Ulster Rugby vs Connacht

LEADING THE FIELD

Welcome to the home of Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium, for the penultimate home game in the 2015/16 Guinness PRO12 season.

Ulster take on Connacht Rugby in what should be one of the most thrilling encounters of the year as both teams aim to take the Guinness PRO12 title. Connacht have been in great form of late and have proven their worth throughout the season, but we know that at full strength the Ulster men fear nobody – and rightly so! On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success this evening. For the second last time in this exciting season, 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 everyone here to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Round 19 game in the Guinness PRO12 League against Connacht.

I especially welcome the President of the Connacht Branch of the IRFU, Gerry O’Donnell, together with his officers and the many Connacht supporters who have made the journey to Belfast to support their team tonight. You are all very welcome and I hope that you will enjoy your time here. It is the first time since the Six Nations that I have had the opportunity to congratulate Ireland on their third place finish, which is a very creditable position considering the injuries to so many influential players. I would also like to congratulate Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne and Stuart McCloskey who all played their part in the campaign. Connacht come to Kingspan Stadium tonight in a very strong position as we enter the last four games of the PRO12 League having taken the lead at the end of February. Our contest in Galway on Boxing Day was very tightly fought, with Ulster scraping an away from home 10-3 victory and only a dropped pass by Connacht with the line at their mercy saved Ulster’s bacon that evening. I fully expect a very tight encounter tonight with so much at stake and Ulster will need to be at their very best if they are to claim the points.

On the Domestic scene we are well into Trophy final stages and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate some winners. Firstly, congratulations to Royal Belfast Academical Institution in creating history by becoming the first school to win both the Schools’ Cup and the Medallion Shield two years in a row. Not only on that achievement but the school also completed the ‘grand slam’ of all Schools’ Trophies including the 2nd XV, 3rd XV and 4th XV Cups. Secondly, I congratulate Bangor RFC who defeated a very gallant Enniskillen side to win the Powerade Towns’ Cup on Easter Monday. Finally, congratulations Ballynahinch 3rd XV who defeated Banbridge 3rd XV to lift the Crawford Cup on Tuesday. I hope that you all had a very enjoyable Easter Holiday and did not over indulge! Give Connacht a great Ulster welcome this evening. Good Luck to Ulster and remember “STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN”

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

Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

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Welcome to Round 19 of the Guinness PRO12 and the excitement is now building week-by-week as we approach the climax to this year’s championship. With only four games left for most of the clubs, the race to the Play-Offs next month and the Final at BT Murrayfield on 28 May, as well as European qualification, focuses everyone’s attention. There are two Irish derbies taking place this weekend with Ulster taking on league leaders Connacht here at a packed Kingspan Stadium in Belfast this evening and tomorrow over 40,000 fans will see Leinster play Munster in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. This weekend sees four major derby games I nall, two take place in Wales: at Rodney Parade the Newport Gwent Dragons host the Ospreys tonight; and the other takes place at Parc y Scarlets tomorrow afternoon when the Scarlets entertain Cardiff Blues. The two Scottish/Italian inter-union games see Edinburgh and Zebre clash at BT Murrayfield tonight and tomorrow Benetton Treviso take on Glasgow Warriors in Stadio Monigo. In all there are 16 inter–union matches plus four Irish and five of the ‘Big Six’ Welsh derbies left to be played, at time of writing, in this year’s league section of the Guinness PRO12. This season’s run-in will make for some great rugby in a wonderful atmosphere. To date, we have seen over four tries scored per game on average, 441 in total, and 36 try bonus points scored overall. Over half of our games this season (59 out of 107) have finished with less than seven points between the teams so lots of close, exciting rugby is there to be enjoyed. Ulster’s only defeat in their last 19 encounters with Connacht since 2005 was 21-26 in Galway in April 2012, whilst Connacht’s most recent victory in Belfast came in November 1960 in the old Interprovincial Championship. We are delighted that you, the fans, come out and get behind your own clubs. It is great to see and hear a packed Kingspan Stadium roaring its support and appreciation both for the home team and for quality rugby. I am also delighted that over 40,000 tickets have already been sold for the double-derby Judgement Day IV at Principality Stadium on 30 April and I have no doubt more fans of the four Welsh regions will turn up to support their teams and beat last year’s record attendance of 52,762. We are also on course to have a record crowd at the Guinness PRO12 Final on 28 May in Edinburgh. The interest in our flagship event has been terrific and we have some exciting plans, that we hope to be able to announce shortly, around the event to ensure that all fans, no matter what team you support, will have a great day out in Edinburgh. The Guinness PRO12 Awards Dinner will also take place just over a month from now (08 May) so there is a lot going on with regards the championship. 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 again thank you, the fans, for your continued support. Enjoy the game

