Ulster Rugby vs Scarlets

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £3 ULSTER FRI 29 NOV 2019, 7.35PM KINGSPAN STADIUM vSCARLETS

Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, where tonight the Ulster squad welcome Scarlets for Round 7 of the Guinness PRO14. Following a massive victory for the Ulstermen in the Heineken Champions Cup last week, there is no doubt the team will look to bring that momentum through to the PRO14. Scarlets will be intent on spoiling the party following a narrow defeat to Toulon in the Challenge Cup last weekend. Ulster, who will look to blood a number of young stars after two bruising European encounters, will no doubt be aided by the raucous atmosphere in Kingspan Stadium. The Ulster faithful are known for providing a warm welcome and I am sure the Scarlets squad and their travelling supporters will experience nothing less from their visit. Tonight is also a special night for our Kingspan mascot competition winner, Alexander Scott. We wish him all the best in leading out the Ulster team this evening. Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby Squad and management team the very best of luck. To Ulster’s committed fans, enjoy the game, lead the way and help ensure that this is an evening to remember at Kingspan Stadium.

ISSUE INTHIS

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Tonight's Mascots President’s Welcome

2 3 5 8 11

Guinness PRO14 Welcome

Interview: Louis Ludik

Player Focus: Will Addison

Q&A: Luke Marshall

13 14 16 19

Interview: David Shanahan

Last Time Out Academy Squad

Schools' Rugby Update Ulster Squad Profiles

24 28 32 33 34 39 40 45 46 49 57 58 59 62 63 64 51 61

Ulster Team Scarlets Team Scarlets Profiles Match Statistics

Women and Girls Rugby Update

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Spot the Difference

Guest Article: Rod Nawn

Referees Update

Stand Up Membership Packages

Half-Time Rugby Teams Stadium Information

Stadium Map URSC Update

Competition Standings

Fixtures

Sponsors and Partners

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TONIGHT'S MASCOTS

SAM McKELVEY (9) FROM BANGOR

SCOTT ALEXANDER (10) FROM BANGOR Scott attends Ballyholme Primary School and plays rugby for Bangor Rugby Club. His other interests include art and swimming where he is currently Irish and Ulster Champion for his age group. His favourite player is Jacob Stockdale and when he grows up he would like to be a chef and own his own restaurant.

Sam goes to Gilnahirk Primary School and loves all ball sports, He also enjoys reading, ice hockey, swimming and Minecraft. Sam has two favourite players; John Cooney because he always has time for his fans and Jacob Stockdale because he is so fast. When Sam is older he would like to be a police dog handler.

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PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

Tonight’s game is week six of a thirteen-week block of successive games, which see Ulster play six Heineken Champions Cup and seven Guinness PRO14 fixtures, including four inter-provincial clashes. After six rounds of the PRO14 Championship, Ulster currently sit in second place in Conference A, behind early pace-setters Leinster. The club have also made a very strong start to the European campaign with opening round wins over Bath away and the superb victory over Clermont at home last weekend. The extended run of continuous games places huge pressure on the extended squad and keeps our medical, physio and S&C staff on their toes. I would just like to extend my best wishes and thanks to our Athletic Performance and Medical Performance teams; I’m sure we will see the rewards of their labour with continued success on the pitch. Our opponents tonight are sitting second in Conference B with five wins and just one loss to their name so far. Our contests with Scarlets in recent years have been keen contested, entertaining affairs, and I expect tonight’s to be no different. On Saturday afternoon, we have a full programme of club fixtures in the All Ireland League, plus a host of domestic fixtures in Ulster. As always, I would urge you to get out and support your local clubs in action. To the travelling Scarlets Officers, management team and playing squad – I hope you have an enjoyable, but not successful, visit to Belfast. To the Ulster supporters – make your voices heard and hopefully cheer the Ulster men towards more valuable PRO14 Championship points. SUFTUM! Gary Leslie President, IRFU Ulster Branch On behalf of Ulster Rugby, I would like to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Guinness PRO14 fixture versus Scarlets.

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2019/20 OFFICERS Gary Leslie President Philip Gregg Senior Vice President Denis Gardiner Junior Vice President & Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary Jonny Petrie Chief Executive Officer

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

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It is a welcome yet fleeting return to Guinness PRO14 action as precious points are on offer in midst of the European campaigns which have started positively for our clubs. Games take place across Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales this weekend as our teams run out in the Championship after two weeks of battle against European opposition before taking up the fight once more for the third and fourth rounds. All of this in the lead-up to the Christmas derbies and the task of integrating players who were in Japan for the World Cup with the pressure to deliver – who would be a head coach? If you put yourself in their shoes it’s hard to think of a more challenging environment to prove yourself. Innovative thinkers and sharp wits are the hallmark of coaches in the Guinness PRO14 and their year-long job of managing recruitment, the promotion of youth and the handling of some of international rugby’s top names is no easy balance.

