Ulster Rugby v Cheetahs

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CONTENTS

KINGSPAN WELCOME PRESIDENT’S WELCOME GUINNESS PRO14 WELCOME

3 5 6 9

GUINNESS WELCOME TONIGHT'S MASCOTS

11

RORY BEST

12 15 17 19

VISITOR EXPERIENCE WIEHAHN HERBST Q&A

WHAT'S ON JONO GIBBES

20 22 24 26 30 32 35 36 45 47 49 50 55 57 60 41 43

WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP ROD NAWN GUEST ARTICLE ULSTER SQUAD PROFILES

ULSTER TEAM

ULSTER SQUAD PHOTO

CHEETAHS TEAM

CHEETAHS SQUAD PROFILES

ABOUT THE CHEETAHS

ULSTER AGE-GRADE TEAMS

ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER ACADEMY SPONSORSHIP NEWS

LOUIS LUDIK

SUBWAY SUMMER CAMP

URSC NEWS

OUR CLUB NEWS

STADIUM MAP

STADIUM INFORMATION

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FIXTURES

63 64

THANK YOU

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

We bid a special welcome “Vriende welkom in Belfast” to all the Cheetahs players, officials and supporters visiting us for the first time and hope they have an enjoyable experience in Ulster. I would like to offer my congratulations to Gerald Davis, Chairman, and Martin Anayi CEO of the Championship and all the participating club CEOs and officials who had the foresight to agree the new format, which takes us into this new level of competition. In the long term this can only be good for our future by strengthening our position financially and extending the level of competition. Since our last game here at Kingspan Stadium, we have been fortunate to secure the services of Australian fly-half, Christian Lealiifano. Christian has joined Ulster Rugby on a five-month deal after which he will return to the Brumbies for the start of the Super Rugby season. Christian, we welcome you to Ulster and hope you enjoy an injury free time here in Belfast. Congratulations to Rory Best, who was announced as our new captain earlier this week. I’m sure he’ll do a tremendous job, ably supported by a number of other senior players. Hosting the Woman’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast proved a magnificent success for the IRFU and our congratulations go to all who have assisted with events both here at Kingspan Stadium and at Queen's University. We are both willing and confident in our ability to put on an equally fantastic tournament if selected to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. During August and September each season, the IRFU Ulster Branch delivered a series of Schools and Age Grade Interprovincial games. We recognise the contribution of Michael Black and his team for making all the arrangements, as well as all the team managers, coaches, selectors, parents and friends who work tirelessly to support these games. Notable results to date include a 34 – 30 win for the U20/Academy away to Leinster and a hard-fought draw 12 – 12 for the Schools U17 side away to Munster. As always your support at any of these games is most appreciated. Good luck to all the Ulster teams! The 52 rugby clubs in Ulster are now embarking on a new season and on behalf of the IFRU Ulster Branch, we wish them well for what we hope will be a memorable and enjoyable 2017/18. SUFTUM! Graffin Parke President IRFU (Ulster Branch) Stadium tonight for the first game in the new expanded Guinness PRO14 Championship. As President of the IRFU Ulster Branch, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Kingspan PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2017/18 OFFICERS Graf n Parke President Stephen Elliott Senior Vice President Gary Leslie Junior Vice President Denis Gardiner Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan Chief Executive Chris Webster Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson Financial Controller Fiona Hampton Head of Sales & Marketing Les Kiss

Director of Rugby Bryn Cunningham Operations Director

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

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Welcome to a grounding-breaking Championship season in the newly christened Guinness PRO14 where an historic chapter will be written after the arrival of the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings from South Africa. After a season where Scarlets took home the final Championship title of the 12- team era, news of our expansion has only further whetted the appetite to see the action kick o . We’ve brought in a new conference system to enable us to add the Cheetahs and the Kings, while reducing the number of regular season rounds – down from 22 to 21 – and we’ve expanded the Guinness PRO14 Final Series with six teams now qualifying. That means your team has an even greater chance of reaching the knock-outs and emulating Scarlets’ sensational title win. We’ve also retained all of our existing derby games which are sacrosanct to our clubs, players and, most importantly, the fans. We’ve also worked closely with our unions to schedule those derbies away from international windows, too. Like you, we want to see the best players in the best games because we are hugely proud of the 295 Internationals who played in the Championship last season, not to mention the 26 called up for the British & Irish Lions tour. As for our new arrivals, the Cheetahs and the Kings, these are teams whose approach to the game should fit in seamlessly with our Championship. Both teams like to play fast, attacking rugby and given that our tournament boasts some of the best Positive Play statistics across Europe we know they’ll be right at home. You only have to look at our recent champions in Scarlets, Connacht, Glasgow Warriors and Leinster to see they type of adventurous rugby it takes to win our title. Looking back to the previous campaign we saw a record number of tries scored (711), while crowds were up and nowhere was that more evident than at the Final at Aviva Stadium. A new record attendance of 45,566 witnessed Scarlets’ scintillating play prove too much for Munster in a game that showcased the attacking calibre of our Championship. That’s one of the reasons that makes it so exciting to bring the first ever Guinness PRO14 Final to Dublin on May 26, 2018. I’m also delighted to say we will again implement an Early Bird o er for fans who decide to back their teams and buy their tickets well in advance on www. ticketmaster.ie where prices start from €5 for Children and €30 for adults. I also want to thank Guinness for their continued title sponsorship of the Championship while Gilbert and Macron have joined Specsavers as oŸcial partners and we’re delighted to have them. Our Championship gets terrific support from our broadcasters – Sky Sports, BBC Wales, BBC Northern Ireland, BBC ALBA, S4C and TG4 – and it’s fantastic to be working alongside them as we tell the story of this historic season ahead. Finally, I’d like to wish all our players, coaches, clubs and referees good luck for the season ahead as they make this Championship what it is for you as a fan. Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi Chief Executive OŸcer

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

ONE BALL. FOURTEEN T EAMS

TRUST. INNOVATION. PERFORMANCE.

TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

ORLAGH QUINLAN (8) Orlagh is from Drogheda and plays Mini Rugby for Boyne RFC. Orlagh also enjoys dancing, singing, horse riding and GAA. Orlagh’s favourite player is Tommy Bowe because he is very fast, exciting to watch and he plays for Ireland. She enjoys singing Stand up for the Ulster Men! When she grows up Orlagh would like to be a Shop Keeper.

SAMUEL CRAIG (9) Sam is from Antrim and attends Creavery Primary School. He plays Mini Rugby for Ballymena RFC and enjoys music. Sam is very excited to be selected as a Mascot tonight and cannot wait to run out onto the Kingspan Stadium pitch with Sparky and hear the Ravenhill Roar like the players. His favourite player is Craig Gilroy because he is very talented. When he grows up, Sam would like to be a Vet and play rugby for Ulster.

GET SOCIAL. FOLLOW US.

UlsterRugby

UlsterRugbyO‘cial

O‘cialUlsterRugby

#SUFTUM

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RORY BEST CONFIRMED AS ULSTER CAPTAIN

Director of Rugby Les Kiss has confirmed that Rory Best will lead Ulster during the 2017/18 season.

RORY BEST

Best, who has played 198 times for his home Province, returns to a position that he first held from 2007 to 2011. The 35-year-old brings immense experience to the role, having previously had two stints as captain of Ulster, as well as considerable experience of leading both Ireland and the British & Irish Lions. Best took over the Ireland captaincy 18 months ago and oversaw a historic run of results last year as they registered a first Test victory on South African soil in June followed by a first-ever win over New Zealand in November. Later that month, he won his 100th international cap in a win over Australia. A two-time British & Irish Lions tourist, Best led midweek sides on both the 2013 tour to Australia and again in New Zealand earlier this summer. Commenting on his appointment, Best said: "It's a huge honour to captain my home Province again. To play for Ulster fills me with immense pride and that feeling is amplified when I lead the team out. "I'll be in the privileged position of having an experienced group of players supporting me, all of whom have represented Ulster for a number of years and are superb leaders in their own right.

"The standard of rugby in the Guinness PRO14 and the Champions Cup is improving each year and the players are looking forward to the challenges ahead in both competitions. We're committed to working hard each week to improve every aspect of our game and hopefully this will increase our chances of success.” Kiss paid tribute to his new skipper, adding: "Rory is an exceptional ambassador for Ulster Rugby both on and off the pitch. To have achieved what he has in the game is testament to his qualities as a player and a person. "It's brilliant for us to be in a position to call upon someone with his experience and proven leadership ability. He has recent experience of captaining Ireland and the Lions in massive "We have a structure in place that will enable us to call upon strong leaders throughout the season, regardless of injuries and international call-ups. Indeed, Chris Henry, who has led the team on many occasions, will captain us tonight against the Cheetahs. I'm looking forward to working with Rory and the other senior players to create a culture that challenges us to improve week by week.” games and that has further enhanced his leadership qualities, meaning he's better equipped than ever before to lead us.

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ULSTER RUGBY VISITOR EXPERIENCE

The Ulster Rugby Visitor Experience offers the chance to take a behind the scenes tour of the impressive Kingspan Stadium and learn more about the history of rugby in Ulster. Speaking ahead of the new season Cathy Blair,

ULSTER RUGBY VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Visitor Experience Manager, commented: “We, at the Ulster Rugby Visitor Experience Centre, are excited about the new season and the chance to further engage with fans, schools and youth groups, as well as the public, to share the story of Ulster Rugby and support further interest in this fantastic sport. “Our Heritage Museum offers both a special collection of artifacts and a fantastic way to preserve the rich history of Irish rugby and key moments in Ulster Rugby’s history dating as far back as 1854. “Through use of digital exhibits, interactive games and educational workshops we work to bring the story of rugby in Ulster to life for visitors who relish the opportunity to meet some of Ulster Rugby’s legends, pick their own Dream Team and put their skills to the test with kicking or tackling challenges. “The Kingspan Stadium tours and the range of educational workshops and activities available at the Nevin Spence Visitor Experience Centre, are suitable for a range of groups and offer a little something for all ages. We look forward to helping you along your journey of rugby discovery during the 2017/2018 season.”

VISITOR EXPERIENCE CENTRE

The Ulster Rugby Visitor Experience is available Monday to Friday (10am to 5pm) and on selected Saturdays throughout the year. Please note the following restrictions apply: » All tours must be booked in advance » Tours are not available on match days » Tours entail a significant amount of walking – visitors are required to wear appropriate clothing and sensible footwear » Please notify staff of any special requirements you might have at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. For more information, or to book a tour online, please visit www.ulsterrugby.com/tours

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An unmissable line up on BT Sport Visit bt.com/sport or call 0800 201 2201

