Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

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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