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

ANDREW DONALD (11) Andrew is from Ballymena and attends Ballymena Academy, he plays rugby at school and mini rugby at Ballymena RFC, and also enjoys hockey, cricket, golf and hanging out with friends. Andrew’s favourite player is Iain Henderson because of the huge ground he makes and the hard tackles. When he grows up he would like to play rugby for Ulster.

SENAN HANRATTY (8) Senan is from Castleblayney and attends Castleblayney BNS. He plays mini rugby at Monaghan RFC and also enjoys gaelic football, hurling and playing guitar. Senan’s favourite player is Tommy Bowe because he is from Monaghan and he is a class player. When he grows up he would like to be a professional rugby player for Ulster.

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5

REIDY DETERMINED TO LEAD AT THE FRONT Tousle-haired and tanned, Sean Reidy may have a somewhat ragamuffin look as he relaxes after a tough training session at Kingspan Stadium.

Kiss and Neil Doak always encourage us to play, backing ourselves. Just look at Craig Gilroy’s quick thinking and the alertness of Stuart McCloskey for our second try,” says Reidy. “That was the Ulster the fans deserve to see every week, and now that we’re on the run-in we’ve got to produce that sort of game consistently.” “It means that the game with Connacht this week is massive, but the boys are ‘up’ for it and know that each of our four remaining games in the PRO12 have become even more important.” Reidy’s rugby pedigree is unquestioned, his family is steeped in the game and his uncle entered a very special category by becoming an All Black, something that means he’s part of a revered breed in New Zealand. “I’ve been playing the game since I was four or five, it’s in the family blood, and it’s always been what I want to do.”

But the New Zealand-born 26-year-old is very serious about his rugby, and is currently relishing the confidence shown in his abilities by signing a two-year extension to his deal with Ulster. “It was an easy decision for me, for since arriving in Belfast two years ago I’ve really enjoyed my rugby, learned a lot and this season in particular I’ve had a bit of a run in the side and I hope put my hand up.” In the three weeks before the side returned to action in Glasgow last weekend he’d managed a quick trip to Lanzorote, the perfect tonic after an exhausting 16-week ‘block’ of games which had seen the strength in the squad tested. “I was craving some sun, and I just spent a few days lying on a beach, doing a little jogging, but getting a bit of a breather and came back refreshed for what’s going to be a crucial part of the season. “I really love Belfast, and its people, and although the weather isn’t always what I’d like, that’s not

SEAN REIDY

what’s important. Anyway,” he smiles, “I’m told summer is just around the corner!” Turning to rugby, and to this critical stage of the Ulster season, the flanker becomes deadly earnest. “We went to Glasgow and played some great stuff at

For Sean Reidy his sights in the short and mid-terms are on fastening down a starting place with Ulster, but he relishes the competition he faces to do that. His high regard for Chris Henry is clearly heartfelt, and he regards the Irish flanker as both an outstanding player and a generous team-mate. “I really got a chance when Chris was away at the World Cup, and he then got a shoulder injury

times, we were smart, we were in control at Scotstoun for so long that it was hard to take losing that game, and not even getting a losing bonus point when Stuart Hogg kicked that last-minute penalty. “The feeling in the dressing room was not one I want to experience again, that’s for sure. Obviously we felt we were harshly treated around the breakdown when we were in great positions, but we did make mistakes and against opposition of such quality you get punished,” he says. “But there were huge ‘plusses’ in Scotland. Iain Henderson’s return to the side after a really serious injury was great, and the try he scored was good for him but showed us as a team at our slickest, and that try came after some great build-up from the whole side, playing the sort of rugby Les

and I got the opportunity to get a run in the team,” said the Irish-qualified open-side flanker. “That was great for my confidence, and I think I developed as a player in many aspects of my game. “When he was injured, and even now, Chris is always someone who will offer advice and encouragement. We’ve played together a bit more recently since he’s back fit and his work rate is astonishing, you soon realise the amount of ground he covers, the tackles he makes, and why he’s won so many caps.” “I’m really happy to have signed a new contract, I really enjoy here, Belfast is a really cool place and I’ve made a lot of friends through rugby.

