Ulster Rugby vs Llanelli Scarlets

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | PRICE £3.00

RUGBY VS SCARLETS Friday 27th February 2015 - Kingspan Stadium - Kick Off 19.35

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Good evening and welcome to another exciting Friday evening at Kingspan Stadium. Ulster take on Scarlets tonight in another crucial PRO12 match which is sure to have us on the edge of our seats! With Ulster in 2nd place in the PRO12 table and only 4 points behind leaders, Glasgow, it’s all to play for! We extend a warm welcome to all the Scarlets fans that have travelled here to support their team and look forward to some top class rugby between the two sides. Ulster continued their strong PRO12 performance with a hard fought win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield last weekend with a final whistle 20-17 win for the Ulstermen. We look forward to another strong Ulster performance tonight! Kingspan Stadium is once again a fortress and it is where Ulster plays best thanks to the energy and support of the home fans. This season marks the 18th year of our proud association with Ulster Rugby and we remain committed to the team. At Bank of Ireland we stand together with the fans, sharing their passion and together we are all the driving force behind our Ulster Rugby team. Good Luck Ulster!

Ian Sheppard // Head of Business & Corporate Banking NI Bank of Ireland

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

OFFICERS John Kinnear // President Bobby Stewart // Senior Vice President John McKibbin // 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

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here to Kingspan Stadium for this Guinness PRO12 match against Scarlets.

I would particularly like to welcome the officials, players and supporters who have made the trip from West Wales for their second visit of the season. You are all very welcome in Belfast. The importance of tonight’s game in terms of Ulster’s play-off hopes cannot be underestimated. The province currently sits in second place in the Guinness PRO12, level on points with third placed Munster and four points behind leaders, Glasgow Warriors. Last weekend, the province recorded a hard fought 20 points to 17 win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield. Down to 13 men for the last ten minutes of the match, Ulster showed remarkable defensive qualities and resolve to hold the home team out in the final stages. Those four points could prove crucial in the coming weeks. Scarlets arrive at Kingspan Stadium after a draw against Munster. Like our own PRO12 fixture at Parc Y Scarlets at the start of the season, Scarlets were in the lead but the visitors came back to level the match. Wayne Pivac has the Welsh region extremely well drilled and they come to Kingspan Stadium aiming to overtake Connacht and claim sixth position in the PRO12. Tonight we welcome Dan Tuohy back to the side. Our injury list has been well documented in recent months. It is great to see players like Dan returning to fitness at such a crucial time of the

season. He always makes a significant difference to any side that he plays in and no doubt Joe Schmidt will be monitoring his progress very closely. On Sunday Ireland take on England at the Aviva Stadium. They will be aiming to make it three wins in a row in this seasons RBS 6 Nations. Good luck to the Ireland management team and their players, especially the Ulster representatives in the squad – Rory Best, Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Iain Henderson and Robbie Diack. It is a seismic game in this season’s championship. If Ireland were to win it then they will be well placed to go on and win a second successive title. Last weekend we saw some excellent rugby in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-finals. Congratulations to Coleraine Inst, Belfast Inst, Wallace HS and Methodist College Belfast for reaching the semi- finals. The games will be played on the 3rd and 5th March here at Kingspan Stadium and I know that the boys would appreciate all support. Thank you for being part of another sell-out crowd this evening and I would encourage you to get behind your team and Stand up for the Ulstermen. Yours in Rugby John Kinnear // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

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

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ULSTER RUGBY

Chief Executive’s

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Round 16 of the Guinness PRO12 ! There’s another feast of rugby this weekend which we hope you enjoy ! We wish all of our players the very best in their RBS 6 Nations games ! Both Ulster and the Scarlets had notable performances last weekend with Ulster holding on with 13 men to win at Edinburgh and the Scarlets extending their unbeaten run at home in Parc y Scarlets. Both will be trying to earn more winning points here this evening as we’re now at the business end of the season. Last weekend’s match at Llanelli saw the start of the Guinness PRO12 trials of the Hawk-Eye technology system with the support of SKY Sports. These results will no doubt assist player welfare and match officiating going forward, maybe into the Rugby World Cup later this year, and we are delighted to facilitate World Rugby in this exciting new development. This weekend, it really is Guinness PRO12 business for all 12 of our clubs as they are looking at moving up the ladder to be in the top four, for a chance to compete in the Play-Offs and Final of our competition next May and also to seek European Champions Cup qualification for next season. Fans of both these teams have already bought tickets to this year’s Final here at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast on Saturday May 30th 2015 at 6.30pm. Tickets are selling extremely well and we would encourage fans of all 12 clubs to purchase their tickets for what promises to be a fantastic rugby weekend and occasion for the Guinness PRO12 here in Belfast. After Round 15, there are only 7 points between our top 5 teams and 4 points between teams 6-8 but, in fact, little separates many of the teams in the Guinness PRO12. Despite the seasonal weather there are 4 tries scored per match on average so lots of good entertainment and lots to play for ! I would like to pay tribute to the work of the match officials this season and wish them all the very best for these Round 16 fixtures and the rest of the season. Finally and most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of all our clubs, partners, all our broadcasters & media and you the supporters, who ensure all 12 clubs and the competition have fantastic support throughout the season.