THE ASHES

CUP

WHICH TEAMMATE IS THE WORST DRESSER? Robbie Diack? Loves no shirt WHO IS THE BIGGEST COFFEE SNOB? Callum Back – guilt trip. WHO IS THE WORST ROOMMATE TO HAVE ON AWAY TRIPS AND WHY? John Andrew – he’s never in the room. WHO IS THE SMARTEST ON THE TEAM? Marcell – he is never wrong. IF YOU HAD A BOAT, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Into the blue. WHICH PLAYER HAS THE MOST USELESS TALENT AND WHAT IS IT? Kyle McCall #McCallSkillSchool WHAT IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS FACT OR PHRASE YOU KNOW? Hot water is heavier than cold water. PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA - YAY OR NAY? Yay WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST AND WHY? Nothing scares me. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS? Positive, Motivated and Serious WIEHAHN HERBST ANSWERS FAN QUESTIONS ITALIAN FOOD / CHINESE FOOD MOVIE / THEATRE STAR WARS / INDIANA JONES EUROPE / AMERICA HIKE / BIKE BUNGEE JUMP / SKY DIVE UP EARLY / LIE IN SUPER MARIO / SONIC PLAYSTATION / X BOX IRON MAN / CAPTAIN AMERICA SUPERMAN / BATMAN X FACTOR / STRICTLY COME DANCING DOG / CAT QUICKFIRE

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WIEHAHN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @WIEHAHNHERBST

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WHAT'S ON

#SUFTUM

Q RADIO STREET TEAM OFFERING TOP MUSIC AND SCORE PREDICTOR BANTER IN THE FAN ZONE LIVE MUSIC BY DAVID WRIGHT IN THE CLUBHOUSE BAR HUNGRY? THE FOOD VILLAGE, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE FAN ZONE, OFFERS 8 DIFFERENT STREET FOOD VENDORS THIRSTY? WE HAVE A RANGE OF BARS TO CHOOSE FROM INCLUDING: THE BIG RED BUS BAR LOCATED IN THE FAN ZONE THE POP UP PROSECCO BAR LOCATED IN THE CLUBHOUSE BAR THE SCRUM BAR & LINE OUT BAR LOCATED IN MEMORIAL STAND THE CLUBHOUSE & HEINEKEN QUARTER BAR LOCATED IN THE GRANDSTAND

SHARE YOUR PICS FROM THE MATCH WITH #SUFTUM TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

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JONO GIBBES

Jono Gibbes, Ulster Rugby Head Coach, shares his thoughts on tonight’s challenge with the Cheetahs

will have on the PRO14. From the way they have been playing in the Currie Cup it is pretty obvious that there will be a lot of questions asked of our defence on Friday night which certainly sharpens the mind. For the Ulster supporters - what can we expect to see from the Cheetahs on Friday? One of their strong points is their cohesion. They’ve played a lot of games together recently, so we’re going to see a cohesive team; one that has played a lot and offers pretty solid combinations. Their approach to the game is holistic, they really play as a team. From 1 to 15 they are all comfortable handling the ball, they are all comfortable running support lines and off load lines and attack. South African teams, traditionally, have strong set piece play and a good drive and the Cheetahs certainly use variations of that. They bring all their team into play not just 1 to 8 with a 9 that kicks it; they can play from all parts of the field and have real speed in what they do, even the loosehead prop, Ox Nche, is extremely quick for a loosehead prop. We now know that Rory Best is going to captain Ulster for the season. Can you tell us what was the thought process behind that decision and what does Rory bring as a leader to the team? Each team has a different way of approaching what they think is important for the captaincy role. For this group, we kept coming back to a guy who is the captain of his country, who has performed at the highest level internationally, who was as a Lion in the summer for the second time. Someone who is a real warrior. Rory is a guy who brings people with him and we feel that he embodies the values of what is special about the Province of Ulster. He is a doer; he gets on and finds a way to get things done and continues to play at the highest level. The fact that he has played over 100 games for Ireland is a testament to the kind of character he is. All these factors were part of the decision-making process. His availability will be managed in line with his international commitments to ensure that he has the best possible support to further develop, so that he can continue to play at the highest level, influence Ulster Rugby and assist future Ulster leaders.

What can the team and management take from the recent outcomes of the friendlies and the pre-season programme in general? We felt that one of the real positives to come out of the pre-season games was the exposure it gave to a large number of players. For certain players, the pre-season games were a chance to blow off the cobwebs after a break between the seasons and for others it was a reward for their hard work and efforts so far. Perhaps more importantly, it exposed a lot more players to the way we want to play and the way we want to approach games which will be beneficial in the long run. Unfortunately, the amount of effort and investment from the team was not reflected in the overall scoreboard. But it was good experience for us, as a new coaching team, to understand how players react under pressure and how our skills and understanding are affected under the pressure of a live game, as no training environment can ever fully recreate that. From that point of view, we have learned a lot about the players and continue to focus on the strong positives that emerged for us as a coaching team. So tonight, it’s down to business as a new coaching team and a new squad with your first competitive outing – how do you feel about it? It’s exciting and has come around a lot quicker than I thought it would. I know the guys are raring to go and keen to show the difference between a pre-season game and a competition game. The preparation has been really good and we’re excited. Nine weeks of preparation builds towards this first game of the season and it’s right here - the first game in the competition, at home in Kingspan Stadium. I know it won’t be perfect but we are confident that we have prepared as best we can. From a coaching perspective, just how different or difficult is it facing a new team in the first game up? There are certainly a lot of unknowns. We weren’t completely sure of the touring party until it was announced on Monday so that put a little bit of pressure on trying to build enough information to give our players the right kind of detail so that they could adequately prepare. We’ve looked at the variations between how the team work from Super Rugby, to the Currie Cup and tried to identify the impact they

JONO GIBBES

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WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2017

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WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2017 World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has hailed Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 as "special and ground-breaking". More so than any other edition, Ireland 2017 captured the imagination beyond the sport's traditional reach. Viewership and social engagement records tumbled, new stars were born and, yet again, the performance bar was raised by the world's top players and teams.