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“There’s a real ‘buzz’ around the place, a good feeling in the squad that we’re developing something pretty special here, and I’d like to be part of that and bring some silverware to Ulster,” said the easy-going Kiwi. Two years ago, Reidy was delighted when Ulster offered him a chance in the professional game in the northern hemisphere, and he’s laid down firm roots in the Province and says he’s ambitious for the side and himself - but in that order. “The facilities here are so different, so professional, to what I’d been used to back home in New Zealand, everything is geared towards success. He scored his first try for Ulster against Treviso in November, and has since then contributed three more touchdowns in vital games at important times. It’s a trait the side hopes he can continue to offer Ulster as it single-mindedly pursues that PRO12 semi-final and a guarantee of European Champions Cup rugby next season. Reidy goes about his work in the white jersey in an unfussy, hardworking way that often doesn’t catch the eye at first glance. But coaches and team-mates love his uncomplicated and reliable style, robust and always in the heat of battle at breakdown time. He cheerily admits that two years ago he had no clear idea where he might end up playing, but Ulster has a special place in his heart because it offered him a chance to prove himself and it was an opportunity he took with both hands. “Now I really feel at home in Belfast, and I enjoy the life in and around the city, and as far as rugby is concerned the new deal means that I must ‘kick on’, develop my skills and improve on those things which need more work. “And with the facilities at Kingspan, and the really world-class staff, I know that this is where my game will move forward. I’ve always felt I belonged here, the guys are great company, on and off the pitch, but Ulster has shown confidence in me and I’d like to think I’m at that stage in my career when I can now be one of the leaders.” Often it appears players talk rather persuasively about ‘relishing’ competition for a place in the team, but in Reidy’s case it’s very persuasive. “I really do think that for the side, primarily, but from an individual player’s point of view, you can only improve by testing yourself against other good players, challenging both yourself and them. At Ulster there is a genuine bond amongst the players and a real belief that strength in continued page 9

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Clearly focussed on Connacht’s arrival, Reidy relaxes for a moment, and reflects on the little things about life in Belfast which have made him extend his stay at Ulster so much easier. “Me and some of the guys are into our coffee, so we like to check out the new places and revisit some of our favourite cafes, which is good fun. “And I like to get on a bike and just go for a ride around the city, along the river, so I have a really good life away from the game which is a key thing for me,” he says. But the coffee expeditions can wait, for Reidy knows the next month is critical to Ulster’s year and that there are no margins for error now. “Personally I came here, and wanted to stay, because I know something special is happening at Ulster and if we’re playing a bit of ‘catch-up’ at the moment we are all committed to playing the style of rugby we are capable of and which will, I’m certain, bring regular success. “We’re in this as a squad, and I would hope to be part of getting things back on track against Connacht – for ourselves and the coaches, but most of all for the supporters.”

depth is the key to success now and in the future,” says the engaging Reidy. “Les Kiss asks us to challenge ourselves, and he has a team of coaches around him who are positive and innovative, so it’s always enjoyable to come to work. Joe Barakat, who specialises in the collision area, has added to the quality we have, and I do a lot of work with him which has really brought me forward. And with the management as a whole, and the Strength and Conditioning team who really deserve much more credit.” Sean keenly shares the disappointment of supporters as the side has slipped out of the PRO12 top four, and three defeats in the last four outings has made the target of a home semi-final in the play-offs much more difficult. “There’s no doubt about it, we have our backs against the wall dropping down the table as we have, but we are all – players and coaches – still determined to reach the playoffs, and hopefully finish in the top two, which would mean a home game in the semis. “That would be great, there’s something really special about playing in front of the Kingspan Stadium fans, and they will be so important this Friday against Connacht, and then in our last regular-season game here with Leinster. “We are all determined to take something tangible from this season, so a home playoff, and then a final in Edinburgh where there’s a huge Ulster contingent, is the aim,” says Reidy.