Enjoy the game and I hope everyone revels in a great rugby weekend !

PRO12RUGBY.COM

TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

LUCY FERGUSON (8) Lucy is from Muckamore, Antrim and attends Loanends Primary School. She plays mini rugby at Ballyclare RFC and enjoys swimming, hockey, gymnastics and golf. Her favourite player is Ruan Pienaar as he is always in the middle of the action.

CARA FERGUSON (9) Cara is from Muckamore, Antrim and attends Loanends Primary School. Her interests, in addition to going to Kingspan Stadium on Friday nights, are swimming, gymnastics, hockey and netball. Her favourite player is Paddy Jackson.

HIRE THE OFFICIAL ULSTER RUGBY COACH

#SUFTUM

£ 3 .50 METRO DAY TICKET*

£ 3 NIRAILWAYS PLUSBUS** METRO TICKET

Competitive rates on modern coach travel Hire is subject to availability

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* To and From Game, plus onward Metro Travel. **PlusBus must be purchased at same time as NIRailways Adult single or return ticket. Bus ticket available from driver (cash only). No other ticket types/passes accepted.

For more details visit translink.co.uk/ulsterrugby 27 March KO 1935

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ULSTER RUGBY

DAN TUOHY: BACK FROM INJURY AND AIMING TO MAKE AN IMPACT FOR ULSTER AND IRELAND

Dan Tuohy, returns to the Ulster starting XV tonight after what has been a frustrating 12 months with injury.

Since he had to leave the field with a fractured arm in Ireland’s game in last season’s RBS 6 Nations against Wales, he has broken his arm again, broken his hand and ruptured ligaments in his thumb. Now fully fit again, he will be playing only his 10th game of the season: “At times it has been tough to sit on the sidelines and watch good performances and also to watch bad performances and not be able to affect that,” says Tuohy. “It has probably been the toughest period of my career so far. Fortunately, I have not had any really nasty knee injuries or shoulders or anything like that. In the grand scheme of things I have been lucky as the longest I have been out is ten to 12 weeks but it is the cumulative effect of all of them that has made it a very frustrating time.” “It was tough getting injured and then having to make the decision as to whether to have surgery on my thumb or not. When I had the surgery done the surgeon said that it was the best decision that I could have made because the thumb was in such disrepair that I wouldn’t have stood a chance of being available for selection for the 6 Nations or for the games here, so I am glad that I made that decision. It is just one of those things. I am as fresh as I can be. Now we have a run of seven games and perhaps knock-out matches. Hopefully I can get into the team, make a positive impact and hopefully help them to win something.” A month ago Ulster had crashed out of Europe and had slipped out of the play off places in the PRO12. Five weeks on and the province are up to second and Tuohy believes that the team are starting to hit form at the critical time of the season: He says: “It was disappointing that Europe finished the way it did. Having said that it was great to get that performance against Leicester Tigers and that has put us in a good mind-frame and set the benchmark for the rest of the season. Performances like that are key. Glasgow at the start of the season was like that. It shows what we can do as a squad and shows what level

we can play at. You have to show consistency if you are going to be in the mix for silverware and that is what we are starting to show now.” Having won three matches in row, maintaining consistency will be essential against the Scarlets, a team that Ulster know well: “This is our fourth time playing them this season and I will have played in all the games, says Tuohy. “We are well accustomed to each other. There will be no suprises for either team. We are at home on Friday and we have got the best home record in the league and continuing that in the knock out stages will be key to our success. Now that there is a guaranteed final at Kingspan Stadium it would be nice to have a home play off and these are the games that we need to win if we are to achieve that. This week teams around us are playing each other so we have to pick up results to keep the pressure on Glasgow.” Tuohy’s immediate goal is to help Ulster win these next two PRO12 matches but having worked hard to get fit he is hopeful that he might still be able to make an impact for Ireland in this season’s RBS 6 Nations: “I got a text message from Joe Schmidt the other evening,” Tuohy reveals. “He is going to touch base with me post-Dragons. I am going to try and get as many minutes as possible in the next two matches. He will assess everyone meticulously as he always does and he will probably make a call from there. If my thumb holds up, I would love to go down to Dublin and to contribute to the final two games and see where I stand. I am not expecting a great deal, but to contribute in a world cup year to the end of the campaign will be incredibly important. He will get the chance to see me train and you never know, play. That will be a good precursor leading up to the world cup warm up games. That’s a bit further down the line, right now I am just going to concentrate on these two matches with Ulster.”

DAN TUOHY

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ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

“YOU HAVE TO SHOW CONSISTENCY IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN THE MIX FOR SILVERWARE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE STARTING TO SHOW NOW” DAN TUOHY

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ULSTER RUGBY

#SUFTUM @KINGSPAN STADIUM

Kingspan are offering seven lucky Ulster fans, plus a friend the opportunity to train with the Ulster squad simply by tweeting a #SUFTUM selfie from Kingspan Stadium.

