Ulster Rugby vs Newport Gwent Dragons

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Official Ulster Rugby digital match day programme for Ulster Rugby vs Newport Gwent Dragons, Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 1st November 2014

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | PRICE £3.00

RUGBY VS NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS Saturday 1st November 2014 - Kingspan Stadium - Kick Off 19.35

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Good evening and welcome to another exciting Saturday evening at Kingspan Stadium.

Ulster take on Newport Gwent Dragons tonight which is sure to be an exciting match. We extend a warm welcome to all the Newport fans that have travelled here to support their team and look forward to some top class rugby between the two sides. Kingspan Stadium is once again a fortress and it is where Ulster plays best thanks to the energy and support of the home fans. This season marks the 18th year of our proud association with Ulster Rugby and we remain committed to the team. At Bank of Ireland we stand together with the fans, sharing their passion and together we are all the driving force behind our Ulster Rugby team. Good Luck for the season ahead Ulster!

Ian Sheppard // Head of Corporate Banking Northern Ireland Bank of Ireland

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

OFFICERS John Kinnear // President Bobby Stewart // Senior Vice President John McKibbin // 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

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here to this Guinness PRO12 match between Ulster and Newport Gwent Dragons.

This week it was announced that Bryn Cunningham has been appointed Ulster’s new Team Manager. I would like to offer him my sincere congratulations. For 13 years Bryn was one of the most reliable members of the Ulster team and I have no doubt that he will do as good a job as a manager as he did as a player. Finally, congratulations to Bangor, opening round of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup last weekend and I wish them well in their upcoming quarter final matches. A mention too, for Portadown, who put in a great performance away to last season’s cup winners, Enniscorthy. I hope that you enjoy the game. Good luck to Ulster and Stand up for CIYMS and Clogher Valley on picking up superb wins in the

I would like to welcome in particular our friends from Newport; directors, players, supporters and coaches. The Welsh region come to Belfast having lost narrowly to Newcastle Falcons in the Rugby Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade. However, the scale of the task that Ulster will face this evening was illustrated a week earlier when the men of Gwent defeated Stade Francais in Paris. That was without doubt one of the results of the season for any PRO12 team so far and Ulster will have to be at their very best if they are to get a win this evening. Last weekend we experienced the highs and lows of the new Rugby Champions Cup. The atmosphere was electric as we welcomed the reigning European Champions, Toulon. While we didn’t get the result that we wanted we can take heart from a spirited Ulster performance. Mathematically, the team can still make it out of the group and we know that they will be doing everything possible to defy the odds and to qualify for the knock-out stages.

the Ulstermen! Yours in Rugby, John Kinnear // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

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

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ULSTER RUGBY

Chief Executive’s

Welcome back to Round 7 of the Guinness PRO12 after two weeks of European Cup rugby ! We are delighted that our 12 clubs have done so well to date in the new European competitions. There is a long way still to go but congratulations to our teams on 8 wins in the European Rugby Champions Cup, one more win than the Top14 sides and three more than the Aviva Premiership ! All our 5 clubs have won in the European Rugby Challenge Cup too and have seven wins out of ten. Zebre’s first ever win in Europe deserves a special acknowledgement. Well done to all ! The Scarlets had an excellent victory over Leicester Tigers in an emotional day at Parc y Scarlets last Saturday. The Rugby Community is still coming to terms with the recent loss of former Scarlets and Regional Rugby Chief Executive Stuart Gallacher and his memorial service last Wednesday at Parc y Scarlets was a fitting tribute to a great servant of rugby football on and off the pitch. He diligently served for many years on the Board of ERC and on the Celtic League where I was privileged to have worked with him during a big change in professional rugby. Stuart also worked on the LV=Cup and on the board of the WRU. He will be sadly missed by so many friends and his wonderful family. Rest In Peace Stuart. We have many players playing for their countries in the forthcoming Autumn Internationals and we wish them and their international teams every success against their southern hemisphere opponents. This weekend sees some great match ups as all 12 teams try to move up the table and push for the Play Offs and European places - with the seasonal ‘spooky’ atmosphere an added bonus for supporters ! The 154 tries scored and the 4.28 average tries per match to date is excellent for our increased audiences to see ! The Guinness PRO12 is showing it can compete very favourably in Europe so we thank you for your continued support of your club ! We wish the players, coaches and match officials all the best for what should be a memorable and entertaining match here this evening ! Enjoy !

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

MAX SCOTT (9) Max is from Ballyclare and attends Fairview Primary School. He plays mini rugby at Ballyclare RFC and also enjoys football. Max’s favourite player is Andrew Trimble and when he grows up he would like to be an Ulster Rugby player. Max cannot wait to run out with the players in front of a cheering crowd!

RORY LUKE (7) Rory also attends Fairview Primary School in Ballyclare and has played mini rugby at Ballyclare RFC since P1. Rory’s favourite player is Chris Henry and he thinks that Sparky does a fantastic job as Ulster Mascot!

