Ulster Rugby v Munster

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £3

VMUNSTER FRIDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2018 KINGSPAN STADIUM, BELFAST KICK OFF 7.35PM

Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, where the Ulster squad welcome Munster in the first of our festive season inter-pro derbies. After a convincing victory against Scarlets last week, Ulster will be looking to carry their momentum through to the New Year. Following back-to-back wins in the Heineken Champions Cup, the Ulster team have come into a strong vain of form which they will no doubt look to continue in the PRO14, consolidating their place in the play-off places of Conference B. Munster will be aiming to make amends after a frustrating defeat last week and with Ulster in confident mood in front of a vocal Kingspan Stadium crowd, it promises to be a fierce encounter this evening. As ever, the Munster squad and travelling supporters are sure to receive a very warm welcome. Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby squad and management team the very best this evening as they continue to give their all in every facet of the game. To Ulster’s committed fans, enjoy the game, lead the way and help ensure that this is a night to remember at Kingspan Stadium.

IN THIS ISSUE...

TODAY'S MASCOTS

2 3 5 8 11

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME GUINNESS PRO14WELCOME INTERVIEW: JOHN COONEY SONI REAL RUGBY HEROES Q&A: DAVID SHANAHAN

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13 16 19

STATISTICAL PREVIEW

ACADEMY SQUAD

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YOUR CLUB, YOUR COUNTRY DRAWWINNERS ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES

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24 28 29

ULSTER TEAM MUNSTER TEAM

MUNSTER SQUAD PROFILES 30 STAFF PROFILE: MICHAEL BLACK 35 CLUB Q&A: DONAGHADEE RFC 39 GUEST ARTICLE: ROD NAWN 40 REFEREE Q&A: LYNSEY DAVISON 43 INTERVIEW: IAN NAGLE 45

URSC UPDATE

47 49

INTERVIEW: JORDI MURPHY SUBWAY HALF TIME TEAMS STADIUM INFORMATION 53 2018/19 COMPETITION STANDINGS 54 FIXTURES 55 SPONSORS AND PARTNERS 56 51

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TODAY’S MASCOTS

BEN McSHANE (8) Ben attends Carrick Primary School. He loves to swim and plays football for Lurgan Tigers. His favourite Ulster player is Jacob Stockdale and when he grows up he would like to be a civil engineer.

MICEAL GILLAN (10) Miceal attends St. Bernard’s Primary School and plays rugby for Civil Service. Miceal’s other interests and hobbies include football, gaelic and hurling. His favourite player is Rory Best and when he is older he would like to play for Ulster.

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME On behalf of Ulster Rugby, I would like to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Guinness PRO14 match against Munster. We are delighted to have the Munster President Ger Malone and his fellow officers with us and to them, the players, staff and supporters, we extend a warm Ulster welcome. We hope that you enjoy your visit to Belfast during this festive season.

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2018/19 OFFICERS Stephen Elliott President Gary Leslie Senior Vice President Philip Gregg Junior Vice President Denis Gardiner Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Jonny Petrie Chief Executive Officer Audrey Robinson Head of Finance & Operations Fiona Hampton Head of Sales & Marketing Bryn Cunningham Operations Director Chris Webster Head of Rugby Development

Last week we had a tremendous atmosphere in the stadium and I thank all the supporters for turning out in the poor weather. Those of you who heard the post match interview with last week’s man of the match Billy Burns will know how much the vocal support from the stands and terraces means to the players and I know we can rely on more of the same this evening. With the team developing all the time, be sure to avail of the various Christmas ticket offers for the rest of the season. This is always a difficult time of the year for club players with family commitments in addition to their rugby and I wish them all well over the next couple of weeks. In particular we look forward to the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup Final here at Kingspan Stadium on Wednesday 2nd January between Dromore and Ballynahinch 2nd XV, in what should be a keenly contested local derby. Thank you all for your attendance this evening and to all sponsors, supporters and everyone associated with Ulster Rugby, I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stephen Elliott President, IRFU Ulster Branch

Since our last PRO14 match we have had two excellent bonus point wins over Scarlets in our back-to-back Heineken Champions Cup group matches. We remain very much in contention for qualification for the knock out stages and look forward to the games against Racing 92 and Leicester in January. We have taken great encouragement from our recent performances with the team showing what they are capable of. This is just reward for all the hard work which has been put in by the entire playing squad and coaching staff this season. Tonight we resume our PRO14 campaign with the first of three inter-provincial matches over the Christmas and New Year period. All of those matches represent difficult challenges with the other provinces having had the upper hand over us in recent times. We can start to put that right with victory over our visitors from Munster tonight. The depth of the squad will be tested but that also applies to our opponents. Hopefully we can avoid any more serious injuries, and it would be wonderful to go into the New Year maintaining our current league position.