COMPETITION TIME

If you are heading to an Ulster Rugby game this season simply take a selfie of you / your friends enjoying the action and tweet the image to @KingspanStadium with the #SUFTUM before midnight on Sunday (following the match). The winner, with the best selfie will then be announced by U105 legend, Frank Mitchell on his Monday morning show and also via Twitter. The winner from each home match week will then be invited, along with a friend, to attend Kingspan Stadium in April to take part in a training session with members of the Ulster Rugby squad. For full T&Cs please www.ulsterrugby.com CONGRATULATIONS TO LIZA MILLEN WHO WON OUR LAST #SUFTUM SELFIE COMPETITION. She and a friend will be attending a training session with the squad next year.

#SUFTUM SELFIE MATCH DATES:

FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY ULSTER V SCARLETS FRIDAY 27TH MARCH ULSTER V CARDIFF BLUES

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ULSTER RUGBY

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

NICKNAME: Smick FAVOURITE SONG/ARTIST? Jonny Cash CAN YOU COOK? Yes WHAT’S YOUR SIGNATURE DISH? Lamb curry LAST BOOK YOU READ? Seven Deadly Sins FAVOURITE TV SHOW? Yukon Men WHOWOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? Eric Cantona WHO’S THE LAST PERSON YOUWOULD LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? Adam Macklin IF YOUWEREN’T PLAYING RUGBY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? Rock ‘n’ Roll DO YOU HAVE A PET? Yes, a pigeon PET’S NAME? Roger 2 MINUTES MIKE McCOMISH WITH

IN FOCUS

YOU TEAM

BEST IN TRAINING? Best BEST MATE ON TEAM? Gilbert HARDEST?

Roger Wilson QUICKEST? Tommy Bowe / Scholers (Rory) BEST NICKNAME? Bird beak BEST DANCER? Bronson Ross BEST DRESSER? Dan Tuohy BEST TEAMMATE TO FOLLOWON TWITTER? @dan_tuohy

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ULSTER RUGBY

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BT Cloud Voice requires a BT Business internet connection. Only IP phones from the BT Cloud Voice portfolio can be connected to the service. The service will require suitable LAN infrastructure and a BT Business broadband router. Visit bt.com/terms for full Terms & Conditions

DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP: THE STORY SO FAR…

PRELIMINARY ROUND In a pre-Christmas match, Antrim GS brushed aside the challenge of Strabane Academy to register a 26-7 triumph and book themselves a place in the competition. FIRST ROUND There were impressive results for Banbridge Academy (45-0 v Antrim GS), Portadown College (5-16 v Friends’) and Foyle College (37- 10 v Larne GS). RS Dungannon crashed out at the first hurdle at the hands of another previous winner, Regent House (13-7), while Limavady GS just edged Wellington College (10-5) SECOND ROUND A young Down HS side showed their potential in gaining a 24-5 win over Rainey Endowed, with the impressive Zac Ward, son of former Ireland international, Andy, notching two tries. BRA suffered a surprise second round exit at the hands of Carrickfergus GS, going down 17-8, while Portora RS recorded a narrow 6-0 win over Banbridge Academy. THIRD ROUND The eight top seeded teams entered the competition at this stage, with Ballymena Academy pitted against title holders Methodist College and last year’s beaten finalists Sullivan Upper playing host to Campbell College. Methody trailed at one point but fought back with a powerful display to win 10-18. Campbell surprised many with a 0-13 win over Sullivan, with captain Rory Butler to the fore. Another seeded side, RBAI, demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with by brushing aside Regent House 36-0. Wallace also entered the competition with a bang, coming away from Enniskillen with a comprehensive 0-30 win over Portora.

Coleraine AI had to work hard for their away win against Down HS, recovering from a 22-7 deficit to triumph 28-34. Oliver McDowell got two second half tries to complete the comeback. A late missed conversion by Limavady GS meant RS Armagh scraped a 12- 14 win and progress to the last eight. Ballyclare HS proved too strong for Bangor GS (17-5) and the same was true of Omagh Academy at Tries from skipper Lewis McNamara, Ethan Harbinson, Ben McGavock saw RBAI register a 23-0 over RS Armagh at Osbourne Park. The result means that they progress to the semis having scored 61 points and conceded none following their previous win over Regent. Coleraine Academical Institution, playing in their last home Schools’ Cup game before the amalgamation with Coleraine HS to form Coleraine Grammar School, held off a strong Omagh Academy challenge to win 22-9. Daniel Coulter, Robert Lyttle and captain Saul Herdman crossed the whitewash to seal a 14-20 win for Methody away to Belfast rivals Campbell College. The visitors had raced into a 0-15 lead but tries from Campbell’s Jack Barry Glendinning and Malcolm Corry were reward for a better second half showing. Wallace HS remain undefeated this season after grinding out an away win against Ballyclare HS. Two Andrew Cardosi penalties and a try by Andrew Irvine was enough to secure a 3-11 success. Carrickfergus GS (7-26) QUARTER FINALS

SCHOOLS’ CUP

UlsterBranch

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ULSTER RUGBY

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We are also Ulster Rugby’s production company of choice, telling the teams story through the power of film. Why not let us tell yours?

