Ulster Rugby vs Glasgow Warriors

LEADING THE FIELD

Welcome to Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby, as we look forward to another Friday evening Guinness PRO12 clash in the midst of the RBS Six Nations Championship. I am delighted to welcome you to the stadium as Ulster Rugby aim to continue this impressive run of form. Glasgow Warriors, last year’s Guinness PRO12 winners, will prove formidable opposition as they look to kick-start the second half of their 2015/16 season and rediscover the form that saw them crowned 2014/15 champions. With so many players called up for international duty we get a full appreciation of the rising strength and depth of this Ulster Rugby team – a testament to all in the organisation. On behalf of Kingspan, I would like to wish the squad and management of Ulster Rugby every success this evening. To you the fans, I hope you enjoy the game, stand up for the Ulster men and help to create another memorable experience in Kingspan Stadium.

Pat Freeman Divisional Managing Director

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 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

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Kingspan Stadium this evening for this Guinness PRO12 match between Ulster and Glasgow Warriors.

professional staff for their excellent work behind the scenes. My commiserations must go to Instonians who lost 23 points to 7 against Enniscorthy at Ashbourne RFC last Saturday in the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup Final. Last weekend also saw some highly entertaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup rugby played and my congratulations goes to eight teams who emerged to take their places in the quarter-finals. I hope that you all enjoy the game and give Glasgow Warriors a great Ulster reception this evening. Good luck to Ulster and remember, STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN! Bobby Stewart // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

I would particularly like to welcome the officials, players, supporters and coaches who have made the trip from Scotland and I hope that you enjoy your time in Belfast. Last year, our games against Glasgow went with home advantage and the disappointing semi final defeat spoiled what should have been a fairytale ending for Ulster. This season, Glasgow have not shown to date the form that they had last year, however I have no doubt that they will be formidable opponents tonight. Indeed, with two games in hand, they are once again likely to be title contenders. We have produced some good, winning rugby over the past few weeks to climb to the top of the PRO12 standings and I must pay tribute to the management and

Kingspan Stadium, 85 Ravenhill Park, Belfast, BT6 0DG T // +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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Welcome to Round 14 of the Guinness PRO12 and it is a very exciting time in the championship. Just 12 points separate tonight’s opponents, table toppers Ulster (41 points) from eighth place Glasgow Warriors (29 points), and it is a crucial time for all the teams as they push for the Play-Off zone as well as automatic qualification places for Europe. Add to the mix the drama of the RBS 6 Nations, that will feature over 70 Guinness PRO12 players this weekend, and it all amounts to a key time of year for the unions, clubs, players and fans alike. Ulster will be keen to maintain their momentum and will remain at the top of the table with a win tonight. Glasgow pipped Ulster at the Play Off stage last season, so tonight will also be very close here at Kingspan Stadium, yet expect some good tries! Both teams will want to improve their standing in the Guinness PRO12 table, so there’s a lot at stake this evening. Every game counts in the Guinness PRO12 and all games are tight. The average winning margin (the difference between points scored and conceded in a game) stands at 9.66 and 56 percent of the games played to date have resulted in the losers finishing within seven points of the opposing teams and therefore claiming a bonus point. This once again epitomises the strength, depth and quality of the teams in the Guinness PRO12 championship. It is great to see so many Guinness PRO12 players competing at international level and very encouraging to see the younger players take their chance to impress in the championship while their senior colleagues are away. The 12 clubs are to be commended as they continue to develop outstanding talent who flourish in the Guinness PRO12. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the teams, players and officials all the very best for their games this weekend. Enjoy the game.

Together Stronger

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TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

JOSH KEYS (12) Josh is from Saintfield and attends Down High School. He plays rugby at school and also enjoys badminton, general fitness and the Boy’s Brigade. His favourite player is Ruan Pienaar because he also plays scrumhalf and Ruan inspires him to train harder. When Josh grows up he would like to be an Ulster Rugby player or a coach.

JAMES MOUNSTEPHEN (11) James is from Belfast and attends Campbell College. He plays rugby at school and has just finished mini rugby at CIYMS. James also enjoys football, tennis and swimming. His Ulster favourite player is Andrew Trimble and when he grows up he would like to be a rugby player or a lawyer.

