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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.
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
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.
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