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DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP SEMI-FINALS AT KINGSPAN STADIUM V COLERAINE AI RBAI TUESDAY 3RD MARCH, 2.30PM

Tickets now on sale through Ticketmaster METHODIST COLLEGE WALLACE HS THURSDAY 5TH MARCH, 3.00PM V

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final tickets are also available via Ticketmaster

OFFICIAL CLOTHING PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY

DANSKE BANK GIRLS SCHOOLS’ CUP KICKS OFF THIS WEEK

The Danske Bank Girls Schools’ Cup regional qualifiers took place this week, featuring a remarkable 60 teams.

GIRLS SCHOOLS’ CUP UPDATE

SOUTHWEST QUALIFIER Wednesday 25th Febraury Clogher Valley RFC

The competition has grown from strength to strength in recent years, thanks in part to the success of Ireland Women in winning the Grand Slam in March 2013. Since then, Ulster Rugby has employed three dedicated Female Rugby Officers, funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, who have developed the game in traditional and non-traditional rugby schools. Enniskillen Collegiate (pictured below) will be hoping to defend their title after beating Grosvenor Grammar School 10-7 in last year’s final. The quarter finals will take place between 9-13th March. The final is scheduled for Kingspan Stadium on 24th March.

Armagh HS, Aughnacloy HS, Brownlow Integrated College, Devenish College, Enniskillen Collegiate, Fivemiletown College, Lurgan Junior HS, Mount Lourdes GS, Royal School Armagh, St. Catherine’s College, St. Ciaran’s College, St. Fancheas College, St.

Patrick’s HS, Tandragee HS BELFAST QUALIFIER 2 Thursday 26th February Grosvenor Grammar School

Aquinas GS, Ballyclare HS, Belfast Royal Academy, Down HS, Dundonald HS, Forthill College, Grosvenor GS, Hunterhouse College, Lisnagarvey HS, Mercy College, St. Dominic’s GS, Victoria College SOUTH QUALIFIER Thursday 26th February Virginia RFC Balliebourgh Community School, Briefne College, Loreto Cavan, Royal School Cavan, St. Clare’s College, Virginia College NORTH EAST QUALIFIER Friday 27th February Coleraine RFC Coleraine HS, Dalriada, Foyle College, Limavady GS, Limavady HS, Lisneal College, Oakgrove Integrated College

BELFAST QUALIFIER 1 Tuesday 24th February Our Lady and St. Pat’s Knock

Participating teams: Antrim GS, Ashfield Girls’ HS, Ballynahinch HS, Kilkeel HS, Methodist College, Newtownbreda HS, Our Lady and St. Pat’s Knock, Shimna Integrated College St. Malachy’s HS, St. Rose’s College,

Wallace HS, Wellington College NORTHWEST QUALIFIER Tuesday 24th February Strabane Academy Castlederg HS, Drumragh Integrated College, Loreto Letterkenny, Omagh

Academy, Omagh HS, Sacred Heart College, Strabane Academy, St. Columba’s College, St. John’s Business & Enterprise College

UlsterBranch

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ULSTER RUGBY

RHINO ARE PROUD TO BE THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE GUINNESS PRO12 2014/15 www.rhinorugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY COACHING AWARDS 2014-15 DRIVEN BY ULSTERBUS TOURS

THE ULSTER RUGBY COACHING AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES Ulster Rugby is calling on parents, players, schools and clubs across the province to nominate their coach to receive Ulster Rugby’s Coach of the Year Award 2014-15 in this new initiative driven by Ulsterbus Tours.

ULSTER RUGBY COACHING AWARDS 2014-15

The Awards aim to recognise the outstanding contribution of rugby coaches throughout the province during the 2014-2015 season and the role they play in encouraging participation, development and excellence. There are four coaching award categories: > Female Rugby > Youth/School & Mini Rugby > Adult Rugby > Disability Rugby The winner from each category will be invited to an exclusive coaching session with the Ulster Rugby squad. One ultimate winner will take away 25 tickets to the Cardiff Blues match at Kingspan Stadium on Friday 27th March, and his/her team will travel in style to the game on the official Ulster Rugby Coach courtesy of Ulsterbus Tours.Entries close on Tuesday 10th

For more information please contact: Brian O’Shaughnessy // Coach Development Officer Ulster Rugby Email brian.oshaughnessy@ulsterrugby.com

visit www.ulsterrugby.com/ coachingawards for more information and to fill out an entry form for your coach!

March, for full terms and conditions please visit www.ulsterrugby.com.

