Ulster Rugby vs Zebra

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £4 ULSTER vASMCLERMONT AUVERGNE

FRI 22 NOV 2019, 7.45PM KINGSPAN STADIUM

PHOTO: INPHO

ISSUE INTHIS

10

17

Tonight's Mascots Kingspan Welcome EPRC Welcome President’s Welcome

2 3 5 7 9

Jonny Petrie CEO Update Interview: Iain Henderson

10 12 17 19 21 22 25 26 28 32 33 34 39 40 44 49 52 53 55 57 59 61 62 63 64

Last Time Out

Q&A: James Hume

Player Focus: David Shanahan

Academy Squad

Interview: Angus Curtis

Women & Girls Rugby Update

Schools' Rugby Update Ulster Squad Profiles

Ulster Team

ASM Clermont Auvergne Team ASM Clermont Auvergne Profiles

22

Match Statistics

Kingspan Stadium Map Guest Article: Rod Nawn

Referees Update Spot the Difference Guess the Player

Stand Up Membership Packages

Half-Time Rugby Teams

URSC Update

Stadium Information Competition Standings

Fixtures

Sponsors and Partners

1

ulsterrugby.com

TONIGHT'S MASCOTS

LILY-ROSE STURGEON (10) FROM TANDRAGEE Lily-Rose attends Tandragee Primary School and plays rugby for school and also for Portadown RFC. She is really excited to be our mascot tonight and can’t wait to hear the crowd roar. Lily-Rose also enjoys computer games and reading, and her favourite player is Jordi Murphy.

LUKA MATCHETT (12) FROM LISBURN

Luka plays rugby for his school Wallace High and also for Lisburn Rugby Club. As well as watching and playing rugby he also enjoys playing hockey, fishing, camping and playing his PS4. His favourite player is Jacob Stockdale and when he is older, he would like to be a professional rugby player.

2

ulsterrugby.com

Welcome back to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, where tonight the Ulster squad welcome Clermont Auvergne for Round 2 of the Heineken Champions Cup. Following a thrilling victory in Bath last week, we are delighted to welcome the Ulstermen back to their home soil where they will look to take control of Pool 3 against the French heavy-weights. Clermont arrive in Belfast in confident mood following a resounding victory last weekend against Harlequins. Ulster, for their part, will be determined to take on the challenge of a talented Clermont team head-on, aided by the raucous atmosphere that is sure to greet them for the season’s first European fixture in Kingspan Stadium. We are known for our warm welcome and I am sure that the Clermont Auvergne squad and their travelling supporters will experience nothing less from their visit. Finally, on behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the Ulster Rugby Squad and management team the very best of luck. To Ulster’s committed fans, enjoy the game, lead the way and help ensure that this is an evening to remember at Kingspan Stadium.

WELCOME FROMEPCR

When Toulouse took the field in Romania back in October 1995 for the tournament’s very first match, it was difficult to conceive that over the following quarter of a century, more than 21 million spectators would pass through the turnstiles to contribute to the colour of this great competition and witness its brilliance and drama. That has been the enduring appeal of the Heineken Champions Cup, which has long been regarded by many of the world’s top players and passionate rugby fans alike as the pinnacle of the professional club game. The tournament reached more fans than ever before thanks to live free-to-air coverage in the United Kingdom and Ireland supporting the excellent and comprehensive broadcasts of BT Sport and this season, the tournament has a sizeable boost in France with a second match per weekend free at the point of reception, through France Télévisions. Not only is the news good for European club rugby tournaments but for the sport as a whole, off the back of an inspirational Rugby World Cup 2019. Not only did we see high-quality action and surprises on the field as rugby boosted its profile in a new territory – much like we have done with destination finals in Europe – we also saw the Northern Hemisphere’s finest match officials on show, who we wholeheartedly support tournament past and present as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Heineken Champions Cup. A very warm welcome to the 2019/20 season which is a special one for everyone connected with Europe’s premier club rugby

in keeping our sport safe. Player welfare is of paramount importance, exemplified by EPCR’s decision to appoint independent matchday doctors to all 134 matches in European club tournaments this season, which is a notable step in the right direction. Stars of the global game now switch to the European stage for the Road to Marseille, where over 40,000 tickets have already been snapped up for Finals Weekend in May. Be sure to secure your place through HeinekenChampionsCup.com to be part of club rugby’s blue riband occasion. We are delighted to be joined on the journey to the South of France by title partners, Heineken, official partner Tissot, and official supporters Financial Times, Gilbert and Kappa, the latter who will supply kit for our Match Officials, and whom we are thrilled to welcome aboard. We have an intense tournament this year with the Pool Stage running from November through to mid-January. Whoever you will be cheering for, we hope that you enjoy the ride!

Yours in rugby, Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman

WE ARE RUGBY

PHOTO © PRESSESPORTS

OFFICIAL SUPPORTER OF EPCR WWW.KAPPASTORE.CO.UK

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

In particular, I extend a warm welcome to the traveling Clermont supporters – we have fond memories of the special atmosphere you helped create when you were last here in 2016 and I have no doubt it will be the same again tonight. Au nom d'Ulster Rugby, j'aimerais vous souhaiter la bienvenue au Stade Kingspan pour ce match, ce soir, contre ASM Clermont Auvergne dans le cadre de Heineken Champions Cup. Je voudrais, surtout, accueillir chaleureusement les supporteurs qui ont fait le trajet. Nous avons un beau souvenir de la superbe ambiance lors de notre dernière rencontre, ici, en 2016 et sans doute ca sera pareil ce soir. Like everyone else, I have been eagerly awaiting the return of Champions Cup rugby and there is no better occasion in club rugby that a big European game at Kingspan Stadium on a Friday night. Last weekend we came through a very difficult and attritional game in Bath, and I wish Sam Carter, Jack McGrath and Rob Lyttle speedy recoveries from the injuries they picked up. I would like to thank the large numbers of traveling Ulster supporters who made The Rec sound like a mini Kingspan Stadium. From speaking to the players, I know it also made a significant impact on them, and the rendition of Stand Up For The Ulster Men at the final whistle was brilliant. Tonight’s opponents cruised through Round 1 with an emphatic victory over Harlequins and will be coming to Belfast with high expectations. They are bristling with international talent from across world rugby, with many of them preparing to play at Kingspan Stadium for the first time – lets not disappoint them both on and off the pitch. In what is his first opportunity to lead the team out at home as the official club captain, I wish Iain Henderson, Dan McFarland and the rest of the squad the very best of luck. To the Ulster supporters – make your voices heard and remind everyone of what European Cup nights at Kingspan Stadium are all about! SUFTUM! Gary Leslie President, IRFU Ulster Branch On behalf of Ulster Rugby, I would like to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture versus ASM Clermont Auvergne.