SEAN REIDY

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IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

GET TO KNOW DAVID SHANAHAN

SQUAD Q & A

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? Game of Thrones FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Quinta do Lago, Portugal FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? No one place really, I’m a fan of Boojum FAVOURITE HOBBY? Basketball IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE? The Milky Bar Kid, as I’m told I look like him BESTADVICEYOUHAVEEVERBEENGIVEN? Don’t dwell on mistakes, move on to the next job WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? I like to be the first out for the warm-up DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCKY CHARMS? None WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? For a scrumhalf, passing and kicking is more important than anything else WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? Play as much first team rugby as possible and secure a spot in the senior squad

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DAVID FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @DAVIDSHANOMAN

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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

THANKS TO ALL THE SUPPORTERS WHO ATTENDED OUR OPEN TRAINING SESSION ON EASTER TUESDAY

SEASON TICKET HOLDER OPEN TRAINING SESSION

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BANGOR RFC

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Bangor RFC who defeated Enniskillen RFC 31-25 to lift the Powerade Towns Cup on Easter Monday.

BALLYNAHINCH RFC 3XV

Congratulations to Ballynahinch RFC 3XV who defeated Banbridge RFC 3rd XV by 51-0 to lift the Crawford Cup on Easter Tuesday.

19

NO FOOLING AROUND TONIGHT! Spring has definitely sprung, the smell of freshly-cut grass more pungent by the day, the importance of every Ulster game until the end of the season more acute.

Last weekend’s defeat in Glasgow was particularly galling in so many ways: the side played some smart, clever rugby, scored two cracking tries, then somehow contrived to concede 18 points without reply as the Warriors delighted in, first, an unlikely win, and in denying Ulster even a losing bonus point with Stuart Hogg’s last-gasp, long-distance penalty. Ulster could justifiably do a little pondering about the forward pass which set Hogg in for a try which sparked the Scots but, more worryingly, referee John Lacey decided that, at the breakdown, the men in white persistently offended. Les Kiss says, quite rightly “It’s done, we move on,” but he clearly wasn’t happy about some of the interpretations and wryly hoped that – like Glasgow last Friday – his team might concede just four penalties against tonight’s impressive visitors, Pat Lam’s Connacht, the PRO12 leaders. That Sunday lunchtime defeat in February by the Scarlets at Kingpsan left many scratching heads, not about the talent clearly available, but at a frustrating inability to perform with genuine consistency, that capacity Ulster has always shown to ‘edge’ a result when not exactly firing on all cylinders. Tonight, on the second week of the ‘race to the line’ and the Top Four semi-finals in the PRO12, the test of how steeled the side is for a run-in which could really give Ulster Rugby supporters some reward for holding fast – despite the odd mid-season ‘wobble’ – to the belief that this panel of players will make the next few years very special for players, coaches and those who pack the tournament’s finest stadium to the rafters week-after-week. It would be stupidly one-eyed not to have been concerned that three of the last four PRO12 outings have been defeats, that Ulster has slumped from top-of-the-table five weeks ago to fifth, outside the play-off placings and with Glasgow on the same points total, and with a game in hand. Kiss is right when he says that so tight is the battle at the top that sides are going to take points off each other, and he cites the clashes of Welsh clubs as important, but not as important as his own squad staying focussed on the season’s primary

It’s the first day of April, a day for japes and jovial conceits, but for the home side nobody wants to be an April Fool, there will be only a deadly serious approach to the sternest challenge possible, surprise but deserving table-topping Connacht. And it’s a game in front of a Kingspan Stadium crowd which needs to shed its doubts and concerns about recent form and urge its favourites to what is now a critically-important victory. The Six Nations is now consigned to the memory bank, some familiar faces are restored to the squad, and there’s added electricity in the return to fitness after long-term injuries of key players. Iain Henderson’s appearance against Glasgow last week was one of the year’s most heart-warming sights, a hugely gifted forward who’d have been missed in any company demonstrating that he’s back to his intimidating, foraging, barrelling best. Tommy Bowe is on the cusp of putting up his hand to help secure something tangible from the Guinness PRO12 campaign, his absence since the World Cup keenly felt by fans and by the team-mates who appreciate the skillset – and the stardust – he scatters on all in a white jersey. Gradually – and without any complaint – Les Kiss and Head Coach Neil Doak have navigated Ulster through a roller-coaster of a season which started with the inevitable disruption of an autumn World Cup, the subsequent injury toll which kept Bowe, Jared Payne and then Henderson on the sidelines. Added to that were fitness problems for Darren Cave, Peter Nelson, Luke Marshall, for the stoic Stuart Olding, the luckless Dan Tuohy, for Wiehahn Herbst, Alan O’Connor and there was a plethora of other setbacks for experienced players. Very much on the ‘plus’ side were the emergence into the spotlight of prop Kyle McCall, winger Rory Scholes, and the spectacular rise of yet another Ulster midfield ‘gallactico’, Stuart McCloskey, yet another to graduate swiftly to the Irish side. Ulster’s season has been one which has, at times, raised the spirits – witness the crushing defeats in Europe of Toulouse – and also managed to stall rising hopes just when faltering form seemed to have come out of ‘rehab’ successfully.

