Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

LEADING THE FIELD

Welcome to the home of Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium, for an important Friday evening game in the Guinness PRO12 season.

With just six games remaining in the league and a place in the semi-finals up for grabs, Ulster know that every game counts and will be looking to advance their position in the table with a win here tonight. Both sides need to get back to winning ways but with wins in five of their last six encounters, the coaches will have targeted this fixture for a win and another night to remember in the home of Ulster Rugby. On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success this evening. Show your support, be the 16th man and stand up for the Ulster men in Kingspan Stadium!

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director

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 Guinness PRO12 round 17 match against Zebre.

Tuesday of this week, with R.B.A.I and Ballymena Academy contesting the first game and Dalriada and Campbell College contesting the second game. I congratulate all four teams; I hope they enjoyed the semi-finals. I would like to wish R.B.A.I and Campbell College, who will contest the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final on St. Patrick’s Day, good luck. The Powerade Town’s Cup semi- finals are due to take place next Saturday between Bangor and Omagh and a local derby between Clogher Valley and Enniskillen. I wish to congratulate all four teams and wish them all the best in their semi-finals. I hope that you all enjoy the game and give Zebre 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 the committee members, players and supporters from Italy. You are all very welcome and I hope you enjoy your time in Belfast. This is the first time that we have played Zebre this year and the return match is scheduled in April. Last year we played them home and away in September, with a home win and a very disappointing loss in Parma. This year their home results are very encouraging, with three wins and a number of bonus point defeats, so when we travel to Parma next month, we will need to be on top of our game. Tonight’s game is crucial in our campaign for success. Nothing short of a win will be sufficient but I am certain that Les, his staff and the players will be well aware of this. I extend my congratulations to Stuart McCloskey who won his first cap for Ireland against England on Saturday and I hope that he goes on to have an illustrious career in the green jersey. My congratulations also go to Rory Best and Andrew Trimble who also played for Ireland at Twickenham last weekend. The Danske Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup semi-finals were played at Kingspan Stadium on Monday and

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

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Welcome to Round 17 of the Guinness PRO12 championship. With only six full rounds to go, the season is really building towards its climax. A number of clubs are still in contention to make the Play-Offs in May as well as automatic qualification for Europe. Every game counts. Last weekend the top five teams remained unchanged in the championship table but there was movement amongst the mid-table teams vying for those crucial Play- Off and European places. Connacht still sit at the top of the Guinness PRO12 table with 54 points, following their exciting 30-22 win over the Ospreys. Leinster (second) and Edinburgh (fifth) had two good wins against Zebre and Scarlets respectively whilst Ulster remain fourth despite being pipped by a resurgent Cardiff Blues second half performance. Munster also improved their position to sixth in the table after a close encounter with Treviso. And Glasgow Warriors narrowly defeated Dragons to continue their move up the table and currently occupy seventh place, but have two games in hand. Once again we saw some thrilling games and three out of the six encounters saw the Dragons, Scarlets and Treviso take losing bonus points. And, despite the seasonal weather, on average there are still over four tries scored per match. Tonight’s contest will be exciting as both Ulster and Zebre lost last week and will be keen to return to their winning ways. It is a credit to the unions, clubs, coaches and players that our championship is as competitive as it is and many of the talented players that compete in the Guinness PRO12 have been on international duty. Last weekend 72 players were prominent in the RBS 6 Nations. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the teams, players and officials all the very best for their games this weekend and thank you, the fans, for your continued support. Enjoy the game.

Together Stronger

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

BEN SIMMS (11) Ben is from Bangor and attends Sullivan Upper School. He plays rugby at school and also enjoys football, F1, music and sport in general. Ben’s favourite player is Andrew Trimble because he’s fast, has quick feet, great determination and he’s a really nice guy! When Ben grows up he would like to work with computers.

THOMAS SLOAN (7) Thomas is from Portadown and attends Derryhale Primary School. He is a football and rugby fan and will start mini-rugby with the Lurgan Tigers in September. Ben’s favourite player is Rory Best because he is the “best”, when he grows uphe would like to be a rugby player or a Formula 1 driver.