TICKET OFFICE

AWAY TRAVEL UPDATE RC TOULON V ULSTER EPCR have confirmed that Ulster’s Pool 3 fixture against RC Toulon will take place at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on the weekend of 16th to 18th January. Tickets for this game will be available from the Ulster Rugby Ticket Office. Priority booking will be open to Season Ticket Holders and Stand Up

Members followed by general sale in December. Travel arrangements can be made via Ulster Sports Travel. Call 0800 0124407 or email rugby@killestertravel.com for more information

THE NEXT HOME GAME V OSPREYS FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBER KICK OFF 19.35

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ULSTER RUGBY

ROB HERRING SCARE TACTICS

Ulster’s Halloween fixture against Dragons is a must-win for the side who succumbed to the French force of Toulon just seven days ago.

claims the scrum has now found its groove and the guys are working hard to improve every week… “Wiehahn (Herbst) has been great in the front row, he has come in and is doing an awesome job. He is solid as a rock and has been an anchor in the tight of the scrum. Him and Franco (van der Merwe) both – they have played every game so far, have so much experience and are consistently putting in good performances. They both love to scrum so when it comes to tactics, having Wiehahn on one side and Franco behind you, you know they are going to give it their all to go forward.” Ninth placed Dragons will be looking to upset Ulster’s unbeaten home run in the PRO12 this season, but Neil Doak’s side have been doing their homework and know what to expect from the Welsh side. “Dragons have a big physical forward pack,” claims Herring. “So we have been looking at them over the past few days. They get some good go-forward ball from their mauls and drives. And as a forward unit, we have been focusing on stopping their pack to get our backs some good ball. “This season we have made a solid effort to improve work in the maul, Allen Clarke reviewed the last couple of years and our maul hasn’t been where we need it to be, so we set ourselves the goal of improving it to result in tries, penalties or creating a good platform for the backs. It is probably the most improved aspect of our game compared to last year but we have a way to go and will keep working. This game against the Dragons will give us the opportunity to put that work into practice – when it really counts.”

“Monday was a bit bleak to be honest,” explains Rob. “In our meeting Neil Doak sat us all down and said we need to put that game behind us and look forward to this weekend and putting in a massive performance for the home crowd in the PRO12.” Having recorded victories over Cardiff, Edinburgh and Glasgow in recent weeks, the opening day tie with Scarlets and a defeat away to Zebre leaves Ulster third in the Guinness PRO12 table. “Another PRO12 victory is essential,” says Herring. “This weekend is really important to keep ourselves in the top four, pushing for the first or second spot. Dragons are a good side but we are determined to give it everything. It’s a massive game for the guys who have just missed out on the Irish squad and also for the fringe players. We really need to prove ourselves with a big performance this weekend.” The 24 year old won his first cap for Ireland when he came on as a substitute against Argentina in June this year, but missed out on a call up to the squad for the Autumn Internationals. “I was disappointed when I got the call from Joe (Schmidt) but I was almost expecting it this time around. I haven’t had the same amount of game time as last year and I haven’t been able to show the same run of good form. Over the next few months I need to kick on and get more game time, put in good performances and put my hand up for the Six Nations. With Rory away this is a great opportunity to show that I can perform and I have got to maximise my chance.” The forward line up has changed dramatically from last season with Tom Court and John Afoa moving on to pastures new, however despite taking a while to get used to each other, Herring

ROB HERRING

ULSTER RUGBY

www.ulsterrugby.com

“MY SISTER, BROTHER-IN-LAW AND FOUR OF MY MATES ARE OVER FROM SOUTH AFRICA THIS WEEKEND, SO IT’S GREAT TO BE ON THE COVER OF THE MATCH PROGRAMME, A BIT STRANGE HAVING FANGS BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT HALLOWEEN WEEKEND WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, I THINK WE WILL HEAD UP THE COAST AND SEE A BIT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE” ROB HERRING

www.ulsterrugby.com

ULSTERRUGBY

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LAST TIME THEY MET

HEAD TO HEAD

FORM GUIDE Ulster’s single loss in the Guinness PRO12 this season came in Round 4 against Zebre in Parma, whilst the Ulstermen have been defeated just once in Belfast in the tournament in their last 13 matches: 20-22 to Leinster on 2nd May. No Welsh region has won in Ulster since the Ospreys were visitors in February 2013. Newport Gwent Dragons have won only once in the PRO12 this season: 33-15 at home to Treviso in Round 4. The Welshmen have not been victorious on the road in the competition since visiting Glasgow in November 2013. The Men from Gwent have beaten Ulster just once in their last five meetings: 15-8 at Rodney Parade in the opening round last season, whilst the Welshmen’s most recent victory in Belfast was 16-14 in September 2008.

ULSTER

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS

U N

DATE

VENUE

SCORERS

Fri 28 Feb 14 Kingspan Stadium 38 8

Paddy Jackson(5C) Sean Doyle(T) Tommy Bowe(2T) Penalty Try(T) Ruan Pienaar(T/P)

Ross Wardle(T) Rhys Jones(P)

Fri 6 Sep 13 Rodney Parade

8 15

Paddy Jackson(P) Roger Wilson(T)

Jason Tovey(D/4P)

Stuart Olding(T) Tommy Bowe(T) Darren Cave(T) Paul Marshall(T) Ruan Pienaar(4C/P) Darren Cave(T) Tom Court(T) Jared Payne(T) Nick Williams(T) Ruan

Tom Prydie(T)

Fri 12 Apr 13 Kingspan Stadium 31 5

Fri 26 Oct 12 Rodney Parade

46 19

Tom Prydie(C/4P) Andy Tuilagi(T)

Pienaar(T/5C/2P) Andrew Trimble(T)

Craig Gilroy(T) Ruan Pienaar(T/2C/2P) Robbie Diack(T) Stefan Terblanche(T)

Jason Tovey(4P)

Fri 10 Feb 12 Kingspan Stadium 30 12

Fri 30 Sep 11 Rodney Parade

9 22

Paddy Jackson(3P)

Jason Tovey(C/5P) Tom Riley(T)