Kingspan Stadium, 134 Mount Merrion Avenue Belfast, BT6 0FT T +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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The warmest of wishes to everyone making the Guinness PRO14 part of their festive activities with Christmas and New Year’s upon us. It is natural at this time of the year to take stock be grateful for what we have and make plans for bigger and brighter goals in the coming year. Rugby is, and hopefully always will be, an integral part of the festive season at all levels of the game. Whether you’re at your local community club or at a Guinness PRO14 game, right now is a great chance to catch up with friends and family. With so many people coming home around Christmas and New Year’s it is the perfect opportunity for a full slate of derby games which produce such vibrant atmospheres across the Championship. Rounds 11 and 12 will see the local rivalries ignite across Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales while our South African sides take their break to avoid playing in the high temperatures of the South African summer. And while those of us in the stands or watching from the comfort of our living rooms enjoy all the trimmings that come with the festive season, spare a thought for the players you’re roaring on. It’s been a high-pressure period for so many of them having navigated the international window in November, the back-to-back weekends in Europe and now a steady run of full-blooded derbies in the Guinness PRO14. The derbies add so much to the Championship and create so many storylines year after year. Last season Jordan Larmour made a name for himself at Thomond Park, Edinburgh took on an unbeaten GlasgowWarriors team and scored a stunning victory and back in 2015 we saw two Welsh derbies in one weekend both settled by a single point. The Italian derbies are also becoming more hard-fought each season, but I’m particularly looking forward to catching the action from their second clash ahead of New Year’s when Benetton welcome Zebre to the newly renovated Stadio Monigo – a game that should draw a bumper crowd to test out the new facilities. As we look back at another year of great progress for the Championship, we’re aiming to step it up again in 2019 as we aim to build an elite tournament for the teams that mean so much to all of you. I hope that you truly enjoy the games across this festive season and if you’re not one of our regulars I trust your experience at any of our clubs will be enough to tempt you back more often. Naturally, the excitement and warm-weather atmosphere of the Guinness PRO14 Final might seem a long way away, but every team in the tournament is dreaming of winning the trophy at Celtic Park on May 25. However, without even making a tackle you can guarantee your place by going direct to bit.ly/ glasgow2019 to get your tickets. The Guinness PRO14 Final has become a great event for supporters of all our clubs and if you fancy treating yourself, or perhaps picking up a belated present for that passionate rugby fan in your life, then a trip to Celtic Park on May 25 should do the trick! Warmest wishes to you, your families and your friends, Martin Anayi Chief Executive Officer

1 year of not going out 242 hours on property sites 13 paint tester pots We know it’s more than a mortgage.

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bankofirelanduk.com /mortgages

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE All mortgages are subject to status and valuation. The mortgage must be secured by a first charge on the property. Suitable buildings insurance is required. All applicants must be 18 years or over. Bank of Ireland UK is a trading name of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc. Registered in England and Wales (No. 7022885), Bow Bells House, 1 Bread Street, London EC4M 9BE. 12398180514b.

Having been named Player of the Year, Supporters' Club Player of the Year and Writers' Player of the Year for last season, the performances that John Cooney provided in his first season with the Province were above and beyond.

JOHN COON

This season he's continued that form, his importance to the side seeing him play 80 minutes in both games as he helped Ulster to important wins over the Scarlets in the past two weeks. And yet the 28-year-old still thinks there's more improving to do. "I was pretty frustrated with my performance in the first Scarlets game, I missed a few tackles and that's something I pride myself on, so last week I was trying to make a few more to make up for it!" laughs Cooney. "I think there's a lot more in me to be honest, I don't like playing badly so I was in a bad mood last week, but it was a lot better after another bonus point win last weekend. But I'm going to keep pushing to be better. "Yeah, I'm quite harsh on myself because I'm going to touch the ball 100, 120 times in a game, so I am going to make mistakes, but I've gotten better at pushing those away. "I can be harsh on myself, but there's two extremes and I'd rather be at this end where I'm not content with playing badly rather than being content with playing average." With Munster in town tonight for the first of three interprovincial games over the next three weeks, it's a chance for the Province to keep their momentum going from the last three weeks and consolidate their place in the play-off spots of the Guinness PRO14. However, there's also another item on the agenda tonight after that 64-7 defeat at Thomond Park back in Limerick: revenge. "(That defeat) has been mentioned. Dan's pretty annoyed by it, it cut him deep. It cut us all deep," admits Cooney.

"He brought it up this morning saying how important it was we bounce back and draw a line in the sand after that result, and credit to us, we bounced back from it. “It was probably one of the worst results Ulster have ever had and it hurt everyone, so it's good that we bounced back from that and now it's good we get the chance to put one over on them at home. “They're going to come here and try and get a scalp, and it's important that we start well and stick to our game because we've seen how well that's worked over the last couple of weeks." But the former Connacht and Leinster playmaker has issued a warning to his team-mates ahead of what will be a busy period and season-defining stretch for Ulster over the next few weeks. With the Province sitting nicely in Europe and currently occupying a playoff spot in the PRO14, things are looking good, but last year the side fell away during a tough stretch around the New Year, as Cooney recalls well. “Last year in Connacht we got hammered and that was as frustrating for me as that Munster away one, I was livid for that one and I was supposed to stay up afterwards but I got the bus home because I was so angry!” he reflects. “And then Leinster as well, I was raging after that one as well because we got hammered away. Those two games are mixed in with this Munster one, who we lost to away obviously. We can’t be relaxed because they're all important. “We've seen in the league over the last couple of years how it's come down to a couple of points, so these games are probably the biggest ones in our heads and then we'll switch back to Europe when we get there.”

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

ANNUAL SEARCH FOR REAL RUGBY HEROES RETURNS

SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) and Ulster Rugby’s annual competition which rewards volunteers across community rugby, has returned for its fourth year. The Real Rugby Heroes Award (formerly the Community Champions Award) seeks out volunteers who make an invaluable contribution to the game at a grassroots level across the Province.

Chris Webster, Head of Rugby Development at Ulster Rugby said: "This competition has grown in popularity since its inception four years ago and we are thrilled to have SONI’s continued support for the game at a grassroots level. "In every club there are the fundraisers and problem solvers, the caretakers and motivators. The people who keep the kits washed, the balls pumped, the showers running and the grass cut. We believe volunteers are the very essence of local rugby clubs and it’s important that their contribution is recognised not only by the club, but the players and parents alike. This award is a fantastic opportunity to do that. “We’d like to remind everyone that previous entrants can be nominated again – so get entering!” The deadline for entries is Monday 4h February 2019, anyone can nominate by filling out the online application form at www.ulsterrugby.com/realrugbyheroes.