THE NEVIN SPENCE CENTRE AND A TOUR OF KINGSPAN STADIUM

ADULTS: £7.50, CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS: £5.50, CONCESSION: £6.50, FAMILY (2+2): £25 EDUCATION AND GROUP RATES AVAILABLE

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY EXCLUDING MATCH WEEKENDS

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VISIT MUST BE PREBOOKED PHONE: 02890493222 OR EMAIL: NSC@ULSTERRUGBY.COM

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THAT LUKE OF RELIEF! He just turned 25 yesterday, he’s an Ireland international, and regarded as one of the finest centres in the PRO12.

only too well. “I have such respect for Rory and what he’s doing. He’s been outstanding for us, but at 22 he feels he needs regular starts and he’ll get that in Scotland and I think he hopes that perhaps he can return here in a few years, an even better and more experienced player. Luke Marshall also brackets Louis Ludik, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble in that group who can bring the very best out of others, and he’s certainly ‘up’ for the challenge of holding on to his midfield place with Ulster, but delighted to that there was more good news on the injury front. “Nobody here ever makes excuses about injuries affecting the team, but Ulster has had an astonishingly long list of absentees this year. Stuart Olding’s return at the turn of the year was really great for him after a very difficult two years, but it was just such a boost for the squad to see him back out there, as sharp and as incisive as ever. “Now we’ve just heard that Tommy Bowe and Iain Henderson could well be back for the later stages of the PRO12, and world-class players like that coming in at such a vital time obviously gives everyone a ‘lift’, not least the supporters who are so important in what we want to achieve,” says Marshall, clearly seeing more than just a shaft of light as the side approaches the last six matches of the ‘regular’ league campaign. Luke Marshall has long been singled out for the top of the game, and six international ‘caps’ attest to his quality and his blazing return to form this season saw him included in Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad, and travel as ‘24th man’ to Paris and Twickenham. “For me personally that has been great, to be back in the international set-up. But when you are there, if you believe in yourself, it’s not about being 24th man, it’s about being in the match-day 23, or in the starting fifteen. “But I’m being very honest here, I want to make Ulster the priority just now, make sure I hold down one of those centre berths and perhaps help the team get something tangible from the season. “A top four place is the obvious target, and we know we have to improve – and that we can – and set a target of winning all our remaining games. We’ve been poor defensively, in the last two games

And when it was announced on Wednesday that he’d signed on for another two years at Ulster, Luke Marshall wore a smile which showed he was confident he’d made the best decision about his future. It was an open secret that he’d been attracting attention from some rather distinguished clubs in England and abroad, but despite admitting to having considered every option he’d always felt that his development as a player and his best chances of winning trophies was to remain at Kingspan Stadium. “Yes, in some ways it was a tough decision, I hadn’t had a great season last year for various reasons, and I was in a very competitive position, with Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Jared Payne and now Stuart McCloskey - all internationals. “I have always been confident in my own ability, but I was also realistic. I wanted regular senior rugby and that was being offered to me elsewhere, but when it came down to it what we have here at Ulster in terms of facilities, the coaching set-up and the depth of the squad and its ambition was where I wanted to be,” says Marshall, who is back to his free-running, try-scoring best. What is impressive about Marshall’s demeanour is that having signed a new contract he was at ease with his motives for staying on, they were about rugby, not the material gains he might have made. “There were lots of thoughts going through my mind, but when I thought of what I had learned – and was still to learn – from a player like Jared, who’s just such a smart, intelligent footballer, I wasn’t willing to walk away from that. “And with Ruan Pienaar in your backline you have a truly world-class operator from whom it’s impossible not to discover new ways of seeing the game and how to adapt. “And Cavey has been such a help to me over the years too, he’s such a good player and has such an astute rugby brain. We all know what a talent Stuart Olding is, and how good it is to have him back, and Stuart McCloskey has deserved all the praise he’s received since he took his chance in the green jersey too!” Winger Rory Scholes’ decision this week to move to Edinburgh next year was one Marshall understood