GUINNESS PRO12

RECORD POINTS

ATTACK

DEFENCE

TEAM

P W D L TB LB TOT T C PG DG F T C PG DF A TB LB PD

1 Ospreys

6 6 0 0 2 0 26 19 17 18 0 183 6 3 16 0 84 0 3 99 6 5 0 1 3 0 23 21 16 13 0 176 10 10 16 0 118 0 1 58 6 4 1 1 3 1 22 17 13 15 0 156 6 5 11 1 76 1 0 80 6 4 0 2 1 2 19 14 6 16 0 130 6 4 12 1 77 0 0 53 6 4 1 1 0 0 18 10 7 10 0 94 10 8 12 0 102 1 4 -8 6 3 0 3 2 2 16 16 16 13 0 151 11 8 11 0 104 0 0 47 6 2 2 2 2 0 14 17 12 9 1 139 14 12 10 0 124 2 0 15

2 Glasgow Warriors

3 Ulster

4 Munster 5 Connacht 6 Leinster 7 Scarlets

8 Edinburgh Rugby 6 2 1 3 0 1 11 7 5 13 0 84 19 12 10 0 149 2 1 -65 9 Newport Gwent Dragons 6 1 0 5 1 2 7 8 5 15 0 95 14 8 15 0 131 1 0 -131 10 Cardif Blues 6 1 1 4 1 0 7 12 11 14 0 124 17 15 19 0 172 1 0 -146 11 Zebre 6 1 0 5 0 1 5 7 3 10 1 74 17 14 11 0 146 3 1 -72 12 Bennetton Treviso 6 0 0 6 0 1 1 6 5 9 00 67 24 17 12 0 190 4 0 -123 TOTALS 36 33 3 33 15 10 169 154 116 155 2 1473 154 116 155 2 1473 15 10 —

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ULSTER RUGBY

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

2 MINUTES RORY BEST WITH OUR CLUB TAKE OVER!

IN FOCUS

IF YOU HADN’T BECOME A RUGBY PLAYER, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PROFESSION? Farmer WHAT IS THE WORST INJURY YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVEDWHILE PLAYING SPORT? Career threatening neck injury WHAT PLAYER OR TEAMWOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO PLAY AGAINST ANDWHY? Ballynahinch 1st XV in the 90’s so I could hammer Beaker in the scrum. TELL ME A JOKE? Why was the man running around his bed? He wanted to catch up on his sleep! IF YOUWERE ABLE TO BORROW THE TARDIS FOR A DAY WHAT YEAR/WHERE WOULD YOU TRAVEL TO ANDWHY? Go back a week knowing the lottery numbers! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO ASK SANTA

PLAYER NAME Rory Best POSITION Hooker WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AVENGER? Captain America IF YOU HAD A SUPER POWERWHAT WOULD IT BE ANDWHY? Invisibility – to get some sleep at home WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM? Toy Story 1, 2 or 3 WHEN YOUWERE AT SCHOOL WHAT CLUBS DID YOU BELONG TO ANDWHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE ANDWHY? Banbridge RFC minis, Mullabrack Cubs and 4 Towns Youth Club. Banbridge minis – spending Saturdays at the club playing minis in the morning and watching Dad play for the firsts in the afternoon. IF YOUWERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND AND YOU COULD BRING ALONG 3 TEAMMATES, WHOWOULD YOU BRING ANDWHY? Chad – use as a raft; Marshy – to give me an incentive to get off; Wiehahn to hunt WHAT UNIQUE FACT DOWE NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU? I used to place kick at school

SUFTUM!

FOR THIS CHRISTMAS? A new John Deere Gator

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE OUTSIDE OF PLAYING RUGBY FOR ULSTER? Becoming a Father

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ULSTER RUGBY

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ULSTER CARPETS CONTINUES ITS ROLE AS OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF ULSTER YOUTH RUGBY

Ulster Carpets has confirmed an extension to its sponsorship of Ulster Youth Rugby for a further two years following on from the success of the partnership to date.

ULSTER YOUTH RUGBY

The new agreement will see the partnership run until the end of the 2015/2016 season and includes the sponsorship of Club Youth Rugby and the High Schools competitions, marking an ongoing investment in Ulster’s young playing talent. “Our company has a longstanding tradition of striving to help the local community and in particular encouraging more young people into sport,” commented Nick Coburn, Managing Director of Ulster Carpets. “We are delighted with the ongoing success of the partnership and are proud to associate our brand with Ulster Rugby, an organisation as dedicated and progressive as ourselves,” he added. Since the beginning of the partnership in late 2012, the number of registered youth players in Ulster has risen to 6122,

an increase of 1474. The number of high school matches played has also increased significantly amongst both traditional and non-traditional rugby schools. Barry Willis, Ulster Rugby’s Community Rugby Manager, commented: “We’re delighted that Ulster Carpets is remaining on board as sponsors of Club Youth and High Schools Rugby for a further two years. The partnership has proved highly successful to date, with their investment allowing us to provide more structure and support to our competitions. For Ulster Rugby to become a major force in European Rugby, it’s imperative for us to have sustainable growth in our playing resources at all levels, so it’s pleasing to see a rise in the number of registered youth players across the Province.”

Paul Marshall, Darren Cave and Roger Wilson are pictured with Dromore High School players Ben Heath (second from left) and David Little, along with Ulster Carpets Financial Director, David Acheson, as it was announced the company is to continue its sponsorship of Youth and High Schools Rugby in Ulster.