CONGRATULATIONS GO TO NEW ZEALAND’S BLACK FERNS While only one team can be crowned champions, all the teams were fantastic on and off the field - rugby has certainly been the winner.

WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2017

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And so it begins, the big new adventure that is the Guinness PRO14 for a new season – bigger certainly, hopefully even better and more exciting. CHEETAHS READY TO POUNCE

Director of Rugby Les Kiss has designed a new coaching team to realise the potential of a squad of players which remains the envy of many clubs but which – by its own admission – has not delivered the rewards its hard work under previous managements promised. Jono Gibbes, the uncompromising new Head Coach, has a record – particularly at Leinster and Clermont Auvergne – which he will not easily allow to be soiled in his tenure at Kingspan. With Heineken Cup and PRO 12 winner Aaron Dundon bringing a fresh voice to the counsels on the star-laden forwards pool, Dwayne Peel expected to inject new energy to a group of backs which just oozes international quality, supporters will properly expect that when the new recruits have bedded in at Kingspan the frustrations of recent seasons can be consigned to history. The pre-season outings – on the face of it – have hardly contrived to create the optimism which does genuinely exist around the Ulster set-up, and ‘spankings’ from Wasps and Northampton cannot be dismissed as mere ‘hit-outs’, of no importance. Lessons will have been learned by coaches and by players, not least about each other. Les Kiss makes the ultimate ‘call’ on selection and against the Cheetahs the home side which lines out will not have played competitively together before this PRO14 ‘opener’. The impact of Australian out-half Christian Lealiifano will be scrutinised intensely, and his ability to get the three-quarters on the attacking front foot will be crucial this evening and for the next five months of his stay in Ulster. Marcel Coetzee and Jean Deysel, whose experience of the game in the northern hemisphere could be key, offer the promise of real heft in the back-row, but these two Springboks will be asked to play big roles this season, as will Chris Henry, Sean Reidy, Robbie Diack and another South African ‘new boy’, prop Schalk van der Merwe. These are intriguing time for Ulster, but there are real grounds for fans not to be fearful about the challenges which lie ahead this campaign. When Lions Jared Payne, Iain Henderson and Rory Best are ready to join the fray the new coaches’

After a short summer break domestically, and while our attention was focussed on the twists and turns of the British and Irish Lions’ adventures in New Zealand, the domestic rugby landscape changed at bewildering pace. At breakneck speed the PRO12 conceived two new arrivals, and not just from familiar shores. The southern hemisphere is now on the itinerary of Ulster and its regular opponents as South Africa’s Cheetahs and Southern Kings join the chase for glory against many of Europe’s best. Forged in the furnace of Super Rugby, their fixture lists bulging with the biggest club names in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa, the newcomers add exotica and potentially extra depth to the league. To accommodate the recruits and yet maintain a playing schedule which ‘works’ for players, clubs and the international scene a new format has been developed, and anyone who hasn’t quite grasped all of its intricacies could be forgiven. But stick with it, please, the sport remains the same, the number of players too! There are now two Conferences – or divisions – and if the whiff of Americana can be smelt it boils down to supporters having the same number of games to watch in the chase for a play-off formula which now extends to quarter-finals. En route to those silverware-defining weeks next May Ulster, for instance, will play its Conference colleagues home and away, it will also take on both South African sides and – despite their different Conference assignations – the fables Irish Inter-Provincial games are all secured in the new PRO14 construct. European Champions Cup places will be part of the ‘prize fund’ – though the Cheetahs and Kings will not be eligible for qualification. Still with us? Good. Now the bit you are really going to like! The rugby starts here at Kingspan Stadium tonight, Ulster under a new management team, the squad refashioned with some exciting signings, and a packed house hungry for action. It’s the chance for that uniquely steadfast group of supporters to roar on its favourites to a season which will – at last – bring tangible reward in the PRO14 and, given the stated ambitions of all in the club, success in the world-class arena which is Europe.

ROD NAWN

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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

Ulster is determined to meet the challenges ahead with renewed vigour and imagination, and on this first day of September a new competition provides a stage for a generation of players to fulfil themselves and their supporters’ hopes. These are exciting, fast-moving times. Step aboard, it’s going to be a spectacular ride!

influence and the responses of important individual players will be evident, and performers of the calibre of Trimble, Bowe, McCloskey, the Marshalls, Cave, Piutau, Stockdale, Gilroy, Lyttle, Cooney and Ludik will want to lead the team into the early autumn with emphatic results and thrilling displays. Tonight most observers anticipate that, galvanising and exciting though the club’s arrival in the PRO14 is, the Cheetahs will take some time to adapt to conditions 5,000 miles from Bloemfontein. Remember too that the parent club is currently engaged on two fronts, with the defence of the prestigious Currie Cup title a high priority. Coach Rory Duncan has to shuffle his resources for various reasons, and international demands mean that Springboks such as the outstanding breakaway forward Uzair Cassiem are not immediately available. But Duncan has made it clear that the Cheetahs see the rugby future increasingly being shaped in Europe. That view is shared by many clubs in South Africa who feel they contribute more than they benefit from being part of Super Rugby. That is an exciting thought for Ulster and the existing PRO14 operation, and those oft-stated ‘world class’ ambitions for Kingspan and the league do seem far more realistic as the product becomes more attractive and the consequent revenues are generated to offer supporters the quality of rugby and of players that aim implies. Tonight is an exciting night for Ulster and its loyal fans, for the new-look Guinness PRO14, and for the Cheetahs and Southern Kings as they become part of an expanded and truly international competition. The Cheetahs come with a reputation for playing with adventure, with panache, but they are well- drilled, thoroughly professional and Ulster this evening – and Munster next weekend in Limerick – will not under-estimate the qualities of a team skippered by the industrious Niell Jordaan. Both of this evening’s sides will want to lay down a ‘marker’, and the fascinating additions to the league will expand the span of the PRO14, geographically and in sporting and commercial terms.