ROD NAWN

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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

target: a semi-final place, preferably at home, and an appearance in the Final at Murrayfield in late May. For that to become reality unity of purpose – on the field and in the

stands – is vital: Connacht are no longer anyone’s ‘whipping boys’, and do not under-estimate just what a message it would send if Ulster could, first, get a convincing win and conceivably get a try bonus point against one of the meanest, physical defences in the competition. Kiss, Neil Doak, Allen Clarke, Niall Malone and Joe Barakat constitute an impressive and dedicated coaching team, and the players understand their responsibilities to them, to the fans and the supporters, and not even the most sceptical would question the commitment and desire of what is a truly gifted squad. In a fortnight there’s a trip to Zebre which – like last month – will be targeted for a five-point return, though in Belfast it took patience as well as guile and stamina to exact that reward. On the last Saturday of this month, Leinster come to Kingspan Stadium for what will be another chapter in a rivalry which stretches back over 120 years, and which never fails to be a compelling ‘watch’ and a fixture which asks all the questions of players on both sides. The last ‘regular season’ game is a week later in Swansea when the Ospreys might well hold the key to Ulster’s Top Four fate. What price a Tommy Bowe winning try at his old hunting ground at the Liberty Stadium? For the next six weeks – hopefully more! – Kiss and Doak will be able to re-introduce Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne into the line-ups, and with Darren Cave in tigerish form, the precocious Jacob Stockdale fit again and Louis Ludik on his way back, the backline will lack for neither competition nor class. This is indeed the time when the mettle of players, management and fans is tested to the full, in the white-hot heat of a clearly-defined battle. Set aside doubt, see only certainty and purpose. Yes?

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JOHN ANDREW

SAMMY 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

14 —

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 103 —

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 9 —

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 174 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 170 // 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 128 6 // 2A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

67 —

22

IAIN HENDERSON

CHRIS HENRY

Second row 21.02.92 199cm 117kg 53 23 // 3A

Back row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 145 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 92 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 100 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 78 6

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

47 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 169 3 // 2A

Prop 02.01.92 177cm 111kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

20 —

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STUART McCLOSKEY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Centre 06.08.92 194cm 111kg 38 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 —

25 —

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Utility back 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 43 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 113 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

26 —

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

24 —

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 48 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

43 —

76 —

SAMWINDSOR

ROGER WILSON

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

Back row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 202 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

JARED PAYNE

CALLUM BLACK

14 13 12 11 9 10

ANDREW TRIMBLE

RORY BEST (C)

LUKE MARSHALL

RICKY LUTTON

ULSTER RUGBY

PETER BROWNE

STUART McCLOSKEY

FRANCO VD MERWE

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

PADDY JACKSON

RUAN PIENAAR

CHRIS HENRY

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14 13 12 11 15 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

DENIS BUCKLEY

ROBBIE HENSHAW

CONNACHT RUGBY

TOM McCARTNEY

NIYI ADEOLOKUN

RODNEY AH YOU

BUNDEE AKI

PETER ROBB

ANDREW BROWNE

ALY MULDOWNEY

MATT HEALY

JOHN MULDOON (C)

SHANE O’LEARY

JAMES CONNOLLY

JOHN COONEY

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 D HEFFERNAN R LOUGHNEY F BEALHAM U DILLANE

