Английская Википедия:2023–24 Ulster Rugby season
Шаблон:Use dmy dates Шаблон:Use Hiberno-English Шаблон:Infobox rugby club season The 2023–24 season is Ulster Rugby's 30th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. It is Dan McFarland's sixth season as head coach.
Events
Personnel changes
Signings announced for next season include South African prop Steven Kitshoff, from the Stormers,[1] flanker Dave Ewers, from Exeter Chiefs,[2] and former Munster prop James French.[3] Five academy players joined the senior squad on development contracts: lock Harry Sheridan, scrum-half Conor McKee, hooker James McCormick, back row forward Reuben Crothers and centre Ben Carson.[4] After a successful trial in pre-season, Clontarf tighthead prop Ben Griffin was signed on a development contract in August.[5] Former Leinster, Connacht and Jersey Reds prop Greg McGrath joined as injury cover in October.[6]
Flanker Jordi Murphy[7] and out-half Ian Madigan[8] retired. Lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan left for Montauban.[9] Wings Rob Lyttle[10] and Craig Gilroy[11] announced they would leave at the end of the season. Hooker Declan Moore and scrum-half Michael McDonald moved to Connacht on a season-long loan.[12] Also departing were Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Gareth Milasinovich, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Rory Sutherland.[13]
Eleven players joined the academy: props Cameron Doak, Jack Boal and Jacob Boyd; hookers Zac Solomon and Henry Walker; lock Charlie Irvine; back rowers Josh Stevens and Tom Brigg; and outside backs Ethan Graham, Lukas Kenny and Ben McFarlane.[14]
Iain Henderson's central contract with the IRFU was due to expire after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and there was speculation that he might move abroad. He signed an extension in 2023, keeping him with Ulster and Ireland for a further two seasons.[15]
3G pitch
In May 2023 Ulster submitted a planning application to install a 3G artificial turf pitch at Ravenhill.[16] Planning permission was granted by Belfast City Council in late June,[17] and work began in late July.[18]
U20 World Championship
Four Ulster players featured for Ireland in the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship: locks Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes, flanker James McNabney and fullback Rory Telfer.[19] Ireland made the final, which they lost 50–14 to France.[20]
World Cup
Seven Ulster players were named in Andy Farrell's initial 42-man Ireland squad, to be reduced to 33 for the Rugby World Cup: locks Iain Henderson and Kieran Treadwell, hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart, prop Tom O'Toole, centre Stuart McCloskey and wing Jacob Stockdale.[21]
In Ireland's three warm-up matches, Henderson captained the side against Italy and Samoa; Herring started against Italy and appeared off the bench against England and Samoa, scoring two tries; McCloskey started against Italy and Samoa, and scored a try; Stockdale started against Italy and Samoa and assisted a try; O'Toole started against Italy and came off the bench against Samoa; Stewart made his international debut from the bench against Italy, and his first international start against Samoa.[22][23][24] Henderson, Herring, O'Toole and McCloskey were named in the Ireland World Cup squad.[25]
In the World Cup pool stage, Ireland went unbeaten, topped Pool B, and qualified for the quarter-finals. Rob Herring started and scored a try against Romania, and came off the bench against Tonga, scoring another try; Tom O'Toole came off the bench against Romania; Iain Henderson came off the bench against Romania, Tonga and South Africa, and started and scored a try against Scotland; and Stuart McCloskey came off the bench against Scotland.[26][27][28][29] Henderson started in the quarter-final defeat to New Zealand.[30]
Ulster Women
Murray Houston, former head coach of University of Glasgow Women RFC, was appointed head coach of Ulster Women, replacing Neill Alcorn, who had taken up a new post with the IRFU. Assisting him were former Ireland women's internationals Kathryn Dane as contact skills coach, Grace Davitt as backs coach and Amy Davis as technical skills coach, and men's player Eric O'Sullivan as scrum coach.[31]
Ulster Women won their first interprovincial match since December 2012 by defeating Connacht 36–14 in third/fourth place playoff of the Interprovincial Championship.[32]
Pre-season
Ulster's first pre-season friendly was against Leinster at Navan R.F.C. on 22 September, which Leinster won 38–21.[33] They played a second friendly against Benetton in Treviso, which the hosts won 24–22.[34] They faced Glasgow Warriors at GAA ground Breffni Park in Cavan on 7 October,[35] winning 19–14.[36]
Season