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ULSTER RUGBY

GETTING TO KNOW THE ACADEMY

ACADEMY PROFILE: LORCAN DOW

ACADEMY PROFILE: FRANK TAGGART

HUGHES INSURANCE ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY 2014/15

DOB: 27.01.1995 AGE: 20

DOB: 04.10.1994 AGE: 21 BORN: Brighton HEIGHT: 189cm WEIGHT: 105kg POSITION: Flanker CAPS: Uls U19-12 CLUB: Harlequins SCHOOL:

BORN: London HEIGHT: 190cm WEIGHT: 106kg POSITION: Number 8 CAPS: Ire U18-3 // U19-2 // Uls U20-3 CLUB: Queen’s SCHOOL: Whitgift School UNIVERSITY: Queen’s University Belfast, Psychology ADMIRE: Keiran Read FAVOURITE FOOD: Lasagne PAST TIME: Scrabble ULSTER HIGHLIGHT: Starting for Ravens INTERESTING FACT: I can beatbox TWITTER: @lorcandow

Whitgift School UNIVERSITY: University of Ulster Jordanstown, Sports Studies ADMIRE: Peter O’Mahony FAVOURITE FOOD:

Roast dinner PAST TIME:

Being at one with nature ULSTER HIGHLIGHT: U20 interpros v Munster at home

INTERESTING FACT: I am afraid of spiders TWITTER: @franktaggart1

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ULSTER RUGBY

IAN HUMPHREYS

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ULSTER RUGBY

IAN HUMPHREYS: 100TH CAP FOR ULSTER

Tonight Ian Humphreys celebrates winning his 100th cap for his province.

is wearing Ulster kits and everyone knows wheat is going on and it is brilliant that way. How did you change as a player? IH: I think when I went to London I realsied that I have to be more vocal and take the lead more. When I was here before it was the international boys that led everything whereas when I have come back I have been a bit more vocal. I suppose I am a bit older and a bit more mature. What are the toughest teams that you have faced? IH: I think any time you play Leinster or Munster away its always tough. I have never won at the RDS. The game I enjoyed most was Clermont away. It was the first time that I have played in a big, big French game. The atmosphere was phenomenal and they hadn’t lost in in 40 odd games at home and we should have won the game. The atmosphere was brilliant and I enjoyed it although it was frustrating and disappointing as well. Other than that, the Heineken Cup Final was very disappointing. We had done well that season and unfortunately we just couldn’t get over the line. What is the best atmosphere you have experienced? IH: Toulon away this year was amazing. Clermont is really intimidating because the stadium is right on top of you. I would say that they are the best two atmospheres - outside of Kingspan Stadium of course! What are the biggest challenges being a professional rugby player? IH: I suppose any time that you are dropped; it is hard to come back from that. I was dropped for the Heineken Cup semi final in 2012 and subsequently ended up moving to London. That was hard both emotionally and mentally. However, that is just sport. You have to deal with it and move on quickly. The emotions of selection, bad performances or missed kicks are the hardest things to deal with. Who have been your biggest influences? IH: My brother David as he obviously played in my position and was a bit older. At Leicester there was a guy Leon Lloyd. He was experienced (he played 266 times for the Tigers) and I remember we were playing a game against the Dragons in the LV Cup and I threw an intercept. He came over and put his arm around me and talked to me and gave me great advice. He advised me on how to manage other players and coaches. He was a great influence on me. How are you enjoying being back at Ulster? IH: My wife Jenny and I went to school together. We are both from Ballymena and we now have two young girls, Anna and Zoe. My family is my most important thing to me. Living where we grew up is great and I feel that I have integrated back into the squad really well. I knew most of the fellas anyway and I knew the coaches. I am loving being back and hopefully I can play for a few more years.

Following three years with Leicester Tigers he returned to Belfast in 2008 and made his debut for Ulster against Newport Gwent Dragons. He came on as a replacement and scored a try in a narrow defeat. He left Ulster Rugby in 2012 and spent two seasons at London Irish, before coming back to the province in the summer. He is now just nine points short of 500 points in the PRO12 for Ulster and now, in his third spell with his home province is aiming to do what his brother David did so memorably in the Liberty Stadium in 2006, to help Ulster win a league title. In fact, when it comes to milestones, last weekend’s game against Edinburgh was significant in terms of Humphreys family bragging rights. At Murrayfield he played his 69th game in the PRO12 meaning that he has now played one more match in the competition than David. We caught up with the Ulster outhalf to ask him about his debut, his favourite memories playing for Ulster and his biggest influences: What have been your favourite matches for Ulster so far? IH: Four European Cup games stand out. The home matches against Biarritz, Clermont and Stade Francais were three good wins and when we played Bath away. I think it was a back-to-back fixture. That game is remembered for Nevin Spence’s try when he landed on his head and we won that game which helped us qualify for the quarter final that year. What are your memories from your debut? IH: My first game was Dragons at home. It was good, I came off the bench. I scored a try and that was nice. I grew up here watching Ulster when there weren’t many people in the ground so to actually get the chance to run out at the stadium was pretty special. What did you learn when you were playing in England? IH: I have realised how big a deal it is playing for Ulster, how important it is and how much it means to the fans. When I was at Leicester Tigers, I didn’t really appreciate it because they were my first club. However, when I went away to London Irish I realised that not every club has the support that we have here and that it is totally phenomenal. When I went over there, I really enjoyed it but I almost instantaneously regretted having left and to get the chance to come home was great. I had no hesitation at all coming home. Leicester had great fans and because it was my first experience of professional rugby I just loved every aspect of it. When I got here to Ulster, it was my home province and I just thought every set-up was like it. The London Irish fans were great but there were only a few thousand of them and with London being such a big city you don’t see a lot of London Irish tops about. Whereas here everyone