One man who has consistently achieved that balance is Dave Rennie, head coach of the Glasgow Warriors. While we will be sad to see him depart the Guinness PRO14 scene at the end of the season, we wish him nothing but the very best as he takes up the post as head coach of Australia. Rennie follows a long line of coaches who have graduated from the Guinness PRO14 to lead at the very highest level of the game. Most recently, Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac has been appointed to succeed Warren Gatland at Wales, before him it was Gregor Townsend who left Glasgow to coach Scotland , Joe Schmidt’s success at Leinster earned him the Ireland job and we’ve also see former Munster chief Rassie Erasmus takeover at South Africa – and that didn’t turn out too badly. The main positive for Warriors fans will be the identity of Rennie’s successor, Danny Wilson, who did a really good job at Cardiff Blues before moving on. Wilson was very popular with the players in Cardiff and handpicked by Dai Young for a role at Wasps before taking up his current position as forwards coach for Scotland. Wilson knows the Guinness PRO14, he’ll know the current and future Scotland players – there’s no end of them in Glasgow – and he knows how to get the best from a team that plays on a fast track like Scotstoun. Speaking of the Warriors home, it may be the setting where Leinster’s unbeaten run comes to an end. The champions are six from six and may have an eye on breaking Ulster’s best start to a season (11 wins from 11 in 2012/13), but this is the first meeting between the two sides since the province’s triumph over Glasgow at Celtic Park in last season’s Guinness PRO14 Final. It promises to be one of the headline acts of Round 7 but there could be a host of big away performances with Edinburgh travelling to face Munster, Cheetahs off to Ospreys and Scarlets at Ulster – these are some key fixtures in both conferences. But if you think you can call ‘em right, then download the Guinness PRO14 App and play the predictor game where you can win prizes including a hospitality trip to this season’s Final. Cardiff City Stadium will host the Guinness PRO14 Final on June 20 and while we can’t predict which teams will run out at Cardiff City Stadium, you can book the best seats at the best prices right now. Last year saw yet another record attendance at the Guinness PRO14 Final in Glasgow, but with limited availability in 2020 be sure to visit www.pro14rugby.org/final to take advantage of early bird prices before they’re gone! Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi Chief Executive Officer

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LOUIS LUDIK

As the full-back and fan favourite approaches his 100-appearance milestone, Louis Ludik reflects on his time at Ulster, and gives a glimpse of his plans for the future.

“I never knew what was going to happen; you don’t plan that long ahead in rugby. You play contract-to-contract and hope it goes well, but it has come along and it’s great that I’m here now. When you join a club, you never think you’ll be there for four or five years, especially living away from home. You don’t expect to fall in love with the place and make it your home; Ulster and Belfast have done that, and I’m delighted to say it’s home for us now.” Being the oldest member of the Ulster squad, Ludik boasts a significant amount of experience, and has some words of wisdom to share with younger players. “With a bit of experience, I’ve learned how to approach and adapt to the coaching – every coach is different and they have different ideas in how they see the team playing. You have to fit into that mould and sometimes it’s difficult. It’s important to adapt to the game and understand what the coaches try to accomplish.” As for life after rugby, he and his family have firm plans to stay in the Province. “At this stage, we’re thinking of staying in Belfast after rugby; that’s the plan at the moment. As we saw with Ruan Pienaar, those plans can change but there’s a lot going on that we’re trying to set up for life after rugby. It’s definitely in the plans for us to stay at the moment.”

Tonight’s game will be Louis Ludik’s 100th appearance in an Ulster jersey, which the South African deems to be a privilege. “I can’t believe it,” he says. “Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s a great honour to make my 100th appearance; I wish it happened earlier if it wasn’t for injuries, but it’s a privilege to have 100 caps for Ulster. I can’t wait to get out there on the field against Scarlets.” Previous Ulster centurions haven’t been as fortunate to line out for their 100th game at home – fellow countryman, Ruan Pienaar played his against Leinster at the RDS – which isn’t lost on the 33-year-old. “As you approach a milestone like this, you start looking at what game your 100th appearance can land on, so when I saw we had three games at home, I thought the chances would be that it would be at home. It’s the cherry on top – it doesn’t matter where you play – but to line out at home, it makes it that little bit more special. It’s something I’m sure I’ll remember forever.” Ironically, Ludik’s first Ulster cap was won against the same opposition back in September 2014, and he acknowledges that, at that time, he hadn’t planned to make such a long term commitment to life on the other side of the world.

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LUDIK’S TOP 3 MOST MEMORABLE GAMES ULSTER 24 CARDIFF 17 23 OCTOBER 2015 Ulster fought their way to a third consecutive home bonus-point victory of the season in this game, equalling their record of 14 successive undefeated Guinness PRO12 matches at Kingspan Stadium. Ludik made a try assist, sending Andrew Trimble in for his first try of the season. GLASGOW 17 ULSTER 22 23 SEPTEMBER 2016 Ulster’s first ever league success at Scotstoun in six attempts, in which Ludik was instrumental, making a line break leading to a decisive Paddy Jackson score. ULSTER 18 CLERMONT 13 22 NOVEMBER 2019 Another memorable European occasion at Kingspan stadium as Ulster toppled French heavyweights Clermont to make it two wins from two in this season’s champions cup. At full-back, Ludik gave the French giants a masterclass under the high ball in this game’.

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PLAYER FOCUS

WILL ADDISON Will Addison joined Ulster in the summer of 2018, following a 7-year spell at Sale Sharks where he made more than 100 appearances and was appointed club captain. A deft ball carrier and tenacious tackler, Addison is equally at home in midfield or full-back. Addison is Irish-qualified by virtue of his County Fermanagh born mother, and has been capped four times at international level.

SO FAR THIS SEASON

METRES 264

CARRIES 52

OFFLOADS 4

TACKLES 6

New season, new team on and off the pitch Openreach is proud to join Ulster Rugby

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PLAYER Q&A LUKEMARSHALL When did you start playing rugby,

and who was your first team? 7 years old, for Ballymena RFC What’s your favourite rugby memory? 1st cap for Ireland playing against Scotland If you could re-live one moment from your rugby career, what would it be? (Good or bad) European quarter final playing Saracens at home – This time we would win! What’s the one thing you could not live without? My Dogs Favourite subject in school? Latin All time favourite movie? Gladiator Best player you have played with? Ruan Pienaar Best player you have played against? Wesley Fofana What’s your pre-match routine? Any superstitions? A bowl of porridge in the morning and chill out What’s on your pre-match playlist? Marvin Gaye – Ain’t no mountain high enough Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby career and why? My Dad – got me started and supported me all the way What area of your game do you want to improve most this season? Speed and Agility Tell us something not many people would know about you? I did 3 years speech therapy when I was young – but it didn’t work!

