Ulster Rugby vs Munster

Official Digital Matchday Programme of Ulster Rugby v Munster, Saturday 9th May, 2.30pm, Kingspan Stadium.

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | PRICE £3.00

RUGBY VS MUNSTER Saturday 9th May 2015 - Kingspan Stadium - Kick Off 14.40

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Good afternoon and welcome. It’s great to be here for this sell-out match on a Saturday afternoon at Kingspan Stadium. Following the victories last month over Connacht and Leinster, we can now look forward to Ulster taking on Munster in this crucial home match. With a PRO12 Play-off secured and Ulster 3rd in the PRO12 table, just one point behind Munster and only three points behind leaders, Glasgow, it’s all to play for now as Ulster are within touching distance of a home Play-off. This promises to be another exhilarating match at Kingspan Stadium and a significant step towards silverware this season for Ulster! We extend a warm welcome to all the Munster fans that have travelled here to support their team. Kingspan Stadium is once again a fortress and it is where Ulster plays best thanks to the energy and support of the home fans. As this season draws to a close, it marks 18 years of our proud association with Ulster Rugby and we remain fully committed to the team. At Bank of Ireland we stand together with the fans, sharing their passion and together we are all the driving force behind our Ulster Rugby team. Good Luck Ulster!

Sean Sheehan // Regional Director, NI Consumer and Small Business Bank of Ireland

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here to Kingspan Stadium for this Guinness PRO12 match against Munster Rugby.

Following wins over Connacht and Munster, they take on Leinster today and are well placed to claim the title. Last week, I was fortunate to witness four days of Maxol Mini Rugby Festivals at the stadium. The children who were on the pitch are the future of the game here in the province and it was brilliant to watch the high standard of rugby that was played by players so young. Tonight is my final regular-season game as President of the IRFU Rugby football in the province is growing in popularity and remains the best sport to both play and watch. I want to wish my successor, Bobby Stewart, every success in his 12 months as President when he takes up the office in the summer. As always thank you for your support and Stand up for the Ulster men. Yours in Rugby, John Kinnear // President IRFU (Ulster Branch) (Ulster Branch). I have had a fantastic year and have been fortunate to travel across the province, visiting clubs and watching this great game being played by all ages, sexes and creeds.

I would particularly like to welcome the officials, players and supporters who have made the trip from Munster, especially the Senior Vice President of the Munster Branch, Bertie Smith. Interprovincial matches are one of the great highlights of the Irish sporting calendar. We saw a fortnight ago, that when the best players on the island face each other, they produce matches of the performances of the season to get that win and they will have to match the excellent form from that game to get the victory this evening. Huge credit must go to both Munster and Ulster for securing a play off place in this season’s Guinness PRO12. Regardless of this evening’s result, both provinces know that they will have at least two more matches left in the competition. It would be fantastic for Irish Rugby if both Ulster and Munster were in the final; here at Kingspan Stadium on 30th May, however, one suspects Glasgow Warriors and Ospreys will have something to say about that. I would like to congratulate Ulster Juniors who have had a fantastic start to their interprovincial series. highest intensity and quality. Ulster produced one of their

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

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ULSTER RUGBY

Chief Executive’s

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Round 21 in the Guinness PRO12 ! There’s another feast of rugby ahead of us today at Kingspan Stadium which we hope you enjoy ! Ulster will want to continue their winning ways and move up the table to secure a home semi-final, while Munster seek to stay ahead of them for a chance to play a home Play-Off in Thomond Park. All derby matches produce something special and today will be no exception. Both teams will be trying to earn those priceless winning points here as we’re now at the business end of the season with only two matches left in the league section. Fans of today’s teams have already bought tickets to this year’s Guinness PRO12 Final here at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast on Saturday May 30th 2015 at 6.30pm. General tickets are now sold out. The Final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and on a terrestrial television channel (BBC Wales/Alba/Northern Ireland – S4C – TG4), depending on who the finalists are. Each of the finalists will receive 2,000 tickets and these will be in strong demand. After Round 20 little separates many of the teams in the Guinness PRO12. There are 4.32 tries scored per match on average, and this figure is increasing as weather improves, so lots of good entertainment and lots to play for ! I would like to pay tribute to the work of the match officials this season and wish them all the very best for these Round 21 fixtures and the rest of the season. Congratulations to today’s referee Nigel Owens on his handling of his fourth European Champions Cup Final last week at Twickenham, another polished performance. Finally and most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of all our clubs, partners, all our broadcasters and media and you the supporters, who ensure all 12 clubs and the competition have fantastic support throughout the season. Enjoy today’s match and I hope everyone revels in another great rugby weekend !

PRO12RUGBY.COM

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A ABLE IN THE KUKRI STORE@KINGSP

TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

AMY COOPER (12) Amy is from Belfast and attends Strathearn School. She plays rugby at school and also enjoys netball, baking, music and dancing. Amy’s favourite player is Andrew Trimble because he is a great role model.