UlsterBranch

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ULSTER RUGBY

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WHAT’S HAPPENING TONIGHT? GATES OPEN 6PM FIRE PERFORMANCE AND CIRCUS ACTS BY PREMIER CIRCUS SPOOKY EATS AND TREATS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE FOOD VILLAGE GUESS THE PUMPKIN WEIGHT SPONSORED BY NORTH DOWN GROUP FACE PAINTING BY ‘OVER THE MOON’ IN THE PHOENIX DOME HUGHES INSURANCE SPOOKTACULAR FANCY DRESS COMPETITION OUR CLUB PITCH PARADE 7.30PM ULSTER V DRAGONS, KICK OFF 7.35PM

OFFICIAL CLOTHING PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY

BRYN CUNNINGHAM APPOINTED ULSTER RUGBY TEAMMANAGER

Following an extensive recruitment process, Ulster Rugby is pleased to announce that Bryn Cunningham has been appointed as the province’s new Team Manager.

TEAM MANAGER APPOINTED

Bryn, who made 150 appearances for Ulster as a player between 1997 and 2010, joins the management set-up at the province from global rugby agency Esportif International. The Team Manager role is a new position and was created following a review of the management structures at Ulster Rugby. Bryn will be responsible for recruiting and retaining players, identifying talent and managing contract negotiations. He will also oversee the professional services around the senior squad and the management of team operations on match-nights. Ulster Rugby Chief Executive, Shane Logan, welcomed the appointment, highlighting Bryn’s unique skill set: “Bryn was the stand-out candidate from applicants from across the UK and Ireland,” said Shane. “He possesses an extensive knowledge of the domestic and international player market and a first- hand understanding of what is required to develop a positive team environment. “This is a role that further strengthens our management team and I am delighted that Bryn has been appointed.”

Commenting on his new position, Bryn highlighted his long-standing association with the province: “Having been involved in a variety of ways with Ulster Rugby since my first appearance back in 1997, I have always been extremely passionate about the province succeeding in the professional era,” Bryn said. “With it being a large part of my life, I know the place intimately and have clear goals over the next three years in helping to take the province to the top of the European Table. “I leave Esportif International and the agency world, which, for over four years, has given me an invaluable insight and the necessary experience to take on the challenges that lie ahead. “I want to thank Esportif for supporting my decision to pursue the role of Ulster Rugby Team Manager.” Bryn will start his new role at Ulster Rugby on Monday 10th November.

www.ulsterrugby.com

ULSTERRUGBY

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

MATCH PREVIEW

Article by Rod Nawn

Freelance Journalist and Sports Enthusiast @RODNAWN1

ULSTERRUGBY

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PLOTTING A HALLOWEEN SCARE FOR THE DRAGONS Clocks have been duly corrected, an hour gained apparently, but time marches on, never more speedily than for players, coaches and fans of rugby. by ROD NAWN

It’s November already, an evening start at Kingspan Stadium, even from afar the floodlights picking the arena out through the urban chill of an autumn now certainly arrived. A week ago tonight’s combatants had Europe in focus, Ulster rueing the loss at home to champions Toulon, the Dragons reflecting on a reverse in the subsidiary Challenge Cup by Newcastle. Important matches both, but Europe will now stand aside while the Guinness PRO12 series continues this weekend, which will mark the end of the opening stages in the chase for the title. Ulster will then take a short break until the Ospreys, who have set the league pace so far, come to Belfast on Friday, 21 November. The Dragons will have LV Cup action to stretch their playing resources to the full until Munster arrive at Rodney Parade the same night. This evening’s visitors have managed just one win in six PRO12 outings to date, but with shrewd rugby men such as Kingsley Jones, the Director of Rugby and Head Coach Lyn Jones at the helm, one of the great bastions of the game in Wales is confident that the rebuilding at the Dragons is beginning to bear fruit. Lee Byrne, Ian Gough, Jason Tovey, Aled Brew, Taulupe Faletau, Richie Rees and the mercurial Andy Powell provide a core of experience to a carefully-assembled Dragons squad, and with a plethora of youngsters coming through, the club believes it can put behind it the travails the game in Wales has suffered and become a power in the land again. The results this season have been disappointing, but the coaches and the players would point to the Challenge Cup win at Stade Francais two weeks ago as a real pointer to the potential of Newport Gwent Dragons. That win in Paris demonstrated that in most areas of the pitch the side is on the right track, and the players will relish the chance to upset the PRO12 formbook against Ulster this evening. Neil Doak with Jonny Bell and Allen Clarke, will have swiftly addressed tonight’s game as one which should produce the points to copperfasten a top four place before the break for the Ireland internationals. Absorbed will have been some of the shortcomings of the display against Toulon, but it was not a poor Ulster performance and there will be positive lessons to take out of the game with Europe’s best. But very clearly the Dragons will have been the focus of this week’s preparation. The PRO12 is the staple of professional rugby for the Irish, Scottish and Italian sides, and certainly the most important commitment for the Welsh clubs. The path to Europe is through the season-long marathon, that is the league, and coaches break down the playing year to take into account injuries, international obligations, and the oldest of factors: form. With those involved with Ireland the Player Management protocols strictly limit the playing time of those such as Tommy Bowe, Rory Best, Chris Henry, Jared Payne, Stuart Olding, Craig Gilroy and Robbie Diack, all required by Joe Schmidt. Those not originally listed, such as Paddy Jackson