Ulster opened the URC season with a close away win against Zebre Parma, with Tom Stewart and Jacob Stockdale scoring two tries each, and flanker Dave Ewers and props Greg McGrath and James French making their Ulster debuts.[37] The following week they won at home against the Bulls, with Ireland international prop Tom O'Toole playing 80 minutes and winning Player of the Match.[38] A spate of injuries saw an experimental side go to Connacht, and flanker Reuben Crothers, centre Ben Carson and academy lock Joe Hopes made their senior debuts in a narrow defeat.[39] The following weekend, Ulster beat Munster at home, with Rob Herring becoming Ulster's most capped player, and academy prop Scott Wilson making his senior debut.[40] On 17 November Ulster defeated the Lions at home in rainy conditions. Prop Marty Moore made his first appearance since sustaining a serious knee injury in January, and flanker Lorcan McLoughlin made his first senior appearance, both from the bench.[41] The following week, Ulster lost away to Glasgow Warriors. Billy Burns made his 100th appearance for the province. Academy back rower James McNabney made his senior debut at number eight, and academy hooker Zac Solomon and new signing Steven Kitshoff made their first appearances from the bench.[42] Nathan Doak unexectedly made his 50th Ulster appearance, being named on the bench at the last minute following the withdrawal of Jake Flannery, then playing most of the game at out-half after Billy Burns' head injury.[43]
Staff
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Chief executive officer | Jonny Petrie | Шаблон:Flag |
| Operations director | Bryn Cunningham | Шаблон:Flag |
| Head coach | Dan McFarland | Шаблон:Flag |
| Assistant coach | Dan Soper | Шаблон:Flag |
| Defence coach | Jonny Bell | Шаблон:Flag |
| Forwards coach | Roddy Grant | Шаблон:Flag |
| Skills coach | Craig Newby | Шаблон:Flag |
| Academy manager | Gavin Hogg | Шаблон:Flag |
| Elite performance development officer | Willie Faloon | Шаблон:Flag |
| Elite performance development officer | Neil Doak | Шаблон:Flag |
Squad
Senior squad
The below squad reflects the confirmed joiners and leavers for the 2023–24 season. Amendments to the squad will be made as-and-when announcements are confirmed by the province.
Players in
- Шаблон:Flagicon Dave Ewers from Шаблон:Flagicon Exeter Chiefs[2]
- Шаблон:Flagicon James French (unattached)[3]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Ben Griffin from Шаблон:Flagicon Clontarf[5]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Steven Kitshoff from Шаблон:Flagicon Stormers[1]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Greg McGrath from Шаблон:Flagicon Jersey Reds (short term injury cover)[6]
Promoted from academy
- Шаблон:Flagicon Ben Carson[4]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Reuben Crothers[4]
- Шаблон:Flagicon James McCormick[4]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Conor McKee[4]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Harry Sheridan[4]
Players out
- Шаблон:Flagicon Frank Bradshaw Ryan to Шаблон:Flagicon Montauban[9]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Sam Carter to Шаблон:Flagicon Leicester Tigers[44]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Craig Gilroy released[11]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Rob Lyttle released[10]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Ian Madigan retired[8]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Michael McDonald to Шаблон:Flagicon Connacht (loan)[12]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Gareth Milasinovich to Шаблон:Flagicon Valence Romans Drôme Rugby[45]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Declan Moore to Шаблон:Flagicon Connacht (loan)[12]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Jordi Murphy retired[7]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Rory Sutherland to Шаблон:Flagicon Oyonnax[46]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Jeffery Toomaga-Allen to Шаблон:Flagicon Queensland Reds[47]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Duane Vermeulen retired[48]
| Ulster Rugby squad[49]Шаблон:Efn | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers
Locks
|
Back row
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
|
Centres
Wings
Fullbacks
|
| (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. ST denotes a short-term signing.Шаблон:Notelist |
Academy squad
Players in
- Шаблон:Flagicon Jack Boal from Шаблон:Flagicon Queen's University RFC[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Jacob Boyd from Шаблон:Flagicon RBAI[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Tom Brigg from Шаблон:Flagicon Blackrock College[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Cameron Doak from Шаблон:Flagicon Belfast Harlequins[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Ethan Graham from Шаблон:Flagicon Ballynahinch RFC[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Charlie Irvine from Шаблон:Flagicon Queen's University RFC[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Lukas Kenny from Шаблон:Flagicon Campbell College[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Ben McFarlane from Шаблон:Flagicon Methodist College Belfast[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Zac Solomon from Шаблон:Flagicon Belfast Harlequins[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Josh Stevens from Шаблон:Flagicon Methodist College Belfast[14]
- Шаблон:Flagicon Henry Walker from Шаблон:Flagicon Hartpury College[14]
Players out
| Ulster Rugby academy squad[14] | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers
Locks
|
Back row
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
|
Centres
Back three
|
| Number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.Шаблон:Notelist |
Ulster 'A'/Ulster Development
The following players, other than players from the senior squad and academy, appeared for Ulster 'A' and Ulster Development this season.