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Q&A WITH CALLUM BLACK

Callum Black on celebrating his 100th appearance for Ulster this evening…

How has Ulster changed and evolved over the last five years? Massively. I think the support that we get now is huge and even just the development of the ground and the new stands and all the facilities that we have in place, including our new gym. It’s first class and I think it’s helped us build as a team and year on year we’re now competing for silverware. You have been close to winning silverware with Ulster over the past few seasons, do you think that’s far away? I think we are very close and I think as a squad we’re very determined to get some silverware under our belt. We have lost in the latter stages for the past couple of years. and I think the squad has plenty of young lads coming through and we obviously have some top class internationals – so we have a squad to compete with anyone and hopefully this is our year! You started a family here, does Belfast now feel like home? Yes definitely, we are very settled here and this is my fifth season. I got married to my wife Lucy here and my daughter Orla, who is now three, turning four in July, is at pre-school. She is loving it and as a family we are very settled here. We enjoy our time, it’s a great place to live. On a lighter note can you tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I was actually born in America and I do qualify for the USA, which a few people give me a bit of stick about. Also I can play the guitar but don’t bring that up very often. How do you plan to celebrate getting your 100th cap? My family will fly over from England so i’ll hopefully go out for a meal and celebrate over the weekend. Last season losing to Glasgow in the semi-final and then missing out on being in front of our home crowd in the final of the PRO12, which you would have thought was certain, was very disappointing. But we are determined to put that right

When you signed for Ulster back in 2011, did you ever think that you would reach 100 caps so quickly? Probably not actually. When I first joined Ulster I got quite a serious injury in my first year, a prolapsed disc in my neck - so I only played a handful of games. That was the year we got to the final of Europe and I was actually in the stands watching so no I didn’t think I’d be here so soon. It must be even more special to win your 100th cap in front of home fans against the current PRO12 Champions? Yeah definitely, it will be really special in front of the home crowd and with my family there watching. And obviously against Glasgow we’ve got a bit of history,

CALLUM BLACK

losing to them in the semis last season, so it’s a big game that we are determined to win. Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Ulster? We’ve had a lot of big games and some good victories in Europe. I think as a whole, probably the season where we had a 13 game winning streak at the beginning of the season,

that was a good time to be involved. Also when we won six out of six in our group in Europe and, Munster away, where I think we were written off in the quarter-final. We went down with what people thought was a second string young side and managed to get a victory at Thomond Park, that was a big occasion personally. Have you had any particularly challenging points through your time playing for Ulster? Not particularly. It comes with being a professional rugby player, just the frustration when you’re not involved. In my first year I was struggling with an injury and it’s hard to properly fit in when you’re injured joining somewhere new. Obviously the boys doing so well to get to the European final and having to watch that from the stands was a bit disappointing. I wanted to be a part of those big occasions and luckily I have been involved in some big games since then.

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SUFTUM ORIGINAL LYRICS

To the tune of Pet Shop Boys’ ‘Go West’

Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Red hand on their chest They’ll do their very best Stand up and sing for them Our brave young Ulster men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Leicester and Stade did fall Toulouse the Wasps and all Stand up and sing for them Our proud young Ulster men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men Stand Up For The Ulster Men

John Dickson

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

GET TO KNOW PETE BROWNE

SQUAD Q & A

FAVOURITE TV SERIES? House of Cards FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? South of France FAVOURITE PLACE TO DINE OUT? Anywhere that does a good steak FAVOURITE HOBBY/PAST TIME? Watching movies or reading. I also love to spend time with friends and family IF YOU WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? Batman, because he makes a stand against injustice and has lots of cool gadgets! BESTADVICEYOUHAVEEVERBEENGIVEN? Make sure you get an education WHAT IS YOUR PRE-MATCH ROUTINE? I draw a cross on my wrist tape and the letters AO1 – Audience of one DO YOU HAVE ANY LUCK CHARMS? The above and I say a prayer WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON PLAYING YOUR POSITION? Enjoy yourself, enjoy pushing yourself and have fun WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON? To play well in a successful Ulster team

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PETE FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @BROWNE_PETER

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It is a sad fact of everyday life that people suffer personal injuries through accidents in their homes, workplace, on our streets and roads and also in the pursuit of leisure activities and sports. IRFU CHARITABLE TRUST

IRFU CHARITABLE TRUST

supported the Trust by encouraging clubs and schools to participate during ‘Charitable Trust Week’ on which they may chose to organise some form of fundraising activity. The response by both clubs and schools has been excellent. ‘Charitable Trust Week’ is not simply to raise funds for the benefit of our injured players, but also to raise awareness of the role that the Trust plays in Ulster and Irish rugby. How can you help? Individuals can assist through membership of the Trust’s supporters club known as the ‘Friends of the Charitable Trust’, whilst clubs can also assist by supporting the Charitable Trust Club Scheme If you would like to support our injured players, please contact Trust committee member John Doherty (Phone 028 9145 6606), who will be pleased to provide you with further details. A BUCKET COLLECTIONWILL TAKE PLACE AT ULSTER’S NEXT HOME GAME V SCARLETS ON SUNDAY 21ST FEBRUARY. PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY.