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As David Shanahan sits on the verge of earning his 50th cap for Ulster, we spoke to him about some of his personal highlights to date, working with Dwayne Peel and the Scarlets’ threat. DAVID SHANAHAN

it. Most scrum-halves worth their salt run decent support lines, so I put it down to our team making good line breaks rather than myself doing anything particularly well.”

The Dublin-born scrum-half already has some stand-out memories from his 49 previous games in an Ulster jersey. “Your first cap is always memorable as well as your first start,” he said. “My first start was against Exeter in a Champions Cup game; that was a momentous day for me. Playing in Europe is fantastic - last season’s Champions Cup win against Racing 92 was one of my favourite games and it was brilliant to be involved.” Working with Ulster’s Assistant Coach, Dwayne Peel, he has found to be hugely beneficial for his own development, especially considering Peel played scrum-half at the highest level. “Dwayne’s quality and British & Irish Lions experience is really helpful. He knows what it’s like to be a 9 and what we go through. If I do something in a situation, he’ll be able to empathise. “At the same time though, he pushes all the scrum-halves hard to be better players because he wants the best from us - he’s great.” The 26-year-old is renowned for running superb support lines, often scoring tries as a result. While this is something he works on in training, he modestly attributes his excellent strike rate to his team-mates. “It’s all about anticipation; it’s really easy in a team like ours which has dangerous players who can make a lot of line breaks, so you could say I’m feeding off their scraps. When someone like Jacob Stockdale or Will Addison get on the ball, you hedge your bets and go for

Spirits in the Ulster squad are high after two crucial wins in the Heineken Champions Cup against Bath away and Clermont at home, and Shanahan feels it can only be a positive that there is still room to improve. “Winning your first two European games – and you can’t lose many to qualify for the knock- out stages – we’re delighted about, especially the Clermont game as they’re one of the best teams in Europe. We like to think we made them look quite ordinary, but we still think we have more shots to fire. We’re doing some things really well but we’ve a lot of things in our armoury that we have yet to show.” Ulster’s focus turns back to the Guinness PRO14 on Friday, and although Ulster won’t let the Scarlets dictate the style of game they want to play, the scrum-half is conscious that Ulster’s defence will have to be watertight against one of the best attacking sides in the competition. “We try to play our own game, whoever we play against, but Scarlets pose a lot of threats and are one of the best attacking teams in the league and have been for the last few years. They won the PRO14 a few years ago; they still have that core team and play heads-up rugby, so defensively, we’ll have to be ready for that. Attacking-wise, we try to play our own brand of rugby, whoever the opposition, and it just happens to be Scarlets so hopefully we’ll be able to put together a plan and a performance that will get the job done.”

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LASTTIMEOUT ULSTER 18 – 13ASMCLERMONTAUVERGNE

Ulster continued to dominate their prestigious rivals, who repeatedly contrived to surrender possession virtually as soon as they obtained it, and when Murphy rumbled over for the try on 17 minutes from a forceful rolling maul, it was no more than what Ulster’s fantastic start deserved. The Cooney conversion added to the visitors’ woe, as did a missed opportunity on 22 minutes when Alivereti Raka looked to have capitalised on a communication breakdown between Addison and Ludik to dot down in the corner, only for the TMO review to show a clear knock-on by the wing as he tried to bring a bobbling ball under control. Back in the driving seat, Ulster came close again on 25 minutes when an inch-perfect crossfield kick from Burns dropped into Stockdale’s clutches, and only a last-gasp tackle from George Moala dragged the next ball recipient Marshall into touch five metres from home.

Ulster’s second Heineken Champions Cup win from two put them in the Pool 3 driving seat, as tries from Jordi Murphy and John Cooney sent a below-par ASM Clermont Auvergne back to France with a losing bonus point that their performance scarcely deserved. Ulster now sit atop the Pool on eight points, two ahead of Clermont in advance of December’s home and away double-header with Quins. An immediate turnover as Nick Abendanon lost Cooney’s kick-off soon earned Ulster a penalty when Peceli Yato illegally collected at the breakdown, and the home scrum-half made no mistake from 30 metres to give his side an early advantage.

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A debatable high tackle from Ludik gave Clermont a much-needed set-piece, but their nightmarish evening continued when John Ulugia’s crooked put-in brought their possession once again to a premature end. Another marginal call – this time Addison with a high challenge on second row Paul Jedrasiak – went unpunished, but Clermont soon opened their account courtesy of a Greig Laidlaw penalty just after the half- hour. Cooney cancelled out his opposite number’s three points within moments when Jedrasiak’s replacement Thibault Lanen was pinged for failing to roll away, and the hosts closed out the half, further frustrating the Frenchmen in midfield. Five minutes of ineffectual possession at the start of the second period pushed Clermont to replace their entire front row as well as Abendanon and out-half Jake McIntyre – regular first choice Camille Lopez taking over at ten – but the changes made no difference to their fortunes, as a 55th minute penalty from Laidlaw sailed left of the posts. However, the visitors began to establish a foothold in the game just before the hour, and when the next penalty came, this time for offside, the Scot dispatched his kick to bring his side back to within seven points.