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JOHN ANDREW

RODNEY AH YOU

RORY BEST

Hooker 26.05.93

Prop 27.10.88 186cm 128.1kg 17 3 Prop 25.02.86 180cm 116.8kg 128 —

Hooker 15.08.82 180cm 105kg

180cm 99.1kg 26 —

198 104

PETER BROWNE 2nd Row 25.10.87 200cm 115.8kg

TOMMY BOWE

CALLUM BLACK

Wing 22.02.84

191cm 98.6kg 150 69

31 —

DARREN CAVE

AARON CARINS

DAVID BUSBY

Centre 05.04.87 182cm 93kg 193 11

Scrum Half 07.10.92

Back Line 03.02.94

176cm 84.9kg 1 —

179cm 89.8kg

— —

JEAN DEYSEL

MARCELL COETZEE

JOHN COONEY

Back Row 05.03.85 191cm 118kg — SA 4

Flanker 08.05.91

Scrum Half 01.05.90 177cm 88kg

191cm 122kg 4 SA 28

— —

ULSTER SQUAD 2017/18 26 Wing 11.03.91 182cm 94kg 148 10 Prop 05.07.88 177cm 120.9kg 54 — CHRIS HENRY No. 7 17.10.84 187.cm 105.5kg 164 24 ROBBIE DIACK No. 8 12.11.85 195cm 193cm 110.8kg 2

IAIN HENDERSON 2nd Row 21.02.92 200cm 117kg

CRAIG GILROY

74 32

ROB HERRING

WIEHAHN HERBST

Hooker 27.04.90

182cm 106kg 119 1

www. ULSTERRUGBY .com

ROSS KANE

BRETT HERRON Out Half 13.11.95

CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO

Prop 14.10.94 179cm 113.5kg

Centre 03.03.91 180cm 98kg 103 9 Centre 06.08.92 190cm 108.8kg 57 1 Centre 24.09.87 180cm 91kg 0 AUS 19

183cm 89.9kg 7 —

11 —

ROB LYTTLE

LUKE MARSHALL

LOUIS LUDIK Full Back 08.10.86

Wing 28.01.97

ULSTER SQUAD 2017/18

174cm 86.2kg 8 —

182cm 92.4kg 54 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

STUART McCLOSKEY

Scrum Half 26.07.85

Prop 02.01.92 177cm 106.7kg 35 —

170cm 76.0kg 193 3

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS Out Half 13.04.97

PETER NELSON Full Back 05.10.92 180cm 87kg 36 —

ALAN O’CONNOR 2nd Row 10.09.92 195cm 113.2kg 38 —

180cm 88.9kg

— —

TOMMY O'HAGAN

JACK OWENS

CALLUM PATTERSON

Prop 05.10.93 182cm 120kg

Wing 04.10.95

Centre 10.08.92

189cm 98.6kg

181cm 93.3kg

— —

— —

— —

MATTHEW REA

JARED PAYNE Full Back 13.10.85 187cm 94kg

CHARLES PIUTAU Full Back 31.10.91 186cm 103.5kg

No. 8 21.09.93 193cm 110.8kg

— —

78 20

NZ 17

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CLIVE ROSS

SEAN REIDY

DAVE SHANAHAN

Scrum Half 20.06.93

Back Row 14.06.89 190cm 107.2kg

Back Row 10.05.89 182cm 103kg — 1

174cm 77.4kg

— —

— —

KIERAN TREADWELL 2nd Row 06.11.95 198cm 115kg

JACOB STOCKDALE

JONNY SIMPSON

Centre 03.04.96 190cm 102kg — 1

Prop 19.08.90 182cm 108.3kg

ULSTER SQUAD 2017/18

— —

— —

ANDREW TRIMBLE

SCHALK VAN DER MERWE

ANDREWWARWICK

Prop 04.12.90 184cm 110kg

Prop 12.03.91 177cm 113kg

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 98kg — 70

— —

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Keep up to date with the latest player pro les, career stats and player news at www.ulsterrugby.com . PLAYER STATS

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1

KYLE MCCALL

CHARLES PIUTAU

14

2

ANDREW TRIMBLE

ROB HERRING

13

3

WIEHAHN HERBST

TOMMY BOWE

12

4

STUART McCLOSKEY

ROBBIE DIACK

ULSTER RUBGY

11

5

LOUIS LUDIK

ALAN O'CONNOR

6

10

CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO

JEAN DEYSEL

7

9

CHRIS HENRY C

JOHN COONEY

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 J ANDREW C BLACK R AH YOU M REA

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S REIDY D SHANAHAN P NELSON D CAVE

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MARCELL COETZEE

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

REFEREE ANDREW BRACE IRFU, 24TH COMPETITION GAME ASSISTANT REFEREES SIMON REES WRU | LEO COLGAN IRFU TMO JON MASON WRU

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OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

Constructive, collaborative and caring. We recognise our role in ensuring our companies are rooted in the communities in which we operate. We do this in a number of ways - through community funding, through community volunteering and through partnerships with schools and colleges.