The award scheme was initiated by SONI in 2015 as part of its sponsorship of the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership and has grown in popularity each year with more clubs across Ulster putting forward their best volunteers for recognition. Nick Fullerton of SONI said: "Grassroots rugby plays an important part in many communities across Ulster. These clubs provide young people with the opportunity to enjoy the physical, social and mental health benefits of rugby and provide the first steps on the pathway to getting involved in the game. Local rugby clubs are about more than just teams, they enrich family and community life and provide a focal point for communities to develop, participate in and enjoy the game. “Every season we meet dozens of inspirational volunteers who play a significant role in ensuring the smooth running of their club. We continue to be humbled by the work they do and the young people they support through their volunteering.” There will once again be two categories to enter: » » Adult – aimed at volunteers who work in adult rugby including men and women’s rugby and adult disability rugby

» » Youth and mini rugby – aimed at volunteers who work within youth and mini rugby including youth disability teams

Each category winner will receive £1,000 bursary for their local club and two runners up will be awarded £500.

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Q&A D A V I D S H A N A H A N

BROWN SAUCE / RED SAUCE SUN / SNOW SING / DANCE NIGHT OWL / EARLY BIRD COFFEE / TEA FORWARDS / BACKS FACEBOOK / TWITTER SNAP CHAT / INSTAGRAM HORROR MOVIE / COMEDY DINE IN / DELIVERY QUICKFIRE Favourite rugby memory? Being part of the Ulster team that beat Munster in Thomond Park in 2014 Favourite place to eat in Belfast? Boojum TV programme you can’t miss? It’s always sunny in Philadelphia First music album you ever bought? Five - Invincible The last movie you watched? 300 Who is your sporting hero and why? Peter Stringer - He has shown that you can be small and still play at the highest level Favourite thing about playing for Ulster? The friendships you make If you could swap places with a celebrity for a day who would it be and why? Lebron James - I’d like to see what it’s like to slam dunk If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why? Brian Cranston (Walter White from Breaking Bad) - he seems like a funny and interesting guy Favourite post- match meal? Dominos pepperoni stuffed garlic crust pizza Goal for this season? Keep improving as a player and play some great rugby as a team The key to success is… Positivity

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ULSTER V MUNSTER STATISTICAL PREVIEW

Ulster welcome Munster to Belfast on the back of two vitally important bonus-point wins over Guinness PRO14 rivals the Scarlets in Europe. With just one defeat in their last six, Dan McFarland’s side are starting to hit some form, but when it comes to Irish derbies, recent history is against them. Ulster have won just one of their last seven derbies, although it was the last time they hosted Munster, almost a year ago. Munster, meanwhile, will be looking to find some away form, having struggled on the road this season. Last weekend’s loss to Castres leaves them with just two away wins all season, and that has also been an issue in derbies, with a victory over Connacht in Galway in 2016 the last time they got the better of an Irish team on their own soil. WHAT’S AT STAKE?

CURRENT STANDINGS

LAST TIME

3 2

7 64

29.09.18 THOMOND PARK

HEAD TO HEAD

ULSTER RUGBY PRO14 FORM GUIDE

MUNSTER PRO14 FORM GUIDE

34 14 18 2

34 18 14 2

PLAYED

WIN

DRAW LOST

WIN

DRAW LOST

WINS

LOSSES

LAST 3 MATCHES

LAST 3 MATCHES

DRAWS

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

ULSTER

MUNSTER SCORERS

DATE VENUE

U M SCORERS

Billy Burns C Darren Cave T

Dan Goggin 2T Sammy Arnold T Peter O'Mahony T Joey Carbery T/5C/P Keith Earls T Ian Keatley 3C Tommy O'Donnell 2T Alex Wootton T Brian Scott T Robin Copeland T JJ Hanrahan 3C/P Duncan Williams T

29.09.18 Thomond Park

7 64

Stuart McCloskey T Rory Best 2T Johnny McPhillips 3C/P

28.04.18 Thomond Park

24 24

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» » Ulster Rugby’s only defeat in their last six matches in all tournaments was 12-29 at Scarlets in the Guinness PRO14 on 23 November. » » The Ulstermen have lost only once in Belfast since February: 15-22 to Connacht in round 6 of the PRO14. » » Ulster have won just one of their last seven fixtures against fellow Irish provinces: 24-17 over Munster at Kingspan Stadium on New Year’s Day 2018. » » Munster Rugby have won their last four Guinness PRO14 encounters since their 22-30 reversal to Leinster at Aviva Stadium in round 6. » » Munster have won just twice on the road in any tournament this season, both in the PRO14, at Cheetahs in round 8 and at Zebre in round 9. » » The Munstermen have not beaten a fellow Irish province on their own soil since a victory against Connacht in Galway in December 2016. » » Munster have lost just one of their last ten fixtures against Ulster – on 1st January 2018, a sequence which also includes two draws DID YOU KNOW?

CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS

TRY SCORER

TACKLES

1

1

RABS MAXWANE (CHEETAHS)

7

OLLY CRACKNELL (OSPREYS)

119

DAVID SHANAHAN

4

ALAN O’CONNOR

108

KEITH EARLS

4

ARNO BOTHA

86

POINTS SCORER

DEFENDERS BEATEN

1

1

SAM DAVIES (OSPREYS)

80

DUHANVANDERMERWE (EDINBURGH) 26

JOHN COONEY

60

MARCELL COETZEE

22

JOEY CARBERY

45

ARNO BOTHA

20

METRES GAINED

OFFLOADS

1

1

JORDAN WILLIAMS (DRAGONS) 700

THOMAS FARRELL (CONNACHT)

16

HENRY SPEIGHT

475

STUART McCLOSKEY

12

ARNO BOTHA

403

ANDREW CONWAY

7

CARRIES

CLEAN BREAKS

1

1

LUKE HAMILTON (EDINBURGH)