LUKE MARSHALL

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against the Scarlets and in Cardiff, and we’ve worked hard on that area this last week,” he says. “This squad is really top-quality, and when Rory, Jared and Andrew return from Irish duty they’ll bring real leadership skills as well as their proven track records to the team. That’ll be important as the season reaches the climax we all want.” Marshall is now fully-fit and eager to play in every game, but he admits he was a little ‘niggled’ by the media speculation surrounding some of his injury problems of the last couple of years, particularly concerning the concussions he had picked up. “Far too much was made of all that, and it still comes up which is annoying. Never at any time did I think I was going to even think of having to stop playing rugby. I’m a physical type of player, injuries happen, you go through recovery and take the best medical advice, which is readily available here at Kingspan Stadium, and I can assure everyone I am absolutely fine!” It’s said with such firmness and assurance that one cannot doubt this engaging, quietly-spoken but assured young man from Ballymena! “We have had some real ‘highs’ this year, like the wins over Toulouse, and the defeat of Oyonnax at home. That’s the way the coaches and the players want to play, running rugby which entertains and which we all enjoy being part of, so we hope we can get that back into our play over the next two months. “The game with Zebre is so key, we’ve put a bit of pressure on ourselves but some of us thrive on that, and though the Italians are tough, resilient and perhaps more competitive than people think, we would like to think we can get a win, anything more is a bonus,” he says. Clearly focussed on a future now firmly resolved, Luke Marshall is set to be a literally central figure for Ulster over the next few years. “I’m very, very happy with my form, with the opportunity to play with some really top-class players – even compete with them! – and when we play again after a two-week break I hope that as a team, a management and as supporters we can do something special this year.” With his clear blue eyes still smiling, he says only if he plays well, the team performs and wins, can he contemplate featuring in Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa. It’s obvious, his Ulster future sealed and delivered to the delight of fans who love Marshall’s barnstorming yet thoughtful attacking style, that PRO12 success is his primary concern just now. “That’s the way it should be, the fans deserve to see us at our best, and we all are focussed on getting something solid out of what’s been a long season.”

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SUFTUM ORIGINAL LYRICS

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

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

John Dickson

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

GET TO KNOW ROGER WILSON

SQUAD Q & A

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? Ray Donovan FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Capri FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? Il Pirata FAVOURITE HOBBY? Golf IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE? Banana Man BESTADVICEYOUHAVEEVERBEENGIVEN? Make hay while the sun shines WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? Walk the dog, bit of a stretch and a snooze DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCKY CHARMS? No WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? Work hard on power, footwork and ball skills WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? To win some silverware

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ROGER FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @ROGERWILSON8

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SCHOOLS’ CUP CLIMAX COMING SOON…

RBAI and Campbell College have secured their places in the 2016 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final after defeating Ballymena Academy and Dalriada respectively at Kingspan Stadium this week.

Campbell guaranteed its place in the 17th March final with a compelling win over a defiant but ultimately underpowered Dalriada by 24 points to three on Tuesday afternoon. Tries from Jamie McCartney, Jack Howard, Johnny Haldane and Jack Berry-Glendinning racked up the points for the East Belfast side, with two of the four converted by Malcom Corry. As always, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final will be a decadent affair with widespread support for both teams as they battle out a Belfast derby for the coveted Schools’ Cup Trophy and bragging rights for years to come.

Holders RBAI progressed to a second successive Schools’ Cup Final after a thoroughly entertaining 27-19 defeat of a combative and hugely inventive Ballymena Academy in the first semi-final which took place on Monday 29th February. It was the winners’ ability to be clinical in the vital areas of the pitch that proved decisive in the end and earned them a place in the St. Patrick’s Day showpiece. David Whitten, Conor Field, Michael Lowry and Mark Keane all landed tries for the men in black and yellow, with James Hume slotting two conversions from four and an impressive 30m penalty to secure the victory.

SCHOOLS’ CUP FINAL

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SCHOOLS’ CUP FINAL

DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP FINAL RBAI v CAMPBELL COLLEGE, THURSDAY 17TH MARCH, KICK OFF 3PM Tickets can be purchased at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets

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

CELEBRATING RUGBY VOLUNTEERS

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

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

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The GUINNESS word and associated logos are trade marks © Guinness & Co. 2015.