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33

NIYI ADEOLOKUN

RODNEY AH YOU

Wing 03.11.90 183cm 89kg —

Prop 27.10.88 188cm 126kg IRE // 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

BUNDEE AKI

FINLAY BEALHAM

Prop 09.10.91 185cm 122kg IRE // 1

Centre 07.04.90 183cm 100kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16 CAOLIN BLADE

CORMAC BRENNAN

Scrumhalf 29.04.94 170cm 84kg —

Utility Back 21.02.1995 186cm 93kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

ANDREW BROWNE

DENIS BUCKLEY

Prop 09.08.90 178cm 109kg —

Lock / Back Row 21.01.87 196cm 116kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JOHN COONEY

JAMES CONNOLLY

Scrumhalf 01.05.90 178cm 87kg —

Back Row 19.04.93 185cm 94kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

ULTAN DILLANE

MATT HEALY

Lock 09.11.93 198cm 115kg IRE // 3

Wing 14.03.89 183cm 92kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

34

JAKE HEENAN

DAVE HEFFERNAN

Flanker 17.03.92 188cm 104kg —

Hooker 31.01.91 185cm 109kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

RONAN LOUGHNEY

ROBBIE HENSHAW

Centre / Fullback 12.06.93 191cm 103kg IRE // 20

01.11.84 185cm 118kg Prop IRE // 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

KIERAN MARMION

AJ MACGINTY

Flyhalf 26.02.90 183cm 87kg USA // 8

Scrumhalf 11.02.92 183cm 86kg IRE // 5

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

BEN MARSHALL

EOGHAN MASTERSON

Back Row 05.04.93 191cm 111kg —

Lock 08.06.90 196cm 112kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

TOM McCARTNEY

CONOR McKEON

Hooker 06.09.85 185cm 113kg —

Flyhalf 04.01.94 178cm 84kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

EOIN McKEON

JOHN MULDOON

Back Row 30.11.82 193cm 109kg IRE // 3

Back Row 23.06.91 188cm 110kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

35

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ALY MULDOWNEY

GEORGE NAOUPU

Lock 03.08.83 196cm 122kg —

No. 8 04.09.83 196cm 124kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

SEAN O’BRIEN

TIERNAN O’HALLORAN

Back Row / Lock 09.12.94 193cm 107kg —

Wing / Fullback 26.02.91 188cm 98kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SHANE O’LEARY