KATIE SHEEHAN (9) Katie is from Kilkeel and attends St. Colman’s Primary School. She plays hockey at school and also enjoys reading. Katie’s favourite player is Tommy Bowe and when she grows up she would like to be a dentist.

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Kick Off 1830 Europa Buscentre 1700 1705 1710 1730 Service will return direct to Europa Buscentre

Metro Day Ticket* Plusbus** £ 3 .50 and NI Railways translink.co.uk/pro12

Chichester Street (outside SS Moores) East Bridge Street (opposite Central Station) Kingspan Rugby Stadium (Mountmerrion Ave)

* To and from Game, plus onward Metro Travel. **PlusBus must be purchased at same time as NI Railways Adult single or return ticket.Bus ticket available from driver (cash only). No other ticket types/passes accepted.

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ULSTER RUGBY

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE: SETTLING IN

Franco van der Merwe insists Ulster Rugby is on an upward curve and is determined to play a central role in that progression.

The South African arrived in the Province at the start of the season and has thoroughly enjoyed his time here thus far, but he believes the next month is vital in ensuring that that continues. “We’ve settled in nicely in Belfast. Everyone is really friendly; from management, coaches and players, inviting me for a coffee, dinner or whatever the case may be. My wife has made some great friends as well. We’re loving our first year here and to have the opportunity to challenge for silverware is making it even more enjoyable. It’s been a pretty good year for the team and it’s great being part of this Ulster squad and in the starting team particularly.” The Ulster men have won their last three consecutive games, including a memorable 26-10 win over Leinster a fortnight ago. Those victories have guaranteed Ulster’s place in the play-offs, but home advantage in the last four could be crucial and van der Merwe knows that the most difficult part is still to come, starting with this afternoon’s inter-pro clash. “There are three, maybe four, massive games lying ahead for Ulster. This is the reason you work so hard in pre-season, do all the video analysis - for big games like these when you can measure yourself against the best. It’s not about the semi-final or the final at this stage, we’re 100% focused on taking each game at a time. Although we have made the semis we still have to push for home advantage with wins over Munster and Glasgow.” At points during the season, some questioned whether Ulster would get to this position, as injuries, suspensions and poor form disrupted momentum on more than one occasion. But the 32 year old suggests the team is peaking at the right time: “We took a lot of confidence from the win over Leinster, especially the last five minutes when we defended magnificently. There are maybe one or two players who are missing at the moment so it’s great that the coaches now have almost a full squad to select from and that’s exactly where you want to be at the end of the season.” The well-documented injury list has led to Franco playing slightly more than he might have expected, missing just one fixture - January’s away success at Treviso. Despite the attritional nature of the modern game, in which players

are rotated regularly, he believes that playing matches on a consistent basis helps his form. “I am sort of used to playing every single game from my time in South Africa. I don’t mind playing every game but hats off to the coaches and the management, especially our conditioning coaches JD (Jonny Davis) and Kevin (Geary) for the way they managed me throughout the season, and particularly during the period when we had ten consecutive games.” He continued: “The season is long and some guys tend to forget the little details, stop doing analysis of opposition, but it’s important for us to stay motivated and ensure our work ethic remains high. It’s important to keep the guys on their toes and I like doing that,” he says with a wry smile. Van der Merwe insists there are reasons to be positive off the pitch as well: “There is so much good work happening across the organisation. People look at what’s happening on the pitch but there’s a lot of work happening in the Academy with young guys coming through. I must say I think I’m pretty lucky with my timing in coming to Ulster. All the structures, the support, and obviously the facilities are world class. I know I’ve said that a few times but it’s true. All those factors have made it a lot easier for me to settle in.” With one Springbok cap to his name, coming in the 2013 Rugby Championship match against New Zealand, van der Merwe has not given up hope of adding more: “It will always be a great privilege to represent my country and if I can do that it will be great. But for me at the minute it is about focusing on the way Ulster plays and the way forward with Ulster. If the team does well then the individual will stand out. I need to focus on what my job is for Ulster and hopefully the selectors will see something that they like.” There’s no doubt that Ulster fans have seen something they like from him already this season with his incredible work rate and consistency on the pitch, and his affable nature off it. If he can help deliver the PRO12 trophy come 30th May, his popularity will soar even further.

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

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ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

“THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD WORK HAPPENING ACROSS THE ORGANISATION. PEOPLE LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE PITCH BUT THERE’S A LOT OF WORK HAPPENING IN THE ACADEMY WITH YOUNG GUYS COMING THROUGH” FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

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ULSTERRUGBY

THEIR SHIRT / YOUR NAME

Congratulations to the following 2015/16 Season Ticket Holders who renewed early to enter their names into our 16th Man competition.