and Darren Cave, may well still be summoned to Carton House, so Doak will have already planned different strategies for the league games during November. Against the Dragons he will be confident in those available to him, the depth in midfield means Darren Cave and the revelation which has been Stuart McCloskey, should be available. It’s a cliché that it is squad depth which brings success, but it’s undoubtedly true that during the autumn internationals and the New Year Six Nations clubs must have more than just ‘reserves’. They must have players able to compete at the top level and meet the standards which will have been set in training since everyone arrived for pre-season in July. Franco van der Merwe, Wiehahn Herbst and Louis Ludik have arrived at Ulster and already cemented their growing reputations and they will be key figures not just tonight but throughout a packed and demanding year. So there will be no talk in the dressing room or training ground of weakened Ulster sides, the quality of the squad is proven and chosen so that when it changes – for whatever reason – it does not diminish the expectations of those who select and the huge crowds which pour into Kingspan in support of the men in white. Neil Doak has taken sole charge of the Head Coach reins, his own personal ambition realised after working through the professional ranks with Ulster as a player, a development officer ‘growing’ the game at the real grassroots of the sport. He moved through the coaching phases to earn a reputation which reportedly had attracted three lucrative offers to leave the Province last summer, but he’d always hoped the Province, which had brought him to the brink of international recognition under Ireland coach Murray Kidd in the late 1990s might just ‘call’. He relies on Bell and Clarke, and on Niall Malone too, to take on their specific duties with backs and forwards and with high-octane analysis of team and individual performances, but ‘Doaky’ will stand by his conclusions on selection and on performances, and he is ‘weathered’ enough to know that there will be some good times and some less welcome times. He fully buys into the aspiration of Ulster becoming a world- class rugby organisation, and he’s been on the journey which has provided convincing evidence that the players, staff and facilities are reaching out for that near horizon. He knows too that results are king in professional sport, and while concentrating hard on the targeted defeat of the Dragons this evening he’ll be fashioning firm ideas about the approach to next month’s resumption in the Champions Cup, and the busy, hectic month which is December. On this Halloween weekend he won’t want any frights, but he won’t mind if his team’s performance proves a scary experience for the Welsh visitors – and provides fans with another big rugby occasion under the Kingspan Stadium lights.

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ULSTER RUGBY

MICHAEL ALLEN

RICKY ANDREW

Centre/Wing 28.11.90 183cm 97kg 37 -

Fullback 02.12.89 185cm 87kg 19 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RORY BEST (C)

CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE Hooker 15.08.82 180cm 110kg 159 74 ULSTER RUBGY POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg 66 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CHARLIE BUTTERWORTH

Wing 22.02.84 191cm 102kg 124 53

POSITION BORN

Back Row - 195cm 115kg 0 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DARREN CAVE

ROBBIE DIACK

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 97kg 138 5, 10A

Back Row 12.11.85 196cm 109kg 132 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DECLAN FITZPATRICK

CRAIG GILROY

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 91 5

Prop 12.07.83 182cm 118kg 90 5, 9A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

MICHAEL HEANEY

IAIN HENDERSON

Scrumhalf 05.11.90 176cm 78kg 24 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 21.02.92 200cm 115kg 40 9, 1A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back Row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 123 13, 10A

POSITION BORN

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 114kg 8 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 183cm 103kg 54 -

Outhalf 24.04.82 178cm 85kg 90 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

PADDY JACKSON

CONOR JOYCE

Outhalf 05.01.92 179cm 87kg 69 9, 1A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RICKY LUTTON

LOUIS LUDIK

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 115kg 23 -

POSITION BORN

Fullback 10.08.86 182cm 92kg 7 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

LUKE MARSHALL

PAUL MARSHALL

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 96kg 55 5

POSITION BORN

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 132 3, 2 A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART McCLOSKEY

KYLE McCALL

Centre - 195cm 105kg 8 -

POSITION BORN

Hooker 02.01.92 176cm 108kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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ULSTER RUGBY

NEIL McCOMB

MIKE McCOMISH

2nd Row 15.07.83 201cm 120kg 42 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 07.12.83 190cm 106kg 41 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

PETER NELSON

Fullback 05.10.92 180cm 84kg 14 -

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 115.5kg 2 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Outhalf 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 26 1

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg 54 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 80 79 (SA)

POSITION BORN

Back Row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg 0 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 118kg 3 -

Back Row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DAVE RYAN

RORY SCHOLES

Prop

POSITION BORN

Wing 24.04.93 186cm 95kg 5 -

POSITION BORN

183cm 116kg 0 -

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

“I’ve noticed that, even getting a taxi! Thewit, thewelcome & the gentle banter of every individual.” LiamO’Maonlai, Dublin

As Liam discovered in Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland is famous for its warm welcome. We think it has a lot to do with the culture, creativity and craic bubbling up on every city corner. Come and experience it. Book a short break to Derry for a historical walking tour of Ireland’smost completeWalled City, or tune into the music and atmosphere in one of the pubs. Then head to Belfast and explore the artistic Cathedral Quarter’s art venues, bars and award-winning restaurants. Fromunbelievablehistory to creativehotspots, Northern Ireland’s culture cities are out of the ordinary...

Peace Bridge, Derry~Londonderry

JAMES SIMPSON

LEWIS STEVENSON

2nd Row 03.11.90 197cm 115kg 0 -

2nd Row 01.06.84 200cm 116kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

68 1A

SQUAD 2014/15

ANDREW TRIMBLE

DAN TUOHY

Wing 20.10.84 187cm 99kg 186 54 3 A

POSITION BORN

2nd Row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 113 9, 3 A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

ANDREW WARWICK

2nd Row 15.03.83 198cm 115kg 8 -

Prop 12.03.91 180cm 111kg 13 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

NICK WILLIAMS

ROGER WILSON

Back Row 21.09.81 191cm 106kg 159 1, 11 A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 02.12.83 189cm 122kg 49 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ULSTER RUGBY SQUAD SEASON 2014/15

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ULSTER RUGBY

ULSTER RUGBY v NEW SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER KICK O