Perhaps beginning to rue their failure to kill the game off in such a dominant first half, Ulster stepped up a gear from the restart, with Cooney once again the lynch-pin as he crafted himself a try not dissimilar to his score last week in Bath, picking up at the back of a maul and chipping Raka before dribbling over the line and touching down. Cooney’s conversion missed, but with Clermont now five points adrift of even a losing bonus point, the Frenchmen forced their way into the Ulster ‘22’ for the very first time on 66 minutes, eventually forcing a penalty try four minutes later after three successive scrum infringements from the Ulster front row. Now nursing a slight five-point lead, Ulster judiciously forced play well into the Clermont half, eating up a good seven minutes until another penalty gave Clermont their final shot at glory. Ulster just failed to snatch the turnover at the lineout as the clock tipped into red, but a final knock-on under pressure from Apisai Naqalevu sent his side home with the solitary bonus point.

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2019/20ABBEY INSURANCE ACADEMYSQUAD

MATTHEW AGNEW

AZUR ALLISON

GRAHAM CURTIS

MATTHEW DALTON

Year 2 Back Row 20.11.98 180cm 89kg

Year 2 Back Row 19.04.99 192cm 95kg

Year 2 Scrum Half 12.09.99 176cm 84kg

Year 3 Lock 16.11.98 197cm 105kg

JOE DUNLEAVY

AARON HALL

BRUCE HOUSTON

IWAN HUGHES

Year 3 Back Row 22.12.98 190cm 101kg

Year 4 Back Row 26.06.98 193cm 98kg

Year 2 Fly Half 16.08.99 192cm 84kg

Year 2 Back Three 06.04.99 174cm 79kg

HAYDEN HYDE

DAVID McCANN

STEWART MOORE

CONOR RANKIN

Year 1 Centre 15.09.00

Year 2 Back Row 13.06.00

Year 2 Centre 08.08.99 183cm 91kg

Year 1 Back Three 27.05.01 186cm 83kg

191cm 101kg

191cm 103kg

JACK REGAN

CALLUM REID

AARON SEXTON

TOM STEWART

Year 3 Lock 09.05.97

Year 1 Prop 06.01.99 183cm 111kg

Year 1 Back Three 24.08.00 188cm 88kg

Year 1 Hooker 11.01.01 182cm 97kg

197cm 108kg

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TONIGHTSOPPONENTS SCARLETS

Scarlets are one of the four professional Welsh rugby union teams out of the four and are based in Llanelli, Wales. Their home ground is the Parc y Scarlets stadium, competing in the Pro14 and the European Rugby ChallengeCup

Captain

Ken Owens Brad Mooar

Head Coach

SCARLETS GUINNESS PRO 14 CAMPAIGN SO FAR ROUND 1 SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER SCARLETS

ONESTOWATCH COMPETITIONSOFAR

18 10

CONNACHT RUGBY

56 TOP TACKLER 4 TOP TRY SCORER 43 TOP POINT SCORER

ROUND 2 FRIDAY 4TH OCTOBER GLASGOW WARRIORS

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SCARLETS

ROUND 3 SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER SCARLETS ZEBRE RUGBY CLUB ROUND 4 SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER EDINBURGH RUGBY ROUND 5 SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER SCARLETS ROUND 6 SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER SCARLETS SCARLETS TOYOTA CHEETAHS

JOSH MACLEOD

54 10

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KIERAN HARDY

17 13

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BENETTON RUGBY

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SCHOOLS' RUGBY DANSKEBANKULSTER SCHOOLS’ ROUND-UP

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

competition. The Larne Grammar School team won this game 39-0. On the afternoon of Wednesday 20th November Sullivan Upper travelled to play Methodist College, Belfast at Pirrie Park. Following a closely contested game, in which the Methodist College team dominated the first half with the Sullivan Upper School team dominating the second half, it took a Zac Moraghan penalty, five minutes from time, to secure the 3-0 victory for the Sullivan Upper School team.

On Monday 18th November, Carndonagh Community College travelled to play Campbell College, Belfast 4th XV in the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup. The Carndonagh Community College team returned to Donegal having recorded a 34-7 victory. On Tuesday 19th November Larne Grammar School hosted Antrim Grammar School in the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield

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Belfast Royal Academy played Dalriada School in a game the Belfast Royal Academy team won by 46-12. Dromore High School played the Royal School, Dungannon team at Barban Hill in a game the Royal School, Dungannon team won by 24-5. The Friends’ School, Lisburn team continued with their winning ways when they played Banbridge Academy in a game they won by 61-5. Larne Grammar School played Grosvenor Grammar School in a game that saw the Grosvenor Grammar School team emerge as 24-10 winners. Lurgan College hosted a Foyle College team in a game the Lurgan College team won by 43-14. Omagh Academy welcomed Wallace High School to the recently refurbished Campsie Playing Fields to play a game from which the Wallace High School team emerged as 50-12 winners. Portadown College played Down High School in a game the Down High School team won by 15-7. Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Campbell College, Belfast in a game that finished with the Belfast Inst team recording a morale boosting 18-10 victory.

Meanwhile the Strabane Academy team travelled to play their near neighbours from Omagh Academy at the Campsie Playing Fields. Both teams used extended squads in the course of the game from which the Omagh Academy team emerged as 53-0 winners. The Rainey Endowed School XV, minus a number of regular starters, hosted the Ballymena Academy team 2nd XV in a game the Ballymena Academy team won by 7-5. In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup Banbridge Academy played Larne Grammar School in the 1st Round of the competition. The Larne Grammar School team won the game by 15-0. On the same afternoon Limavady Grammar School 2nd XV hosted Lurgan College 2nd XV in another game in the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup competition. The Limavady Grammar School team won this game by 27-7. In the two remaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup 1st Round games, Foyle College went through against Strabane Academy and Dromore High School went through against Belfast High School. On Saturday 23rd November a good list of 1st XV friendly fixtures was played. Ballyclare High School hosted Bangor Grammar School in an exciting game the Bangor Grammar School team won by 14-8. Ballymena Academy travelled to Clane in Co Kildare where they played against the formidable Clongowes Wood College team. Despite having a number of senior players unavailable for selection the Ballymena Academy team put in a good performance despite losing the game by 24-12.