EXCLUSIVE INVITATION

Join Ulster Rugby stars, past and present for a trip 'Down Memory Lane' - hosted by Jim Neilly. You are cordually invited to a black tie evening in the Merchant Hotel on Tuesday 22nd March at 7pm. This event will give supporters the opportunity to exchange their favourite Ulster Rugby memories with members of the current squad at each table. Renowned rugby broadcaster, Jim Neilly will also present an after-dinner Q&A with players young and old. Tables of ten are priced at £1200, with all proceeds from the evening going to Ulster Rugby's Charity Partner of the Year, Alzheimer's Society. For more information please contact email Fiona.Hampton@ulsterrugby.com.

GETTING THE ITALIAN JOB DONE It wouldn’t make convincing reading to claim that Ulster’s recent performances – and results – have guaranteed a thrilling climax to the PRO12 season and a place in the play-offs.

contingent, and Louis Ludik, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Scholes, Craig Gilroy, the all-action Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, O’Connor, Roger Wilson and many others took up the cudgels impressively to create stunning moments in the league and in Europe. And so much of this without Best, Payne, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Chris Henry, Jackson and the formidable force of nature that is Iain Henderson. That Payne, Henry, Bowe and Henderson should literally limp out of the World Cup, too many with long-term and complex injuries, was certainly not something any coaching team could anticipate. But resources were managed well, the very certain quality and depth of the squad mined shrewdly, and Jacob Stockdale, Sammy Arnold, Dave Shanahan, Stephen Mulholland and a few other newer faces contributed when they were seamlessly integrated. Then there was the good news of January: the return after two horrendous injuries of that silkily talented Stuart Olding to give him, the panel and the fans who recognise a rugby jewel, the big boost and refreshing injection of renewed ambition. It’s only realistic to acknowledge that Ulster, despite the very clear success in developing young players who’ll star in the future, has negotiated this season well. Yes, there have been roller-coaster phases, but given the immense difficulties in terms of never being in a position of selecting from a full and healthy squad, the next few months, and the six remaining PRO12 fixtures should excite, not provoke any doom-mongering. On Monday, there was real cause for all with Ulster Rugby at heart to feel the heart beat a little faster with expectation. While Dan Tuohy, Herbst and Willie Faloon won’t appear in the white jersey imminently there is much better news of two iconic crowd favourites. Bowe, twice a Lion and a talismanic figure for Ulster and Ireland, is making good progress from a very serious ligament injury picked up at the World Cup. Henderson, who has played just three times for Ulster this season, is also being linked with a return to action for what could be the decisive matches in the ‘regular’ PRO12 campaign. Knowing that Kiss and Doak will quietly hope that their options are about to be dramatically improved,

The defeat to the Scarlets in Belfast a fortnight ago, then last Sunday’s late collapse to Cardiff, have combined to strengthen those who fear their side is in danger of sliding out of contention for the league trophy – and even missing out on crucial Champions Cup qualification. Last month the Dragons and Glasgow were beaten at Kingspan Stadium to see Ulster go top-of-the- table for the first time this campaign. The Scarlets’ visit ended that brief reign, setting the pace in a congested race for those all-important top four semi-finals. But it would also be far too pessimistic to see the last two results, and the admittedly ‘scratchy’ performances over the last several weeks, as typical of what the squad is capable of. Les Kiss and Head Coach Neil Doak have never sought refuge from criticism in the unprecedented scale of injuries which have blighted the team – and the individual players – all season. Nor has the call from Ireland been claimed as denying Ulster of key players at a vital time, rather has the regular selection of Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne – and now the elevation into the green jersey of centre Stuart McCloskey – been viewed as a cause for real celebration of the proper acknowledgment for some very special Ulster rugby footballers. But if the coaches have refused to blame absentees for the rather erratic form of late, it is entirely reasonable for supporters to be asked to consider some of the very real problems the squad has faced. There have been tumultuous games to celebrate, not least the wins over Toulouse home and away, that other European masterclass at Kingspan against Oyonnax, and important, well- managed victories over the Ospreys and a rugged, dogged Edinburgh to pick but a few. As the year turned the omens were very, very good, the displays in Europe and the consistency in the PRO12 had lifted fans’ spirits, and the form of players like Rory Scholes, McCloskey, Kyle McCall, Rob Herring, Franco van der Merwe, Nick Williams, Sean Reidy, Nick Williams, Paddy Jackson, the peerless Ruan Pienaar surely pointed towards a successful and thrilling pursuit of silverware. But do remember that when on a ‘high’ it was achieved early in the season without our World Cup

