Ulster Rugby vs Newport Dragons

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH OFFICERS Bobby Stewart // President John McKibbin // Senior Vice President Graffin Parke // Junior Vice President John McKibbin // Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd // Honorary Treasurer Denis Gardiner // Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan // Chief Executive Chris Webster // Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson // Financial Controller Fiona Hampton // Head of Sales & Marketing Les Kiss // Director of Rugby

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Kingspan Stadium this evening for this Guinness PRO12 match between Ulster and Newport Gwent Dragons.

tonight is a round 12 game having been postponed to allow Ulster to play Oyonnax in the Champions Cup. A win tonight would put Ulster in a strong position with two more home games coming up in February. Instonians play in the final of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup against Enniscorthy at Ashbourne tomorrow and I wish them well. I would like to congratulate Bangor and Clogher Valley who were defeated in the semi-finals, however to have three teams from Ulster in the semi-final stages indicates that junior rugby is on a firm footing. I hope that you all enjoy the game and give Newport Gwent Dragons a great Ulster reception this evening. Good luck to Ulster and remember, STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN! Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

I would particularly like to welcome the officials, players, supporters and coaches who have made the trip from Wales and I hope that you enjoy your time in Belfast. The Welsh region travels to Belfast following a very good win at Rodney Parade against Leinster and will be buoyant. Ulster, following a bonus point win at Treviso will also be confident but they will need to be at their best to overcome Dragons tonight. In Treviso last Saturday, Lorcan Dow and Jacob Stockdale were awarded their first caps for Ulster and I would like to congratulate them and wish them a long and successful career at Ulster. The last time these teams met was back in November when Ulster came away with a narrow win. The league table is very tight at the top with only three points separating the first top teams. This game

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

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