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Pick up a lucky match day programme at Ulster v Harlequins next weekend and find a golden ticket inside to win one of our special prizes: FIND A GOLDEN TICKET

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ULSTERRUGBY CONTRACTUPDATES

ROB LYTTLE Ulster Rugby wing, Rob Lyttle, has committed his future to the province for a further three years, keeping him at Kingspan Stadium until at least 2023. A product of the Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy, Rob made a memorable Ulster senior debut in September 2016 touching down 11 times in his 27 appearances to date. The 22-year-old has been in excellent form this season, starting four of Ulster’s six Guinness PRO14 games so far, and scoring a try in the home win over Zebre in Round 5.

MARTY MOORE Ulster Rugby has been boosted by international tighthead prop, Marty Moore, becoming the latest player to announce a contract extension, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2022. The 28-year-old has made 23 appearances for Ulster and has touched down for two tries. Having missed the start of the season through injury, Moore made a timely return this month with impressive performances against Munster and Bath.

BILLY BURNS Ulster Rugby is delighted to announce that fly-half Billy Burns has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Kingspan Stadium until at least the summer of 2022. An exceptionally talented player, Burns quickly struck up a strong partnership with scrum-half John Cooney as Ulster’s first choice half-back pairing, and have already started together on 20 occasions. This season, Burns has started five of Ulster’s eight games, including the home win over Cardiff when he captained the side for the first time.

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2019/20 ULSTERSQUAD

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

WILL ADDISON

JOHN ANDREW

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE

BILLY BURNS

Utility Back 20.08.1992 186cm 93kg 15 IRE 4

Hooker 26.05.1993

Wing 19.08.1997 193cm 90kg 14 —

Fly Half 13.06.1994 185cm 86kg 29 —

181cm 104kg 59 —

SAM CARTER

MARCELL COETZEE

JOHN COONEY

ANGUS CURTIS

Lock 10.09.1989 200cm 116kg 7 AUS 16

Back Row 08.05.1991 192cm 114kg 33 SA 30

Scrum Half 01.05.1990 178cm 87kg 53 IRE 8

Centre 26.03.1998 178cm 92kg 11 —

MATT FADDES

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

ROB HERRING

Centre/Wing 06.11.1991 185cm 93kg 6 —

Wing 11.03.1991 183cm 92kg 173 IRE 10

Lock 21.02.1992 199cm 117kg 107 IRE 53

Hooker 27.04.1990 184cm 107kg 173 IRE 8

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JAMES HUME

BILL JOHNSTON

GREG JONES

ROSS KANE

Centre 07.09.1998

Fly Half 07.02.1997 180cm 87kg 4 —

Back Row 13.01.1996

Prop 14.10.1994 180cm 118kg 44 —

187cm 98.1kg

196cm 105kg 14 —

15 —

ANGUS KERNOHAN

MICHAEL LOWRY

LOUIS LUDIK

ROB LYTTLE

Wing 02.03.1999 181cm 93kg 18 —

Fly Half 20.08.1998

Full Back 08.10.1986 182cm 90kg 99 —

Wing 28.01.1997 175cm 85kg 28 —

171cm 75.1kg 19 —

LUKE MARSHALL

ADAM McBURNEY

KYLE McCALL

ZACK McCALL

Centre 03.03.1991 181cm 97kg 132 IRE 11

Hooker 05.09.1996

Prop 02.01.1992 176cm 111kg 56 —

Hooker 10.02.1995

182cm 102kg

180cm 100kg

17 —

— —

STUART McCLOSKEY

JACK McGRATH

GARETH MILASINOVICH

MARTY MOORE

Centre 06.08.1992 193cm 111kg 112 IRE 3

Prop 11.10.1989 185cm 118kg 5 IRE 56

Prop 15.12.1992

Prop 01.03.1991 178cm 121kg 23 IRE 10

191cm 132kg

— —

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JORDI MURPHY

ALAN O’CONNOR

DAVID O’CONNOR

TOMMY O’HAGAN

Back Row 22.04.1991

Lock 10.09.1992 196cm 114kg 96 —

Lock 19.05.1995 194cm 110kg

Prop 05.10.1993

188cm 105kg 21 IRE 30

182cm 120kg 2 —

— —

ERIC O’SULLIVAN

TOM O’TOOLE

MARCUS REA

MATTHEW REA

Prop 30.11.1995 185cm 115kg 33 —

Prop 23.09.1998

Back Row 08.09.1997

Back Row 21.09.1993 194cm 112kg 34 —

185cm 120kg

188cm 105kg 1 —

31 —

SEAN REIDY

CLIVE ROSS

DAVID SHANAHAN

JONNY STEWART

Back Row 10.05.1989

Back Row 14.06.1989

Scrum Half 20.06.1993 174cm 78kg 49 —

Scrum Half 20.02.1998 174cm 77kg

182cm 103kg 113 IRE 2

193cm 109kg 73 —

12 —

JACOB STOCKDALE

NICK TIMONEY

KIERAN TREADWELL

ANDREW WARWICK

Wing 03.04.1996

Back Row 01.08.1995 189cm 111kg 54 —

Lock 06.11.1995 198cm 118kg 79 IRE 3

Prop 12.03.1991 179cm 113kg 120 —

191cm 103kg 58 IRE 25

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TEAM

1 2

ULSTER

ERIC O'SULLIVAN

ROB HERRING (C)