THEIR SHIRT / YOUR NAME

2756 early renewers have their names embossed across each of tonight’s 23 playing jerseys to show their support for the team in what is the final regular PRO12 game at Kingspan Stadium this season. One person from each number has been selected at random to be presented the jersey by the player who wore it at next week’s captains run. Thank you as always for your continued support. You are the 16th man! Please note that Ulster Rugby Season Ticket renewals for the 2015/16 season (seated tickets) will close at 5pm on Monday 18th May 2015 and renewals for standing tickets will close at 5pm on Friday 29th May 2015. For more information on how to renew please visit www.ulsterrugby.com/16thman or email tickets@ulsterrugby.com.

PHILIP McDONAGH ANDREA MOORE GRAEME SPENCE MARTIN CURRAN JULIE STEVENSON WILMA STEWART PAUL ACHESON ELIZABETH PORTER GEORGE FLEETON ALISON NESBITT RAY HETHERINGTON LAURA DOWNEY SAM WILSON ROBBIE LOWE TOBY McMURRAY IRIS McGREEVY SIMON COLE CLARE HEWITT JUNE POOTS ROBERT GALWAY JESSICA BROWN CHRIS PEEL

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2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

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12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

20. 21. 22. 23.

JUNE LITTLE

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ULSTER RUGBY

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

SIX NATIONS TROPHY TOUR

UlsterBranch

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ULSTER RUGBY

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BT CROSS BAR CHALLENGE RETURNS WITH SEARCH FOR ULSTER’S NEXT KICKING MAESTRO

Having given away over £5,000 in prize money to date, BT, Official Communications partner of Ulster Rugby, is giving 11-16 year old junior season ticket holders of Ulster Rugby a once in a life time opportunity to take part in the first ever Junior Cross Bar Challenge tonight. Five brave junior fans who think they’ve got what it takes to be the next Paddy Jackson or Ruan Pienaar will take to the field ahead of the match and kick for the cross bar from the 22 meter line for a chance to win £1,500 worth of rugby equipment for their school, £500 in cash and a kicking masterclass with Ulster Rugby coaches. We ask that all fans get behind our competitors and give them a warm Ulster Rugby welcome to the field! Junior Ulster fans given the chance to kick for the cross bar in front of a packed Kingspan Stadium.

BT JUNIOR CROSS BAR CHALLENGE

SCOTT SKELLY: Age: 13

From: Bangor, Co. Down School: Bangor Grammar Favourite Player: Nick Williams JAKE DUFFY Age: 12 From: Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan Team: Virginia RFC Favourite Player: Paddy Jackson EDWARD DAWSON Age: 13 From: Banbridge, Co. Down School: St Colman’s College, Newry Favourite Player: Nick Williams MICHAEL PATTERSON Age: 12 From: Donaghdee, Co. Down School: Campbell College Favourite Player: Craig Gilroy JOSH GRAY Age: 12 From: Lisburn, Co. Antrim School: Royal Belfast Academical Institution Favourite Player: Ruan Pienaar

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ULSTER RUGBY

Ulster Rugby’s official production company

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We are also Ulster Rugby’s production company of choice, telling the teams story through the power of film. Why not let us tell yours?

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WOODEN SPOON TAG FESTIVAL

DISABILITY RUGBY UPDATE

Iain Henderson, Robbie Diack and Sparky launch the 2015 Wooden Spoon Tag Festival for people with learning disabilities...

event and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the IRFU (Ulster Branch) and STAG to thank Wooden Spoon for their continued support.” Tom Lyttle OBE, Treasurer of Wooden Spoon’s Ulster Committee, said: “Wooden Spoon’s Ulster Committee are delighted to be able to continue our support for this worthy cause. It fits perfectly with our core aim of supporting disadvantaged children and young people in Northern Ireland.” In preparation for the Festival tonight’s half-time rugby involves four disability rugby sections: Clare Hares and Errigal Eagles at the Memorial Stand end and Enniskillen Elks and Stevenson Sharks at the Hughes Insurance Family Stand end of the ground. Please show your appreciation and support for everybody involved. The Wooden Spoon Festival at Belfast Harlequins RFC will start at 10am and will finish around 2pm. Why not come along, enjoy the day and support the players. Tag Rugby is a non-contact sport that is an enjoyable, fun and active way to keep fit and healthy. It can be played by men, women and