134

SIBHALE MAXWANE (CHEETAHS) 15

MARCELL COETZEE

122

DARREN CAVE

9

ARNO BOTHA

85

ANDREW CONWAY

11

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Year 2 Back Three 19.08.97 193cm 89kg Ballymena

STEWART MOORE MARCUS REA JAMES HUME AZUR ALLISON Year 1 Centre 08.08.99 183cm 91kg Malone Year 3 Back Row 08.09.97 189cm 105cm Ballymena Year 2 Centre 07.09.98 184cm 95kg Banbridge Year 1 Back Row 19.04.99 192cm 99kg Ballymena

Year 3 Hooker 10.02.95

AARON HALL MATTHEW DALTON JACK REGAN Year 3 Back Row 26.06.98 193cm 98kg Ballynahinch Year 2 Flanker 16.11.98 197cm 112kg Malone Year 2 2nd Row 09.05.97

Year 2 Scrum Half 12.09.99 174cm 85kg Malone GRAHAM CURTIS ERIC O’SULLIVAN IWAN HUGHES Year 2 Prop 30.11.95 186cm 115kg Banbridge Year 1 Back Three 06.04.99 173cm 77kg Ballynahinch

DAVID McCANN ZACK McCALL JOE DUNLEAVY MATTHEW AGNEW Year 1 Back Row 13.06.00 190cm 94kg Banbridge 180cm 100kg Ballynahinch Year 2 Flanker         22.12.98 190cm 101kg Malone Year 1 Back Row 20.11.98 180cm 95kg Malone

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE MICHAEL LOWRY BRUCE HOUSTON Year 2 Fly Half 20.08.98 170cm 81kg Banbridge Year 1 Fly Half 16.08.99 192cm 92kg Ballymena

197cm 112kg Ballynahinch

ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY SQUAD 2018/19

Year 1 Wing 02.03.99 181cm 94kg Queen's

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

ANGUS KERNOHAN

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‘YOUR CLUB, YOUR COUNTRY’ DRAW WINNERS

The 2018 ‘Your Club, Your Country’ competition winners were announced on Monday afternoon following the official draw at Kingspan Stadium, conducted by Stephen Elliott, IRFU Ulster Branch President.

This year the fundraising initiative raised £104,045 for the 37 participating clubs across the Province, up from £89,295 in 2017. The initiative supplied all clubs with an initial allocation of 1,600 tickets to be sold at £5 per ticket, with the club retaining 100% of the ticket sale revenue. The IRFU / Ulster Rugby

and partners supply the prizes for the ‘Your Club, Your Country’ Grand Draw, ensuring clubs reap the maximum benefit from the fundraising scheme. Omagh Accies RFC sold the greatest number of tickets once again this year, 2,063 in total, therefore benefiting to the tune of £10,315.

2018 ‘YOUR CLUB, YOUR COUNTRY’ DRAWWINNERS:

£2,500 HOLIDAY VOUCHER Compliments of IRFU WINNER: Ken Wheeler, Sold by Belfast Harlequins RFC ITALY V IRELAND 2019 6 NATIONS VIP trip to Rome with the IRFU Patrons Club Return flights, hotel accommodation, match tickets and spending allowance for two persons Compliments of Canterbury WINNER: Seamus Woods, Sold by Omagh Accademicals RFC SCOTLAND V IRELAND 2019 6 NATIONS VIP trip to Murrayfield, Edinburgh Return flights, hotel accommodation, match tickets and spending allowance for two persons Compliments of Volkswagen WINNER: Kathleen Mullin, Sold by City of Derry RFC IRELAND V ENGLAND 2019 6 NATIONS TICKETS Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Two match tickets Compliments of IRFU WINNER: Chris Jamison, Sold by Malone RFC IRELAND V FRANCE 2019 6 NATIONS TICKETS Aviva Stadium, Dublin Two match tickets Compliments of IRFU WINNER: Gerry O’Connor, Sold by Belfast harlequins RFC

IRELAND V FRANCE 2019 6 NATIONS TICKETS Aviva Stadium, Dublin Two match tickets Compliments of IRFU WINNER: Greg Marshall, Sold by Larne RFC ARGENTO JEWELLERY VOUCHER Voucher to the value of £250 Compliments of Argento Jewellery WINNER: Colin Rea, Sold by Dungannon RFC CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Ulster v Southern Kings tickets for 4 people Compliments of Ulster Rugby WINNER: Kyle Magee, Sold by Strabane RFC CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Ulster v Southern Kings tickets for 4 people Compliments of Ulster Rugby WINNER: Paul Tracey, Sold by Ballynahinch RFC CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Ulster v Southern Kings tickets for 2 people

Compliments of Ulster Rugby WINNER: Stevie Wilson, Sold by Civil Service RFC

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WILL ADDISON Utility Back 20.08.1992 186cm 94kg