ROD NAWN

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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

but can you imagine the electricity that will be generated in the Kingspan crowd when Bowe and Henderson add their world-class talents to a side which has suffered a real ‘dip’ in confidence given the errors and mistakes which have undermined the trophy drive in the last few weeks. But no sensible fan would deny that Ulster has quality and it has it in depth, and perhaps the visit of Zebre will spark the resurgence which could very quickly put the team back in the driving seat for the target of a play-off spot and, preferably, a home ‘semi’. Leaders Connacht and Leinster are to visit Kingspan Stadium, there are trips to the Ospreys and to Glasgow in the offing, and given that the margins in the league are now so small, that there are no longer any easy contests, the fans and coaches would love to see an Ulster team take the field which has the classy composure and much-missed quality of Best, Trimble, Bowe, Payne, Henderson ‘in the mix’. The Italian side which provides the test this evening will give some indication of how Ulster has absorbed the disappointments of recent weeks, and there is nothing more certain than that the whole squad has examined itself collectively and individually. Even the very best players can make mistakes, and at this level of professional sport they can be really damaging. The vastly experienced Mils Muliaina, Luke Burgess and Paul Derbyshire have been imported successfully to bulwark native talents such as Marco Bortolami and Tommaso Boni, and wins over Edinburgh and Cardiff show that Zebre is not there to ‘make up the numbers’, it is a team of which every opponent is extremely wary. Leinster can attest to that after Gianluca Guidi’s team almost derailed the Dublin club’s revival last weekend! Yes, the last month has been ‘wobbly’, nowhere is that better understood than in the management and squad, and after the hard work undoubtedly done these last few weeks behind the scenes the fans can now do their ‘bit’ – as they have so consistently as Ulster’s star has risen. Now it’s time for ‘Team Ulster’ – on and off the pitch – to produce its ‘A’ game. Let that unmistakeable roar be heard early this evening, the revealing last chapter is about to begin! It’ll be a good read. Promise!

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JOHN ANDREW

SAM ARNOLD

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg

Centre 08.04.96 182cm 96kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

13 —

14 —

MARK BEST

RORY BEST

Centre 02.12.89 185cm 87kg

Hooker 15.08.82 178cm 106kg 179 91

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

SQUAD 2015/16 CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg 101 —

Wing 22.02.84 190cm 100kg 135 67

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PETER BROWNE

DARREN CAVE

Second row 25.10.87 201cm 116kg 8 —

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 172 11 // 11A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ROBBIE DIACK

LORCAN DOW

Back row 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 168 2 // 2A

No. 8 27.01.95 191cm 106kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

WILLIE FALOON

CRAIG GILROY

Back row 30.09.86 186cm 100kg

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 126 6 // 2A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

67 —

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IAIN HENDERSON

CHRIS HENRY

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

Back row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 143 24

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

WIEHAHN HERBST

ROB HERRING

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 120kg

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

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

39 —

IAN HUMPHREYS

PADDY JACKSON

Flyhalf 24.04.82 178cm 84kg 113 7A

Flyhalf 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 98 13 // 1A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

40 —

RICKY LUTTON

LUKE MARSHALL

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 113kg

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 97kg 76 6

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

45 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 167 3 // 2A

Hooker 02.01.92 177cm 111kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

18 —

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Should’ve gone to Specsavers

Official partner of the Guinness PRO12 referees

©2015 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

STUART McCLOSKEY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Centre 06.08.92 194cm 111kg 37 1

Back row 04.07.90 193cm 108kg 2 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

JONNY MURPHY

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

Hooker 06.02.92 178cm 106kg 1 —

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 114kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

31 —

24 —

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Utility back 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 41 2

POSITION BORN

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

63 12

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 111 SA // 88

Back row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

24 —

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 116kg

Back row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

30 —

29 —

25

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RORY SCHOLES

DAVID SHANAHAN

Utility back 24.04.93 187cm 95kg

Scrumhalf 20.06.93 173cm 81kg 9 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

22 —

JONNY SIMPSON

JACOB STOCKDALE

Prop 19.08.90 184cm 110kg

Back Row 03.04.96 190cm 96kg 5 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