15 14 13 12 11 10 9

LOUIS LUDIK

3 4 ALAN

MARTY MOORE

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE

O’CONNOR

MATT FADDES

5 6 7 8

KIERAN TREADWELL

STUART McCLOSKEY

MATTHEW REA

CRAIG GILROY

SEAN REIDY

BILL JOHNSTON

MARCELL COETZEE

JOHN COONEY

TODAY’S OFFICIALS REFEREE SAM GROVE-WHITE SRU ASSISTANT REFEREES ROB O’SULLIVAN IRFU BEN BLAIN SRU TMO CHARLES SAMSON SRU

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 A McBURNEY A WARWICK T O’TOOLE D O'CONNOR

N TIMONEY D SHANAHAN A CURTIS A KERNOHAN

20 21 22 23

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TEAM

1

SCARLETS

PHIL PRICE

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

RYAN ELIAS

15 14 13 12 11 10

STEFF EVANS

SAMSON LEE

COREY BALDWIN

LEWIS RAWLINS

STEFF HUGHES (C)

SAM LOUSI

PAUL ASQUITH

UZAIR CASSIEM

MORGAN WILLIAMS

JOSH MACLEOD

DAN JONES

BLADE THOMPSON

9

KIERAN HARDY

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 M JONES D EVANS W KRUGER S CUMMINS

J MORGAN J EVANS R LAMB R CONBEER

20 21 22 23

2019/20 SCARLETS

Head Coach Brad Mooar Forwards Coach Ioan Cunningham Defence Coach Glenn Delaney Backs Coach Dai Flanagan Assistant Attack Coach Richard Whiffin

PAUL ASQUITH

COREY BALDWIN

DANE BLACKER

UZAIR CASSIEM

Wing/Centre 12.08.1993 182cm 95kg

Scrumhalf 06.07.1998

Wing 13.10.1998 183cm 95kg

Back row 17.03.1990 189cm 110kg

171cm 80kg

RYAN CONBEER

STEVE CUMMINS

DYLAN EVANS

KIERON FONOTIA

Wing 05.02.1999 178cm 92kg

Lock 29.03.1992 201cm 116kg

Prop 25.01.1989 184cm 113kg

Centre 02.02.1988

186cm 104kg

KIERAN HARDY

JOSH HELPS

DAFYDD HUGHES

STEFF HUGHES

Scrumhalf 30.11.1995 184cm 92kg

Lock 22.12.1994 197cm 116kg

Hooker 08.01.1996

Centre 17.02.1994 180cm 95kg

178cm 102kg

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TOM JAMES

DAN JONES

MARC JONES

ED KENNEDY

Wing 17.04.1987 190cm 103kg

Fly-half 07.01.1996 183cm 90kg

Hooker 03.04.1987

Back row 19.09.1994 196cm 110kg

185cm 105kg

JUANDRE KRUGER

WERNER KRUGER

RYAN LAMB

SAM LOUSI

Lock 06.09.1985 191cm 114kg

Prop 23.01.1985

Fly-half 18.05.1986 175cm 88kg

Lock 20.07.1991 198cm 121kg

191cm 125kg

JOSH MACLEOD

JAC MORGAN

IOAN NICHOLAS

PHIL PRICE

Back row 27.10.1996 189cm 110kg

Back row 21.01.2000 180cm 101kg

Centre/Wing 03.04.98 185cm 92kg

Prop 10.11.1988 184cm 117kg

LEWIS RAWLINS

JAVAN SEBASTIAN

BLADE THOMSON

MORGAN WILLIAMS

Lock 13.04.1990 198cm 111kg

Prop 27.09.1994 177cm 121kg

Back row 04.12.1990

Wing 28.12.1995 190cm 92kg

198cm 106kg

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10 YEAR WOODSTAIN

2

22 10 50

50 10 10 22

HIGH PERFORMANCE WOOD FILLER 3

DECKING RESCUE PAINT 1

DECKING PROTECTOR

SHED & FENCE PRESERVER

4

5

10

GARDEN PAINT

DECKING STAIN

6

7

FENCE LIFE PLUS+

8

22

22

DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN

THE BEST CLUBS WEAR MACRON WHY DON’T YOU?

CONTACT US FOR A QUOTATION UK COUNTRY MANAGER Andrea Palilla M: +39 347 3202669 andrea.palilla@macron.com SEE WHO ELSE HAS ALREADY CHOSEN MACRON:

www.macron.com

STATISTICS SO FAR THIS SEASON

COMPETITION SPECIFIC

2199

1706

Metres Gained

692

626

Carries

922

611

Tackles Made

24

30

Turnovers Won

56

55

Penalties Conceeded

Most Metres Made Matt Faddes 302 Metres

Top Tackler Sean Reidy 86 Tackles

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WOMENANDGIRLSRUGBY ACTIONPLAN

The clubs currently enrolled in the programme are City of Derry, Virginia, Cooke, Dungannon and Malone. All clubs operate Mini, Youth and Adult level opportunities and these clubs will get specific assistance from Ulster Rugby with off- and on-field development to ensure positive growth with regards to player participation and development. It is an exciting time for Women’s and

Ulster Rugby invited clubs engaged in Women’s and Girls rugby to take part in a nurture and development programme to assist and support the clubs with the hopes to expand the capacity to grow their Women’s and Girls club sections, leading to further overall progression of the game within the province. Rugby Action Plan 2018-2023, has been launched within the province. A new initiative, in conjunction with the IFRU Women in

Girls rugby within Ulster, and with the development of a sustainable

infrastructure and pathway for players from Minis to Adult, now is the best time to get involved and show support for the game.