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ULSTER RUGBY

MICHAEL ALLEN

RICKY ANDREW

Centre/Wing 28.11.90 183cm 97kg 42 -

Fullback 02.12.89 185cm 87kg 20 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RORY BEST (C)

CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE Hooker 15.08.82 180cm 110kg 166 79 ULSTER RUBGY POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg 78 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CHARLIE BUTTERWORTH

Wing 22.02.84 191cm 102kg 130 58

POSITION BORN

Back Row - 195cm 115kg 0 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DARREN CAVE

ROBBIE DIACK

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 97kg 153 8 // 11A

Back Row 12.11.85 196cm 109kg 145 2 // 2A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DECLAN FITZPATRICK

CRAIG GILROY

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 101 6 // 2A

Prop 12.07.83 182cm 118kg 98 7 // 9A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

MICHAEL HEANEY

IAIN HENDERSON

Scrumhalf 05.11.90 176cm 78kg 29 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 21.02.92 200cm 115kg 42 13 // 3A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back Row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 126 16 // 10A

POSITION BORN

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 114kg 18 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 183cm 103kg 65 1 // 2A

Outhalf 24.04.82 178cm 85kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

99 7A

PADDY JACKSON

CONOR JOYCE

Outhalf 05.01.92 179cm 87kg 74 9 // 1A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RICKY LUTTON

LOUIS LUDIK

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 115kg 23 -

POSITION BORN

Fullback 10.08.86 182cm 92kg 18 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

LUKE MARSHALL

PAUL MARSHALL

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 96kg 61 6

POSITION BORN

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 142 3 // 2A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART McCLOSKEY

KYLE McCALL

Centre - 195cm 105kg 12 -

POSITION BORN

Hooker 02.01.92 176cm 108kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

25

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ULSTER RUGBY

NEIL McCOMB

MIKE McCOMISH

2nd Row 15.07.83 201cm 120kg 44 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 07.12.83 190cm 106kg 45 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

PETER NELSON

Fullback 05.10.92 180cm 84kg 21 -

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 115.5kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Outhalf 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 35 2

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg 57 3

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 89 79 (SA)

POSITION BORN

Back Row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg 7 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 118kg 13 -

Back Row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg 15 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DAVE RYAN

RORY SCHOLES

Prop

POSITION BORN

Wing 24.04.93 186cm 95kg 5 -

POSITION BORN

183cm 116kg 0 -

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

27

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ULSTER RUGBY

Watchthevideo, guess the locationandyoucouldwinamini break! Can you avoid the dummymove?Watch the video on our Facebook page and see if you can guess where Paddy Jackson is going. Enter on Facebook or Twitter and you couldwin a

fabulous 4* weekend break for 2 people to the correct location! Entries close on Sunday 1 March at 10pm– Good Luck!

Enter now!

/DiscoverNorthernIreland

Terms and Conditions apply.

@DiscoverNI OR

JAMES SIMPSON

LEWIS STEVENSON

2nd Row 03.11.90 197cm 115kg 1 -

2nd Row 01.06.84 200cm 116kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

76 1A

SQUAD 2014/15

ANDREW TRIMBLE

DAN TUOHY

Wing 20.10.84 187cm 99kg 188 57 // 3A

POSITION BORN

2nd Row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 119 9 // 4A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

ANDREW WARWICK

2nd Row 15.03.83 198cm 115kg 19 -

Prop 12.03.91 180cm 111kg 21 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

NICK WILLIAMS

ROGER WILSON

Back Row 21.09.81 191cm 106kg 175 1 // 11 A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 02.12.83 189cm 122kg 54 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ULSTER RUGBY SQUAD SEASON 2014/15

29

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ULSTER RUGBY

ULSTER RUG FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY KICK O

15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

CALLUM BLACK

LOUIS LUDIK

ROB HERRING

CRAIG GILROY

ULSTER RUGBY

WIEHAHN HERBST

DARREN CAVE

LUKE MARSHALL

DAN TUOHY

FRANCO VD MERWE

MICHAEL ALLEN

10

IAIN HUMPHREYS

ROGER WILSON (C)

9

CLIVE ROSS

RUAN PIENAAR

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 J ANDREW A WARWICK B ROSS L STEVENSON 20 21 22 23

8

M McCOMISH P MARSHALL M STANLEY R SCHOLES

NICK WILLIAMS

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE’S CITING COMMISSIONER TMO TODAYS OFFICIALS

BEN WHITEHOUSE (WRU, 4TH COMPETITION GAME) KIERAN BARRY (IRFU) // DERMOT BLAKE (IRFU) JOHN COLE (IRFU) MARSHALL KILGORE (IRFU)

30

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

Y v SCARLETS 015 - KINGSPAN STADIUM F 19.35 1

15 14 13 12 11 10

SCARLETS

JORDAN WILLIAMS

PHIL JOHN

2 3 4 5 6 7

KEN OWENS (C)