Representatives from Wooden Spoon, Newforge Taggers, Harberton and Glenveagh Special Schools teamed up with Sparky and Ulster Rugby players Iain Henderson and Robbie Diack to launch this year’s Wooden Spoon Tag Rugby Festival for people with learning disabilities. The Festival will take place on Saturday 23rd May 2015 at Belfast Harlequins RFC. The event is being organised by the IRFU (Ulster Branch) Special Needs Tag Rugby Advisory Group (STAG) and is expected to attract teams from schools and clubs across Ulster, building on the success of last season’s Wooden Spoon International Tag Festival which was hosted at Kingspan Stadium. The event, while not as big or high profile as last year’s festival, will provide the perfect platform for our player’s to show off their skills, make new and renew old friendships, whilst raising the awareness of tag rugby for people with learning disabilities. Ulster Rugby’s Disability and Inclusion Officer, Tim Craig, said: “Special Needs tag rugby continues to grow in Ulster. Ulster Rugby has delivered coaching sessions to a number of special educational needs schools and this has played a vital part in the growth of the sport as we can link schools with clubs. There are now nine rugby clubs in Ulster with special needs sections and there is the potential that more clubs will get involved. The Festival promises to be a great

children of all ages and abilities. For further information contact:

Ulster Rugby Disability and Inclusion Officer: Tim Craig, telephone 07442 490 460 or email tim.craig@ulsterrugby.com

UlsterBranch

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ULSTER RUGBY

AWARDS DINNER FRIDAY 1ST MAY 2015 7.00PM CULLODEN HOTEL TWENTY FOURTEEN / FIFTEEN

Aaron Hall, right, is presented with the Ulster Carpets Youth Player of the Year Award by David Acheson of Ulster Carpets

Robert Lyttle, right, is presented with the Danske Bank Schools’ Player of the Year Award by Chris Marshall of Danske Bank

David Napier, President of Ballynahinch RFC, left, is presented with the Kukri Sports Club of the Year award, by Terry Jackson, General Manager, Kukri Sports Ireland

Lauren Maginnes is presented with the Errigle Inn Womens’ Player of the Year award by John Kinnear, IRFU Ulster Branch President

Stuart McCloskey, left, is presented with the BT Young Player of the Year Award by Peter Russell of BT

Craig Gilroy is presented with Ulster Rugby Writers Award, by Richard Mulligan, Sports Editor of the Newsletter

Oisin Quinn, left, is presented with the Referee of the of the Year award by John Kinnear, IRFU Ulster Branch President

Craig Gilroy, right, is presented with the Bank of Ireland Player of the Year Award by Paul Magee of Bank of Ireland

Rory Best is presented with the Heineken Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year by Leza Nulty, Commercial Manager at Heineken Ireland

Sam Arnold, is presented with the Hughes Insurance Academy Player of the Year Award, by Gareth Brady, Chief Executive, Hughes Insurance

Darren Cave, is presented with URSC’s Outstanding Player of the Season Award, by Willie-John McBride

Thomas Christie, left, is presented with the Dorrington B Faulkner Award for services to rugby by John Kinnear, IRFU Ulster Branch President

Paul Pritchard, right, is presented with the Ken Goodall Outstanding Club Player of the Year by John Kinnear, IRFU Ulster Branch President

OFFICIAL CLOTHING PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY

NEVIN SPENCE CENTRE

RUTH HARPER // VISITOR SERVICES MANAGER Having studied a degree in Hospitality

CLAIRE McAULEY // EDUCATION OFFICER

NEVIN SPENCE CENTRE

Whilst completing a chemistry degree and then a PGCE at Queen’s University, Claire held numerous positions at W5. Upon graduating Claire worked full time as a demonstrator at W5 and then moved into the role of an educator, undertaking big events and partnerships with schools. In September after 10 years at W5, Claire joined Ulster Rugby as Education Officer and has since been researching and getting to grips with her new found love of rugby… “For the past seven months I have been undertaking a huge amount of research and learning all about the history of rugby and the heritage of rugby in Ulster. I have spent a lot of time in the public records office and the newspaper archives, sifting through information. My role as Education Officer includes running workshops which schools can book into, I have to ensure that they fit seamlessly into the curriculum, that they are interesting and engaging for both pupils and teachers. I also have to ensure that the history of the game is preserved in the most tasteful way so that when supporters and families visit the centre there are special collections that they can look at that are all connected to rugby. “My main focus has been to develop a comprehensive timeline of every important date from when rugby first began in Ireland through to the present day. I have spent a lot of time collecting artefacts which match up to the dates on the timeline. I have also met up with all of our contractors, carried out bespoke filming for the centre screens, signed off on the graphics for the walls and have even polished the trophies which will be on display. The museum designer, Mather and Co. who also designed the Springbok museum were a great help when it came to deciding on which items to include in the Nevin Spence Centre. We had a lot of items in storage and a lot of people including past players offered items for display. We have minute books from clubs in the 1800s, the original Lion from Willie John McBride’s Tour in 1974 and Jack Kyle’s family have been so kind to offer us items from his collection. “Rugby was not part of my live before now so it’s funny that I get really excited when someone brings me a new item which could go on display!”