In this regard, rugby is no different from any other contact sport and unfortunately player injuries occur from time to time. Such injuries can be of a very serious nature, resulting in permanent disability in some cases. The Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust was formed in 1978 to assist severely injured rugby players in their everyday lives, and to help to restore their confidence and independence. There are currently 33 seriously injured players, 13 in Ulster , registered with the Charitable Trust in Ireland, most of whom are wheelchair bound and have some form of permanent paralysis. The support provided by the Trust takes many forms and includes financial assistance for medical, nursing and caring expenses, home alterations, education and training costs, provision conversion costs. The Trust also maintains regular contact with each injured player and their families. The annual cost of financial support provided by the Trust is appoximately £250,000. This is partly funded by direct grants from the IRFU along with various fundraising campaigns and donations. For the past five years, the Ulster Branch has of wheelchairs and specialised equipment, together with motor vehicles and vehicle

“The support and friendship provided by the IRFU Charitable Trust, both in terms of financial assistance to help my quality of life, and also, just as importantly, the physcological support of the friendships formed, has been immeasurable to both my family and myself in the 29 years since my injury.” Michael Scott

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IRFU ACCEPTED ONTO WORLD RUGBY’S RALERI GOGGLES TRIAL

WORLD RUGBY RALERI GOGGLE TRIAL

The Irish Rugby Football Union has been accepted onto the World Rugby Raleri Goggle trial allowing those requiring the use of goggles to now apply to World Rugby to participate in the trial and purchase a pair of Raleri goggles, if accepted onto the trial.

The following information on the trial is taken from the World Rugby Welfare site (www.playerwelfare. worldrugby.org/goggles) 1. WHO CAN USE THE GOGGLES? Only players with chronic eyesight conditions may use the goggles while playing contact Rugby. This includes people who require corrective lenses, people with monocular vision and people with restricted vision in one or both eyes. The goggles must only be worn on recommendation from an ophthalmologist (or similar expert) and the wearer must provide the match referee with a letter from their ophthalmologist (or similar expert) detailing the need for the participant to wear the goggles. Only the person who has completed the application form for inclusion in the Global Law Trial (or the person for whom the applicant is a legal parent or guardian) may wear the Rugby Goggles while playing contact Rugby. Rugby Goggles may not be used by an individual to enable them to play contact Rugby while recovering from a temporary eye or face injury. 2. HOWDO I ORDER A PAIR OF GOGGLES? The World Rugby Goggles Global Law Trial is open to all players in all Unions who fulfil the criteria set out above. Participants must register (if not already registered) on the World Rugby Passport System. Following World Rugby Passport registration all parts of a short application form need to be completed before a Unique Purchase Code (UPC) will be issued. Once you have you been issued with your UPC (which will also be emailed to you) you can then go to the Raleri website to purchase your Rugby Goggles. Each UPC permits the registrant to purchase one pair of Rugby Goggles only and can only be used once. As part of the purchase process you will be required to register on the Raleri website. This registration is completely independent of the World Rugby Passport System and all information provided will be stored by Raleri. 3. WHAT KIND OF LENSES CAN BE USED IN THE INSERT? Only polycarbonate lenses (or similar plastics) should be used in the Rugby Goggles’ insert. Glass must never be used to manufacture the lenses used in the insert. 4. WHO SHOULD FIT THE LENSES? Only a qualified optician should fit the lenses to the Rugby Goggles Insert. The insert itself should not be altered in any way. The directions supplied by the manufacturer should be followed when fitting the lenses. Glass should never be used to manufacture the lenses fitted to the Rugby Goggles insert.

