Ulster Rugby v Glasgow

A PARTING WORD As the 2017/18 season draws to a close, Ulster Rugby prepares to bid farewell to Tommy Bowe and Paul Marshall who are retiring from the professional game, as well as Callum Black and Charles Piutau who are off to pastures new. We caught up with the boys to get one last message for their Ulster fans…

PAUL MARSHALL “I‘ve obviously been here quite a while and I know I’m not the most gifted player to have ever put on an Ulster shirt but I’ve cared and I hope that fans realise that I’ve cared and I appreciated the support that I’ve had from many of them.

CHARLES PIUTAU “It speaks volumes for the city and the people here that Ulster turned into a home away from home for me. I’ve enjoyed my time here and grown into the city so it will be hard to say goodbye.

From day one, the reception and welcome that I had was special and I’m thankful for that. Ulster fans are really loyal to the club and the team and for me that’s really helped me enjoy my time here and play for them as well as my team mates. Thanks for all the support and turning up week- in-week-out.”

Ulster Rugby has been a massive part of my life and I’m grateful to have been involved with Ulster for the last twelve or so years. The buzz you get internally when you’re involved in a big stadium game and you hear the roar of the crowd, it’s a feeling which is hard to describe but it just lifts you inside. I’m thankful to have been able to experience that for so many years.”

A PARTING WORD

CALLUM BLACK “A lot of people say if you’re not born and bred in Ulster it doesn’t mean as much for you to play for the team but I can safely say it does and it did for me. I’ve cherished every game I’ve played for Ulster. Ulster is a great place to live and bring up a family and I will be sad to leave.”

TOMMY BOWE “I would just like to say thanks. The Ulster supporters have been the reason that I enjoy the game so much. To get out there and play in front of a home crowd has always been something that I really enjoyed.

I’ve been very lucky that supporters and spectators of rugby have always been very kind to me and I’d like to think I tried my best for them. I gave everything that I could on the pitch and certainly they have repaid me in the support they’ve given me off it.”

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