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2019/20 OFFICERS Gary Leslie President Philip Gregg Senior Vice President Denis Gardiner Junior Vice President & Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary Jonny Petrie Chief Executive Officer

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

7

ulsterrugby.com

CAPITALISM . TIME FORA RESET .

Business must make a profit but should serve a purpose too.

Visit FT.com/NewAgenda

JONNY PETRIE CEOUPDATE

The Heineken Champions Cup is a competition that is all about momentum, so it was fantastic that we managed to come away from The Rec last week with a win.

Bath is always a very tough place to play, and that certainly proved to be the case again at the weekend. However, the team should take a huge amount of credit from how they stuck to the task and muscled a victory. Dan McFarland talks a lot about fighting for every inch, and it is clear to see how the players embody that spirit. The same also applies to our supporters. It is one of the real joys of my role here to see how many Ulster fans make the away trips, and how well they represent the club. I was pleased to be able to stop by our Fan Zone (brilliantly organised by the South Wales supporters club) the night before and on the morning of the game itself – I genuinely enjoy spending time chatting to people, and I see it also as an important part of what I do; recognising what our fans do to support the club. So, having squeaked through Round 1 with my nerves almost intact, we can look forward to what I know is going to be a special evening here at Kingspan Stadium. I think back fondly to our game

against Racing 92 last season, and how the atmosphere brought a lump to my throat (it was the first time that I had really seen the stadium show its teeth) and I hope that we can see the same again tonight. The start to the season has been a little strange with the distraction of the Rugby World Cup, but with that now out of the way, we need everyone’s full focus to be on Ulster, and for us to make sure that Clermont know, in no uncertain terms, what this Province is all about. The match will be tough – they are one of the very best in Europe – but I know you’ll see that fight from the guys out on the pitch, and I hope that this will be another great night in the history of Ulster’s European journey. Enjoy your evening, play your part, and get guldering! Jonny Petrie CEO, Ulster Rugby

9

ulsterrugby.com

10

Club captain, Iain Henderson is keen for another strong display from Ulster as they prepare for the second round of the Heineken Champions Cup against ASM Clermont Auvergne tonight, following their gutsy win against Bath last weekend. IAIN HENDERSON

In assessing the opposition, the skipper believes the French giants will be an enormous but not insurmountable test for the Ulster men. “I think Clermont are a team who like to attack; there are definitely opportunities to attack them as well. Some of their results they wouldn’t be too happy with in the Top 14, but you see the tries they manufacture, they’re an extremely dangerous team if anyone tries to play loose rugby against them. We’ve just got to make sure our defence is watertight.” At the age of 27, this is Henderson’s first season as club captain – a role which he attributes his teammates to making a lot easier for him. “This group of players is so good and there are so many leaders scattered throughout the squad, so the captaincy job is a lot easier than it would be if we didn’t have them. They’ll definitely be stepping up, hoping to impress the crowd and go after Clermont.” The large contingent of Ulster fans in Bath last weekend has filled the team with confidence ahead of what is their toughest challenge yet this season, and Henderson’s first home game since returning from the World Cup. “I’m massively excited and the fans in Bath on Saturday were unbelievable; I think there were a couple of thousand who travelled over. It gives us a lot of energy coming into this weekend if that’s what it’s like with a couple of thousand people, what’s a home game going to be like? I’m really looking forward to this.”

Despite having less of the territory and possession, Ulster’s defence against the hosts was outstanding, and ultimately kept them in the game with the visitors taking the chances that came their way. Henderson put their recent impressive defensive efforts down to the work by Defence Coach, Jared Payne. “Jared has been doing a great job with us,” he said. “He’s getting everyone onto the same page. When you’re defending well together, it feels like everyone knows what to do and it feels like everyone falls into place rather than being a massive effort. The technical challenge is something we’re doing really well in training and it’s been showing on the pitch.” After such a physical encounter on Saturday, the second row is aware of the difficulty of backing up a performance in a short turnaround time. “There’s a lot of pressure in the pool stages in this tournament. First and foremost, you need to get your home wins; those are the games you have to win to do well in the competition. “We’ve done the more difficult task first by winning away and now we have to back it up. Clermont have got a pretty exceptional team starting to find form coming to us and we’ve got to be the best version of ourselves to counter what they’re going to bring us.”

11

ulsterrugby.com

LASTTIMEOUT BATH16 – 17ULSTER

In a match billed as the Battle of the Burns Brothers – Ulster out-half Billy pitted against his older sibling Freddie at full- back for the hosts – scoring opportunities were in scant supply thanks to solid defence and some poor handling from both sides, but Ulster critically took the chances that came their way, and return to Belfast with a priceless away win. As play got underway at The Rec, Bath out-half Rhys Priestland had the first chance to open the scoring after three frantic minutes, but his penalty from 40 metres veered wide after Carter had been pulled up for not rolling away. Bath continued to enjoy the better of the possession as the first quarter wore on, with a Will Chudley charge-down of Cooney’s clearance on 11 minutes raising the alarm until the covering Addison hacked into touch.