15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

STUART OLDING

CALLUM BLACK

ROB HERRING

LOUIS LUDIK

ULSTER RUGBY

WIEHAHN HERBST

DARREN CAVE

STUART McCLOSKEY

LEWIS STEVENSON

FRANCO VD MERWE

PETER NELSON

PADDY JACKSON

CLIVE ROSS

9 PAUL MARSHALL

SEAN REIDY

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 J ANDREW A WARWICK D FITZPATRICK N McCOMB 20 21 22 23

R DIACK M HEANEY I HUMPHREYS R ANDREW

ROGER WILSON (C)

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE’S CITING COMMISSIONER TMO TODAYS OFFICIALS

MATTEO LIPERINI (FIR, 8TH COMPETITION GAME) NIGEL CORRELL (IRFU) // PAUL HAYCOCK (IRFU)

WAYNE SHERIDAN (IRFU) SIMON McDOWELL (IRFU)

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

ORT GWENT DRAGONS 2014 - KINGSPAN STADIUM F 19.45 1

15 14 13 12 11 10

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS

GERAINT RHYS JONES

BORIS STANKOVICH

2 3 4 5 6 7

MATTHEW PEWTNER

ELLIOT DEE

RHYS WILLIAMS

DAN WAY

ASHLEY SMITH

JAMES THOMAS

ALED BREW

RYNARD LANDMAN (C)

ANGUS O’BRIEN

LEWIS EVANS

9 8

JONATHAN EVANS

NIC CUDD

REPLACEMENTS FROM T RHYS THOMAS H GUSTAFSON L FAIRBROTHER S ANDREWS 20 21 22 23 16 17 18 19

J BENJAMIN R REES J TOVEY A HEWITT

ANDY POWELL

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

HALLAM AMOS

JAMES BENJAMIN

Back Row 21/02/1994 182cm 96kg

Fullback 24/09/1994 186cm 96kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

ALED BREW

LEE BYRNE (C)

Fullback 01/06/1980 190cm 94kg

Wing 09/08/1986 185cm 101kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

NIC CUDD

ANDREW COOMBS

Back Row 12/10/1988 178cm 95kg

Back Row 27/10/1984 194cm 109kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

ELLIOT DEE

JONATHAN EVANS

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS

Hooker 07/03/1994 182cm 104kg

Scrumhalf 25/07/1992 183cm 88kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

LEWIS EVANS

OWEN EVANS

Back Row 09/07/1987 195cm 108kg

Prop 19/02/1989 188cm 119kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

LLOYD FAIRBROTHER

TAULUPE FALETAU

Prop 13/11/1991 175cm 120kg

Back Row 12/11/1990 187cm 110kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

IAN GOUGH

HUGH GUSTAFSON

Hooker 08/07/1987 183cm 111kg

Lock 10/11/1976 196cm 122kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SQUAD 2014/15

ASHTON HEWITT

CORY HILL

Lock 10/02/1992 195cm 111kg

Wing 20/11/1994 180cm 79kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

GERAINT RHYS JONES

DORIAN JONES

Fullback 23/08/1987 178cm 88kg

Flyhalf 27/09/1992 175cm 83kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

LUC JONES

RYNARD LANDMAN

Lock 24/07/1986 196cm 114kg

Scrum Half 12/05/1994 176cm 83kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

PATRICK LEACH

ANGUS O’BRIEN

Flyhalf 17/09/1994 180cm 83kg

Centre 18/07/1985 188cm 101kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

MATTHEW PEWTNER

ANDY POWELL

Wing 26/12/1990 191cm 105kg

Back Row 23/08/1981 193cm 115kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

STAY from £55

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The CASTLE of MYTH, MAGIC an d LEGEND The enchanting Ballygally Castle stands at the tip of the world famous Causeway Coastal Route. You can follow in the giant steps of Finn McCool to the Causeway itself or stay in the castle with its very own ghost!

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TOM PRYDIE

PHIL PRICE

Wing 23/02/1992 194cm 86kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Prop 10/11/1988 185cm 112kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SQUAD 2014/15

MATTHEW SCREECH

RICHIE REES

Scrumhalf 21/05/1983 180cm 83kg

Lock 24/10/1992 195cm 106kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

BORIS STANKOVICH

ASHLEY SMITH

Prop 01/09/1980 183cm 115kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Centre 13/02/1987 183cm 91kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

THOMAS RHYS THOMAS

JAMES THOMAS

Hooker 23/04/1983 183cm 104kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Back Row 17/08/1990 190cm 105kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

ROSS WARDLE

JASON TOVEY

Wing 28/04/1991 188cm 100kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Fly half 28/04/1989 180cm 85kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

DAN WAY

DAVID YOUNG

Prop 05/04/1987 183cm 119kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Prop 18/02/1985 185cm 116kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

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ULSTER RUGBY

Suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

Official suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Newport Gwent Dragons head to Ulster with ten first team players injured, including Captain Lee Byrne, a further three requiring late fitness tests and Taulupe Faletau leading a trio of Wales call-ups.

The Men of Gwent come back into tonight’s Guinness PRO12 match after two games in the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The Dragons secured a bonus point win against tough French side Stade Francais and went into Round 2 of the Challenge Cup with a positive attitude. Both the Men of Gwent and Newcastle Falcons were top of the table as they were neck-and-neck with points, so this game was going to be a nail biter. The Dragons played with ease and precision after Richie Rees crossed the white wash with the first try of the night followed by Pewtner who made it over. However it didn’t stay this way for too long as Hallam Amos had a clearance kick charged down, to put the Falcons into the lead. However the hosts fought back just before half time with Taulupe Faletau crossing the try line and Tom Prydie adding the extras, only for Newcastle to respond with a penalty at half time – ending the first half 15-15. After 10 minutes of the second half the visitors were leading 27-20 after two tries from them and just one from the Dragons. In the closing stages it was 30-26 to the Falcons and as the Dragons hammered away at the line as the clock counted down and kicked a penalty to the corner, only to be penalised on the final whistle.