ANDREW TRIMBLE

FRANK TAGGART

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 202 61 // 3A

POSITION BORN

Back row 14.10.94 188cm 108kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

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

POSITION BORN

Second row 15.03.83 198cm 117kg 46 SA // 1

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

41 —

74 —

SAMWINDSOR

ROGER WILSON

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

Back row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 201 1 // 11 A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

27

15

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

CRAIG GILROY

KYLE McCALL

14 13 12 11 9 10

ROB HERRING (C)

RORY SCHOLES

LUKE MARSHALL

RICKY LUTTON

ULSTER RUGBY

PETER BROWNE

STUART OLDING

FRANCO VD MERWE

JACOB STOCKDALE

PADDY JACKSON

ROBBIE DIACK

RUAN PIENAAR

CHRIS HENRY

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 J ANDREW C BLACK A WARWICK R WILSON

S REIDY P MARSHALL S WINDSOR D CAVE

8

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28

Ulster Rugby shop @ Kingspan Stadium Monday - Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 10am-2pm

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14 13 12 11 15 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

ANDREA DE MARCHI

MILS MULIAINA

ZEBRE RUGBY

LEADING THE FIELD GIULIO TONIOLATTI

OLIVIERO FABIANI

DARIO CHISTOLINI

GIULIO BISEGNI

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

QUINTIN GELDENHUYS

MARCO BORTOLAMI (C)

EMILIANO CAFFINI

JOHAN MEYER

FABIO SEMENZATO

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 E CORIA G ROAN P CECCARELLI G KOEGELENBERG

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33

MAICOL AZZOLINI

MATTIA BELLINI

Scrum Half 15.10.95 180cm 85kg —

Full Back / Wing 08.02.94 193cm 93kg ITA // 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

VALERIO BERNABO

ULRICH BEYERS

Lock 03.03.84 198cm 115kg ITA // 30

Universal Back 22.01.91 188cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16 GIULIO BISEGNI

TOMMASO BONI

Centre 04.04.92 183cm 92kg ITA // 2

Centre 15.01.93 188cm 100kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MARCO BORTOLAMI

LUKE BURGESS

Scrum Half 20.08.83 180cm 87kg AUS // 37

Lock 12.06.80 196cm 112kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

CARLO CANNA

EMILIANO CAFFINI

Fly Half 25.08.92 191cm 93kg ITA // 9

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Flanker 07.12.89 196cm 105kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

TOMMASO CASTELLO

PIETRO CECCARELLI

Centre 14.08.91 183cm 100kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 16.02.92 183cm 118kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

34

DARIO CHISTOLINI

EMILIANO CORIA MARCHETTI

Prop 14.09.88 180cm 110kg ITA // 13

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 16.10.90 183cm 120kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

ANDREA DE MARCHI

FILIPPO CRISTIANO

Flanker 13.03.87 188cm 103kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 19.11.88 188cm 113kg ITA // 2

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

OLIVIERO FABIANI

GABRIELE DI GIULIO

Hooker 13.07.90 180cm 98kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Wing 30.04.94 183cm 87kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

GONZALO GARCIA

QUINTIN GELDENHUYS

Lock 19.06.81 203cm 119kg ITA // 61

Centre 18.02.84 185cm 98kg ITA // 42

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

KELLY HAIMONA

GIDEON KOEGELENBERG

Lock 25.11.94 198cm 108kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Fly Half 30.07.86 185cm 114kg ITA // 9

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JOHAN MEYER

ANDREA LOVOTTI

Flanker 26.02.93 193cm 104kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 28.07.89 183cm 111kg ITA // 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

35

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MILS MULIAINA

EDOARDO PADOVANI

Full Back 31.07.80 183cm 92kg NZ // 100

Fly Half 15.05.93 188cm 90kg ITA // 2

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

GUGLIELMO PALAZZANI

BRUNO POSTIGLIONI

Scrum Half 11.04.91 173cm 85kg ITA // 18

Prop 08.04.87 185cm 110kg ARG // 18

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MATTEO PRATICHETTI

GUILLERMO ROAN

Prop 18.06.88 191cm 120kg ARG // 7

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 27.07.85 191cm 96kg ITA // 24

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

LEONARDO SARTO

FEDERICO RUZZA

Wing 15.01.92 193cm 94kg ITA // 26

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Lock 04.08.94 198cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