| Players used by Ulster 'A' and Ulster Development | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Locks
|
Back row
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
|
Outside backs
|
2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup
Pool B
Шаблон:2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool B table
2023–24 United Rugby Championship
Шаблон:2023–24 United Rugby Championship table
Friendlies
Ulster 'A'
Ulster Development
Ulster Women
Staff
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Murray Houston | Шаблон:Flag |
| Contact skills coach | Kathryn Dane | Шаблон:Flag |
| Backs coach | Grace Davitt | Шаблон:Flag |
| Technical skills coach | Amy Davis | Шаблон:Flag |
| Scrum coach | Eric O'Sullivan | Шаблон:Flag |
Squad
| Ulster Senior Women's Squad[50] | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers
Locks
|
Back row
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
|
Centres
Wings
Fullbacks
|
| (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. Шаблон:Notelist |
2023-24 Women's Interprovincial Series
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | LP | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 18 | 3 | 11 |
| 2 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 58 | 16 | 3 | 11 |
| 3 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 87 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 43 | 127 | 2 | 2 |
3rd-4th place playoff
Senior club rugby
All-Ireland League
Ulster clubs competing in the All-Ireland League this season are:
- Ballynahinch and City of Armagh in Division 1A[51]
- Queen's University in Division 1B[52]
- Ballymena, Banbridge and Malone in Division 2A[53]
- Belfast Harlequins, Dungannon, Instonians and Rainey Old Boys in Division 2B[54]
- Bangor, Clogher Valley and Omagh Academicals in Division 2C[55]
Ulster Rugby Premiership
Шаблон:Main The Ulster Rugby Premiership ran in August and September 2023. Division 1 consisted of eight teams in two pools of four. Teams in each pool played each other once, and the winners of each pool played each other in the final on 16 September. The bottom two teams played in a playoff, the winner of which qualified for the Ulster Senior Cup, along with the other six Division 1 teams. The loser would be entered into the new Senior Shield. Division 2 consisted of five teams who played each other once. The team that finished top also qualified for the Senior Cup.[56]
Шаблон:Col-begin Шаблон:Col-break
Division 1A
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | Champions |
| 2 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | Senior Cup |
| 3 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | Senior Cup |
| 4 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Senior Cup |
Division 1B
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | Senior Cup |
| 2 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | Senior Cup |
| 3 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | Senior Cup |
| 4 | Шаблон:Align | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | Senior Shield |
Final
7th/8th place playoff
Division 2
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Шаблон:Align | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 18 | Senior Cup |
| 2 | Шаблон:Align | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | |
| 3 | Шаблон:Align | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| 4 | Шаблон:Align | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | |
| 5 | Шаблон:Align | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
Ulster Senior Cup
References
- ↑ 1,0 1,1 "Ulster sign South Africa prop Steven Kitshoff on a three-year deal", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 2022
- ↑ 2,0 2,1 Adam Kyriacou, "Dave Ewers: Ulster announce signing of Exeter Chiefs stalwart", Planet Rugby, 17 January 2023
- ↑ 3,0 3,1 Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster Rugby sign former All-Ireland shot put champion", Belfast Telegraph, 18 May 2023
- ↑ 4,0 4,1 4,2 4,3 4,4 4,5 "Ulster secure young prospects to new deals", Ulster Rugby, 12 April 2023
- ↑ 5,0 5,1 "Ben Griffin signs Development contract with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 17 August 2023
- ↑ 6,0 6,1 Jonathan Bradley, "Jacob Stockdale makes his return as Ulster prepare for historic match at the home of Cavan GAA", Belfast Telegraph, 6 October 2023
- ↑ 7,0 7,1 Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ 8,0 8,1 "Ian Madigan: Former Ireland fly-half, 34, announces retirement", BBC Sport, 20 September 2023
- ↑ 9,0 9,1 Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ 10,0 10,1 Jonathan Bradley, "I'm sad to be leaving Ulster at end of the season, admits winger Rob Lyttle", Belfast Telegraph, 11 April 2023