A John Cooney masterclass – and a match-saving interception from Jacob Stockdale right at the death – saw Ulster make a sensational start to their 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup campaign, edging out Bath in a veritable tug-of-war at the Recreation Ground. An opportunistic first-half try and seven points from the boot by Cooney, coupled with a Rob Lyttle score in the second period, saw Dan McFarland’s men over the line, but with a single point separating the sides in overtime, Stockdale’s superb tracking steal from Semesa Rokoduguni metres from home proved just as crucial.

12

ulsterrugby.com

The hosts proved somewhat wasteful with the resulting lineout, and the two scrum- halves were soon involved in another charge-down incident, Cooney this time blocking Chudley’s kick deep in the Ulster half and showing great pace to collect his own punt forward and outstrip his chasers to the line for the try, and converted his own score. A long-distance penalty from Freddie Burns got Bath on the scoreboard on 25 minutes, and as the Ulster penalty count ramped up to five moments later, the full- back added a second from 25 metres to presented Cooney with a simple penalty in front of the posts – which the scrum-half, who had yet to put a foot wrong in the game, screwed wide. As play suddenly opened up just before the hour mark, the second Ulster score came out of nowhere, Addison kicking a loose ball into a huge gap on the Bath left flank, and Lyttle collecting unchallenged to dot down, Cooney again adding the extras. Bath were soon right back in it, however, with youngster Gabriel Hamer-Webb – only on the field for a matter of seconds – picking up on the left wing from Zach Mercer’s pass and outfoxing Addison with deft footwork to mark his European debut with a superb try. Burns’s conversion made it a one-point game once again, until the 66th minute when a high tackle from Alan O’Connor saw Priestland’s penalty nudge his side in front for the first time in the encounter. Unflustered, Ulster took their time, eventually grinding out a penalty in the 71st minute, with which Cooney made no mistake with this time. Chasing the game once more, Bath peppered the Ulster line with searching kicks, but Stockdale, Cooney and then Addison twice all collected flawlessly as the clock ran on. reduce the deficit to a single point. A no-arms tackle by Charlie Ewels

A Bath infringement at scrum-time with three minutes to play bought Ulster valuable metres and seconds, but their game of keep-ball fell apart with 90 seconds remaining, leaving the travelling fans’ hearts in their mouths until an inspired sliding interception by Stockdale saved the day, as Mercer sought Rokoduguni metres from the line for a nailed-on try. Ulster will now look to build on their excellent start when they welcome Clermont Auvergne to the Kingspan Stadium in Round 2.

13

ulsterrugby.com

HEINEKENCUP

ULSTERREACH150MILESTONE INHEINEKENCHAMPIONSCUP

Ulster’s Round 2 Heineken Champions Cup clash against French giants, Clermont at Kingspan Stadium tonight will be the club’s 150th in the European competition. Only Munster (175), Leinster (169), Toulouse (166) and Leicester Tigers (156) have played more European games, with Scarlets having played the same number of games as Ulster. It is the 25th anniversary of the European Club Professional Rugby’s premier competition, and to celebrate the occasion, all previous winners will be presented with a commemorative silver salver. As winners of the tournament in 1999, Ulster’s silver salver will be presented at half-time during the game against Clermont and will be accepted by IRFU Ulster Branch President and 1999 European Cup winner, Gary Leslie.

15

ulsterrugby.com

New season, new team on and off the pitch Openreach is proud to join Ulster Rugby

To find out what broadband speed is available in your area visit www.openreach.co.uk/ni

16

ulsterrugby.com

PLAYER Q&A JAMESHUME

When did you start playing rugby, and who was your first team? When I was five, playing for Malone RFC What’s your favourite rugby memory? Winning three school's Cups! If you could re-live one moment from your rugby career, what would it be? Lower sixth school’s Cup Final! What’s the one thing you could not live without? Deodorant/Aftershave Favourite subject in school? English All time favourite movie? The Other Guys Best player you have played with? Robert Lyttle Best player you have played against? Keith Earls What’s your pre-match routine? Any superstitions? Nandos night before and Fortnite all day! What’s on your pre-match playlist? DaBaby, Dave, Lil Durk, Jay1 Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby career and why? My Dad / Dan Soper What area of your game do you want to improve most this season? My Defence Tell us something not many people would know about you? I am a freak about nice smells – (Candles, aftershave etc)

17

ulsterrugby.com

DAVID SHANAHAN PLAYER FOCUS

The Dubliner is a product of Belvedere College and has progressed through the age-group system before joining the Abbey Insurance Academy where he put in a series of standout displays at scrum half while completing his Queen’s University degree. An accomplished livewire pivot who has often made an impact on the games he has featured in, scoring numerous tries for Ulster off superb support lines. Shanahan is set to win his 50th cap against ASM Clermont Auvergne tonight, if called upon. SO FAR THIS SEASON

TRIES 2

CARRIES 10

PASSES 164

TACKLES 10

abbeyinsurance.co.uk Abbey InsuranceBrokersLimited isauthorisedandregulatedbytheFinancialConductAuthority

2019/20ABBEY INSURANCE ACADEMYSQUAD

MATTHEW AGNEW

AZUR ALLISON

GRAHAM CURTIS

MATTHEW DALTON

Year 2 Back Row 20.11.98 180cm 89kg

Year 2 Back Row 19.04.99 192cm 95kg

Year 2 Scrum Half 12.09.99 176cm 84kg

Year 3 Lock 16.11.98 197cm 105kg

JOE DUNLEAVY

AARON HALL

BRUCE HOUSTON

IWAN HUGHES

Year 3 Back Row 22.12.98 190cm 101kg

Year 4 Back Row 26.06.98 193cm 98kg

Year 2 Fly Half 16.08.99 192cm 84kg

Year 2 Back Three 06.04.99 174cm 79kg

HAYDEN HYDE

DAVID McCANN

STEWART MOORE

CONOR RANKIN

Year 1 Centre 15.09.00

Year 2 Back Row 13.06.00

Year 2 Centre 08.08.99 183cm 91kg

Year 1 Back Three 27.05.01 186cm 83kg

191cm 101kg

191cm 103kg

JACK REGAN

CALLUM REID

AARON SEXTON

TOM STEWART

Year 3 Lock 09.05.97

Year 1 Prop 06.01.99 183cm 111kg

Year 1 Back Three 24.08.00 188cm 88kg

Year 1 Hooker 11.01.01 182cm 97kg

197cm 108kg

21

ulsterrugby.com

ANGUS CURTIS

After the crucial win in the opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup against Bath, we spoke to Angus Curtis about how he took the opportunity to move to Ulster, his thoughts on the game and the upcoming Clermont challenge, plus how it helps having a brother come through the Academy system.