Management at University of Ulster, Ruth took up a position with Thistle Hotels in Edinburgh before managing the launch of the Hilton Templepatrick. She then moved to Parliament Buildings where she looked after the Northern Ireland Assembly with reference to food, beverages and events. Ruth then joined W5 were she spent 12 years as Visitor Services Manager, welcoming a quarter of a million people annually. In March, Ruth joined the team at Ulster Rugby as Visitor Services Manager for the Nevin Spence Centre and this week we caught up with her to find out more… “As Visitor Services Manager my plan is to open up the centre fundamentally for the educational market, we will deliver workshops, stadium tours and focus our concentration on the history of rugby and its heritage, but overall our aim is to grow the business by opening up to families and the tourism market. This summer will be very much a trial and test period whereby season ticket holders will be invited to come along, DCAL representatives, staff groups, the players etc.; will all get the opportunity to experience the centre before we open up to the public. “For me, the goal of the centre is to make it profitable so that it will stand on its own two feet. It is critical to grow visitor numbers whether that is in education, the general public or rugby supporters – we have got to make the visitor experience to the Nevin Spence Centre, world class so people will want to return. We hope to open the doors at the beginning of September following a test period over the summer, I have still got some recruitment to do in terms of additional support for the centre but the contractors will be handing everything over to me on Monday and that is when I will start to take over the operational side of the Nevin Spence Centre, getting things ready for the launch. “Throughout the creation of the centre Nevin has very much been at the forefront. The design is tasteful, there is a wall dedicated to Nevin and his sister has provided us with a beautiful painting of him. There is also video footage of Nevin playing the game and his family kindly donated his scrap books from when he was a young boy which are showcased in a digital vault in the centre to give an insight into his life. It is a great legacy and I think he would be very proud.”

The Nevin Spence Centre will open in September 2015 from 9am to 5pm.

To keep up to date with Centre information please visit: www.ulsterrugby.com/KingspanStadium/ TheNevinSpenceCentre or email standup@ulsterrugby.com

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ULSTER RUGBY

RHINO ARE PROUD TO BE THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE GUINNESS PRO12 2014/15 www.rhinorugby.com

MINI RUGBY STARS ENJOY MAXOL PRIMARY SCHOOLS FESTIVAL AT KINGSPAN STADIUM

Last week Kingspan Stadium welcomed 32 teams to a Maxol Primary Schools’ Mini Rugby Festival where players enjoyed a series of matches and also had the opportunity to meet Ulster Rugby stars Robbie Diack, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Chris Henry and Franco van der Merwe

MAXOL PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ FESTIVAL

The festival was organised in a pool (group) format with teams playing at least three games. The standard of play was very high, with lots of skill and free flowing rugby on display. Many of the participants will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the current Ulster stars such as Cave, Henry and Andrew Trimble who also participated in the festival. Speaking following the four day festival at Kingspan Stadium, Kevin Paterson, Group Commercial Manager, Maxol Group said: “We were delighted to welcome so many young rugby players who had the opportunity to take part in this festival at such a wonderful stadium. Maxol’s sponsorship with Ulster Mini Rugby really demonstrates our commitment to grassroots rugby and to serving the local communities.”

Leading forecourt and convenience retailer, Maxol is the title sponsor of the Ulster Mini Rugby Programme. As well as the Primary Schools Festival, club grounds across the Province host similar events over the course of the season. The Maxol Mini Rugby festivals attract thousands of young players, offering them the opportunity to develop their rugby skills and meet their Ulster Rugby heroes. Mini Rugby is the introductory level of the sport throughout Ulster, in which boys and girls aged 6-12 gain their first taste of rugby and begin to learn the basic skills. You can find out more about the Ulster Mini Rugby Programme by visiting www.ulsterrugby.com or www.maxol.com.

