Ulster Rugby v Munster

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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