Hooker 26.05.1993

Hooker 15.08.1982 180cm 106kg 215 Ireland 113

BILLY BURNS Outhalf

RORY BEST

13.06.1994 185cm 85kg 13 —

JOHN ANDREW

181cm 104kg 48 —

7 3

DARREN CAVE Centre

Utility Back 03.02.1994 183cm 90kg 4 —

JOHN COONEY Scrumhalf 01.05.1990 178cm 87kg 34 Ireland 4

Back Row 08.05.1991 192cm 114kg 18 S Africa 28

05.04.1987 183cm 96kg 217 Ireland 11

DAVID BUSBY

MARCELL COETZEE

ULSTER SQUAD 2018/19

ANGUS CURTIS Centre 26.03.1998 178cm 90kg 7 —

IAIN HENDERSON Second Row 21.02.1992

Prop 05.07.1988 180cm 117kg 76 —

CRAIG GILROY Wing

11.03.1991 183cm 91kg 168 Ireland 10

199cm 117kg 99 Ireland 42

WIEHAHN HERBST

ROB HERRING Hooker

ROSS KANE Prop

Back Row 13.01.1996

Utility Back 08.10.1986 182cm 90kg 82 —

LOUIS LUDIK

GREG JONES

27.04.1990 185cm 102kg 152 Ireland 7

14.10.1994 179cm 116kg 30 —

196cm 106kg 7 —

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ROB LYTTLE Wing

Centre 03.03.1991 181cm 97kg 119 Ireland 11

Hooker 05.09.1996

KYLE McCALL Prop

28.01.1997 174cm 83kg 14 —

02.01.1992 176cm 108kg 50 —

182cm 102kg 10 —

LUKE MARSHALL

ADAM McBURNEY

ULSTER SQUAD 2018/19

Outhalf 13.03.1997 179cm 85kg 19 —

Prop 01.03.1991 178cm 119kg 8 Ireland 10

Centre 06.08.1992

Second Row 19.06.1995

MARTY MOORE

194cm 108kg 94 Ireland 3

191cm 103kg

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

STUART McCLOSKEY

— —

CALEB MONTGOMERY

Back Row 22.04.1991 188cm 105kg 7 Ireland 26

IAN NAGLE Lock

Full Back 05.10.1992 180cm 87kg 53 —

ALAN O’CONNOR Second Row 10.09.1992

17.10.1988 201cm 114kg 2 —

JORDI MURPHY

PETER NELSON

197cm 114kg 75 —

Back Row 21.09.1993 193cm 114kg 23 —

TOM O'TOOLE Wing

JACK OWENS Wing

Prop 05.10.1993 183cm 118kg

MATTY REA

23.09.1998 185cm 113kg 15 —

04.10.1995 188cm 94kg 1 —

TOMMY O’HAGAN

— —

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Back Row 10.05.1989

Back Row 14.06.1989

Scrumhalf 20.06.1993 174cm 90kg 30 —

Wing 24.03.1988 186cm 97kg 10 Australia 19

CLIVE ROSS

SEAN REIDY

182cm 103kg 93 Ireland 2

192cm 110kg 63 —

HENRY SPEIGHT

DAVE SHANAHAN

ULSTER SQUAD 2018/19

Scrumhalf 20.02.1998 174cm 77kg 8 —

Utility Back 03.04.1996 191cm 103kg 49 Ireland 14

ALEX THOMPSON Second Row 21.11.1995 201cm 115kg

NICK TIMONEY Back Row 01.08.1995 190cm 113kg 36 —

JONNY STEWART

JACOB STOCKDALE

— —

Keep up to date with the latest player profiles, career stats and squad news at ulsterrugby.com

Second Row 06.11.1995

Prop 12.03.1991

198cm 118kg 58 Ireland 3

179cm 112kg 107 —

ANDREW WARWICK

KIERAN TREADWELL

UlsterRugby

GET SOCIAL. FOLLOW US.

OfficialUlsterRugby

#SUFTUM

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15

1

LOUIS LUDIK

ERIC O’SULLIVAN

14

2

HENRY SPEIGHT

ROB HERRING (C)

13

3

MARTY MOORE

WILL ADDISON

12

4

IAN NAGLE

STUART McCLOSKEY

ULSTER RUBGY

11

5

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE

KIERAN TREADWELL

6

10

SEAN REIDY

BILLY BURNS

7

9

JORDI MURPHY

JOHN COONEY

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 R BEST K McCALL R KANE C ROSS

20 21 22 23

N TIMONEY D SHANAHAN J McPHILLIPS J HUME

8

MARCELL COETZEE

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

REFEREE SEAN GALLAGHER IRFU ASSISTANT REFEREES NIGEL CORRELL IRFU | LEO COLGAN IRFU TMO BRIAN MACNEICE IRFU CITING COMMISSIONER EDDIE WALSH IRFU

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1

15

MIKE HALEY

JEREMY LOUGHMAN

14

2

DARREN SWEETNAM

KEVIN O’BYRNE

MUNSTER

3

13

SAMMY ARNOLD

STEPHEN ARCHER

4

12

JEAN KLEYN

JACO TAUTE (C)

11

5

ALEX WOOTTON

DARREN O’SHEA

6

10

FINEEN WYCHERLEY

JJ HANRAHAN

7

9

CONOR OLIVER

ALBY MATHEWSON

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 M SHERRY D KILCOYNE C PARKER G COOMBES

20 21 22 23

T O’DONNELL N CRONIN B JOHNSTON S DALY

8

ARNO BOTHA

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Prop 29.01.88

Centre 08.04.96 180cm 93kg

Lock 08.01.92 198cm 113.18kg

Fly Half 31.05.90 185cm 95kg

TADHG BEIRNE

188cm 120kg

SAMMY ARNOLD

STEPHEN ARCHER

TYLER BLEYENDAAL

Back Row 26.10.91 188cm 108.18kg

Fly Half 01.11.95 183cm 85.91kg

Flanker 15.02.91 176cm 98kg

Full Back 11.07.91 180cm 89kg

ARNO BOTHA

CHRIS CLOETE

JOEY CARBERY

ANDREW CONWAY

Prop 23.11.90 180cm 113kg

Universal Back 02.10.87 178cm 90kg

Centre 16.03.93

Scrumhalf 08.12.92 173cm 83.18kg

NEIL CRONIN MUNSTER SQUAD 2018/19

KEITH EARLS

JAMES CRONIN

CHRIS FARRELL

193cm 110kg

Full Back 13.11.95 185cm 92kg

DAN GOGGIN Centre 10.12.94

Full Back 28.06.94 191cm 93.18kg

JJ HANRAHAN Fly Half 27.07.92 183cm 93 kg

MIKE HALEY

185cm 100kg

STEPHEN FITZGERALD

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Scrumhalf 28.07.91 178cm 83kg