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ULSTER RUGBY

P A S S I O N M A K E S T H E 1 6 T H M A N

RENEW YOUR SEASON TICKET IN MAY FOR LOYALTY SAVINGS

16TH MAN B E T H E

MEET ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS JULIE ADAMS

My more recent role and probably the one I enjoy the most is the OUR Club Crew. This involves helping out with the Junior Season Ticket holders on match nights, advising them of the various activities and helping them take part. It also involves doing the Guard of Honour for the players with the kids. It is very rewarding as the children get really excited when they are around the players and especially when they get to go on the pitch, it’s great seeing their faces light up. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER? I have been a big fan of Ulster Rugby since my teens and would have attended a lot of matches regularly, right up until I was eight months pregnant! Then when my son was old enough I got him into playing rugby and started getting back to the matches. Now he plays for a club (he’s nine years old) I go along to all his training sessions and matches and I felt that volunteering with Ulster Rugby was an opportunity for me to learn more about the sport and the club and to then hopefully be able to assist with my son’s rugby team. HAVE YOU HAD ANY PARTICULAR HIGHLIGHTS WHILE VOLUNTEERING? I have a few highlights. I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at the Ireland Training camp last year. It was a great experience and as it was mostly school children in attendance it was great seeing their faces light up when their heroes came over for an autograph and a photo. Obviously I managed a few photos myself which made my day! I also helped at the Wooden Spoon International Tag Rugby Festival for people with disabilities last year for the whole weekend which was hard work and tiring but also so rewarding. I helped pack the goody bags, made the packed lunches, served the meals for the players and in general just made sure everyone was okay and enjoying themselves. It was a miserable weekend with lashing rain but what made the weekend was seeing the boys and girls having the time of their life playing rugby at Kingspan Stadium regardless of the weather. They never complained, they played their hearts out and then of course enjoyed the disco at the end. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A VOLUNTEER? I find volunteering for Ulster Rugby very rewarding and enjoyable. I feel so proud to be able to help all these people with whatever I happen to be doing and it boosts your confidence when you are given an element of responsibility especially with OUR Club. As I spend most events chatting to people it definitely would bring you out of your shell if you were ever shy! It’s a great opportunity to meet lots of different people from different backgrounds, it’s great fun and you always get a laugh. I have met new friends who I meet and chat to outside of Ulster Rugby and all the staff are always very kind and pleasant towards us. Interested in volunteering? email kerry.spence@ulsterrugby.com for details.

NICKNAME: Jules FAVOURITE FOOD: Steak and garlic potatoes FAVOURITE ULSTER PLAYER? Tommy Bowe IF YOU COULD PLAY FOR ULSTER WHAT POSITION WOULD YOU PLAY? I would be the team manager! Good at bossing men about and getting them to do as they are told! WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SPORTING MEMORY? This is quite a personal one… watching my dad’s cricket team win the cup two years after he had meningitis and had all his toes amputated. It was a proud moment seeing my dad get back playing and then his team winning. He was 50 years old at the time. WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? Jamie Dornan WHO WOULD YOU LEAST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? My son because I would have to be really brave for his sake and I would secretly be panicking as it’s definitely one of my worst fears. TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT: I played cricket for Ulster Girls Under 16 team and we beat Leinster and Munster in the Inter Provincial Finals. I still have my medal to prove it! WHAT SORT OF VOLUNTEERING ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I started volunteering with Ulster Rugby in late 2013 as a member of the Charity Action Team. This involved working with the chosen charity at match nights, doing bucket collections and other fundraising activities. The opportunity then arose to join the Ulster Rugby Crew. As my son plays rugby and I attend all his matches and training sessions I felt that joining the Rugby Crew would benefit me in helping out at his club when needed. Within this role I helped out at a Summer Camp, assisting the coaches in setting up and playing the games with the children. I also helped out at the Wooden Spoon International Tag Rugby Festival for people with disabilities and this was a fantastic experience.

MEET ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS

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ULSTER RUGBY

HUGHES INSURANCE WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES USING #WEAREFAMILY

Hughes Insurance, one of Northern Ireland’s leading insurance providers, has signed up to a three year sponsorship deal with Ulster Rugby to rename the new Aquinas end stand at the Kingspan Stadium, the Hughes Insurance Family Stand. Throughout the season, we gave away tickets to each Ulster home match through our social media. Families could upload photos using #WEAREFAMILY to win tickets. We received some great photos throughout the season and wanted to share a few of them with you.

We’d like to thank everyone who has entered our competitions this season and hope all the winners enjoyed their tickets! We will be running more competitions next season, giving away tickets to the family stand and will run other competitions during the season break. For your chance to win great prizes, follow @ Hughes_FBI on Twitter & become fans of Hughes Insurance on Facebook. To find out more visit

www.hughesinsurance.co.uk and www.ulsterrugby.com

Roger Alexander & Family

Kim Galway & Family

# W E A R E F A M I L Y

Leslie Campbell & Family

Johnny Hawthorne & Family

MICHAEL ALLEN

RICKY ANDREW

Centre/Wing 28.11.90 183cm 97kg 45 -

Fullback 02.12.89 185cm 87kg 20 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RORY BEST (C)

CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE Hooker 15.08.82 180cm 110kg 168 83 ULSTER RUBGY POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg 84 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CHARLIE BUTTERWORTH

Wing 22.02.84 191cm 102kg 132 61

POSITION BORN

Back Row - 195cm 115kg 0 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DARREN CAVE

ROBBIE DIACK

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 97kg 158 8 // 11A

Back Row 12.11.85 196cm 109kg 149 2 // 2A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DECLAN FITZPATRICK

CRAIG GILROY

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 106 6 // 2A

Prop 12.07.83 182cm 118kg 98 7 // 9A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