The IRFU reminds all players, coaches, referees and parents that the trial is limited to the Raleri goggle only, and in accordance with the terms of the World Rugby trial, no other eye-wear will be permitted, for health and safety reasons, in contact forms of the game. The World Rugby site advises: “It should be noted that only those Rugby Goggles carrying the official World Rugby Trial Approved logo will be permitted to be used in the trial, and all participants must demonstrate their need for the Rugby Goggles through a letter from their ophthalmologist (or similar expert) stating that there is an ophthalmic or medical need for their use. Inspections and checks may be performed by match referees to ensure that all participants have complied with these conditions.” The IRFU encourages parents, players, coaches and volunteers to review information available from World Rugby in relation to the trial - http://playerwelfare. worldrugby.org/goggles. To assist those seeking a greater understanding of the trial, the IRFU presents the following frequently asked question: WHAT IS THEWORLD RUGBY GOGGLES TRIAL? World Rugby is conducting a trial to test the safety of goggles/eye-wear in rugby. The trial covers one goggle only (manufactured by Raleri Italy) in one size The trial was due to be completed in May 2015 but has been extended on two occasions and is now due to be completed in late 2016 Players can wear goggles if they are members of a union that is partaking in the trail, they register for the trial with World Rugby, they are accepted onto the trial and they wear the Raleri trial goggles. Players must present a letter, to the referee, from their eye expert confirming their need to wear goggles HAS THE IRFU EVER ALLOWED PEOPLE TOWEAR GLASSES OR GOGGLES ON THE FIELD OF PLAY? No; for health and safety reasons eyewear has never been permitted, with the exception of non-contact forms of the games such as Leprechaun, Tag and Touch rugby. Those playing non-contact forms of the game can continue to wear sports goggles. However, if they move to the contact form of the game they will be required to apply to World Rugby and purchase the Raleri trial goggle to continue to play rugby, if they are accepted onto the trial. The IRFU’s medical department advises people with sight in just one eye (ie monocular) to consider avoiding contact rugby entirely. What advice does the IRFU have for any coach/parent/ player or referees? The World Rugby trial permits the wearing of Raleri goggles only. ALL OTHER GOGGLES WILL REMAIN PROHIBITED IN LINE WITH WORLD RUGBY LAWS .

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DRAGONS SLAIN, WARRIORS HERE TO BATTLE! Atop the Guinness PRO12 last Friday evening after a nail-biting 80 minutes, there was a sense that Ulster had set a ‘marker’.

On the opening weekend of the Six Nations, the game with a highly-competitive Newport Gwent Dragons offered the side a chance to make up the leeway with its game-in-hand over most of its rivals. The players and coaches would be the first to accept that it wasn’t the most comfortable of evenings, that the Kingspan Stadium faithful had been put through the ‘wringer’. But it was a victory, four more points, and the leadership of the division at a critical stage of the season. Injury, international calls and a very considered rotation of the match-day panel might have constituted a risk in some eyes. But the wins in Treviso and over the Dragons has yet again shown that the breadth, and quality, of the Ulster squad has been tested in the white heat of the PRO12 and younger players of special talent are bolstering the well-established ‘names’. It may not have been pretty, and that unfortunate ‘winning ugly’ phrase might for once have had some merit, but it is a sign of character – in a team and in an individual like Paddy Jackson – to grasp a chance, and then later reflect on why the performance was disappointing. Four points and the leadership of the PRO12 was more than mere consolation, it was evidence that there is resolve and character when imagination and innovation fail to fire. It was hardly the news Les Kiss and his coaches wanted when Sammy Arnold decided to take up Munster’s flattering two-year deal this summer, for he was someone who looked comfortable and confident when he appeared in the white jersey. But the young English-born but Irish-qualified three- quarter had looked at the pool of players with whom he was competing for regular senior action and decided his abilities might be fired and sharpened more quickly with the more regular inclusion he anticipates under Anthony Foley at Thomond Park. Arnold will continue to be part of the Ulster squad until May, and his enthusiasm and unquestioned skillset might well be employed to important effect in the next five weeks as coaches and players negotiate their way through crucial league games, at a time when senior players such as Rory Best, Jared Payne and Andrew Trimble are required in green. And this weekend again Ireland will be drawing players from Ulster for the unpredictability of a visit to Paris, and those which may be released back to Kiss and Head Coach Neil Doak will join the

