Ulster Rugby vs Glasgow

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

In the Guinness PRO12, the Ulster team are currently in 6th place but with a game in hand. It was great to see the Ulster team get back to winning ways with a bonus point win over Edinburgh last weekend. It was also good to see a number of players return to action after long periods out through injury, notably Stuart Olding, Peter Nelson, Alan O’Connor and, in his debut match, Marcell Coetzee. Glasgow Warriors have proved themselves to be formidable opponents and there have been a number of close, hard fought games between the two sides in recent years. Ulster secured a close victory over Glasgow at the Scotstoun Stadium in September and hopefully the confidence from last week’s victory will see Ulster repeat that result today. It was also pleasing to see the Ireland side produce such a comprehensive victory over Italy in Rome last week, following the narrow defeat in Scotland. Whilst it was disappointing that captain Rory Best had to pull out at the last moment with a stomach bug, Ulster fans would have been delighted with the performances of Paddy Jackson and Craig Gilroy. With Rory, Andrew Trimble and Iain Henderson available for Ireland again, selection for the France match will be very interesting! On the domestic front, the Danske Bank Medallion Shield has reached the semi-final stage with The Royal School, Armagh due to play Bangor Grammar School and Portadown College will play Friends' School, Lisburn. Congratulations go to all four teams on getting this far and I wish them all good luck for their semi-final games. Finally, I hope everyone gets behind the Ulster team and enjoys the game today as well as the great facilities at Kingspan Stadium and remember… “Stand Up For The Ulster Men”. John McKibbin President IRFU (Ulster Branch) It gives me great pleasure as President of the IRFU Ulster Branch to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for today’s round 15 match in the Guinness PRO12 Championship. In particular, I am very pleased to welcome the Glasgow Warriors 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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