now too part of the club’s Academy. He has found it mutually helpful having Graham join the setup. “It’s great having some family around. I remember coming over and everything was all new; I didn’t know what was going on and how the system works, so I’m glad I could help him when he came over. I always joke with him that he’s lucky to have me as I didn’t have anyone when I came here! I live with him so we get on well. He’s played in the Celtic Cup for Ulster A and he got his chance in the warm-up game against Glasgow and scored a great try, so he’s done really well this season.” The nail-biting win against Bath last Saturday was the 21-year-old’s second game playing in the Champions Cup - his first being Leicester at home last season - and he relished every moment. “It was fantastic,” he said. “It was the biggest win I’ve been involved in with Ulster. All the young guys have been working hard in training and doing all we can to take our chances, so when we do get them,

Although born and raised in Zimbabwe, Angus Curtis is Irish-qualified through his grandfather, Arthur Bryan, who played for Ireland in 1950. His father, David Curtis also played for Ireland between 1991 and 1992, including the 1991 World Cup. It was when he finished Hilton College in South Africa that he started to think about his ambition to play rugby in Ireland. “I finished school in 2016 and played for Sharks U18 when I decided I wanted to come to Ireland, so I got into chats with Kieran Campbell (Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy Manager) and came over to visit. The team helped me out and offered me a spot in the Academy at the beginning of 2017, just after I finished school. It was exciting; although I was nervous at the time, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made and I’m really happy.” Angus’s younger brother, Graham, has followed suit by moving to Ulster and is

22

ulsterrugby.com

especially in Europe away to a big club like Bath, is really special. “To get the win was a big effort and it will hold long in the memory for me. I’m going to keep working hard and hopefully get game time, but selection is never guaranteed so I’ll just take any opportunity I can with both hands.” The young centre / fly-half is now looking ahead to an arguably tougher test against French giants ASM Clermont Auvergne, and he’s under no illusion about how much of a challenge they will pose. “After the Bath game, we spoke about holding onto the ball because whenever we do, we give ourselves opportunities. We just need to be a bit more clinical, take those chances and finish them. You don’t get a lot of openings against good teams, so when we do get our chances to put ourselves in a better position, we need to take them. “Clermont have some really strong runners; their back row, back three and midfield are excellent so it’s going to be another massive defensive effort again. The squad as a whole is looking forward to it and Jared Payne (Ulster’s Defence Coach) is excited, I’m sure. There are a lot of opportunities we can go after them with; we’re going to work on those this week and do the same again on Friday.”

23

ulsterrugby.com

Standout Paving for Outstanding Homes

Paving &Walling

tobermore.co.uk

WOMEN&GIRLSRUGBY FIRSTROUNDOFTHE DELOITTEJUNIORCUP

THIS WEEKEND’S DELOITTE WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP

ROUND 1 FIXTURES SUNDAY 24TH NOVEMBER

Deloitte are now the title sponsors for women’s domestic rugby within the province for the next two years, expanding their commitment to support the Ulster Women’s and U18 Girls’ teams. This is an exciting time for women’s rugby in Ulster, with increasing player participation and the introduction of new teams to the domestic leagues. This weekend sees the first round of the Deloitte Junior Cup take place, which will be an intense competition between the 16 contending teams. With the Final being played at Kingspan Stadium, it is a game all teams will be vying to be a part of.

RANDALSTOWN v BELFAST HARLEQUINS QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 2 v CARRICKFERGUS LISBURN v NORTH DOWN MALONE 2 v PORTADOWN THIS WEEKEND’S ENERGIA WOMEN’S ALL IRELAND LEAGUE FIXTURES SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER SUTTONIANS V MALONE U. L. BOHEMIANS V COOKE

25

ulsterrugby.com

SCHOOLS' RUGBY DANSKEBANKULSTER SCHOOLS’ ROUND-UP

Dromore High School in a very evenly contested game the Limavady Grammar School team won by 20-19. In Group B Bangor Grammar School played Down High School in a game the Bangor Grammar School won by 47-19. Meanwhile Regent House School hosted the very spirited Foyle College team in a game the Regent House School team won by 46-7. In Group C Cambridge House Grammar School played Ballyclare High School and won the very close encounter by 17-16. Lurgan College hosted Omagh Academy in a game that saw referee, Mark Orr, officiate in his 34th season of refereeing Ulster Schools’ Cup rugby. This game was an evenly contested affair which ended as a 19-19 draw. The second of the Group D games took place when Sullivan Upper played their near neighbours from Grosvenor Grammar School and recorded a comfortable 40-0 bonus point win. In Group E Coleraine Grammar School hosted the Belfast Royal Academy team in an excitingly close encounter the Coleraine Grammar School team won by 8-7. Banbridge Academy played Belfast High School in a game where both teams were looking for their first win in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group game. The Belfast High School team, with their outhalf, Ben Reid, impressing with his performance, won the game by recording a bonus point 29-17 victory. In Group F the “Tie of the Round” was played at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School where the opposition was from the Royal School, Dungannon. This game, involving two of the original Royal Schools in the Province, was won by the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team which emerged as 40-10 winners. In the same