PRO12 preparations for the visit tonight of reigning champions, Glasgow Warriors, the side which somehow managed to wrest the trophy out of Ulster’s grasp in two games over a week in May. The last ‘regular’ game in the league saw Gregor Townsend’s team earn a home semi-final between the sides. Even now there is debate and argument about Ulster’s selections for those games, the glittering prize of a trophy being won at Ulster’s home, Kingspan Stadium, chosen to stage the Final. It’s only fair that reason and good memory are added to any fractious discussion about Ulster’s squads for those games: some players key to actually winning the trophy were being carefully managed through injuries which could have been seriously exacerbated by playing in that final scheduled game of the PRO12 regular season. Yes, a top four place had been secured, the focus – and it was well-thought-out and very considered – was on the very reasonable assessment that Ulster had run into a fine vein of form and had at its disposal a panel expecting, and expected, to win the away fixture and thus a home semi-final. But reflection does not alter the consequence of a week to forget for fans and the players who’d committed to bringing silverware to its glistening, coveted new stadium in Belfast. Yes, there were a few decisions by officials which provoked some head-scratching, there were also the inevitable moments of fragility and lack of concentration. So Glasgow, to its evident surprise and delight, given the nature of its celebrations, not only had a home semi-final to cherish, but it also denied what promised to be a spectacular evening for Ulster a week later in the final! So tonight the reigning champions arrive at Kingspan Stadium, results this season not quite so impressive but within striking distance of a Top Four spot if they could get a ‘run’ together. To help topple the current leaders would be the boost the Scots’ campaign would really need to be savoured. But Ulster will not easily give up a hard-won place at the head of the PRO12, and Les Kiss made it clear two weeks ago that he saw the ‘clutch’ of games against Treviso, away, then the Dragons and Warriors at home during the Six Nations’ early rounds, as very important. “I want to win them all, we need to stamp momentum on our drive to the play-offs, and though I wouldn’t be happy with anything less than three wins we have

ROD NAWN

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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

to be realistic and if we came away from those three matches with two wins we’d be in contention,” he said. He’ll have re-assessed that now! A win tonight would really be a platform from which the critical later phase of the season comes around. Of course there is always a certain unpredictability when international calls have a real impact on the respective selections. Townsend will be without the likes of Stuart Hogg, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Finn Russell, for instance, this weekend! And Joe Schmidt will have signalled which of his Ulster contingent he wants to have some game time. Last week against the Dragons, Rob Herring’s availability was a bonus, and Stuart McCloskey and Paddy Jackson were confined to cameos, albeit rather important ones given the tension-packed finale to the defeat of the Dragons! McCloskey should play a bigger role this evening. Supporters of Ulster will want a rather less agonising 80 minutes, and a performance of a more convincing nature, but these are the periods when – squads reduced – that coaches have to be at their shrewdest and flexible, and there can be understandable new playing relationships to be established in the absence of more regular combinations. Townsend is an innovative coach – as he was a player – but he might feel he is more ‘wounded’ by a diluted panel this evening and therefore a more defensively-minded Warriors may take to the field. That could make life difficult for Ulster three-quarters who like to run with ball-in-hand into space, for it is that which Glasgow will hope to ensure is not left unattended, and the visitors can still pitch up at Kingspan Stadium with a pack not easily dominated and one which will want to see Ulster’s eight expend a lot of energy in the set-piece and in the ruck and maul. But in all the circumstances Ulster versus Glasgow is a game to savour, more than a mere aperitif to the international in Paris. For the players in the respective panels this is the only game in town! It may stun us all and be a thoroughly enjoyable try-fest. But one suspects a win, and four valuable points, would be accepted by both sides, with Ulster perhaps the more likely to stage a celebration this evening – if not as extravagant as its opponents in the spring!

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JOHN ANDREW

SAM ARNOLD

Hooker 26.05.93 181cm 101kg

Centre 08.04.96 182cm 96kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

10 —

11 —

MARK BEST

RORY BEST

Centre 02.12.89 185cm 87kg

Hooker 15.08.82 178cm 106kg 179 90

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

SQUAD 2015/16 CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg

Wing 22.02.84 190cm 100kg 135 67

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

99 —

PETER BROWNE

DARREN CAVE

Second row 25.10.87 201cm 116kg 6 —

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 95kg 169 11 // 11A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ROBBIE DIACK

LORCAN DOW

Back row 12.11.85 195cm 110kg 165 2 // 2A

No. 8 27.01.95 191cm 106kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

WILLIE FALOON

CRAIG GILROY

Back row 30.09.86 186cm 100kg

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 123 6 // 2A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

67 —

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IAIN HENDERSON

CHRIS HENRY

Second row 21.02.92 199cm 117kg 52 23 // 3A

Back row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 140 24

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

WIEHAHN HERBST

ROB HERRING

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 120kg

Hooker 27.04.90 185cm 102kg 89 1 // 2A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