MICHAEL HEANEY

IAIN HENDERSON

Scrumhalf 05.11.90 176cm 78kg 29 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 21.02.92 200cm 115kg 46 17 // 3A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

26

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back Row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 129 16 // 10A

POSITION BORN

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 114kg 23 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 183cm 103kg 69 1 // 2A

Outhalf 24.04.82 178cm 85kg 103 7A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PADDY JACKSON

CONOR JOYCE

Outhalf 05.01.92 179cm 87kg 78 9 // 1A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RICKY LUTTON

LOUIS LUDIK

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 115kg 23 -

POSITION BORN

Fullback 10.08.86 182cm 92kg 22 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

LUKE MARSHALL

PAUL MARSHALL

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 96kg 62 6

POSITION BORN

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 144 3 // 2A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART McCLOSKEY

KYLE McCALL

Centre - 195cm 105kg 16 -

POSITION BORN

Hooker 02.01.92 176cm 108kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

27

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

NEIL McCOMB

MIKE McCOMISH

2nd Row 15.07.83 201cm 120kg 44 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 07.12.83 190cm 106kg 46 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

PETER NELSON

Fullback 05.10.92 180cm 84kg 21 -

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 115.5kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Outhalf 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 36 2

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg 59 4

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 94 79 (SA)

POSITION BORN

Back Row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg 7 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 118kg 18 -

Back Row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg 18 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DAVE RYAN

RORY SCHOLES

Prop

POSITION BORN

Wing 24.04.93 186cm 95kg 8 -

POSITION BORN

183cm 116kg 0 -

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

29

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

Royal CountyDown 28-31 May 2015

This is a land made for golf. A county that is home to one of the world’s greatest courses. A county that is home to Rory McIlroy, the world’s number one golfer. See them and golfing’s elite come together at the Unmissable Irish Open 2015. Say you were there Plan your golf short break at:

JAMES SIMPSON

LEWIS STEVENSON

2nd Row 03.11.90 197cm 115kg 1 -

2nd Row 01.06.84 200cm 116kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

78 1A

SQUAD 2014/15

ANDREW TRIMBLE

DAN TUOHY

Wing 20.10.84 187cm 99kg 188 57 // 3A

POSITION BORN

2nd Row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 124 9 // 4A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

ANDREW WARWICK

2nd Row 15.03.83 198cm 115kg 25 -

Prop 12.03.91 180cm 111kg 26 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

NICK WILLIAMS

ROGER WILSON

Back Row 21.09.81 191cm 106kg 178 1 // 11 A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 02.12.83 189cm 122kg 57 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ULSTER RUGBY SQUAD SEASON 2014/15

31

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

ULSTER RUG SATURDAY 9TH MAY 20 KICK O

15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

CALLUM BLACK

LOUIS LUDIK

RORY BEST (C)

TOMMY BOWE

ULSTER RUGBY

WIEHAHN HERBST

JARED PAYNE

DARREN CAVE

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VD MERWE

PETER NELSON

10

IAIN HENDERSON

PADDY JACKSON

9

CHRIS HENRY

RUAN PIENAAR

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 R HERRING A WARWICK B ROSS R DIACK 20 21 22 23

8

C ROSS P MARSHALL I HUMPHREYS S McCLOSKEY

ROGER WILSON

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE’S CITING COMMISSIONER TMO TODAYS OFFICIALS

NIGEL OWENS (WRU, 124TH COMPETITION GAME) DUDLEY PHILLIPS (IRFU) // NIGEL CORRELL (IRFU) MURRAY WHYTE (IRFU) KEVIN BEGGS (IRFU)

32

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

Y v MUNSTER 5 - KINGSPAN STADIUM F 14.40 1

15 14 13 12 11 10

MUNSTER RUGBY

DAVE KILCOYNE

FELIX JONES

2 3 4 5 6 7

DUNCAN CASEY

KEITH EARLS

STEPHEN ARCHER

ANDREW SMITH

RORY SCANNELL

BILLY HOLLAND

SIMON ZEBO

DONNACHA RYAN

IAN KEATLEY

PETER O’MAHONY (C)

9 8

CONOR MURRAY

TOMMY O’DONNELL

REPLACEMENTS FROM E GUINAZU J RYAN BJ BOTHA D O’CALLAGHAN 20 21 22 23 16 17 18 19

J O’DONOGHUE D WILLIAMS JJ HANRAHAN R O’MAHONY

CJ STANDER

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

*CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT

33

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

STEPHEN ARCHER

BJ BOTHA

Prop 04.01.80 180cm 112kg S Africa // 25

Prop 29.01.88 188cm 120kg Ireland // 2

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

PADDY BUTLER

DUNCAN CASEY

Hooker 14.11.90 178cm 105kg —

No 8 01.12.90 191cm 106kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

JAMES CRONIN

ANDREW CONWAY

Prop 23.11.90 183cm 114kg Ireland // 2

Full Back / Wing 11.07.91 180cm 92kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

