Ulster Rugby Annual Report 2015 - 2016

Next up was Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway. The game was played in dreadful conditions with a gale force wind down the pitch disrupting any efforts to play an expansive game. Connacht adapted better to the conditions and emerged winners 28-8 in what was the most disappointing display of the campaign. In the final interprovincial played at Donybrook, against a very strong Leinster team, Ulster played some of their best rugby of the season but finally succumbed 31-12 in a very entertaining game. Both sides played some excellent rugby creating a number of chances but unfortunately Leinster took their chances and Ulster did not. Overall Ulster Under 20’s results in this season’s Interprovincial series were disappointing. Injuries at crucial stages to key players did not help matters. However all the players benefitted from the summer programme with some going on to be included in the Ireland under 20s squad. Player development has also been evidenced by some of the squad having already represented Ulster at “A” level and even senior level this season.

AGE GRADE AND REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS The arrangement introduced last season whereby the U20, U19 and U18 School squads are based together at Newforge was continued. The U18 Club squad continued to be based at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Magherafelt given the need for a mid-Ulster base to ensure accessibility for all players. In order to introduce players to, and develop them in, a professional environment, the professional coaches worked across all the squads and the development programmes for players and teams were aligned from U18 to U20 levels to ensure players could move easily and confidently between squads. This well organised structure for developing our indigenous talent takes considerable planning and management and thanks are due to all those involved, both Professionals and Volunteers. Whilst the results of the various age grade squads were disappointing this season, following the successes of last season, the fact that quite a number of the age grade players have represented Ulster “A” and the full Ulster team is testament to the good work being carried out at age grade levels. Given the increased investment in the Elite Player Pathway, it is important that a steady stream of young Ulster players are developed to play at the top levels. Head Coach Kieran Campbell Assistant Coach Alex Codling Manager Hugh McCaughey Video Analysis Bryan Young & Johnny Creighton Strength & Conditioning David Drake Physio Dave Minion Doctor Ryan Hamilton Resources Manager Andy Weir Ulster Under 20s had an intensive summer training schedule, with great commitment from the players and coaches alike, leading into the interprovincial matches in September. Prior to the Inter-provincial Series, Ulster played two warm-up games against the Irish Exiles and London Irish Under 20s. Against the Exiles at Newforge, Ulster put in a strong performance, winning by 48-0 with 26 players used. Next up was London Irish Under 20s at Sunbury, where in dreadful conditions, the young Ulster players put up an excellent defensive performance against a large physical side, to emerge winners by 16-0. In the first Interprovincial game Ulster played Munster at Queens RFC, Ulster unfortunately allowed the visitors to establish an early lead which saw Ulster having to chase the game. However, Ulster fought back with tremendous spirit and in a pulsating finish with 80 minutes up, Ulster took the game through numerous phases from their own 22 to the Munster 22. They worked themselves into a good position for a drop goal which unfortunately cannoned off both posts and the crossbar and back into play which allowed Munster to clear and secure an away victory by 18-17. ULSTER UNDER 20S

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ULSTER UNDER 19S

Head Coach James Topping Assistant Coach Michael Ferguson Assistant Coach Bryan Young Manager Clive Bowles Video Analysis James Topping

Strength & Conditioning Matthew Maguire Physio Katie Lannon & Richard Johnston Doctor Owen Rainey & Tomas O’Neill Resources Manager Tim Morton

The Ulster Under 19’s started their formal squad sessions at the beginning of July. Prior to that considerable work had been done by the players on strength and conditioning, though this was carefully organised so as not to disrupt those players studying for exams. By mid-August the team squad began to take shape and the starting team and back up players were more readily identifiable as the summer sessions progressed. In preparation for the Inter-provincial series, a warm- up game was played against the Irish Exiles U20s in Stockport. This was a well contested match which was exactly what was needed and the all players in the 25 man panel got a run out. Ulster won 24-10. The first Inter-provincial match was against Munster at Queens RFC. Unfortunately, some careless play allowed Munster to score straight from the kick-off which seemed to unsettle the Ulster team. Another soft score gave Munster a half-time lead of 12-3. The start of the second half was a repeat of the first with Munster gathering the kick-off and scoring. However, this seemed to galvanise the Ulster team who began to dominate in all aspects of play. Two Ulster tries reduced the deficit to 17-13 but try as they might, Ulster could not find another score and the final whistle sounded with Ulster camped on the Munster line. This was very much a game of what might have been had Ulster played the first half in the way they played the second half.