On Wednesday 13 November one midweek Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup/Group game took place when Dalriada School hosted Strabane Academy in a Group D game. The Dalriada School team won the game by 38-10 but, despite their loss, the Strabane Academy coach, Niall McDonnell, was very proud of the way his young charges played by displaying so much skill and commitment throughout the game. Also, on Wednesday, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock played the Wellington College, Belfast team in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Qualifying Group game. Following a closely contested game it was the Wellington College, Belfast team that emerged as 12-7 winners. The remaining fixtures in this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Group competition saw Carrickfergus Grammar School play Antrim Grammar School on Saturday 16 November. Our Lady and Saint Patrick’s College will play Carrickfergus Grammar School on Wednesday 20 November, Wellington College, Belfast will play Antrim Grammar School on Saturday 30 November with the final game, featuring Wellington College, Belfast and Carrickfergus Grammar School, scheduled for Saturday 7 December. On Saturday 16 November the remaining eleven Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group games took place. In Group A Friends’ School, Lisburn hosted the Rainey Endowed School team in a game the Friends’ School team won by 31-17. In a re-run of the 2018/19 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Final Limavady Grammar School entertained

26

ulsterrugby.com

Wallace High School entertained the Royal School, Armagh team in a 1st XV friendly game on Saturday 16 November. The Wallace High School team continued their recent run of good form and inflicted a rare defeat on the Royal School, Armagh team by winning the game 13-7.

Group Portadown College hosted Larne Grammar School in a game the Portadown College team won by 38-14. In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Qualifying Group Carrickfergus Grammar School, playing in their first game of the competition, hosted an Antrim Grammar School team that played a full part in this exciting game. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team recorded a bonus point 24-10 victory but had to work hard for the win.

27

ulsterrugby.com

2019/20 ULSTERSQUAD

Head Coach Dan McFarland Assistant Coach Dwayne Peel Forwards Coach Roddy Grant Defence Coach Jared Payne Skills Coach Dan Soper

WILL ADDISON

JOHN ANDREW

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE

BILLY BURNS

Utility Back 20.08.1992 186cm 93kg 14 IRE 4

Hooker 26.05.1993

Wing 19.08.1997 193cm 90kg 14 —

Fly Half 13.06.1994 185cm 86kg 28 —

181cm 104kg 59 —

SAM CARTER

MARCELL COETZEE

JOHN COONEY

ANGUS CURTIS

Lock 10.09.1989 200cm 116kg 7 AUS 16

Back Row 08.05.1991 192cm 114kg 32 SA 30

Scrum Half 01.05.1990 178cm 87kg 52 IRE 8

Centre 26.03.1998 178cm 92kg 11 —

MATT FADDES

CRAIG GILROY

IAIN HENDERSON

ROB HERRING

Centre/Wing 06.11.1991 185cm 93kg 6 —

Wing 11.03.1991 183cm 92kg 173 IRE 10

Lock 21.02.1992 199cm 117kg 106 IRE 53

Hooker 27.04.1990 184cm 107kg 172 IRE 8

28

ulsterrugby.com

JAMES HUME

BILL JOHNSTON

GREG JONES

ROSS KANE

Centre 07.09.1998

Fly Half 07.02.1997 180cm 87kg 3 —

Back Row 13.01.1996

Prop 14.10.1994 180cm 118kg 44 —

187cm 98.1kg

196cm 105kg 14 —

15 —

ANGUS KERNOHAN

MICHAEL LOWRY

LOUIS LUDIK

ROB LYTTLE

Wing 02.03.1999 181cm 93kg 18 —

Fly Half 20.08.1998

Full Back 08.10.1986 182cm 90kg 98 —

Wing 28.01.1997 175cm 85kg 28 —

171cm 75.1kg 19 —

LUKE MARSHALL

ADAM McBURNEY

KYLE McCALL

ZACK McCALL

Centre 03.03.1991 181cm 97kg 131 IRE 11

Hooker 05.09.1996

Prop 02.01.1992 176cm 111kg 55 —

Hooker 10.02.1995

182cm 102kg

180cm 100kg

17 —

— —

STUART McCLOSKEY

JACK McGRATH

GARETH MILASINOVICH

MARTY MOORE

Centre 06.08.1992 193cm 111kg 111 IRE 3

Prop 11.10.1989 185cm 118kg 5 IRE 56

Prop 15.12.1992

Prop 01.03.1991 178cm 121kg 22 IRE 10

191cm 132kg

— —

29

ulsterrugby.com

JORDI MURPHY

ALAN O’CONNOR

DAVID O’CONNOR

TOMMY O’HAGAN

Back Row 22.04.1991

Lock 10.09.1992 196cm 114kg 95 —

Lock 19.05.1995 194cm 110kg

Prop 05.10.1993

188cm 105kg 20 IRE 30

182cm 120kg 2 —

— —

ERIC O’SULLIVAN

TOM O’TOOLE

MARCUS REA

MATTHEW REA

Prop 30.11.1995 185cm 115kg 32 —

Prop 23.09.1998

Back Row 08.09.1997

Back Row 21.09.1993 194cm 112kg 34 —

185cm 120kg 30 —

188cm 105kg 1 —

SEAN REIDY

CLIVE ROSS

DAVID SHANAHAN

JONNY STEWART

Back Row 10.05.1989

Back Row 14.06.1989

Scrum Half 20.06.1993 174cm 78kg 49 —

Scrum Half 20.02.1998 174cm 77kg

182cm 103kg 112 IRE 2

193cm 109kg 73 —

12 —

JACOB STOCKDALE

NICK TIMONEY

KIERAN TREADWELL

ANDREW WARWICK

Wing 03.04.1996

Back Row 01.08.1995 189cm 111kg 53 —

Lock 06.11.1995 198cm 118kg 78 IRE 3

Prop 12.03.1991 179cm 113kg 120 —

191cm 103kg 57 IRE 25

31

ulsterrugby.com

TEAM

1 2

ULSTER

ERIC O'SULLIVAN

ROB HERRING

15 14 13 12 11 10

WILL ADDISON

3 4 ALAN

MARTY MOORE

LOUIS LUDIK

O’CONNOR

LUKE MARSHALL

5 6 7 8

IAIN HENDERSON (C)