IVAN DINEEN

SEAN DOUGALL

Centre 25.07.87 185cm 99kg —

Back Row 28.10.89 183cm 105kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

KEITH EARLS

DAVE FOLEY

Universal Back 02.10.87 178cm 92kg Ireland // 39

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

Lock 16.05.88 198cm 108kg Ireland // 2

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

EUSEBIO GUINAZU

JJ HANRAHAN

Fly Half 27.07.92 183cm 91kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

Hooker 15.01.82 180cm 114kg Argentina // 36

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

34

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

BILLY HOLLAND

DENIS HURLEY

Back Row/Lock 03.08.85 193cm 110kg —

Full Back/Wing 15.07.84 191cm 104kg Ireland // 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

IAN KEATLEY

FELIX JONES

Fly Half 01.04.87 180cm 91kg Ireland // 4

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

Universal Back 05.08.87 185cm 90kg Ireland // 11

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

JOHNE MURPHY

DAVE KILCOYNE

Full Back/Wing 10.11.84 188cm 98kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

Prop 14.12.88 183cm 112kg Ireland // 12

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

DAVE O’CALLAGHAN

CONOR MURRAY

Back Row/Lock 12.01.90 196cm 109kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

Scrum Half 20.04.89 188cm 94kg Ireland // 35

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

PAUL O’CONNELL

DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN

Lock 24.04.79 198cm 117kg Ireland // 94

Lock 20.10.79 198cm 112kg Ireland // 101

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

PETER O’MAHONY

TOMMY O’DONNELL

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

Back Row 17.09.89 191cm 107kg Ireland // 30

Back Row 21.05.87 185cm 107kg Ireland // 8

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

35

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

Suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

Official suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

RONAN O’MAHONY

DONNACHA RYAN

Lock / Flanker 11.12.83 201cm 116kg Ireland // 28

Wing 28.05.89 183cm 91kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

JOHN RYAN

RORY SCANNELL

Centre 22.12.93 180cm 94kg —

Prop 02.08.88 185cm 116kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

MIKE SHERRY

CATHAL SHERIDAN

Hooker 18.06.88 185cm 106kg Ireland // 1

Scrum Half 14.11.88 175cm 86kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

ANDREW SMITH

CJ STANDER

Back Row 05.04.90 188cm 113kg —

Centre 10.01.85 193cm 104kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

GERHARD VAN DEN HEEVER

DAMIEN VARLEY

Wing 13.04.89 191cm 105kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

Hooker 29.10.83 180cm 110kg Ireland // 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

DUNCAN WILLIAMS

SIMON ZEBO

Scrum Half 17.04.86 175cm 80kg —

Wing 16.03.90 188cm 94kg Ireland // 15

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT INT CAPS

37

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Munster head coach Anthony Foley is warning his troops that they will have a fight on their hands when they travel to take on Ulster this weekend.

“For Leinster (against Ulster) it was very hard with a five day turnaround after losing a European semi-final; they threw everything they could at it but again, preparation is where it is at. “We scored early against Treviso and everyone would have assumed that x, y and z would have happened but you have to take into account that Treviso had everything to play for as well so it was a stop-start game, which was very frustrating at times. “The players would feel that as well. We didn’t get really into the flow of the game, but we have five points, we’re happy enough, we’re sitting second and up in Ulster it will be a different type of game - it’s an interprovincial. That comes packaged already.”

The Munstermen secured their place in the Guinness PRO12 play-offs with a 30-19 victory over Benetton Treviso last time out. However, there is still plenty to play for as Foley and co. will now be looking to ensure that their final four clash takes place in front of their own fans. They currently sit second, just one point above provincial rivals Ulster. And while refusing to worry too much about Treviso clawing their way back into the contest two weekends ago, Foley knows his side must improve if they are to get one over on their opposition at Kingspan Stadium: “Ulster are a very good side and they are a particularly hard side to overcome up there, so we have to come up with a strategy that allows us to play and forces them to kick a bit more.

CLUB ST //Location Limerick, Ireland //Founded 1879 //Ground Thomond Park Irish Independent Park //Capacity Thomond Park 25,600 Irish Independent Park 9,251 //Last Game Benetton Treviso (H) 30 - 19 (W) Saturday 25th April 2015 at 15:05 //Next Game Newport Gwent Dragons (H) Saturday 16th May 2015, 15:00 //Recent Form W L W W W

ST // Coach Anthony Foley // Captain Peter O’Mahony

CONT Thomond Park Stadium Limerick, Cork Tel +353 21 432 3563

TICKET OFFICE Tel MERCHANDISE Tel

+353 61421103

+353 61318080

www.munsterrugby.ie

Munsterrugby

@Munsterrugby

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