Lock 03.08.85

Fly Half 07.02.97 178cm 86kg

IAN KEATLEY Fly Half 01.04.87 180cm 93kg

JAMES HART

BILLY HOLLAND

BILL JOHNSTON

191cm 111kg

MUNSTER SQUAD 2018/19

Prop 14.12.88 183cm 112kg

JEAN KLEYN Lock

Prop 22.07.95

Scrumhalf 13.12.85 173cm 93.18kg

26.08.93 203cm 125kg

DAVE KILCOYNE

185cm 120kg

ALBY MATHEWSON

JEREMY LOUGHMAN

Hooker 12.10.92 184cm 108kg

CONOR MURRAY Scrumhalf 20.04.89 188cm 94kg

CALVIN NASH Wing 08.08.97 178cm 90kg

Hooker 16.04.91 180cm 107kg

KEVIN O’BYRNE

RHYS MARSHALL

Back Row 12.01.90

Back Row 13.07.95

Back Row 21.05.87 185cm 107kg

Back Row 08.02.94

193cm 110kg

178cm 110kg

191cm 107kg

LIAM O’CONNOR

JACK O’DONOGHUE

TOMMY O’DONNELL

DAVE O’CALLAGHAN

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Back Row 17.09.89

Wing 28.05.89 180cm 90kg

Lock 12.12.92 206cm 122kg

Flanker 21.09.95 183cm 101kg

CONOR OLIVER

191cm 106kg

DARREN O’SHEA

PETER O’MAHONY

RONAN O’MAHONY

Prop 05.10.95

JOHN RYAN Prop

Hooker 08.04.92

Centre 22.12.93 180cm 98kg

02.08.88 183cm 117kg

188cm 110 kg

185cm 109kg

CIARAN PARKER

RORY SCANNELL

NIALL SCANNELL

BRIAN SCOTT Prop 09.03.93 MUNSTER SQUAD 2018/19

Wing 07.07.94 188cm 99kg

MIKE SHERRY Hooker 18.06.88 183cm 105kg

Back Row 05.04.90 185cm 114kg

CJ STANDER

196cm 125kg

ALEX WOOTTON

Wing 05.05.93 185cm 95kg

JACO TAUTE Centre

Scrumhalf 17.04.86 175cm 80kg

Lock 11.12.97 193cm 111.82kg

21.03.91 188cm 110kg

DUNCAN WILLIAMS

FINEEN WYCHERLEY

DARREN SWEETNAM

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STAFF PROFILE

NAME: MICHAEL BLACK ROLE: PROVINCIAL TALENT COACH

Describe your role within Ulster Rugby? I manage the club and school player pathway from U16s through to the Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy. Within this pathway, I assist in the development of the very best talent who are nominated to the National Talent Squad (NTS). I'm also currently the Ulster ‘A’ and Ireland U18 Team Manager. Describe your career / employment history? I’ve just completed 20 years with Ulster Rugby in various roles. Straight out of University I started as a Youth Development Officer based in the North West and progressed to roles as a Regional Development Officer and then Coach Development Officer. I also refereed for 10 years, being contracted by the IRFU for 8 seasons. Favourite thing about your job? Being involved in rugby every day! What do you enjoy most about working for Ulster Rugby? Seeing young players develop and playing at the next level. Also, watching them fulfil their rugby potential and developing as people.

What is your biggest achievement to date? I would say it was seeing the development of players from outside of the traditional rugby ‘hotbeds’ in Ulster be recognised at the highest level, such as Adam McBurney, Aaron Hall and Joe Dunleavy. What is the most challenging aspect of your role? Dealing with multiple people and various stakeholders across numerous programmes on a daily basis. What are your plans/goals for the upcoming season? To ensure that as many of the NTS players as possible put themselves in a position to be selected for Ireland U18/U19 squad. Also, that those NTS players who are leaving school are well prepared so that they are challenging for an Academy contract to continue their development along the player pathway. Who is your favourite Ulster player? Unfortunately, Willie Anderson has retired!

To get in touch with Michael, email michael.black@ulsterrugby.com

UlsterRugby

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CONTACT US FOR A QUOTATION THE BEST CLUBS WEAR MACRON WHY DON’T YOU?

www.macron.com

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Q&A CLUB Who is your President? Connor McKee 1st XV Captain? Matthew Stockton Number of members? 200 3 players to watch? John Blewitt Head Coach?

D O N A G H A D E E R F C

Who is your Club mascot? Jack Chesney How many teams do you field?

2x Senior men, part of North Down Ladies, 3x Boys youth, 2 Girls Youth, Dee Sharkies Disability Team and a Mini Section. Most successful achievement? 2x Junior Cup Wins Proudest moment? 2 years in All Ireland Junior Cup Tell us something unique that not everyone knows about the club? A player injured in a game in late seventies who required hospitalisation (a number of days), arrived home still wearing match jersey. When asked why he didn’t have it cut off, he answered “You cudnae cut that aff, it’s a DEE jersey!”

Paul Johnston, Chris Knox, Chris Hamilton Who is your longest serving member? Porter Brothers Who is the ‘Club Clown’? Brian Pyper Hardest trainer? Jack Chesney Club’s unsung hero and why? Mark Nicholl - still playing in his 40s and looks after our ailing clubhouse. What is your Club song? The Gambler What is your Club logo and what does it represent? A moat - prominent feature of the town. Dates back to 1818.