39 —

IAN HUMPHREYS

PADDY JACKSON

Flyhalf 24.04.82 178cm 84kg 113 7A

Flyhalf 05.01.92 180cm 87kg 95 13 // 1A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CONOR JOYCE

LOUIS LUDIK

Back row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 —

Utility back 10.08.86 182cm 92kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

40 —

RICKY LUTTON

LUKE MARSHALL

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 113kg

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 97kg 74 6

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

42 —

PAUL MARSHALL

KYLE McCALL

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 165 3 // 2A

Hooker 02.01.92 177cm 111kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

15 —

25

Should’ve gone to Specsavers

Official partner of the Guinness PRO12 referees

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STUART McCLOSKEY

STEPHEN MULHOLLAND

Centre 06.08.92 194cm 111kg

Back row 04.07.90 193cm 108kg 2 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

36 —

JONNY MURPHY

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

Hooker 06.02.92 178cm 106kg

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 114kg 3 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

PETER NELSON

ALAN O’CONNOR

Utility back 05.10.92 180cm 85kg

Second row 10.09.92 197cm 114kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

31 —

22 —

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Utility back 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 38 2

POSITION BORN

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

63 11

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 108 88 (SA)

Back row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

22 —

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 116kg

Back row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

27 —

28 —

27

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RORY SCHOLES

DAVID SHANAHAN

Utility back 24.04.93 187cm 95kg

Scrumhalf 20.06.93 173cm 81kg 8 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

SQUAD 2015/16

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

21 —

JONNY SIMPSON

JACOB STOCKDALE

Prop 19.08.90 184cm 110kg

Back Row 03.04.96 190cm 96kg 1 —

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

ANDREW TRIMBLE

FRANK TAGGART

Wing 20.10.84 185cm 97kg 202 59 // 3A

POSITION BORN

Back row 14.10.94 188cm 108kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

Second row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 134 11 // 4A

POSITION BORN

Second row 15.03.83 198cm 117kg

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

43 —

ANDREWWARWICK

NICK WILLIAMS

Prop 12.03.91 179cm 110kg

POSITION BORN

Back row 02.12.91

POSITION BORN

189cm 125kkg

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

40 —

72 —

SAMWINDSOR

ROGER WILSON

Flyhalf 12.07.87 185cm 94kg

POSITION BORN

Back row 21.09.81 190cm 106kg 198 1 // 11 A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

— —

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15

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

STUART OLDING

CALLUM BLACK

14 13 12 11 9 10

CRAIG GILROY

ROB HERRING (C)

RICKY LUTTON

DARREN CAVE

ULSTER RUGBY

ALAN O’CONNOR

STUART McCLOSKEY

FRANCO VD MERWE

JACOB STOCKDALE

SAM WINDSOR

ROBBIE DIACK

SEAN REIDY

RUAN PIENAAR

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 J ANDREW K MCCALL B ROSS C HENRY

R WILSON P MARSHALL P JACKSON S ARNOLD

8

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30

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STUART OLDING

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14 13 12 11 15 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

RYAN GRANT

PETER MURCHIE

GLASGOW WARRIORS

PAT MACARTHUR

LEE JONES

SILA PUAFISI

GLENN BRYCE

SAM JOHNSON

GREG PETERSON

LEONE NAKARAWA

RORY HUGHES

ROB HARLEY

GREGOR HUNTER

SIMONE FAVARO

ALI PRICE

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 J MALCOLM ALEX ALLAN D RAE J STRAUSS

C FUSARO G HART P HORNE T NAIYARAVORO

RYAN WILSON (C)

35

ALEX ALLAN

MARK BENNETT

Prop 28.02.92 188cm 110kg SCO // 1

Centre 03.02.93 183cm 81kg SCO // 14

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

HUGH BLAKE

GLENN BRYCE

Flanker 10.09.92 188cm 100kg SCO // 1

Full Back / Wing 07.06.91 188cm 81kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16 JAMES EDDIE

ZANDER FAGERSON

Flanker 03.06.85 193cm 109kg —

Prop 19.01.96 188cm 114kg SCO // 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SIMONE FAVARO

CHRIS FUSARO

Flanker 07.11.88 183cm 99kg ITA // 27

Flanker 21.07.89 180cm 93kg SCO // 4

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JONNY GRAY

RYAN GRANT

Lock 14.03.94 198cm 121kg SCO // 20

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 08.10.85 183cm 109kg SCO // 25

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

ROB HARLEY

GRAYSON HART

Back Row 26.05.90 198cm 107kg SCO // 17

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Scrum Half 19.06.88 185cm 91kg SCO // 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

36

STUART HOGG

PETER HORNE

Full Back 24.06.92 180cm 93kg SCO // 39

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 05.10.89 183cm 92kg SCO // 15

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

GREGOR HUNTER

RORY HUGHES

Full Back / Wing 04.03.93 185cm 93kg SCO // 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Fly Half 26.09.91 183cm 88kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

LEE JONES

SAM JOHNSON

Wing 28.06.88 180cm 86kg SCO // 4

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 19.06.93 183cm 102kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JAMES MALCOLM

PAT MACARTHUR

Hooker 27.04.87 183cm 104kg SCO // 6

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 23.09.94 188cm 107kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

PETER MURCHIE

SHALVA MAMUKASHVILI

Full Back 07.01.86 191cm 93kg SCO // 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Hooker 02.10.90 180cm 106kg GEO // 36

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

TAQELE NAIYARAVORO

LEONE NAKARAWA

Wing 07.12.91 196cm 120kg AUS // 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Lock 02.04.88 198cm 117kg FIJI // 35

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

37

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GREG PETERSON

ALI PRICE

Lock 26.03.91 203cm 122kg USA // 12

Scrum Half 12.05.93 178cm 80kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2015/16

SILA PUAFISI

HENRY PYRGOS

Prop 15.04.88 185cm 120kg TON // 23

Scrum Half 09.07.89 178cm 80kg SCO // 17

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

D’ARCY RAE

GORDON REID

Prop 04.03.87 185cm 121kg SCO // 16

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 21.12.94 185cm 120kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

TOMMY SEYMOUR

FINN RUSSELL

Wing 01.07.88 183cm 92kg SCO // 23

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Fly Half 23.09.92 183cm 87kg SCO // 16

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JOSH STRAUSS

TIM SWINSON

Lock 17.02.87 193cm 116kg SCO // 18

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Flanker 23.10.86 193cm 115kg SCO // 5

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

RYAN WILSON

DUNCAN WEIR

No. 8 18.04.89 191cm 105kg SCO // 15

Fly Half 10.05.91 173cm 86kg SCO // 21

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

39

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Having won the championship last season at Kingspan Stadium, 21 of the Glasgow players played in the Rugby World Cup, more than any other club side in the world. The season kicked off with a loss to Scarlets before the Warriors bounced back to winning ways, defeating Connacht by a point (33-32). A trip to Munster followed where the visitors narrowly lost out 23-21. Taqele Naiyaravoro was capped in summer 2015 by Australia and also played for the Barbarians. He made his debut for Glasgow in a 29-15 win over Newport Gwent Dragons at Scotstoun. A loss in Dublin followed before some of the Scotland players returned from the Rugby World Cup to help the team defeat Ospreys 31-19. The next week Glasgow picked up their first away win of the season against Cardiff Blues, with Leone Nakarawa scoring an exceptional try. November saw the start of the club’s European Rugby Champions Cup campaign and it began a week later than expected after the Racing 92 fixture was postponed due to the Paris attacks. That meant the opening game was against Northampton, where the Warriors lost out in front of a sold-out Scotstoun. The month ended with a tight victory over Treviso, when Adam Ashe scored a last minute try to secure the win. In December, the Warriors beat Scarlets home and away in Europe with Naiyaravoro notching three tries in the game at Scotstoun. In the first match in the 1872 Scottish Cup, Glasgow lost 23-11 before playing the ‘home’ fixture at BT Murrayfield due to the Scotstoun pitch being unplayable. The Warriors then lost 14-11. Away fixtures to Racing 92 and Northampton Saints followed in the European Rugby Champions Cup. A 34-10 defeat to the French side and a late 19-15 defeat to Northampton left the Warriors with a mountain to climb to qualify past the pool stages. A home fixture, played in-front of Glasgow’s record European attendance of 9,063 at Rugby Park against Racing 92 brought an end to the Warriors campaign, despite a 22-5 win. At the end of the month the Warriors returned to PRO12 action with a 20-20 draw away to Ospreys in Swansea. Glasgow Warriors currently lie in eighth place in the GUINNESS PRO12 table with two games in hand.

OPPOSITION

CLUB STATS //Location Glasgow //Founded 2000 //Ground Scotstoun Stadium //Capacity 9,708 //Last Game Ospreys (A) 20-20 (D) Sun 31 Jan 2016 at 14.30 //Next Game Munster Rugby (H) Sat 20th Feb at 17:15 //Recent Form W W L L D

STAFF // Head Coach Gregor Townsend //Captain Ryan Wilson CONTACT Scotstoun Stadium 72 Danes Drive

Glasgow G14 9HD

Tel +44 141 9545100 Fax +44 141 959 9570 Email info@glasgowwarriors.org TICKET OFFICE Tel 0844 800 3490 Email ticket.centre@sru.org.uk

www.glasgowwarriors.org

GlasgowWarriors GlasgowWarriors

41

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

ALI PRICE

OPPOSITION

Scrum-half Ali Price joined the Warriors during the 2013/14 season, having been part of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy system. After previously playing for Bedford Blues and also being part of the Saracens Storm ‘A’ set-up, Ali has since played 15 times for Glasgow and was part of the 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12 title winning team. The 22-year-old has also played for BT Premiership side Stirling County and Ayr. Born in Kings Lynn, the Scottish under-20 international has impressed during the season so far, starting in Glasgow’s first four games of 2016 - against Edinburgh, Northampton and Racing 92 (twice).

RYAN WILSON

Warriors centurion, Ryan Wilson, joined Glasgow in 2010 and has become an integral part of the side, captaining Glasgow in the last GUINNESS PRO12 match against Ospreys. After making his Scotland debut in 2013 against Wales, the back row has since gone on to make 15 caps for his country, including a stellar World Cup performance where he featured four times against - Japan, USA, Samoa and South Africa.

LEONE NAKARAWA

Fijian international Leone Nakarawa has been a stand- out performer for the Warriors, having signed in 2013. The 6ft 6inch second row produced a man of the match performance for Glasgow in the 2015 GUINNESS PRO12 final, helping Glasgow to their first ever title. Known for his carries and offloads, Leone has made the most offloads in the 2014-15 European Rugby Champions Cup so far with 25. After playing for Fiji in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, his impressive performances earned him Pacific Island Players Association Fijian Players’ Player of the Year and the overall Pacific Island Players’ Player of the Year.

43

SONI SET TO HONOUR LOCAL RUGBY VOLUNTEERS

A new initiative, which aims to honour and recognise the dedication of community rugby volunteers across Ulster was launched recently by Ulster Rugby and SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland).

CELEBRATING RUGBY VOLUNTEERS

The SONI Community Rugby Champions programme is being pioneered by SONI who is responsible for running the electricity grid across the Province. It follows the recent announcement of its title sponsorship deal with the Ulster Senior League. The awards will honour the contributions made by volunteers right across the Province, including everyone from the Head Coach to young volunteers, fundraisers, minibus drivers or tea ladies - any volunteer who has been involved with the club for at least six months is eligible to enter. Judges will be looking for those who have made a positive contribution to their club and someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty for the love of the game and their club. Four finalists will be shortlisted from four regions and will be invited to attend Ulster Rugby’s glittering end of year awards ceremony with all finalists receiving a £500 bursary for their local club and the overall champion winning £1,000, as well as being crowned the SONI Community Rugby Champion. Chris Webster, Domestic Rugby Manager at Ulster Rugby, said it is important that the hard work and dedication of volunteers, who give up their free time, is suitably recognised and rewarded: “Rugby clubs play a huge part in their community and they rely heavily on the dedication of volunteers, who don’t always get the recognition they deserve.

“The SONI Community Rugby Champions award is a fantastic way to recognise volunteers’ achievements and to say thank you for all their hard work, commitment and devotion to their local club. We’re thrilled with SONI’s level of commitment since their sponsorship with the Ulster Senior League and for championing and supporting such a great initiative.” Robin McCormick, General Manager of SONI added: “As part of our sponsorship with the Ulster Senior League, we are delighted to have this opportunity to reward people who give up their free time to ensure the smooth running of community rugby in their area. Without volunteers, local clubs which play such a crucial and positive role in communities, simply wouldn’t be able to survive. SONI is committed to benefiting local communities and we do that through ensuring the safe, secure and efficient supply of electricity across Northern Ireland, so we’re proud to be the driving force behind an initiative which rewards those who are dedicated to serving their community.” The deadline for entries is Tuesday 8th March. Anyone can nominate by filling out the online application form, at www.ulsterrugby.com/ communitychampions. For more information on SONI visit www.soni.ltd.uk or follow on Twitter @soni_ltd.

45