STUART McCLOSKEY

SEAN REIDY

JACOB STOCKDALE

JORDI MURPHY

BILLY BURNS

MARCELL COETZEE

9

JOHN COONEY

TODAY’S OFFICIALS REFEREE JP DOYLE ENG ASSISTANT REFEREES ANTHONY WOODTHORPE ENG SIMON McCONNELL ENG TMO TREVOR FISHER ENG

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 A McBURNEY K McCALL T O’TOOLE K TREADWELL

N TIMONEY D SHANAHAN B JOHNSTON C GILROY

20 21 22 23

32

ulsterrugby.com

TEAM ASMCLERMONTAUVERGNE

1 2

ETIENNE FALGOUX

JOHN ULUGIA

15 14 13 12 11 10

NICK ABENDANON

3 4 PAUL

RABAH SLIMANI

PETER BETHAM

JEDRASIAK

ISAIA TOEAVA

5 6 7 8

SITALEKI TIMANI

GEORGE MOALA

PECELI YATO

ALIVERETI RAKA

ARTHUR ITURRIA

JAKE McINTYRE

FRITZ LEE (C)

9

GREG LAIDLOW

REPLACEMENTS 16 17 18 19 M TADJER L UHILA D ZIRAKASHVILI T LANEN

L DESSAIGNE M PARRA C LOPEZ A NAQALEVU

20 21 22 23

2019/20

ASMCLERMONTAUVERGNE

Sports Director Franck Azema Sports Manager Neil McIlroy Assistant Coach Didier Bés Assistant Coach Bernard Goutta Assistant Coach Xavier Sadourney

NICK ABENDANON

YOHAN BEHEREGARAY

GIORGI BERIA

PETER BETHAM

Fullback 27.08.1986 178cm 86kg

Prop 11.11.1999

Hooker 29.05.1996

Winger 06.01.1989 191cm 98kg

175cm 107kg

173cm 104kg

JUDICAEL CANCORIET

CHARLIE CASSANG

LUCAS DESSAIGNE

SAMUEL EZEALA

Flanker 25.04.1996 194cm 110kg

Scrumhalf 08.02.1995 179cm 84kg

Backrow 07.02.1999 188cm 96kg

Centre 12.11.1999 187cm 94kg

SIPILI FALATEA

ETIENNE FALGOUX

ALEXANDRE FISCHER

WESLEY FOFANA

Prop 06.06.1997 183cm 110kg

Prop 19.01.1993

Backrow 19.01.1998 188cm 103kg

Centre 20.01.1988 178cm 88kg

182cm 105kg

34

ulsterrugby.com

REMI GROSSO

ARTHUR ITURRIA

PAUL JEDRASIAK

BEQA KAKABADZE

Wing 04.12.1988

Lock 13.05/1994 195cm 110kg

Lock 06.02.1993 198cm 115kg

Prop 07.09.1995 180cm 117kg

191cm 104kg

GREIG LAIDLAW

CLEMENT LANEN

THIBAULT LANEN

ALEXANDRE LAPANDRY

Scrum half 12.10.1985 174cm 78kg

Lock 01.04.2000 196cm 103kg

Lock 01.04.2000

Flanker 13.04.1989 194cm 105kg

196cm 106kg

FRITZ LEE

CAMILLE LOPEZ

JAKE McINTYRE

GEORGE MERRICK

No 8 27.08.1988 190cm 110kg

Outside half 03.04.1989 176cm 85kg

Outside half 28.04.1994 178cm 88kg

Lock 04.10.1992 201cm 126kg

GEORGE MOALA

APISAI NAQALEVU

MORGAN PARRA

DAMIAN PENAUD

Centre 05.11.1990 188cm 99kg

Centre 21.08.1989

Half back 15.11.1988 181cm 77kg

Winger 28.09.1996 185cm 92kg

188cm 104kg

35

ulsterrugby.com

ALIVERETI RAKA

RABAH SLIMANI

MIKE TADJER

DONOVAN TAOFIFENUA

Wing 09.12.1994 189cm 94kg

Prop 18.10.1989 175cm 113kg

Hooker 10.03.1989 183cm 119kg

Full Back 30.03.1999 179cm 84kg

SITALEKI TIMANI

ISAIA TOEAVA

SETARIKI TUICUVU

LONI UHILA

Lock 19.09.1986 203cm 120kg

Full Back 08.01.1986 182cm 99kg

Full Back 07.09.1995 179cm 90kg

Prop 07.04.1989 180cm 125kg

JOHN ULUGIA

JACOBUS VANTONDER

TANI VILI

PECELI YATO

Hooker 17.01.1986 180cm 115kg

Lock 08.03.1998 198cm 120kg

Centre 31.10.2000

Flanker 17.01.1993 196cm 105kg

187cm 105kg

DAVIT ZIRAKASHVILI

For more information asm-rugby.com

Prop 20.09.1983 179cm 113kg

37

ulsterrugby.com

STATISTICS

SO FAR THIS SEASON COMPETITION SPECIFIC

314

604

Metres Gained

114

138

Carries

24

27

Defenders Beaten

149

119

Tackles Made

4

7

Scrums won

Most Metres Made John Cooney 57 Metres

Most Carries Marcell Coetzee 17 Carries

39

ulsterrugby.com

Festive Gifts

TICKETS

VOUCHERS

GAME PASS

KIT

MEMBERSHIP

UlsterRugby.com

40

ulsterrugby.com

KINGSPAN STADIUMMAP

GRANDSTAND

41

ulsterrugby.com

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

42

ulsterrugby.com

43

ulsterrugby.com

ROD NAWN

Kingspan Stadium under the late autumn Friday night floodlights, the visit of a highly decorated French opposition, and most of all, the lustre of European competition, ensure a vibrant expectation on this special evening. ULSTERREADYTO TOPPLEFRENCHGIANTS

