Ulster Rugby vs Zebra

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

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