- ↑ 11,0 11,1 "Craig Gilroy: Former Ireland wing to leave Ulster at the end of this season", BBC Sport, 18 April 2023
- ↑ 12,0 12,1 12,2 "Declan Moore & Michael McDonald join Connacht", Connacht Rugby, 27 April 2023
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ 14,00 14,01 14,02 14,03 14,04 14,05 14,06 14,07 14,08 14,09 14,10 14,11 14,12 "Ulster Rugby Academy 2023/24 squad confirmed", Ulster Rugby, 29 June 2023
- ↑ "Iain Henderson signs two-year contract extension with IRFU and Ulster", The 42, 23 June 2023
- ↑ "Ulster Rugby: Application submitted for potential 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium", BBC Sport, 1 May 2023
- ↑ "Ulster Rugby: Application for 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium approved", BBC Sport, 29 June 2023
- ↑ Adam McKendry, "Ulster confirm work has begun on new 3G pitch at Ravenhill ahead of new season", Belfast Telegraph, 28 July 2023
- ↑ "Ireland Squad Named For World Rugby U20 Championship", Irish Rugby, 14 June 2023
- ↑ "France Show Their Class To Scupper Ireland U-20s' World Title Bid", Irish Rugby, 14 July 2023
- ↑ Josh Graham, "Ireland Rugby World Cup squad 2023 – Farrell names 42 players", Rugby World, 30 May 2023
- ↑ "Ireland 33-17 Italy: Hosts bag Rugby World Cup warm-up Test win at Aviva Stadium with Caelan Doris the standout", Sky Sports, 5 August 2023
- ↑ "Earls seals dream century as Ireland show class against 14-man England", Autumn Nations Series, 19 August 2023
- ↑ "Ireland hold on to defeat stubborn Samoa", Autumn Nations Series, 26 August 2023
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ "'We'll take that' - Ireland beat Romania 82-8 in Pool B opener", Rugby World Cup, 9 September 2023
- ↑ "IRE 59-16 TGA: Record-breaking Sexton sets up Ireland for statement win", Rugby World Cup, 16 September 2023
- ↑ Jonathan Bradley, "Iain Henderson and the cavalry answered Ireland's call in style against South Africa", Belfast Telegraph, 24 September 2023
- ↑ "Rugby World Cup: Ireland 36-14 Scotland - Imperious Irish crush Scots to reach quarter-finals", BBC Sport, 7 October 2023
- ↑ "Ireland 24-28 New Zealand: All Blacks break Irish hearts and set up Argentina semi-final", BBC Sport, 14 October 2023
- ↑ Jonathan Bradley, "I'm excited by potential of Ulster Women's side, says province's new coach Murray Houston", Belfast Telegraph, 18 July 2023
- ↑ "Match Report: Connacht 14-36 Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 2 September 2012
- ↑ Michael Sadlier, "Ulster have much to work on after narrow pre-season defeat to Benetton in Italy"Sunday Life, 30 September 2023
- ↑ "Ulster Rugby confirms historic pre-season game at Kingspan Breffni", Ulster Rugby, 1 September 2023
- ↑ "Ulster 19-14 Glasgow: Province secure pre-season win in Cavan on first visit to a GAA venue", BBC Sport, 7 October 2023
- ↑ "Match Report | Zebre Parma 36-40 Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 21 October 2023
- ↑ "Ulster prop Tom O'Toole ruled out for four weeks with groin injury", The42, 31 October 2023
- ↑ "Connacht 22-20 Ulster: We're 'gutted' but they deserved win - McFarland", BBC Sport, 5 November 2023
- ↑ "McCann And Wilson Weigh In With Big Performances In Ulster's Comeback Win", Irish Rugby, 10 November 2023
- ↑ Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster fight back to secure victory over Lions at rain-swept Ravenhill", Belfast Telegraph, 17 November 2023
- ↑ Michael Sadlier, "Ulster can’t hold on as Glasgow storm back to claim victory at Scotstoun", Sunday Life, 26 November 2023
- ↑ Jonathan Bradley, "Nathan Doak taking unfamiliar 10 role in stride, insists Ulster coach Dan Soper", Belfast Telegraph, 29 November 2023
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ Michael Atkinson, "In major coup for new coach Kiss, Reds strike gold with All Blacks duo", Sydney Morning Herald, 14 August 2023
- ↑ Michael Sadlier, "Former Ulster star Duane Vermeulen retires from rugby after World Cup glory with Springboks", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 2023
- ↑ "Ulster Rugby name Senior Men's squad for 2023/24 season", Ulster Rugby, 27 June 2023
- ↑ "Ulster Senior Women's squad named ahead of Interpro Series", Ulster Rugby, 26 July 2023
- ↑ All-Ireland League Division 1A 2023/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
- ↑ All-Ireland League Division 1B 2023/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
- ↑ All-Ireland League Division 2A 2023/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
- ↑ All-Ireland League Division 2B 2023/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
- ↑ All-Ireland League Division 2C 2023/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
- ↑ "Want to get up to speed ahead of the 2023/24 Men's domestic season?", Ulster Rugby, 25 August 2023