Now with a break in the European competition the Dragons can look forward to playing in the Guinness PRO12. The Welsh Region’s last game in the PRO12 was against Edinburgh rugby when they lost out to a strong Scottish side at BT Murrayfield. Before that game the Welsh Region took on the Scarlets only to be once again pushed out as the final whistle ended the match on a score of 26-13. The Dragons’ only victory in the PRO12 has been against Benetton Treviso with a win of 33-15 at Rodney Parade. It was Man of the Match Amos, who scored two of the Dragons four tries in this hard fought win against the Italians. Centre Ashley Smith and scrum half Jonathan Evans also crossed the white wash for the Gwent side. The Welsh Region took full control of the game with real attacking intent and great defensive skills which showed in the score line. As the Dragons sit in ninth place in the Guinness PRO12 table and the Ulster men occupy third place; tonight’s game will prove to be a timely test against this hard hitting Irish side.

CLUB STATS //Location Newport, Wales //Founded 2003 //Ground Rodney Parade //Capacity 9,082 //Last Game Edinburgh Rugby (A) 24-10 (L) Sat 11 Oct 2014 at 14.40 //Next Game Munster Rugby (H) Fri 21st Nov 2014 at 19:30 //Recent Form L L W L L STAFF // Head Coach Lynn Jones/Kingsley Jones

//Captain Lee Byrne

CONTACT Rodney Parade Newport Gwent NP19 0UU Wales

Tel 01633 670690 Fax 01633 670696

TICKET OFFICE Tel +44 1633 674 990

www.newportgwentdragons.com

dragonsrugby

newportgwentdragons

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

Ulster v Scarlets Saturday 6 th Dec, 7.45pm Tickets on sale now! Ulster v Connacht Boxing Day, 6.45pm Tickets on sale Mon 3 rd Nov

Give the Winning Gift this Christmas: Match Bundles ON SALE NOW from only £121

Visit ulsterrugby/tickets or call 028 9049 3222 option 2

Kingspan has been a partner of Ulster Rugby for 10 years and we are now proud to give our name to this Stadium. Our passion, as a global leader in sustainable building solutions, is to deliver the highest levels of performance - always. Our respect for Ulster Rugby and its dedicated fans is absolute. Welcome to the Kingspan Stadium.

kingspan.com

GAA AND ULSTER RUGBY COME TOGETHER TO TACKLE MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE

A historic GAA match will take place at the home of Ulster Rugby in just two weeks’ time, in an event which is aimed at raising the awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE AWARENESS

Ulster GAA and Ulster Rugby have combined efforts in honour of former Antrim senior football captain Anto Finnegan, who was diagnosed with MND in 2012. #GameForAnto will see 2013 All-Ireland champions Dublin face an All-star Ulster select team - managed by current Ulster boss Joe Kernan and former Donegal manager Brian McEniff - gather in support of Anto’s deterMND Trust. Anto, who featured in the Antrim senior team for 10 years, and captained the county to its first All-Ireland success in 1999 (B Championship), revealed in August 2013 that he was suffering from MND, an announcement that was followed by a groundswell of public support. The 41-year-old father of two said: “I am humbled by the gesture that Ulster GAA and Ulster Rugby have made to support my cause to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease; to make this game happen at Kingspan Stadium. “It will be an historic occasion for many reasons and I am proud to be associated with it. It is testament to the respective sporting organisations, my friends and family, that this historic match will take place at the amazing venue that is home to Ulster Rugby.” Support for the ‘Game For Anto’ has also come from Stormont, and Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: “I recall watching Anto play for Antrim; he played with great passion in the saffron jersey. He has applied the same passion in the jersey he now wears, one that represents his determination to make us aware of MND, and to educate us about the disease. “The challenge Anto has set for himself will leave a positive legacy from this wonderful occasion on November 15.”

Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Shane Logan said: “When Ulster Rugby was approached with the idea of having a GAA match played at Kingspan Stadium with the aim of raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, and to support Anto Finnegan and the deterMND Trust, there was no hesitation in our response. “It is fitting, as we celebrate the opening of our newly developed stadium that was once a GAA pitch, that its surface will play host to such a significant Gaelic football match and occasion. “Kingspan Stadium is a wonderful venue for everyone to experience and enjoy; and the ‘Game for Anto’ will not only bring many new sports fans to the home of Ulster Rugby, but will further strengthen the great relationship Irish Rugby and the GAA have built together.” Dublin manager Jim Gavin, who led the county to All-Ireland success in 2013, added: “We are honored that Anto has invited Dublin to take part in this game. My players were told of the invitation and their rallying response was typical of that so often displayed in the GAA when one of its members calls for a helping hand. “We are looking forward to arriving in Belfast on November 15 to be part of this great cause, and to support a great servant of the GAA.” Tickets for the #GameForAnto are available now to purchase online only via Ticketmaster. Tickets range from £10 (adult) and £5 (child). To purchase tickets please visit www. ticketmaster.ie For further ticket enquiries please contact: info@determnd.com.

www.ulsterrugby.com

ULSTERRUGBY

SATURDAY 15NOV 2014 - 6PM KINGSPANSTADIUM

ULSTERRUGBY&ULSTERGAA TACKLINGMNDTOGETHER

SEATED PREMIUMSTAND(PITCHSIDE) £40 GRANDSTAND(PITCHSIDE) ADULTS £25 /JUNIORS £10 MEMORIALEND/FAMILYSTAND ADULTS £15 /JUNIORS £10 STANDING EAST/WESTTERRACE(PITCHSIDE) ADULTS £10 /JUNIORS £5 FAMILY/MEMORIALTERRACE (PITCHEND) ADULTS £10 /JUNIORS £5