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WOMENANDGIRLSRUGBY WEEKENDROUNDUP ENERGIA WOMEN’S ALL IRELAND LEAGUE

With 5 matches played by each team we are well into the season now. Cooke are 4th in the League with 3 wins under their belt, whereas newcomers Malone have missed out on a win so far. This weekend should be an exciting one for both teams – its all to play for and the Ulster sides are looking to get more winning points on the board.

ENERGIA WOMEN’S ALL IRELAND LEAGUE

TEAM

PL W D L PF PA DIFF TB LB PTS 5 5 0 0 243 67 176 5 0 25 5 5 0 0 186 68 118 5 0 25

U.L. Bohemian

Railway Union RFC

Old Belvedere

5 4 0 1

138 61 77 2 1

19

Cooke

5 3 0 2 58 84 -26 1 5 2 0 3 104 161 -57 1

0 14 0 9 0 5

Suttonians Blackrock

5 1

0 4 107 136 -29 1

Malone

5 0 0 5 54 193 -139 0 1 5 0 0 5 68 188 -120 0 1

1

Galwegians

-1

DELOITTE WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP Queen’s are currently sitting top of the league in the Deloitte Women’s Premiership, 5 points ahead of City of Derry – it is all to play. This weekends’ matches should be a fierce competition, with Ballynahinch, Cavan and Dungannon aiming to climb the table, however City of Derry will be keen to take the win and narrow the gap with the Premiership leaders. DELOITTE WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP PL W D L PTS Queen's University 4 4 0 0 20 City Of Derry 4 3 0 1 15 Omagh 4 2 0 2 10 Dungannon 4 1 0 3 5 Cavan 4 2 0 2 4 Ballynahinch 4 0 0 4 0 TEAM

THIS WEEKENDS FIXTURES SATURDAY 30th NOVEMBER ENERGIA WOMEN’S ALL IRELAND LEAGUE MALONE v BLACKROCK SUTTONIANS v COOKE SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER MALONE 2 v PORTADOWN SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER DELOITTE WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP CAVAN v OMAGH BALLYNAHINCH v QUEEN’S CITY OF DERRY v DUNGANNON DELOITTE WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP ROUND 1 RESCHEDULED

IT WILL BE A GREAT WEEKEND OF WOMEN’S RUGBY FOR ALL SO MAKE SURE YOU GET DOWN TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CLUB!

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Stadium Tours from £5.50

Book an all-access tour of Kingspan Stadium • Get a fully guided tour of the home of Ulster Rugby and see the working environment of a professional sports team • Take a look around the world class gym and training facilities • Sit in the Ulster Rugby team changing rooms and immerse yourself in a Virtual Reality team-talk from Rory Best* • Walk in the footsteps of legends down the famous players tunnel • Test your rugby skills with the interactive challenges in The Nevin Spence Centre

ulsterrugby.com 43 UlsterRugby.com/Tours

* Subject to availability

SPOTTHEDIFFERENCE CANYOUFIND7DIFFERENCES?

sock on Will Addison’s right leg; 3. Kingspan logo missing on Stuart McCloskey ‘s right sock; 4. Kurki Logo missing on Billy Burns shorts; 5. Marcell Coetzee’s beard is longer; 6.Ulster Logo missing on Marcell’s shirt; 7. Billy Burns left foot is missing.

Answers: 1. Missing bandage on Marcell Coetzee right leg; 2. Missing

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ROD NAWN

The elation of last week’s despatch at Kingspan Stadium of yet another famous and fancied French side in the Heineken Champions Cup is fresh and lingering. It may be a regular occurrence in recent years, but never have the fans nor players become blasé about such victories. SCARLETS IN ANOTHERLEAGUE

providing a pathway to European qualification. And yet it’s even more than that. The Italian and South African involvement adds to the age-old rivalries amongst the Celts, and who would question the commitment and passion of an Irish-Welsh tussle, or indeed an Ulster-Scots clash? Ulster will show some changes from the exchange with Clermont last week, McFarland indicating that some of his players would be given recovery time before European combat resumes in Belfast next Saturday with back-to- back games against Harlequins. That should not mean any reduction in the attacking armoury behind the scrum, with Craig Gilroy, Robert Baloucoune, Matt Faddes, Bill Johnston, Dave Shanahan and, possibly, Michael Lowry all talented and experienced in the senior side. Up front Adam McBurney, John Andrew, Treadwell, Kyle McCall and Matty Rea are very competitive operators who’ll relish the occasion if opportunity arises. The challenge this evening is formidable, with both teams currently second in their respective PRO14 Conferences, Ulster nine points adrift of Leinster, the Scarlets just three behind Munster. Tonight’s visitors could be described as ‘under new management’, the wily Wayne Pivac having departed to replace Warren Gatland as Wales’s Head Coach, so it’s a relatively unfamiliar face in the Scarlets coaching box. Brad Mooar, another Kiwi, is regarded as one of the game’s brightest new coaches, recent roles as assistant at Southern Kings and then

The energy, tactical nous, imagination and sheer bloody-mindedness which produced another great night are just some of the characteristics more consistently on how in a squad coached by Dan McFarland. McFarland is demanding but absolutely targeted on producing an Ulster Rugby culture which the players avidly embrace, and which is genuinely harmoniously ambitious. The new club captain, Iain Henderson, has described life at the club as having an entirely different ‘buzz’, and he cited the oft-stated ‘squad’ mentality in very real and practical terms. He used the example of the game at Bath two weeks ago and the preparation which went into that win at ‘The Rec’. Kieran Treadwell had not ‘made’ the matchday panel but his contribution and efforts in training had not dimmed, and Henderson was very happy to laud his fellow lock’s attitude and claim it as typical of the senior and Academy players who McFarland views as his talent pool and all part of his project at Ulster. Ulster fans gather this evening, retuned to the aspirations in the Guinness PRO14 swiftly, for the second of three successive weekend feasts. The allure of Clermont last Friday, and of Harlequins next weekend in the Champions Cup, is exhilarating certainly, but the challenge of the Scarlets this evening has no less significance. The Guinness PRO14 is the staple of our rugby, offering tangible rewards and

