Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

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1
IRFU
ULSTER BRANCH
Kingspan Stadium,
85 Ravenhill Park,
Belfast, BT6 0DG
T // +44 (0)28 9049 3222
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
I would particularly like to welcome
the committee members, players
and supporters from Italy. You are all
very welcome and I hope you enjoy
your time in Belfast.
This is the first time that we have
played Zebre this year and the return
match is scheduled in April. Last
year we played them home and
away in September, with a home
win and a very disappointing loss in
Parma. This year their home results
are very encouraging, with three
wins and a number of bonus point
defeats, so when we travel to Parma
next month, we will need to be on
top of our game.
Tonight’s game is crucial in our
campaign for success. Nothing
short of a win will be sufficient but I
am certain that Les, his staff and the
players will be well aware of this.
I extend my congratulations to
Stuart McCloskey who won his first
cap for Ireland against England on
Saturday and I hope that he goes
on to have an illustrious career in
the green jersey. My congratulations
also go to Rory Best and Andrew
Trimble who also played for Ireland
at Twickenham last weekend.
The Danske Ulster Bank Schools’
Cup semi-finals were played at
Kingspan Stadium on Monday and
Tuesday of this week, with R.B.A.I
and Ballymena Academy contesting
the first game and Dalriada and
Campbell College contesting the
second game. I congratulate all
four teams; I hope they enjoyed the
semi-finals.
I would like to wish R.B.A.I and
Campbell College, who will contest
the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’
Cup Final on St. Patrick’s Day, good
luck.
The Powerade Town’s Cup semi-
finals are due to take place next
Saturday between Bangor and
Omagh and a local derby between
Clogher Valley and Enniskillen. I
wish to congratulate all four teams
and wish them all the best in their
semi-finals.
I hope that you all enjoy the game
and give Zebre a great Ulster
reception this evening.
Good luck to Ulster and remember,
STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN!
Bobby Stewart // President
IRFU (Ulster Branch)
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Kingspan
Stadium for this Guinness PRO12 round 17 match against Zebre.