DANIE POOLMAN

Centre 10.03.89 188cm 102kg —

Centre 12.03.93 178cm 92kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

DANNY QUALTER

IAN PORTER

Scrumhalf 04.04.88 175cm 86kg —

Lock 23.01.92 198cm 119kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

PETER ROBB

CRAIG RONALDSON

Centre 19.07.94 191cm 104kg —

Flyhalf 08.12.90 188cm 98kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

NATHAN WHITE

QUINN ROUX

Prop 04.09.81 188cm 122kg IRE // 13

Lock 30.10.90 196cm 124kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

37

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Sixteen years on, Pat Lam is still catching the provincial powerhouses of the Irish game by surprise. Now he stands within sight of striking a blow for the underdog mightier than the one that a patched- up Northampton struck at the expense of Mick Galwey’s red-hot favourites in the 2000 Heineken Cup final. Connacht, still lording it over the rest as undisputed leaders of the Guinness PRO12 table with four rounds to go, are on the verge of qualifying for next season’s Champions’ Cup. Under Lam, whose solitary non-Test appearance for New Zealand preceded his career as captain of Samoa, anything is possible. An away win over Ulster in Belfast tonight allied to a home success for Leinster over Munster in Dublin on Saturday afternoon would remove any mathematical doubt about Connacht’s entry among Europe’s 20-strong elite. Doing so, after the heartache of last season when a late Gloucester try brought them down at the penultimate play-off hurdle, will mean achieving the main objective agreed by Lam and his squad last summer. Now that they are almost there, Connacht can adjust their sights to goals of positively stratospheric dimension for a province where mere survival had long been the name of their game. Eoin McKeon, Galway born and Galway bred whose pulverising power in the tackle typified Connacht’s defiance of Leinster in Galway last week, summed it up to perfection: ‘’It’s onwards and upwards from here.’’ Onwards and upwards to finishing the regular season top of the heap and clinching a home play-off. Onwards and upwards all the way to the Guinness PRO12 Final at BT Murrayfield. In a competition fraught with all manner of hazards, the one certainty about Connacht is that they will not be tempting fate by looking any further than the next game. That it happens to be Ulster will ensure the leaders make the journey from west to north east with no shortage of motivation. In 12 home matches this season, Connacht have swept all before them with the notable exception of Ulster on Boxing Day. Nick Williams did the trick with the only try of the match, enough for a 10-3 win just six days before Connacht lost again, 13-0 to Leinster at the RDS Arena. Having avenged that setback last week to the delight of neutrals everywhere as well as the vast majority among a sell-out crowd of 7,300, they now have the chance to settle another score on Friday evening. That Ulster have left themselves no further room for error after three defeats in four matches underlines the sense of occasion. Connacht have already broken just about every record in their book, not least the one for the most successive wins - six and counting. Ulster will pose another severe test of the unyielding spirit illustrated by the towering tackle counts of McKeon and John Muldoon against Leinster last week. The back row pair made 42 between them, thereby ensuring that every Leinster threat to counter Kieran Marmion’s early converted try came to grief against an iron curtain of green. www.pro12rugby.com GIANTKILLER LAM ON A ROLL The Red Army’s first invasion of Twickenham ended not in Munster’s expected coronation as champions of Europe but in the anti-climax of losing to an unfancied English club captained by a one-off All Black.

OPPOSITION

CLUB STATS //Location Galway, Ireland //Founded 1885 //Ground Sportsground //Capacity 7,500 //Last Game

Leinster Rugby (H) 7 - 6 (W) Sat 26th March 2016 at 17:15 //Next Game Munster Rugby (H) Sat 16th April 2016 at 19:15 //Recent Form W W W W W

STAFF // Coach Pat Lam // Captain John Muldoon

CONTACT Galway Sportsground College Road

Galway Ireland Tel

+353 91 561 568 +353 91 560 097

Fax

TICKET OFFICE Tel

+353 91 561 568

www.connachtrugby.ie

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POS TEAM P W D L PF PA DIFF TF TA TB LB PTS 1 Connacht Rugby 18 13 0 5 427 345 82 50 38 7 4 63

AFTER ROUND 18

GUINNESS PRO12 2015/16

2 Leinster Rugby 18 13 0 5 356 205 151 38 17 4 3 59

11 Zebre Rugby 17 4 0 13 220 507 -287 24 68 2 1 19 12 Benetton Treviso 18 2 0 16 253 458 -205 27 55 0 8 16

8 Cardiff Blues 18 8 0 10 438 374 64 51 42 5 7 44 9 Ospreys 18 8 1 9 351 352 -1 34 37 2 3 39 10 Newport Gwent Dragons 18 4 0 14 283 357 -74 24 41 0 9 25

3 Scarlets 18 13 0 5 396 333 63 39 37 1 4 57 4 Munster Rugby 18 11 0 7 374 332 42 44 30 4 4 52

7 Edinburgh Rugby 18 10 0 8 317 288 29 30 25 1 6 47

5 Ulster Rugby 18 10 0 8 347 248 99 43 22 6 5 51 6 Glasgow Warriors 17 10 1 6 353 316 37 37 29 4 5 51

PRO12 TABLE: AS IT STANDS

45

#KINGSPANSTADIUM SELFIE

Kingspan is offering seven lucky Ulster fans, plus a friend, the opportunity to train with the Ulster squad simply by tweeting a #KINGSPANSTADIUM selfie.

COMPETITION TIME

If you are heading to an Ulster Rugby game this season simply take a selfie of you/ your friends enjoying the action and tweet the image to @KingspanStadium with the #KINGSPANSTADIUM before midnight on Sunday (following the match). The winner, with the best selfie will then be announced by Q Radio’s Stephen Clements on his Monday morning show and also via Twitter. The winner from each home match week will then be invited, along with a friend, to attend Kingspan Stadium in April to take part in a training session with members of the Ulster Rugby squad. For full T&Cs please visit www.ulsterrugby.com. Congratulations to Philip Jamison, winner of #KINGSPANSTADIUM selfie competition at the Zebre game. Philip and a friend will be attending a training session with Ulster players later this season.

47