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Payne’s proven skills as Defence Coach may come to the fore, and in the catch-the-eye- tackling of Stuart McCloskey, Will Addison, Jacob Stockdale and Louis Ludik in recent matches fans have seen an Ulster team which is mastering all the skills needed in modern, high-tempo rugby. McFarland will have emphasised, again, the need for discipline, in the set piece and at the breakdown: a low penalty count so often reflects effective, purposeful possession and intelligence. Both XVs this evening has players capable of capitalising on the smallest of errors, and limiting those is something that brings a smile to the worldly-wise features of the successful rugby coach. Ulster fans will be in expectant mood, and justifiably so, but they may need to show patience too if a talented and robust Scarlets team is to be diminished. For so many reasons, and for the positives which can be harvested tonight, it’s a game which will be as fascinating as it may possibly be close.

a five-year stint in a similar post at Crusaders. He was given much credit as New Zealand’s Super Rugby title was won this year, attracting attention beyond the southern hemisphere. He’s arrived at Parc y Scarlets with his squad only now returning to anything like full strength following the success of Wales in the World Cup, but even now injuries picked up in the Orient deny him the services of, amongst others, Lions Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny and Ken Owens, the half-back pairing of Gareth Davies and Rhys Patchell, centre Hadleigh Parkes and locks Wyn Jones and Jake Ball. He’ll hope some of those hardened warriors will be available this evening, but the fact that he’s guided the famous club to such a competitive PRO14 place despite these absentees says something about Mooar and his coaching team, even more about the quality of the resources at the Llanelli HQ. Winger Stef Evans is in prolific form for club and country, lock Tevita Retuva and gifted out- half Ryan Lamb were unlucky indeed to be part of a Scarlets side down to 14 men which lost 17-16 to a star-laden Toulon in the Challenge Cup last week. The sides this evening will have only the immediate matter in focus: a PRO14 win which keeps the pursuit of a coveted top three place at the end of the regular league season on track. Each side’s focus all week will have been on this Kingspan Stadium contest, Champions Cup and Challenge Cup concerns set firmly aside. In any campaign a match-up of Ulster and the Scarlets would be considered one of the most defining of a long season. Each club has a reputation for enjoying attacking, free-running rugby, but pitch and overhead conditions at the end of November in Belfast might dictate other stratagems. Ulster’s Attack Coach, Dwayne Peel, is a Scarlets ‘old boy’ of distinction and he will have a lean and hungry set of backs keen to exploit space and to employ the sustained pace in midfield and on the wings. But if the game becomes something of a physical contest, an arm-wrestle, then Jared

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USRFR ULSTERSOCIETYOFRUGBY FOOTBALLREFEREESUPDATE

We welcome Sam Grove-White and his team of officials to the Kingspan stadium this evening.

The information on the following two diagrams may help explain what goes through the referees mind every time they have to make a decision.

Rugby Union is a wonderful game with a proud history based on the following core values: » » Discipline

» » Respect » » Integrity » » Passion » » Solidarity

FRAMEWORK FOR PENALISING 1. YOU SAW IT! 2. CLEAR & OBVIOUS 3. MATERIAL

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN REFEREEING? If yes, you will be pleased to hear that the USRFR will be hosting a new referee’s course as follows: DATE Sunday 8th December 2019 TIME 9.30am – 4.30pm VENUE Newforge Sports Complex If interested, please contact Richard Kerr Referee Development Manager Tel: 07493 868388 Email: richard.kerr@irfu.ie We must work hard to maintain these values and everyone has their part to play in this – players, coaches, medics, spectators, media personnel and the referees themselves – as we are the current ‘guardians of the game’. Please think carefully before you question a refereeing decision. Think about the materiality of the offence. Think about the possible advantage. Think about continuity of the game. Please think!

MATERIALITY OF INFRINGEMENT REFERESS NEEDS TO ASK:

WHAT IMPACT OFFENCE HAD?

ABILITY TO CONTEST

SPACE SPEED PLAY

NO IMPACT THEN PLAY ON!

USE DOWNTIME!

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MEMBERSHIP NEW 'STANDUP' MEMBERSHIPS

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

STAND UP ADULT

STAND UP JUNIOR

£30

£20

AGED 17+ » » Membership gift box » » Membership card » » Free adult ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* » » First access to the Official Digital Match Programme before every home fixture » » Priority purchase for tickets to home pool matches in the Heineken Champions Cup » » Priority Booking Period for home Heineken Champions Cup knockout stages » » Priority purchase for tickets to selected home games in the Guinness PRO14 » » Priority Booking Period for home knock out matches in the Guinness PRO14 » » Priority purchase for away match tickets when available to Ulster Rugby » » Priority purchase for 2019/20 Season Tickets » » Access to exclusive discounts from partners

AGED 11 AND UNDER » » Membership gift box » » Membership card » » Birthday card » » Free junior ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* » » Access to exclusive discounts from partners » » Access to Stand Up members only competitions AGED 12-16 » » Membership gift box » » Membership card » » Birthday card » » First access to the Official Digital Match Programme before every home fixture » » Free junior ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* » » Access to exclusive discounts from partners » » Access to Stand Up members only competitions STAND UP TEEN £25

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

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

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