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Working Together

ULSTER RUGBY

SQUAD 2017/18

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CHARLES MARAIS

SERGEAL PETERSEN

14

2

ROSKO SPECMAN

JACQUES DU TOIT

TOYOTA CHEETAHS

3

13

WILLIAM SMALL-SMITH

JOHAN COETZEE

4

12

ALI MGIJIMA

JUSTIN BASSON

5

11

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI

RENIEL HUGO

6

10

CLAYTON BLOMMETJIES

PAUL SCHOEMAN

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9

HENCO VENTER

SHAUN VENTER

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23

T VAN JAARSVELD O NCHE T BOTHA R BERNARDO

G OLIVIER T MEYER C AFRIKA R BENJAMIN

8

NIELL JORDAAN C

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JUSTIN BASSON

CECIL AFRIKA

REINIER BERNARDO

Lock 10.02.94 195cm 121kg

Utility Back 03.03.88 177cm 65kg

Lock 27.08.91 199cm 112kg

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TOM BOTHA

CLAYTON BLOMMETJIES Full Back 30.08.90 183cm 87kg

RYNO BENJAMIN

Prop 30.08.90 178cm 110kg

Utility Back 03.08.83 188cm 94kg — SA Sevens

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ARANOS COETZEE

UZAIR CASSIEM

TIENIE BURGER

Prop 14.03.88 185cm 120kg — NAM 13

Flanker 17.03.90 188cm 98kg — SA 1

Flanker 19.11.93 193cm 106kg

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JACQUES DU TOIT

CHRIS DRY

LUAN DE BRUIN

Hooker 19.11.93 182cm 104kg

Flanker 13.02.88 190cm 92kg — SA Sevens

Prop 13.02.93 183cm 120kg

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EDRICH DE JAGER

RYNO EKSTEEN

JOSEPH DWEBA

TOYOTA CHEETAHS 2017/18

Fly Half 03.10.94 186cm 88kg

Hooker 25.10.95

Hooker 29.02.96 187cm 118kg

175cm 108kg

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ELANDRE HUGGETT

MALCOM JAER Full Back 29.06.95 174cm 72kg

RENIEL HUGO

Hooker 05.10.91

Lock 19.07.90 198cm 109kg

178cm 105kg

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— —

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G JANSE VAN VUUREN

JOHAN KOTZE

NIELL JORDAAN

Prop

Prop 24.08.95

Back Row 13.01.92 190cm 103kg

174cm 104kg

187cm 120kg

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TERTUIS KRUGER

ARMANDT KOSTER

HILTON LOBBERTS

Lock 20.01.90 193cm 108kg

Lock 11.06.86 196cm 105kg

Centre

TOYOTA CHEETAHS 2017/18

179cm 90kg

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NICO LEE

MAKAZOLA MAMPIMPI

CHARLES MARAIS

Prop 29.08.88 190cm 120kg

Wing 26.07.90 187cm 90kg

Centre 13.03.94 180cm 89kg

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NIEL MARAIS

TIAN MEYER

STEVEN MEIRING

Scrum Half 20.09.88 178cm 85kg

No 8

Utility Back 21.01.92 180cm 98kg

188cm 95kg

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ALI MGIJIMA

ZEE MKHABELA

OUPA MOHOJE

Scrum Half 15.10.94 168cm 75kg

Centre 11.02.95 188cm 94kg

Back Row 03.08.90 193cm 106kg — SA 17

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LUTHER OBI

GERHARD OLIVIER

OX NCHE

Wing 29.04.93 175cm 86kg

Prop 23.07.95

Flanker 17.02.93 189cm 105kg

173cm 105kg — SA A 2

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SERGEAL PETERSEN

JUNIOR POKOMELA

RAYMOND RHULE

Flanker 10.12.96 188cm 95kg

Winger 01.08.94 170cm 82kg

Centre 06.11.92 180cm 86kg — SA A 2

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PAUL SCHOEMAN

ROSCO SPECMAN

FIFY RAMPETA

Back Row 19.12.92 188cm 108kg

Flanker 23.03.95 171cm 90kg

Winger 28.04.89 176cm 85kg — SA Sevens

TOYOTA CHEETAHS 2017/18

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WILLIAM SMALL-SMITH

JP SMITH

TORSTEN VAN JAARSVELD

Hooker 30.06.87 175cm 106kg — NAM 13

Scrum Half 31.03.94 187cm 92kg

Centre 31.03.92 183cm 90kg

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RUAN VAN RENSBURG

FRANCOIS VENTER

HENCO VENTER

Centre 19.04.91 185cm 94kg — SA 3

Scrum Half 31.05.93 178cm 85kg

Back Row 27.03.92 193cm 109kg

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REINACH VENTER

NTOKOZO VIDIMA

DENIS VISSER

Hooker 03.01.95 178cm 118kg

Flanker 13.05.95 186cm 95kg

Lock 20.02.93 200cm 118kg

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JASPER WIESE

LIHLELI XOLI

FRED ZEILINGA

Back Row 21.10.95 190cm 110kg

Fly Half 11.12.92 175cm 85kg — SA A 1

Centre 28.02.93 183cm 93kg

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THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW… ABOUT THE CHEETAHS!

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Legendary flanker Juan Smith, ‘capped’ 70 times by the Springboks, skippered the Cheetahs between 2006 and 2011, and returned from a career-threatening injury to become a key member of Toulon’s European Cup-winning sides in 2014 and 2015. For its Guinness PRO14 debut the Cheetahs travelled 9,000 miles to Kingspan Stadium and stay in Ireland to play Munster next weekend before their trip home. Zebre will provide the opposition for the Cheetahs’ first home game in the PRO14 on the third weekend this month with Leinster arriving a week later.

