Ulster Rugby vs Toulouse

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

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

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

I would like to welcome in particular the directors, players, coaches and supporters from Toulouse. I hope that you enjoy your stay in Belfast and take some time to explore our wonderful city. Toulouse has a formidable reputation in this competition, having won it a record number of four times and finished as runners up twice. Toulouse started their campaign this year with a defeat away to Saracens and then had a home win against Oyonnax, so they will be keen to get a result against Ulster this evening. Ulster started with a defeat against Saracens but have a good record against Toulouse and will be going all out for a home win tonight. However the injuries received last week against Edinburgh could be decisive. In the Ulster Bank All Ireland Leagues, Ballymena, Banbridge, Malone and City of Derry are all at the top or near the top of their respective leagues. Ballynahinch had their first win of the season in Division 1A but Belfast Harlequins unfortunately continue to struggle. I wish all the teams good luck in the weeks ahead. The All Ireland Junior Cup semi-finals will take place tomorrow with Bangor making the long trek to Enniscorthy

and Instonians and Clogher Valley battling it out at Shaw’s Bridge. My best wishes go to all of them and I look forward to an all-Ulster final. Bangor and Instonians are in action here at Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday night at 7.30pm when they will contest the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup. All support is most welcome! On Thursday 17th December Ballymena and Ballynahinch will meet in the final of the First Trust Senior Cup and I hope to see good crowds at both of those games. Ulster are on the road over the festive period with away games to Toulouse on December 20th and Connacht on Boxing Day, so, I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. I look forward to seeing you all back at Kingspan Stadium for the visit of Munster on 2nd January. I hope that you all enjoy the game and give Toulouse a great Ulster reception this evening. Good luck to Ulster and remember, STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN! Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

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

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