Ulster Rugby vs Bordeaux Begles

5 / 60

3
Following the defeat in Exeter last Sunday, Ulster’s chances of qualifying
for the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup have all but gone
for this season, as have those of Bordeaux-Bégles. I know that the
defeat in Exeter was disappointing for our supporters, particularly the
large numbers that travelled to support the team and certainly made
themselves heard during the game. That said, it will be important for the
Ulster team to bounce back and produce a performance today to build
confidence going into the business end of the PRO12 Championship.
In the Guinness PRO12 League, the Ulster team had a good win over
Connacht before Christmas but then unfortunately lost away to both
Leinster and the Scarlets, the latter under controversial circumstances.
The team has now dropped to sixth in the league but have a game in
hand. Whilst injuries and player availability have not helped the Ulster
cause, performances, particularly those away from home, need to
improve if the team is to secure a top four finish and a play-off place.
The Ulster A team are to be congratulated on their recent performances
which should now see them qualify for the quarter-finals of the B&I Cup.
Following on from the two victories over the Cardiff Blues Premiership
Select team before Christmas, the A team secured an excellent bonus
point win over London Scottish at Kingspan Stadium last weekend. They
are currently top of their B&I Cup group going into this weekend’s final
group game away to Jersey Reds and we wish them well for this match.
On the domestic front, the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup and Medallion
Shield competitions are now well underway. All ties are on schedule and
our thanks go to the Schools’ Committee for their commitment and hard
work in ensuring that the competitions are well organised and managed.
Thanks also go to Danske Bank for their continued support of Schools’
rugby in Ulster which is very much appreciated.
Finally, I hope everyone enjoys the game today as well as the facilities at
Kingspan Stadium and remember - “Stand Up For The Ulstermen.”
John McKibbin
President IRFU (Ulster Branch)
It gives me great pleasure as President of the IRFU
Ulster Branch to welcome everyone to Kingspan
Stadium for today’s Round 6 pool game in the European
Champions Cup. In particular, I am very pleased to
welcome the Bordeaux-Bégles team along with their
officials and supporters.
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
IRFU
ULSTER BRANCH
2016/17
OFFICERS
John McKibbin
President
Graffin 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
Kingspan Stadium,
134 Mount Merrion Avenue
Belfast, BT6 0FT
T +44 (0)28 9049 3222
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME