Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

In the Guinness PRO12, the Ulster team are hitting a good run of form having won their last four matches, three with bonus points. Whilst the team were unable to get the elusive bonus point last week in their victory over Treviso, the side did well in appalling weather conditions. This week’s opposition are Zebre who have proved themselves to be difficult opponents in the past. Ulster are currently fifth in the table with a game in hand on the top four teams. A win this evening will see the side overtake Scarlets and move to fourth and into play-off contention. There is still a challenging schedule of games to come however and it will be important that Ulster continue this recent run of good form. The Ulster A team play Munster A in their B&I Cup quarter-final on Sunday at Independent Park, Cork. The A team have had an excellent season so far and we wish them all the best for this important game. In domestic rugby, Armagh RFC recently held a blitz involving 130 Primary School pupils as part of a rugby development programme funded by the Department for Communities. This initiative is also part of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup legacy programme. The event was a culmination of a six-week engagement with five schools who had no previous rugby experience - Armagh CBS PS, St. Patrick’s PS, Saints & Scholars PS, St. Malachy’s PS and Mount St. Catherine’s PS. The programme is primarily aimed at increasing participation in girls’ rugby and there was a strong female presence at the event. Each school received training sessions at their school, culminating with the blitz. The pupils also went on a tour of Kingspan Stadium and The Nevin Spence Centre. As a result of this, Armagh RFC now have a stand-alone Girls’ U12 team. Carrickfergus RFC and Larne RFC are also involved in the initiative. Well done to all those involved. As reported last week, our supporters have been really getting behind the team in recent matches, which has been a great source of inspiration for the players – let’s keep it going tonight! I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight as well as the great facilities we have here 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 this evening’s rearranged match in the Guinness PRO12 Championship. In particular, I am very pleased to welcome the Zebre 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 ulsterrugby.com

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