini rugby level that playing rugby is fun. It’s not just about the result, but about ensuring that all kids who attend are given equal opportunity, even if it means losing a game.

VIRGINIA RFC

That way, any new members who sign up, immediately are made to feel welcome, and are more likely to enjoy their experience and stay with the club. They also talk about their experience with their friends and encourage them to come too, as do the parents of the kids with their friends. To make the most of this we have a very open registration policy, basically anyone can join the mini rugby section at any time, and we make it easy for the parents and coaches to achieve this by providing dedicated admin back up to make the process very smooth. The priority of our minis section from a club point of view is to ensure we build a large enough squad to send at least 20 players up every season to next year’s U14s, and we realise that if we focus solely on the better individuals or on results we will not achieve this. This deals with club members, but we know we also have to attract more players into the mini section. To this end we work with every local primary school in the area (13), and host a ‘Primary School Tag Blitz’ every season which attracts over 300 children, many of whom don’t usually play rugby. We use this event as a recruitment tool, again with the message that playing rugby is fun! Results this year so far in terms of registrations have been encouraging, with over 30 kids registered at U12 level, plus 10 girls in the U12 age group now playing as a separate entity. This focus has meant that our youth numbers have also recently

blossomed, with 35 plus at U14s, 35 plus at U16s, 20 plus at U15 Girls, and 20 plus at U18 girls level. Obviously as they get to youth level the focus changes slightly, but we continue to recruit, mainly through word of mouth, but also by working with all the local second level schools (4) and running a local ‘Schools Contact Competition’ aimed at the U13 and U15 groups, those that fall in between the current provincial structure. The level of registrations also allow us to run a ‘2nd XV’ in the Qualifying Leagues. The purpose of this is that those who don’t get regular rugby because of their age, get the opportunity of meaningful competition throughout the season, and are there still the following season when the older lads have moved up an age grade. As a club we invest in the training of our coaches so that all have completed the relevant IRFU course for their age grade, ensuring young people get the best tuition available. We currently have 22 Mini and 19 Youth accredited coaches. Outside of the work on the pitch and in the schools, we also try and ensure that the kids get a good amount of extra curricular activity ranging from Easter Egg Hunts to match trips. We also as a club try and immerse ourselves in local community activities such as local shows and festivals, making sure that the club is seen as an integral part of the

town and the surrounding areas. Conor Walker // Virginia RFC

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