Email address: donaghadeerugby@gmail.com Website: www.donaghadee-rugby.co.uk

DonaghadeeRugby @DonaghadeeRugby

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R O D N A W N

The last weekend before Christmas, wine and thoughts to be mulled in the bracing chill of a Belfast evening filled with expectation and good cheer.

ULSTER WANTS A SEASONAL PRESENCE

be consistent, astute, confident and hugely competitive. Tonight’s Inter-Pro brings a longstanding rivalry to life as the festive sporting programme begins in earnest. The players’ familiarity with each other as they developed through Irish rugby means each one will want to have his ‘A’ game on show this evening if title and Cup pursuits are to be sustained – and for many a place in Ireland’s plans for the potentially historic 2019 can be advanced. McFarland and van Graan are two young, intelligent coaches with a demanding, commanding style of management that has quickly won respect in Belfast and Limerick respectively. The former knows Irish rugby intimately from his time playing for Connacht, while the South African who succeeded Rassie Erasmus in Munster has proved his relative inexperience is more than compensated for by an acute tactical brain and a muscular management approach. In the PRO14, Munster is headed only by Glasgow Warriors in Conference A, while Ulster’s less convincing journey has still been navigated well enough to go into a vital phase of the season in third spot in Conference B; only Leinster and Scarlets more firmly in potential play-off spots.

And then up pulls a Munster squad forged in the white-hot fire of Europe and domestic competitions for a decade and much more. Sure, where could you find much more generous visitors on the cusp of the long holiday into 2019? Particularly when Ulster is riding high after two emphatic performances in Europe to follow up a crucial Guinness PRO14 win over the Blues in Cardiff last month. Well, it’s true that Ulster collected a maximum haul from its back-to-back Champions Cup contests with a starry Scarlets, while Top 14 winners Castres got a measure of revenge from a thumping in Thomond Park a fortnight ago with a narrow defeat of Johann van Graan’s side in the return. For a team with a firm focus on European success, the narrow loss was disappointing, but it still tops a ‘Group of Death’ which means all four clubs – the others Exeter and Gloucester enter the New Year with European hopes still very much alive. Dan McFarland must have felt a warm satisfaction at recent results, but Ulster’s Head Coach has a very definite focus on the longer-term indicators, so the performances at Parc Y Scarlets and at Kingspan Stadium last weekend will have helped further convince him that the current squad, when at full strength, can

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Ulster’s depth in playing resources is growing but is trumped, currently, by the visitors tonight. However, at a stage of the year when selections in this troika of Inter-Pros – Connacht and Leinster are imminent opponents - are particularly important, given the welfare management programme for internationals. Both coaches would bristle at any suggestion that some players will be particularly key for some matches, but it is a truism that some games are perceived, and approached, as more important than others. It’s unlikely that either the home side or the men from Munster regard this fixture as anything other than a ‘must win’, so McFarland will probably aim to have Rory Best, Jordi Murphy, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey and John Cooney on duty this evening. Twelve months ago Ulster’s form was non- existent, the mood on and off the pitch uncertain, but somehow a typically combative Darren Cave inspired an unlikely but briefly uplifting home win. It didn’t prove anything more than brief relief from the unsettled mood which had descended firmly above Kingspan Stadium. The omens for the hosts tonight are far more favourable: Stockdale is apparently unstoppable, Addison, McCloskey, Henry Speight and Louis Ludik know the defensive arts and how to swiftly transition to blistering attack, and Cooney is a master of the scrum-half craft – what a treat a contest with Murray might provide! Billy Burns proved a perfect ‘10’ last week, his boot a creative appendage to splendid game management. Up front, Best’s feats are approaching the mythic, while Marcell Coetzee, Murphy and Sean Reidy are just three of a pack which has rediscovered the art of the maul and become a ferocious unit in the set piece. These are two well-organised sides, each with its sprinkling of stardust. Fabled visiting fans who’ve travelled far will add to the holiday atmosphere. But all Ulster supporters want for Christmas is, well, more!

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Q&A REFEREE Why did you decide to take up the whistle? As a fresher at University in 2010 I became involved with the ladies rugby team for three years and enjoyed the fitness, matches and socialising! After graduating I came home to teach and shortly after that my brother became a referee and said “Lynsey why don’t you give refereeing a go, you know the Laws and you’re very bossy, I think you’d enjoy it!” What was the process like to become a referee? The process is one which is very well set up with a great team of enthusiastic people ready to help you develop as a referee. Your path as a referee is one which is moulded by your dedication and hard work, so the more time you can dedicate to the USRFR, the further through the process you can go. There is always someone you can phone after a game to ask questions or get advice. What is your training regime like? If I’m honest, my training comes in fits and starts, I’ll take notions to run every night for a fortnight or do some strength and conditioning at the gym, but equally so, a week could go by when my only fitness is my match on a Saturday. At the moment I am working on improving my pace for short bursts of speed at any point of a match. What is your favourite thing about refereeing? I love being able to be involved in the game without getting tackled! Having refereed a lot of U16 matches lately, I’ve really enjoyed being able to referee and coach on the pitch at the same time. What is the most memorable game you have refereed so far? Lisburn 3 v PSNI 3 - I felt I performed well as a referee (thankfully my assessor agreed!) and both teams were wanting to play good rugby.

L Y N S E Y D A V I S O N

What is your pre-match routine like? My routine starts from getting my bag packed. Being a teacher, I am quite organised and like to have things planned in my head. I aim to arrive at the club an hour before kick-off, check boots, do the toss and chat with the captains in good time so I can get my own stretches and warm up done before a punctual start. What is your ambition as a referee? Women’s World Cup?! I take each game as an individual one and if I develop and progress well then I’m happy. Who is your favourite referee and why? I really like Nigel Owens. I think his fun energy on the pitch and his humour makes the matches he referees fun to watch. What could make you improve as a referee? I think every referee would answer ‘refereeing the breakdown’ to this one but also to referee more matches to get more experience and assessments. What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up refereeing? Go for it! It’s a great way to stay involved in the sport with great opportunities.