The Cheetahs’ home ground for the expanded Guinness PRO14 is the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein and is 4,577 feet above sea level! The capacity of the stadium – formerly the Free State Stadium - was increased to 48,000 to accommodate the crowds at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Bloemfontein is one of three national capitals of South Africa – the others being Pretoria and Cape Town – and is the judicial centre of the nation. The PRO14 Cheetahs side is one element of a sophisticated Free State Cheetahs operation and drawn from the Western half of the Province. The Free State Cheetahs compete successfully in the domestic Currie Cup series and will defend the title in 2017. The Cheetahs’ last game in Super Rugby was a 21-20 win over the other PRO14 newcomers – the Southern Kings – in Port Elizabeth in July. Tonight’s visitors played in Super Rugby for the first time in 2006, ‘mixing it’ with the best club sides in the southern hemisphere. Rassie Erasmus, currently in charge at Munster and newly- appointed Director of Rugby with the South African national side, coached the Cheetahs in its Super Rugby debut season of 2006.

TOYOTA CHEETAHS 2017/18

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ULSTER AGE-GRADE TEAM FIXTURES

ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY

18/08/2017 Leinster 24/08/2017 Ulster

30 - 34 Ulster

10 - 22 Ulster Club Select

ULSTER AGE-GRADE TEAMS

01/09/2017 Munster

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Ulster

5.30pm

DANSKE BANK ULSTER U18 SCHOOLS

28/08/2017 Munster 02/09/2017 Ulster 16/09/2017 Ulster 23/09/2017 Leinster

10 - 9

Ulster

Thomond Park Campbell College

- - -

Leinster Munster

3.00pm 1.30pm 2.30pm

RBAI

Ulster

Donnybrook

ULSTER U18 CLUBS

09/09/2017 Ulster 17/09/2017 Munster 23/09/2017 Ulster

- - -

Leinster

City of Armagh RFC

1.00pm 1.00pm 2.30pm

Ulster

Thomond Park

Connacht

City of Armagh RFC

ULSTER U19

03/09/2017 Connacht 09/09/2017 Leinster 16/09/2017 Ulster

- - -

Ulster Ulster

Sportsground Donnybrook

1.00pm 2.30pm 3.30pm

Munster

RBAI

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ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY SQUAD 2017/18

ABBEY INSURANCE ULSTER ACADEMY JONATHON STEWART

NAME Jonathon Stewart DOB 20/02/1998 PREFERED POSITION Scrumhalf PREVIOUS TEAMS Wallace High School, Queen's University HONOURS Ireland U18s, Ireland U20s, Ulster A COURSE STUDYING Law at QUB RUGBY INFLUENCES Family, School SPORTING IDOLS Michael Phelps, Will Genia RUGBY AMBITION Represent Ulster and Ireland A FACT NOT MANY PEOPLE WOULD KNOW The spelling of my name is kinda strange (JonathOn rather than the usual Jonathan) BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED Enjoy big occasions rather than fear them STRONGEST AREA OF YOUR GAME Passing AREA TO WORK ON Tackling THING YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUGBY Place to express yourself (and sometimes travel)

OTHER HOBBIES Golf, watching Netflix FAVOURITE MOVIE Remember the Titans PRE-GAME SONG Seve – Tez Cadey CHEAT MEAL Pic n mix PRE-MATCH SUPERSTITIONS: None

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GO POWER RENEWS TWO-YEAR SPONSORSHIP CONTRACT WITH ULSTER RUGBY

One of the leading electricity and gas suppliers to businesses in Northern Ireland, Go Power, has renewed its commitment to Ulster Rugby by signing a new two-year sponsorship contract.

The agreement will see Go Power continue as a jersey sponsor with the company logo featured prominently on the back of the Ulster shirt. Branding will be visible around Kingspan Stadium and rugby fans will benefit from a series of competitions organised by Go Power throughout the season. Go Power, which is part of the LCC Group, has experienced rapid growth since launching into the Northern Ireland commercial market in April 2012. The company holds a 35 per cent share of the overall Industrial and Commercial market in Northern Ireland and works with several key clients including NI Water, NI Local Government and Councils and other key Ulster Rugby Sponsors that include BT, Danske Bank, Moy Park and Dale Farm. Go Power also exclusively supplies Ulster Rugby's Kingspan Stadium with both electricity and natural gas. The LCC Group is an independent family owned company, established in 1980 which provides a range of services spanning various energy sectors. Initially set up to provide domestic coal and oil to homes in Northern Ireland, the Group now supplies coal, oil, electricity, gas and logistic services across all key sectors of the Energy Industry, locally and worldwide. Laura Loughran, Go Power, said: "Our relationship with Ulster Rugby has been fantastic over the last two years and we are looking forward to continuing to support the team with our new sponsorship agreement. As a local company, we want to get behind the team as they aim for success in the Guinness PRO14 and European Champions Cup this year. "Through our ongoing sponsorship and commitment to the team, we have experienced a noticeable increase in the brand awareness

of Go Power and this has helped to spur on our fast growth in the marketplace. We are now working with 15,000 businesses in Northern Ireland, supplying electricity and natural gas.” Fiona Hampton, Head of Sales & Marketing at Ulster Rugby, added: "We are delighted to extend our relationship with Go Power for the next two years. Like ourselves, Go Power are committed to driving world class standards while maintaining strong roots within our local community. As a valued sponsor of Ulster Rugby, we are pleased that the association with the club has enhanced the company's profile within their industry, and we look forward to continuing a fruitful working relationship over the next couple of years.”

SPONSORSHIP NEWS

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TRAVEL TO SOUTH AFRICA with Killester Travel Group

SOUTHERN KINGS v ULSTER RUGBY SATURDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2017

COSTS: Belfast from £1185 per person sharing Dublin from £1125 per person sharing Tailored trips can be arranged on request including Cape Town and other activities like wine tasting, safari, whale watching and golf.