vying for the scrum-half berth, and Nick Abendanon, out-half Camille Lopez and All Black centres Isaia Toeave and George Moala amongst an international cast of backs behind a heavyweight scrum, Europe’s top prize has proved irritatingly elusive. In the pack, which Ulster must be at its very best to master in the set-piece and at the breakdown, are some top-class performers in props Etienne Falgoux and French tight-head Rabah Slimani and the veteran Georgian Davit Zirakashvili. Add to that the very promising Fiji flanker Peceli Yato, a formidable Wallaby lock in Sitaleki Timani and hookers John Ulugia and Mike Tadjer from Australia and Portugal respectively and there is a hint of just how widely Clermont has cast its net to build an enviable player pool. Due to a serious summer injury, the mesmeric Wesley Fano won’t feature in the visitors’ three-quarters line, though the side’s scoring potential is threatening still, as Harlequins discovered last weekend when conceding nine tries in a crushing opening pool defeat. For Clermont, three Champions Cup final defeats in between 2013 and 2017 hurts an institution which counts itself at the sport’s top table but is unhappy at the one yawning void in its CV. Ulster, following its gritty and disciplined 17-16 win in Bath last Saturday, will not be in any mood to sate the French club’s appetite for that gap in its trophy cabinet to be hurriedly filled! Iain Henderson marked his debut as club captain with a typically front-foot display of physical presence and skilful leadership, while Marcel Coetzee’s classy demonstration

Champions Cup rugby has a special place in the hearts and ambitions of fans, especially those who shared in the success of 1999 when a legendary group under coach Harry Williams’ guidance sculpted an unforgettable mark in rugby history. On Friday nights, Toulouse, then considered amongst the world’s best and most-resourced clubs, was despatched both in the Pool games and then – spectacularly – in a quarter-final which saw Ulster play with style, resilience and undiluted passion, matched only by the fervour of a packed old Ravenhill ground adapted hastily to accommodate the masses drawn to an unprecedented rugby journey. For tonight’s distinguished opponents, 1999 was a good European year, the Challenge Cup secured in the defeat of Bourgoin, and second place in the French championship – now the Top 14 – was confirmation that the club from Montferrand, and initially the brainchild of the founder of the famous Michelin tyre company, would be a constant in the hierarchy of the game. Ulster, of course, would like to write a new chapter, for the team of Henderson, Stockdale, Marshall, Herring, Murphy and Coetzee to bring the Champions Cup back to Belfast, and in the dressing room coach Dan McFarland will have prepared a side of proven pedigree to provide the fans with another night to remember. That Clermont, the club which counts Rougerie, Saint Andre, Troncon and Strettle amongst its alumni, and which will have Morgan Parra and Greg Laidlaw, international captains both,

44

ulsterrugby.com

With his calm, measured demeanour the deep intelligence of the Head Coach’s deployment of his players respect and admire his commitment and desire and are determined to match those characteristics and add their own talented ‘twists’ to the rugby cocktail. No longer does an Ulster team await the arrival of one of the great powerhouses of the sport with any degree of awe. It will afford the visitors respect but have concentrated on its own abilities and how best to harness them fully to exploit any possible frailties in the French outfit. Discipline, as Peel, emphasised this week, will be important. Ulster has worked hard on reducing its concession of penalties and there will be a suspicion that it is actually Clermont which has had the more persistent problem in that regard. Capitalising on errors will decide this match. Whether it’s a critical game-saving intervention like Jacob Stockdale’s last weekend, or whether it’s Cooney’s superb and punishing boot, Ulster will be readied as perhaps never before. It might be cold outside this Friday evening, but the temperature on the Kingspan Stadium terraces and grandstands will be soaring – and that’s just before kick-off! It’s a great occasion, a special meeting and merging of cultures on and off the pitch, and nobody will deny that there is a special relish in downing the giants from France. The players on both sides, though, are proudly professional and passionate about their personal and collective responsibilities, so the factors at work this seething, frenetic night are many. It's a special game, it’s a very special Belfast sporting night. Allez!

of carrying and winning turnovers allied to predictably high-energy contributions from prop Marty Moore and the indispensable Rob Herring. Sam Carter was forced out of the second row early but Alan O’Connor is an experienced player to call off the bench, and Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole and Sean Reidy have fine pedigrees and played their part in a game which may not have been free-flowing but it was physically and mentally draining, and ‘The Rec’ required concentration and accuracy. Out-half Billy Burns should be fit to resume his blooming partnership with the astonishing John Cooney, surely Ireland’s great scrum-half ‘secret’. Rob Lyttle, with Cooney, scored a try in the West Country but took a knock in Bath, but great talents such as Craig Gilroy, Louis Ludik and Robert Baloucoune – fresh from a try hat-trick outing at club level – are available to McFarland for what is bound to be one of the most compelling contests at Kingspan Stadium this season. If the midfield pairing of Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall continues its impressive run, and crowd favourite Will Addison is asked to fill the No. 15 jersey again, there is the necessary firepower and physical presence required. Memories such as those created in spectacular wins against Toulouse, Stade Francais, La Rochelle, Racing 92, and indeed Clermont in 2016 are permanent, and never taken for granted. Adding to that exalted list will be what the packed stadium wants with unalloyed fervour, but it will take meticulous planning by McFarland and his attack and defence coaches, Dwayne Peel and Jared Payne, to record a second successive win in the Champions Cup group. This management is demanding but imaginative, it asks much from a fine squad of players but only because it has the skills, the ambition and will to improve. The pack is now a consistent unit, the backline is awash with verve, flair and increasingly polished and unforgiving defensive acumen. McFarland, immediately after the late drama in Bath, pinpointed the necessity for his team to impose itself against Clermont, to dominate possession and, from that, create more out- and-out attacking opportunities.

