Ulster Rugby Annual Report 2015 - 2016

on board the programme began with a series of screening weeks before heading into the core training programme. Portadown RFC was again the training headquarters for the squad. In mid-August, the squad had a warm-up game against Connacht at Buccaneers RFC. This gave the coaches a chance to see how the players performed in a real game situation prior to squad selection for the Inter- provincial series. The first Inter-provincial game saw Ulster take on a very experienced Leinster side at Portadown. The Leinster team dominated the first half and went into a 26-0 lead. A much improved second half saw some good individual performances from the Ulster side who picked themselves up after conceding an early try in the second half. They held Leinster at bay until the last minute when another try was conceded, leaving the final score 38-0 to Leinster. The second game of the series was away to Munster at the Thomond Park. Despite the home team scoring 3 tries in the first half, the Ulster side showed great improvement in their line outs, scrums and defensive system especially in the first 20 minutes. The inclement weather and sheer driving force of Munster proved too much in the second half with Munster running out winners by 38-0. By the third game of the series against Connacht at Portadown, the Ulster side had started to find their rhythm and scored the first try in a closely contested first half. Unfortunately Connacht scored two tries to lead 10-5 at half-time. A very physical second half saw each team score another try and the final score was 15-12 to Connacht. This was an excellent performance by the Ulster team and many of the spectators believed that the Ulster team should have won. The coaches and management were pleased with the improvements made by the squad over the series and are looking forward to building on this next season. 26

needed game time in preparation for their All Ireland League play-off match the following week. The first match was against Connacht at Enniskillen RFC. After withstanding considerable pressure and playing into a strong wind, the Ulster team finished the first half trailing 10-14, having scored two tries. Connacht had a bit more of the ball in the second half but the Ulster defence stood strong, only conceding a penalty whilst scoring another three tries to secure an opening victory and the four try bonus point. Connacht did manage to score a breakaway try with the last play of the game to leave the final score 33-20. A very satisfying and positive performance but with plenty to work on going forward. The second match of the series saw Ulster travel almost as far south as Munster could take them, all the way down to Clonakilty RFC in West Cork. The welcome and the facilities were fantastic but unfortunately Ulster couldn’t force a second victory. Playing with the breeze behind them in the first half and with the rain coming down, Ulster made a fast start and were ahead 10-0 in the first fifteen minutes. Ulster had more good possession and great chances to put further pressure on the Munster XV in the first half but a number of unforced errors and a few poor decisions let the home team get to half time only ten points behind. Munster made good use of the elements in the second half, playing the ball into the corners, catching and driving line out possession and putting pressure on at scrum time, looking to win penalties. This worked well for them and with 10 minutes left, Munster were leading 11-10. Ulster fought doggedly but could not finds a way through the Munster defence and the match was lost by a single point. Going into the final game of the series against Leinster at Coleraine RFC, Ulster knew they had to focus on beating Leinster in the hope that Connacht could cause an upset against Munster. In a closely contested first half, Leinster led 11-10. Unfortunately in the second half, despite tremendous commitment, Ulster made errors at key times and allowed Leinster in for some soft scores which allowed Leinster to run out winners by 33-15. It proved to be a tough series for Ulster this year but on the positive side, out of the twenty six players used over the three games, there were sixteen new caps. The experience these new caps have had will prove invaluable going forward. Thanks are due to the Enniskillen and Coleraine clubs for their excellent hosting of the home fixtures and to the Portadown and CIYMS clubs for providing training facilities. The coaching and management team of Jason Morgan, Scott Nelson, Davy Black and Colin Hunter along with physio Katie Lannon and the ever reliable and enthusiastic Billy Savage are to be congratulated, as are all the players, in what was a difficult Inter-provincial series.

ULSTER JUNIORS XV

Head Coach Jason Morgan Assistant Coach Davy Black Assistant Coach Scot Nelson Manager Colin Hunter Resources Manager Billy Savage Physio Katie Lannon

This season the Juniors got together for the first time at the start of March. It very quickly became apparent that due to various club and other commitments, a great deal of the championship winning squad of 2015 would not be available this season. With this in mind, the management team invited nearly 60 players to come along to the initial sessions held at CIYMS RFC. Training sessions subsequently moved to Portadown RFC as this more central location accommodated players travelling from all over Ulster. The squad had their first taste of competitive rugby together against Banbridge 1ST XV on 16th April. Over 30 players got a taste of the action in what was used as a trial match, which also gave the hosts some much

26