To find out more about refereeing in Ulster, visit www.ulsterrugby.com/referees or email Richard Kerr, Provincial Referee Development Manager, on richard.kerr@irfu.ie

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NAGLE EMBRACING PROVINCIAL TRANSITION It’s never easy making the transition from one team to another midway through a season, but so far Ian Nagle has embraced it wholeheartedly.

"At the end of the day, all you want to do is be competing for trophies and there seems to be a great buzz around the club, and everyone is on the same page about wanting to win trophies." And how about a stay beyond the end of the season? "I definitely wouldn't rule it out," he smiles. "I have a fiancee living in London, so I'd need to weigh that into the equation but I could maybe twist her arm and see! "So far I'm loving my time here, so I wouldn't rule anything out. I'd never say never to anything and right now I'm very happy."

The Munster native has joined until the end of the season from Leinster after the retirements of Peter Browne, Jean Deysel and Chris Henry and came off the bench against both the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues since making the switch. Nagle, a former Ireland Under-20s cap, will provide plenty of experience in the young Ulster squad having played for the two other provinces, as well as spending time with Newcastle Falcons and London Irish in England. And the 30-year-old says he's already settled in nicely at the surrounds of Kingspan Stadium thanks to some familiar faces within the squad. "An opportunity came up here, with a bit more game time available, so it was a good fit to get game time at a great club," says the Cork-born second row. "It was an opportunity I was excited by and an opportunity to work with Dan (McFarland), so it was an easy decision really. "So far so good, it's been an easy enough transition. I know Dan quite well from before as coach of the Ireland Under-20s and I know some of the boys from having played against them or having toured with them in the past, so in that respect it's been quite easy. "In terms of structure and facilities it's as good as it gets." Nagle's gotten stuck in so far too, providing some impetus off the bench in Llanelli against the Scarlets and then playing a key role in the win over Cardiff having been called into action late in the first half. Particularly against the Blues he was impressive, coming on for the injured Alan O'Connor and adding some physicality both in the loose and tight, as well as sticking up for his team-mates when the game got a bit heated. "When you join a new squad you want to prove you have a right to be here, from that you have a bit more energy to fit in and buy into the culture and impress the coaches, and I think that's only a positive thing. It's been great to get a couple of run-outs so far," he says.

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ULSTER RUGBY SUPPORTERS CLUB (URSC) NEWS

JOIN THE URSC TODAY! 1043 ALREADY HAVE.

BIG NAMES

Membership costs £12 for adults, £6 for juniors or £30 for a family. You will find full details on how to join at membership.ursc.co In this season’s membership pack you will find:

Come along to the URSC Information point on match nights to meet an Ulster player - at the Scarlets match it was Ian Nagle, and we have also been joined by the likes of Rob Herring and Craig Gilroy for earlier matches this season - all only too willing to pose for photos or sign autographs!

» » A membership card » » a members’ badge » » a car sticker » » and a drawstring gym bag

This season's Big Ballot draw was made on Tuesday 18 December at the Kingspan Stadium by some very special guests. The results are listed in full on www.ursc.co and will also be in the Racing 92 programme. THE 2018/19 BIG BALLOT URSC are running buses to both the Connacht and Leinster matches on 28 December and 5 January respectively. Again, full details are on www.ursc.co. Be sure to buy your match tickets first - particularly the Connacht match which is selling out fast! BIG BUSES

URSC are running buses to both the Connacht and Leinster matches on 28 December and 5 January respectively. Again, full details are on www.ursc.co. Be sure to buy your match tickets first - particularly the Connacht match which is selling out fast! BIG BUSES

For more information on URSC, please visit membership.ursc.co or email membership@ursc.co.uk.

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He missed the first couple of Irish derbies against Munster and Connacht earlier in the season due to an ankle injury, but now flanker Jordi Murphy can't wait to make his interprovincial bow for Ulster. JORDI MUR

But Murphy insists that won't be the case tonight, arguing that while they do want to turn around that difficult night in Limerick, it's not the team's main motivation for going out and getting a big result at Kingspan Stadium for the fans. "That (defeat) is still fresh in the memory, even if some of the boys involved this week didn't play then, it's very much a squad effort - like I was watching it at home and I wasn't feeling too good about myself, and I'm sure the boys out there weren't feeling so good, so a lot of us want to put a lot of those wrongs right this week," admits the 27-year-old. "It's not about revenge because if we started to think that way then we mightn't focus on the game at hand. You'd be foolish not to think about it in the back of your mind because that wasn't a good day for the province, that wasn't a good day for the squad, and it's not a nice place to be. "We get to play them at home this week in front of our home crowd, who have been fantastic in the past few weeks, especially in Europe, so I'm expecting just as good from them this week as they were last week.

The openside has experience playing in interpros with Leinster, however the difficult injury spell saw him miss his first two chances to play in a derby since moving north up the M1.. But now Murphy is ready to take to the field in his first interpro for Ulster and he's eager to make his mark in one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the season against Munster at Kingspan Stadium tonight. "I haven't played in an interpro yet for Ulster, unfortunately I was unavailable for the first two this season but I'm just really looking forward to it, there's always a bit of added bite and venom in these games," says Murphy. "I don't know what it's like to play for Ulster in an interpro, but I can't imagine it'll be far off what I've been involved in before, and to play bitter rivals Munster is exciting." Tonight has that extra bit of edge as well after the last meeting between the two sides, which saw Munster inflict a 64-7 defeat upon Ulster at Thomond Park back in September, with righting some wrongs high on the agenda.

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