45

ulsterrugby.com

UPCOMING HOME FIXTURES

ULSTER vSCARLETS FRI 29 NOV, 7.35PM ULSTER vHARLEQUINS SAT 7 DEC, 3.15PM

UlsterRugby.com/BuyTickets

USRFR ULSTERSOCIETYOFRUGBY FOOTBALLREFEREESUPDATE

How well do you know your Law? Why not test yourself by completing this quick quiz! Answers are at the bottom of the page.

1. After indicating an intention to kick at goal at a penalty, the kicker has 60 seconds (playing time) to complete the kick. When does the timing start?

2. Disallow the penalty goal and award a scrum to the blue team, 5m from the red goal line 3. Award the penalty goal

1. When the referee blows the whistle 2. When the referee makes the mark

5. A maul is formed between blue and red players. Blue 8 (the ball carrier) is

deliberately taken to ground by blue 1 (own teammate) in the maul. What should the referee award? 1. Play on - the laws of the ruck come into play

We welcome JP Doyle and his team of officials to Kingspan stadium this evening. No game of rugby can take place without a referee and the USRFR are always on the look out for potential referees! It will be worth watching the big screens inside the stadium for a ‘call to action video’ which shows a 30 second snapshot of a day in the life of a rugby referee. Are you prepared to take up the challenge and give something back to the game? If yes, you will be pleased 3. When the kicking tee arrives at the mark 4. When the kicker begins the approach to kick 2. What is the maximum distance between the touch lines? 3. Where is the mark for a penalty kick awarded in in-goal? 1. At the place of the infringement 2. Five metres in front of the goal line, in line with the infringement 3. Five metres in front of the goal line, in line with the infringement and at least five metres from the touchline 4. Five metres in front of the goal line, in line with the infringement and at least fifteen metres from the touchline 4. Blue team attempts a penalty goal 55m from red team goal post. As the ball is kicked the ball falls short but bounces off the head of a red player in front of their goal post and goes over the crossbar. The assistant referees raise their flags. What is the correct decision? 1. Disallow the penalty goal and award a scrum to the red team, 5m from the red goal line

2. A penalty kick to red 3. A penalty kick to blue

6. Blue 11 is tackled by red 14. Red 15 arrives at the tackle from the direction of his own goal line and stands on his feet and over the ball, which is on the ground. Blue 6 arrives at the tackle from the direction of his own goal line, and without binding onto red 15 goes directly for the ball with his hands, gains possession and passes to his scrumhalf. What is the correct decision? 1. Play on 2. Penalise blue 6 for hands in the ruck

1. 3 (Law 8.20); 2. 70 metres (Law 1.3); 3. 2 (Law 20.1); 4. 3 (Law 8.4); 5. 2 (Law 16.11a); 6. 1 (Law 14.11b).

ANSWERS

to hear that the USRFR will be hosting a new referee’s course as follows: Date: Sunday 8th December Venue: Newforge Sports Complex Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm If interested, please contact Richard Kerr (Referee Development Manager): Tel: 07493 868388 Email: richard.kerr@irfu.ie

49

ulsterrugby.com

WHEN YOU DRIVE

NEVER DRINK

NICO ROSBERG / 2 0 1 6 F I A F O R M U L A 1 ® D R I V E R S ’ WO R L D C H A M P I O N

GAME

PASS

7 GAMES 1 PASS UlsterRugby.com/GamePass

SPOTTHEDIFFERENCE CANYOUFIND7DIFFERENCES?

52

ulsterrugby.com

GUESSTHEPLAYER

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 1. John Cooney is missing; 2. Luke Marshall’s right sock is clean; 3. Openreach is missing from Luke Marshall’s right arm; 4. Referee’s socks have changed colour; 5. Bath Player’s hand is missing; 6. Stuart McCloskey’s feet are missing; 7. Red strip on Luke Marshall’s right leg is missing GUESS THE PLAYER Eric O’Sullivan

ANSWERS (NO CHEATING!)

53

ulsterrugby.com

MEMBERSHIP NEW 'STANDUP' MEMBERSHIPS

Ulster Rugby has launched three new 'Stand Up' Membership packages for the 2019/20 season, which will allow supporters of all ages, at home and abroad, to keep in touch with the latest team news, plus get access to priority booking periods, exclusive gifts, competitions plus much more. Below are the details of the three membership options, and the benefits of each.

STAND UP ADULT

STAND UP JUNIOR

£30

£20

AGED 17+ » » Membership gift box » » Membership card » » Free adult ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* » » First access to the Official Digital Match Programme before every home fixture » » Priority purchase for tickets to home pool matches in the Heineken Champions Cup » » Priority Booking Period for home Heineken Champions Cup knockout stages » » Priority purchase for tickets to selected home games in the Guinness PRO14 » » Priority Booking Period for home knock out matches in the Guinness PRO14 » » Priority purchase for away match tickets when available to Ulster Rugby » » Priority purchase for 2019/20 Season Tickets » » Access to exclusive discounts from partners

AGED 11 AND UNDER » » Membership gift box » » Membership card » » Birthday card » » Free junior ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* » » Access to exclusive discounts from partners » » Access to Stand Up members only competitions AGED 12-16 » » Membership gift box » » Membership card » » Birthday card » » First access to the Official Digital Match Programme before every home fixture » » Free junior ticket to a PRO14 Category B fixture at Kingspan Stadium* » » Access to exclusive discounts from partners » » Access to Stand Up members only competitions STAND UP TEEN £25

*Terms and conditions apply. Postage costs will be applied.

BUY ONLINE For more information, and to purchase, visit ulsterrugby.com/memberships or call the Ulster Rugby Ticket Office on (028) 9049 3222 Option 2.

55

ulsterrugby.com