FABIO SEMENZATO

GIULIO TONIOLATTI

Scrum Half 06.05.86 178cm 86kg ITA // 12

Wing 15.01.84 180cm 86kg ITA // 15

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

KAYLE VAN ZYL

DRIES VAN SCHALKWYK

Full Back 10.12.91 185cm 91kg —

No. 8 21.12.84 193cm 108kg ITA // 2

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

37

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The Italians slipped to their fourth straight PRO12 defeat as an in-form Leinster continued their charge towards the league summit with their tenth win from their last 11 games. However, it was a vastly improved performance on home soil for Zebre, after conceding 103 points in their previous two matches. And Guidi is urging his side not to let their heads drop in the middle of a tough string of fixtures, with a challenging trip to Ulster this weekend. “It’s a tough phase of the season, where we face the best teams in the tournament without many of our young national players,” said Guidi. “We gave something to Leinster but there was not much difference between the two teams there. “We must make sure we take the good away from that performance rather than losing confidence. For some parts we played at par, putting them in trouble, but then gave away positive situations, which is frustrating. “I think we need to analyse our entire season. Zebre is a team that had to grow and has grown. Our project was set out over three years at the start of this summer, and from that perspective there are already several good things. I think our permit players were exceptional - Fabio Semenzato and Ian McKinley - have done really well and I hope we can take the game to Ulster come Friday night.” Zebre Head Coach, Gianluca Guidi insists his side can take plenty of positives away from last Sunday’s clash with Leinster despite losing out to the Province for the second time in three weeks.

CLUB STATS //Location Parma, Italy //Founded 1973 //Ground Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi //Capacity 3,500 //Last Game

Leinster Rugby (H) 10 - 27(L) Sunday 28th Feb 2016, 16:00 //Next Game Munster Rugby (A) Friday 25th March 2016, 19:00 //Recent Form W L L L L

STAFF // Coach Gianluca Guidi // Captain George Biagi

CONTACT Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Cittadella del Rugby Via San Leonardo 110/a Parma, Italy Tel +39 0521 221168

www.zebrerugby.eu

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Q RADIO COMMUNITY AWARDS

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Q Radio teamed up with Ulster Rugby to give a youth, sporting or community group the chance to win an amazing VIP trip to tonight’s match with a pre-match tour of The Nevin Spence Centre, goody bags and a meet and greet with members of the Ulster squad.

The club is for both boys and girls and we have approximately 50 - 65 children attending training each Wednesday night. “We believe that sport should be fun, whilst encouraging the children to respect each other, make new friends and build relationships with other children that they maybe would not have met otherwise. Members attend from as far away as Omagh, Newtownstewart, Kesh, Castlederg, Sion Mills and Drumquin to attend training. We play matches against our local clubs in the Western Junior Hockey League, such as Omagh, Foyle, Priorians, Enniskillen and Raphoe. We have a good network of parents who actively help out with volunteering at training and we have developed and integrated ourselves well as a part of the community. “The children and coaches are delighted to have collected this community award from Q Radio and we are extremely excited to visit the home of Ulster Rugby on Friday to enjoy a night out together.” Congratulations to all those at Derg Valley Junior Hockey Club – we hope you enjoy your night!

Seven finalists from across the Province were shortlisted and won a tour of Kingspan Stadium and The Nevin Spence Centre before Ulster player Robbie Diack announced that Derg Valley Junior Hockey Club had won the overall competition live on the Q Radio Breakfast Show with Stephen and Cate. Finalists included: Armagh-Clogher Valley U18 Girls Rugby Team, Raloo & Magheramorne Youth Fellowship, Coleraine Chargers Tag Rugby Team, Ballynahinch RFC U14, Hi-Five Deaf Children’s Group and Naomh Gall U14 Gaelic Football Team. Anne Robinson was delighted when her club, Derg Valley Junior Hockey Club, was selected as the overall winner: “Our club was established approximately eight years ago, when we identified that younger players were needed to sustain the senior club. The junior club, which is now run independently from the seniors has been going from strength to strength, which is evident in the increase in the young membership now attending. We received our Junior Clubmark Accreditation Award in April 2014, presented by Sport NI and Ulster Hockey.

45