Ulster Rugby vs Llanelli Scarlets

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2016/17 OFFICERS John McKibbin President Graf n Parke Senior Vice President Stephen Elliott 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

Tonight’s opponents are Welsh side Scarlets and I extend a warm welcome to their team, coaches, Directors and supporters. Following on from the opening game bonus point win over Dragons, the Ulster team earned a good away win over a much improving Treviso side last weekend. This was an excellent result in very challenging conditions, given the temperature of 32 degrees and high humidity. It was also good to see young Hughes Insurance Academy players such as Ross Kane, Rob Lyttle and Jacob Stockdale step up to the higher level and perform so well. The Age-grade Inter-provincials are now well underway. The Academy side and the Schools U18 XV have had difficult starts to their inter-provincial competitions. The Schools XV play their final game against Leinster Schools tomorrow at Pirrie Park, KO 1.00pm. The U18 Clubs XV have lost their first two games against Connacht and Munster, both very narrowly, and these were two games the Ulster side could and should have won with a bit of luck. Their last game is against Leinster in Dublin tomorrow. However, the U19s have done very well with two wins over Leinster and Munster in their two outings to date and will go for the Inter-pro title against Connacht tomorrow. The game is at Osborne Park, KO 3.00pm, and I would encourage as many as possible to go along and support the U19s and /or the Schools U18s. Best of luck to all the Ulster sides playing this weekend. Our domestic club competitions are now underway and I wish all clubs and teams a successful and, more importantly, an enjoyable season. Finally, I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight as well as the facilities at Kingspan Stadium, and remember - “Stand Up For It gives me great pleasure as President of the IRFU Ulster Branch to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Round 3 match in the Guinness PRO12. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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

The Ulstermen”. John McKibbin President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

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