HARRY ROBINSON

PETER EDWARDS

REGAN KING

HADLEIGH PARKES

GEORGE EARLE

LEWIS RAWLINS

MICHAEL TAGICAKIBAU

AARON SHINGLER

STEVEN SHINGLER

9 8

ALED DAVIES

JAMES DAVIES

REPLACEMENTS FROM R ELIAS R THOMAS J ADRIAANSE J PAYNE 20 21 22 23 16 17 18 19

R McCUSKER G DAVIES A WARREN K PHILLIPS

JOHN BARCLAY

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

31

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ULSTER RUGBY

JACOBIE ADRIAANSE

JAKE BALL

Lock 21.06.91

Prop 19.07.85 178cm 112kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

200cm 121 kg

JOHN BARCLAY

SION BENNETT

Back row 27.11.93 193cm 101kg

Back row 24.09.86 190cm 105kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SQUAD 2014/15 ALED DAVIES

GARETH DAVIES

Scrum half 18.08.90 178cm 85kg

Scrum half 19.07.92 178cm 88kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

JAMES DAVIES

GEORGE EARLE

Flanker 25.10.90 183cm 97kg

Lock 09.01.87 197cm 110kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

PETER EDWARDS

ROB EVANS

Prop 12.10.80 181cm 118kg

Prop 14.04.92 188cm 118kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

DARRAN HARRIS

PHIL JOHN

Prop 25.04.81 190cm 118kg

Hooker 11.11.92 180cm 102kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

32

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

WYN JONES

RHODRI JONES

Prop 26.02.92 184cm 114kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Prop 19.01.91 191cm 111kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SQUAD 2014/15

RICHARD KELLY

REGAN KING

Centre 02.10.80 188cm 87kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Lock 10.09.87 199cm 104kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

JOSH LEWIS

SAMSON LEE

Outside half 22.03.92 183cm 84kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Prop 30.11.92 180cm 115kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

KIRBY MYHILL

ROB McCUSKER

Hooker 05.02.92 183cm 106kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Back row 10.12.85 193cm 109kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

KEN OWENS

GARETH OWEN

Hooker 03.01.87 186cm 112kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Outside Half 05.11.88 182cm 88kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

KRISTIAN PHILLIPS

EMYR PHILLIPS

Wing 02.09.90 178cm 85kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Hooker 22.02.87 182cm 102kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

33

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ULSTER RUGBY

STAY from £83 pps

Experience the history and heritage of Belfast that is only ten minutes away, explore the charming North Down coast or pamper yourself in our Spa. The Culloden H I STORY. LUXURY. TR ANQU I L I T Y. Call 028 9042 1066 Complimentary onsite car parking • hastingshotels.com ESCAPE to a little LUXURY

RHYS PRIESTLAND

RORY PITMAN

Outside half 07.01.87 182cm 87kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Back row 06.10.89 191cm 118kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SQUAD 2014/15

AARON SHINGLER

HARRY ROBINSON

Back row 07.08.87 196cm 106kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Wing 16.04.93 175cm 83kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

JOHAN SNYMAN

STEVEN SHINGLER

Lock 09.07.84 200cm 112kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Outside half 20.06.91 190cm 88kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

MICHAEL TAGICAKIBAU

ADAM WARREN

Centre/Wing 09.04.85 182cm 90kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Centre 07.03.91 183cm 86kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

LIAM WILLIAMS

JORDAN WILLIAMS

Full back/Wing 09.04.91 188cm 85kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Outside Half 20.09.93 173cm 81kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

SCOTT WILLIAMS

RHODRI WILLIAMS

Centre 10.10.90 183cm 97kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

Scrum half 05.04.93 178cm 81kg

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT

35

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ULSTER RUGBY

Suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

Official suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

36

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Scarlets: “Still Plenty to Play For”

“I thought we had done enough. It was the first time for me playing against Munster - I guess their A game is what came out in that last ten minutes and unfortunately we just couldn’t stop it. “They certainly just kept coming and coming. It was never a game I felt that we couldn’t control.” With seven rounds yet to play Parkes believes the Scarlets have plenty still to play for in the Guinness PRO12 as they race for the top six. A victory for Connacht over the Dragons on Sunday saw the Irish side return to the top six with a two point lead on Scarlets. Parkes went on to say: “There’s still plenty to play for, we actually don’t have a bad run-in now. If we start winning away from home we should be doing well. It certainly is the key. It has to start with Ulster tonight.”

Scarlets’ utility back Hadleigh Parkes scored his first try in regional colours against Munster last weekend and has forged a strong centre partnership with fellow New Zealander Regan King in the last two rounds of the Guinness PRO12. Parkes (pictured below) was named man of the match after a sterling performance when he scored his side’s only try of the afternoon against Munster on Saturday. Speaking after the game Parkes, 27, said that the result was disappointing but the West Wales region have to concentrate on the positives as they prepare to take on Ulster in Belfast on Friday evening. He said; “It’s definitely the one that got away. There were a few decisions towards the end that could have gone either way. A few calls were pretty disappointing but we probably shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position. “We’ve got to look at the positives and we’re still going pretty well.” Scarlets went 25-13 ahead with ten minutes remaining in the game but Munster hit back with two tries taking two points from the result.

