Ulster Rugby - Annual Report 2017-18

date, successfully. This has shown the true strength of the man dealing with such heartache with dignity and positivity. Robbie Diack, another stalwart with over two hundred Ulster caps since arriving from South Africa in 2008, is returning to his native land at the end of the season. Again, an absolute gentleman with respect and humility, Robbie’s durability for the position that he plays is testament to the work he put in behind the scenes. An ever-present in the squad, his ball-playing ability and versatility set him out as a natural rugby player. The final player moving on this season who has had a significant impact on Ulster Rugby is Callum Black. Just short of the one hundred and fifty cap mark, Callum has been a hugely popular member of the squad both on and off the field. One of the most reliable and durable props around, Callum was a model of consistency on the park. We wish all these players well and hope they are never strangers to Kingspan in the future! It would be remiss not to mention the biggest impact of the season, the trial of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding. The nationwide reporting resulted in this becoming the most talked about episode in Ulster Rugby’s history. While acquitted of all charges, an almost ‘perfect storm’ resulted in both having to move on from Ulster Rugby. This undoubtedly took a massive toll on the whole squad during the season and in particular on those players closest to them. It became the most divisive issue across the island of Ireland, but from the Professional Squad and Management’s perspective, we will always support them in their futures as both are proud Ulstermen who came through the system and gave everything to play for the jersey. We wish them both well with their futures.

placed on the type of forwards we wish to develop, allied to intelligent ball-playing backs. This provides us with confidence that the future of Ulster Rugby is in good hands, while acknowledging that plenty more work still needs to be done. With ten of our players representing the Irish U20 team, the most we have ever had, this highlights the strength in depth coming through our pathway. Five stalwarts of the club either retire or move on from Ulster Rugby at the end of this season. Tommy Bowe has been an exceptional ambassador for the club since he got his first cap all those years ago in 2004. A two- time British and Irish Lion, his achievements are far too many to list in this report. No doubt we will see plenty more of him on the screen in the years ahead! Andrew Trimble, the most capped Ulsterman of all time, started his Ulster career back in 2005. Bryn Cunningham, our current Operations Director, was fortunate enough to make up the back three with Tommy and Andrew for a number of years and provided the balance of not having the pace, power and finishing ability of these two outstanding athletes! They will both be badly missed, as much for their off-field double-act that so often gave people an entertaining insight into the fun side behind the scenes! Paul Marshall achieved the first of his two hundred plus caps a year later in 2006. A real live-wire, his show reel would be one the best out there. A true gentleman, who had to play second fiddle to a number of top-class scrum-halves throughout most of his career, time and time again he came off the bench and changed the tempo of the game. A special mention must be made of the difficult times both he and his wife Miriam have experienced this season, during which their young son, Luke, battled against cancer, to

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