TRIP DATES Tuesday 31st October 2017 to Sunday 5th November 2017

INCLUDED: » Economy flights with BA and South African Airways » Belfast or Dublin departure to Port Elizabeth via London and Johannesburg » 4 nights BB twin sharing in Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth » Airport transfers » Match ticket

Please contact Paddy Baird on rugby@killestertravel.com for details.

LOUIS LUDIK

We spoke to Ulster utility back Loius Ludik about pre-season, getting back on the playing field and introduction of South African teams to the PRO14.

You must have been delighted to get the game time under your belt in the pre season? Absolutely. Especially after last season, there was a couple of mouths I couldn’t play which was tough so it’s great to be on the field again. Even though it didn’t go the way we wanted it to go it was good fun being out there. How do you feel the pre season went for you in particular? I think, for me, pre season went well; we all trained very hard. Pre season is always tough but it’s good to get the miles in. Our conditioning team are brilliant; they know exactly what they are doing. We could feel it; even though the results didn’t go our way all the guys felt fit during those pre season games so we are ready to take on the new season and really looking forward to it. We didn’t get the pre-season result here at Kingspan Stadium but tonight’s first game of the competition offers an opportunity to put that right? The Wasps game was very tough but it was great to see the enthusiasm of our younger players. The guys are really looking forward to tonight. I’ve played against the Cheetahs quite a few times in South Africa so know what they’re all about. They’ve got some great players over there. It’s a very exciting, young team, so I think it will be tough on defence as they like to run all over the park and off load and they have a lot of speed. They’re not the biggest guys but they have extreme pace and it’s going to be tough to catch them but we’re looking forward to it and we know what to expect so it’s going to be fun. It’s an exciting time for everyone with the revamp of the PRO14 as it’s know known. As a South African, is it as exciting for you and are you intrigued to see what it will bring? Yeah absolutely. There was a lot of speculation beforehand and we were just hoping it would come through. South Africans are very excited I think it’s especially great for both the competition and for the supporters, as it offers something new and fresh. it’s always great

seeing new teams, new talent, new guys and new styles of play, especially from the Southern Hemisphere. It’s going to interesting for them as well, especially in winter time seeing how they adapt, it’s going to be a bit wetter. But for me, playing against South African teams again is very exciting and the thought of maybe touring back to South Africa again to play on the old fields and see my family would be great.

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SUMMER CAMPS

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SUBWAY SUMMER CAMPS A BIG SUCCESS The curtain came down on the 2017 Subway Ulster Rugby Summer Camp programme on Friday 18th August, following the conclusion of 23 fantastic camps right across the Province.

SUMMER CAMPS

With Subway on board as the new title sponsor, four different types of camps were once again delivered from Bangor over to Letterkenny and Coleraine down to Virginia, providing rugby in a fun and safe environment for more than 1200 boys and girls of all ages and abilities. At each of the camps young players benefitted from expert advice from IRFU qualified rugby coaches while Ulster professional players were also on hand to give tips on the game, talk about life as a professional and interact with the participants. As part of the lead-in to the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the winners’ trophy was on show at a number of the camps for participants to get their photo taken and learn more about the big event, which climaxed in Belfast last week. Each participant also took home a t-shirt, boot bag, rugby ball, plus promotional codes to claim a free ticket to an Ulster game at Kingspan Stadium and a free stadium tour, including a visit to The Nevin Spence Centre.

Lunchtimes were a welcome break from the rugby action, as local Subway independent retailers were on hand to provide well-received subs and cookies. Commenting on the success of the 2017 summer camp programme, Chris Webster, Domestic strength to strength and we were delighted to increase the number of camps on offer once again this year, in particular building on the success of our School of Excellence camps. We were also very pleased to welcome Subway on board as our new sponsor and we look forward to working with them to further enhance the delivery of our programme.” With there being a healthy appetite for rugby camps at various junctures throughout the school calendar, it is anticipated that the camps will be expanded into a year-round programme. Stay tuned for more details! Rugby Manager at Ulster Rugby, said: “The summer camps continue to go from

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Subway proudly welcomes mini rugby’s finest from across the Province at half time. We’d like to say a big thank you to the coaches, parents, and volunteers who dedicate their time to mini rugby - you’re creating the future stars of Ulster Rugby. Fresh talent

Family End

Memorial End

Ards RFC Club colours

Ballynahinch RFC Club colours Green and blue Team Levi Naga Callum Bradley Owen McMullan Will McKee Oisin Lowry Quinn Armstrong Jon Rodgers Jude Shields George Thompson Tom Martin

CIYMS RFC Club colours Black & White Hoops Team

Bangor RFC Club colours Yellow Team

Black Team Jack Law

Adam Heasley Bertie Wilcox Daniel Nelson Daniel Thom Freddie Kane Harry Topping Harry Larkin Jed Dornan

Ollie Bates Toby Brown James Callaghan Aran Kane Ethan Kennedy Oliver Morrison Oliver Playfair Jack Ramsey Maxwell Scott Tom Semple Dan Sheriff Harry Thallon Coaches David Callaghan Alan Scott Mark Thallon

Toby Meredith Ben Ballantine Charlie Richards Ben McNally Abi Carson Evan McGonigle Charlie Gorman Carter McIlwrath Max Hughes Ewan Hughes Harvey McKittrick Coaches Roy Lawton Paul Thompson Conor Law

Michael Bradbury Michael Thompson Milo Luke Sebastian Berryman Coaches Colin Nelson Brian Luke Richard Heasley

Coaches Brendan Bradley Chris Armstrong Michael Rodgers