CLUB STATS //Location Llanelli, Wales //Founded 2003 //Ground Parc y Scarlets //Capacity 14,800 //Last Game Munster Rugby (H) 25 - 25 (D) Sat 21st Mar 2015, 14:40 //Next Game Leinster Rugby (H) Sat 15th Mar 2015, 17:15 //Recent Form L W L W D

STAFF // Coach Wayne Pivac // Captain Ken Owens

CONTACT Parc y Scarlets Pemberton Retail Park Llanelli Carmarthenshire Tel +44 1554 783 900 Fax +44 1554 783 901

TICKET OFFICE Tel

+441554783900

www.scarlets.co.uk

OfficialScarlets

scarlets_rugby

37

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ULSTERRUGBY

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

An introduction to the Ulster Barbarians

THE ULSTER BARBARIANS

The Barbarians participate in the Annual Irish League and have competed in competitions in Germany and Scotland. Their aim is to build on the existing structures with a view to entering a team in the GB Wheelchair Rugby League in the 2015/2016 season. The club are currently training at the Loughside Recreation Centre in Belfast but will move to the Antrim Forum in April. The Barbarians, in partnership with Ulster Rugby; the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Wheelchair Team and Disability Sport NI are hosting a ‘Come and Try’ Event on Saturday 25th April 2015 (12 – 3pm) at the Antrim Forum. Anybody who wishes to try the sport (with or without a disability) is very welcome to come along and get involved. If you are interested in attending this event or joining the Barbarians as a player or as a volunteer please contact Bernard Rooney – 07770 777 265 or the Ulster Rugby Disability and Inclusion Officer – Tim Craig – 07442 490 460

Wheelchair Rugby is a mixed team sport for male and female athletes with a mobility related disability in at least three limbs (tetraplegic). A unique sport created by athletes with a disability, it combines elements of rugby, basketball and American football. Players compete in teams of four to carry the ball across the opposing team’s goal line. Contact between wheelchairs is permitted, and is in fact an integral part of the sport as players use their chairs to block and hold opponents. Wheelchair rugby was introduced to Ireland in 1997 with the formation of the Gaelic Warriors in Dublin. In April 2013 the Ulster Barbarians Wheelchair Rugby Club was formed. They were the third wheelchair rugby club to be established on the island of Ireland and they are the only club of its type in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Barbarians have the full support of and are affiliated with the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and Irish Wheelchair Rugby. The Barbarians are a young but extremely ambitious club with plans for the future. Since 2012 they have, with the support of the Gaelic Warriors and the IWA, staged a number of ‘Come and Try’ events around the country with a view to raising the profile of the sport and attracting new members. Their efforts have been rewarded in that they now have a membership of 12 players (9 male and 3 female). The players travel from all over Ulster including Downpatrick; Newry; Donegal and Ballycastle to play. Four of the club members have achieved international honours representing Ireland.

39

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ULSTERRUGBY

Kingspan has been a partner of Ulster Rugby for 10 years and we are now proud to give our name to this Stadium. Our passion, as a global leader in sustainable building solutions, is to deliver the highest levels of performance - always. Our respect for Ulster Rugby and its dedicated fans is absolute. Welcome to the Kingspan Stadium.

kingspan.com

BANBRIDGE RFC CAPITAL GRANT FUNDING SUCCESS

Banbridge RFC has recently completed a range of capital development projects at Rifle Park which have helped support the continued development of rugby and sporting provision for the whole community.

CAPITAL GRANT FUNDING

members and contributors of Banbridge RFC for their time, effort and generous donations and specifically to Club Representatives Raymond Thompson (Committee Rep) and Raymond McKinstry (Grounds Convenor) for their commitment and energy towards the project.” IRFU (Ulster Branch) Chairman of the Rugby Committee, John Boyd, said, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of rugby union across Ulster and I would personally like to congratulate all involved at Banbridge RFC for their persistence and dedication towards the implementation of these worthwhile projects.” For further information and support with grant funding for your club, please contact David Johnston (IRFU, Ulster Branch Club & Community Development Officer) via david.johnston@ulsterrugby.com.

The club firstly completed a large-scale refurbishment project to its main pitch and car park, costing a total of £130,000. £25,000 of this was grant funding was secured from Banbridge District Council, £50,000 was loan funding from Danske Bank and £55,000 was contributed from the club through fundraising activities and marquee events. Furthermore, a £39,000 project which involved the renewal of the club’s shower facilities, as well as the installation of a new energy efficient boiler system has been funded partly by Banbridge District Council (£25,000), with the remaining £14,000 again being raised by the club through a series of fundraising efforts. Banbridge RFC President, Alan Harvey, commented, “These projects have been a huge success and will contribute massively towards the club’s strategic vision and plans to increase participation in rugby activities amongst people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. The work carried out also promotes the sustainability of Banbridge RFC and its ability to grow as a community hub well into the future. “My thanks must go to Banbridge District Council for their monetary support, to the

UlsterBranch

Pictured: Raymond McKinstry, Alan Harvey and Raymond Thompson

41

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ULSTER RUGBY