SUPPORTING:

#GameForAnto TicketsAvailable

www.ticketmaster.ie SpecialDiscount forGroupBookings forClubs andYouthGroupsavailablebycalling: 02890493222

@deterMND facebook/deterMND deterMND.com

SEASON REVIEW NICK WILLIAMS 42 ULSTER RUGBY www. ulster rugby.com LOUIS LUDIK “IT REALLY HAS BEEN AWESOME HERE SINCE I ARRIVED, THE STADIUM, THE COACHES, THE ATMOSPHERE ON MATCHDAYS, IT’S ALL BEEN MORE THAN I COULD HAVE IMAGINED ” LOUIS LUDIK

LOUIS LOOKS TO THE SKY

AWESOME is a word which features regularly in the conversation with one of Ulster’s summer recruits, but it could also be used to describe his own contribution to the team so far this season...

Ludik shares the disappointment of fans at the recent reverses in Europe at Leicester and at home to Toulon, but he genuinely believes there are real positives which can be taken from the performances… “Of course we didn’t get the results we wanted and worked very hard for, but we showed in both games, against clubs which have great European pedigree, that we can match them. For instance, in terms of getting and keeping possession our forwards did a fine job, matching Leicester and Toulon. Where we fell down was, perhaps, in not being as clinical as we’d like, but no way do I think that Champions Cup qualification to the ‘quarters’ is beyond us.” A recurring theme of Ludik’s early reflections on his first term at Ulster is the electricity he feels running out in front of the Kingspan Stadium fans. “It is awesome and last Saturday, for the game against Toulon, the supporters were terrific, as they always are, but it was an occasion which I want to see and experience again.” Ludik feels Toulon is effectively an international club team, a side packed with players “who are, or have been, recognised as the best in the world in their positions.” Steffon Armitage’s contribution to the French win last weekend was one which particularly caught his eye, and as a keen student of the game he already feels that he, James O’Connor, Matt Giteau and Bryan Habana are super athletes, but not supermen. “When we travel to France we’ll have a game plan which all the coaches and players will have bought into, and individually I really think we know we can win there. But it’s more important to deal with the PRO12 now, and particularly the Dragons this weekend. “With so many boys away with Ireland, evidence of how far Ulster has come, we’ll have some guys getting a chance to put up their hands for a place in the side.” He agrees that in the absence of some of the most familiar names – like Best, Bowe, Gilroy, and Henry for instance – there is an expectation that experienced players like him, lock van der Merwe and prop Herbst will take on leadership roles throughout the autumn internationals. “Yes, I think that’s right, and with our experience and by our example we should be leaders in a team which is, in a way, already packed with leaders. We’re all expected to take responsibility for ourselves and each other, and Franco, Wiehahn and I know that we’ve been brought here to take the initiative. I’ll relish that!” says the full-back, who can also be employed right across the backline. And if there’s one thing which is really different about playing for Ulster? “Well, particularly when I was playing for the Sharks, there was not as much kicking in the game. Now I know I have to be alert and looking up for that high ball, and it’s something I work on a lot. It’s a big part of the PRO12 game, and in Europe generally now - It’s yet another challenge, and I like those!”

Louis Ludik arrived at Kingspan Stadium somewhat of an unknown quantity, though his time spent in the highest levels of French and South African rugby hinted he was a proven performer. The 28-year-old full back has blended seamlessly into the fabric of the Ulster Rugby squad, his reliability and his taste for invention matched only by a work ethic which each day impresses… “It really has been awesome here since I arrived, the stadium, the coaches, the atmosphere on matchdays, it’s all been more than I could have imagined,” says the South African. “I really enjoy the training, it’s hard work and I like it that way. The whole squad has a spirit which you just can’t put into words, and the coaching is as good as anything I’ve come across – even better to be truthful. “Wiehahn Herbst, Franco van der Merwe and I knew what a top Province Ulster was, and we were all eager to be part of a project which was to make it an even more successful side. Also with Ruan Pienaar already here and committing to a new contract, the attraction was overwhelming for us all, but for me personally it was particularly exciting. I’d played in France, and I’d enjoyed my time with the Natal Sharks, of course, but the challenge of Europe and the PRO12 with the group here in Belfast was one I really looked forward to with genuine excitement.” Louis has played a prominent attacking part in Ulster’s good form in the Guinness PRO12 this season, a tournament he believes is as competitive as he’s experienced in the northern or southern hemisphere. “The teams in the league are really professional and highly-skilled, and there are just no easy games. Each time we play you have to be totally focussed and ready to play at your best, and for me, that is just what I want. The PRO12 demands a lot from players and the coaches, and that’s why it’s key that the squad – not just the matchday 23 – be prepared. “We have a great pool of players at Ulster, and it’s a good mix of local talent and of recruits like me. When I look around in training and see what youngsters like Stuart Olding and Stuart McCloskey are capable of it’s almost frightening, but it’s really a fantastic sign of the future. “I don’t envy the coaches in their selection job for each match, because in every position you can see that there are really gifted players in the side, all competing to be picked. It’s not just something I would say easily, but this Ulster squad is brimming over with talent and the set-up is geared to making sure the best young players from here are brought into the system early and developed. “I don’t take a place in the side for granted, and I like the fact that I am being ‘pushed’ each day and in every match by a lot of guys who could step in and perform to the standard demanded by the coaching team. You just have to hope that your best is good enough at any moment in time, and that barring injuries you can maintain your form.”

www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY

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