Ulster Rugby
Encyclopedia
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
(formerly known as the Magners League) and also competes in the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
. The team also represents the IRFU Ulster Branch which is one of the four primary branches of the IRFU
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
, and is responsible for amateur sport of rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
, comprising six counties in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and three in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
The branch was founded in 1879. The home ground of Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
is Ravenhill
Ravenhill Stadium
Ravenhill Stadium is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is used by Ulster Rugby. It has a normal capacity of 12,300 and is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union.-History:The grounds were opened in the 1923/24 season...
in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, which has a capacity of 12,300. In 2004, Ulster Rugby re-located their training base to Newforge Country Club in South Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Ulster Rugby traditionally played solely as an Irish province but in recent years, since rugby union became a professional sport in 1995, Ulster Rugby now play as a professional club.
Ulster have many youth teams and also the 'Phoenix Ulster Academy' which helps to develop talented young rugby players. The teams which Ulster field each season in various competitions are as follows: Ulster U18s, Ulster Schools (U18 and U19), Ulster U19s, Ulster U20s, Ulster Ravens and of course the full Ulster XV.
Ulster's main shirt sponsor is Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank operation in Ireland, which is one of the 'Big Four' in both parts of the island.Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history...
. The team also has 2 other shirt sponsors, Belfast Telegraph and Vodafone
Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
. The Ulster Rugby kit is manufactured by Kukri Sports
Kukri Sports
Kukri Sports Ltd is an English sports brand specialising in manufacturing sporting apparel and equipment for the sports of Rugby, Cricket and Hockey...
.
History
The Ulster Branch of the IRFU was founded in 1879. Since then, Ulster has been arguably the most successful of the four Irish provinces (the others are ConnachtConnacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
, Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
and Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
) having won the Inter-Provincial Championship a record 26 times as well as being the first Irish side to win the European Cup, which they won back in 1999 against French side US Colomiers
US Colomiers
US Colomiers is a French rugby union club currently competing in Fédérale 1, the third level of the French rugby pyramid. They had been relegated from Pro D2 after finishing last in the 2006-07 season, but earned promotion from Fédérale 1 at the first opportunity in 2007-08, and survived a...
at Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road was a stadium in Dublin owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union that has been the location of a number of sports stadiums. It was used primarily for rugby union and for association football matches as well as some music concerts...
in Dublin.(Now the Aviva stadium)
In the amateur Rugby Union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
era Ulster regularly played international touring sides from the southern hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
, their most impressive performance coming in the 1984/5 season when they defeated Andrew Slack's "Grand Slam" Wallabies. This was one of only four defeats for the Australians on a tour which saw them defeat Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
, Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
, Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
and England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
.
Professional Era
In the 1998–99 season Ulster became the first Irish province to win the Heineken CupHeineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
. They beat Colomiers
US Colomiers
US Colomiers is a French rugby union club currently competing in Fédérale 1, the third level of the French rugby pyramid. They had been relegated from Pro D2 after finishing last in the 2006-07 season, but earned promotion from Fédérale 1 at the first opportunity in 2007-08, and survived a...
in the final at Lansdowne Road (predessor and still common name for the recently built Aviva Stadium) 21–6. Coached by Harry Williams and Managed by John Kinnear the squad contained many part-time players two of whom, Andy Matchett and Stephen McKinty, started the final.
From 2001–04 the Ulster team was coached by Alan Solomons
Alan Solomons
Alan Solomons is a rugby union coach, currently the Director of Rugby and Head Coach at in the Currie Cup....
, a former Assistant Coach of the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
and head coach at The Stormers and Western Province in his native South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It was during this time that Ulster rugby fully embraced the professional era.
Alan Solomons coached Ulster to a three year unbeaten home record in the Heineken Cup and in the 2003/04 season Ulster finished second in the Celtic League
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
, only overtaken by Llanelli
Llanelli Scarlets
The Scarlets are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Llanelli, south-west Wales the team play at the Parc y Scarlets stadium. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, as well as competing in the LV= Cup and the Heineken Cup...
on the final day of the campaign. Two of Ulster's most impressive achievements in this period were a 33–0 win over English giants Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
in the Heineken Cup in January 2004, and winning the inaugural Celtic Cup on the 20th December 2003, beating Edinburgh
Edinburgh Gunners
Edinburgh Rugby is one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 League along with Glasgow Warriors, their oldest rivals...
in a rain-soaked Murrayfield
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
final.
In July 2004, Solomons departed for Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
and Mark McCall
Mark McCall
Mark McCall is an Irish former rugby union player and former coach of Ulster. He played 13 times for the Ireland national rugby union team, making his debut against New Zealand on 30 May 1992 as a substitute...
, a former captain of the province and a member of Ulster’s European Cup-winning squad took over as Ulster Rugby head coach with European Cup teammate Allen Clarke as his assistant. Despite an initially poor start to the season the two extended Ulster's unbeaten home record in Europe to four years.
In the 2005–6 season Ulster led the league for most of the season thanks to dominant forward play largely inspired by Australian import Justin Harrison
Justin Harrison
Justin Harrison, born 20 April 1974 in Sydney, is a former Australian international rugby union player, who played lock forward as is currently forwards coach for Brumbies.-Career:...
and New Zealand–born Irish scrum-half Isaac Boss
Isaac Boss
Isaac Boss is a New Zealand–born Irish rugby union footballer. His grandmother was born in Glenarm, County Antrim, thereby qualifying him to play for Ireland. He plays scrum-half or fullback for Leinster and the Ireland national team...
and a rapid maturing of a youthful home-grown three-quarter line. However, inconsistent late form from Ulster combined with a late run from Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
meant that either of those sides could take the title in the final game of the season. With four minutes to go in Ulster's match against the Ospreys, Leinster's match in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Gunners
Edinburgh Rugby is one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 League along with Glasgow Warriors, their oldest rivals...
finished in a decisive bonus-point victory for the visitors. With Ulster two points behind and the Ospreys dominating territorially, it looked like the cup would go to Dublin. David Humphreys, however, kicked a last minute 58 metre drop goal to clinch the game and the league for Ulster.
Ulster started the 2006/2007 season in fine form racking up a number of notable victories including a 30–3 thrashing of perennial Heinieken Cup contenders Toulouse however following an abject display in Reading, where they lost 29–13 to London Irish, their season went from bad to worse with a number of poor performances, such as the home defeats to Munster, Glasgow and Llanelli, leading to a 5th place finish in the Celtic League and another early exit from Europe.
The team began the 2007/2008 season well with a young side beating an Ospreys side including All Blacks leg-end Justin Marshall 17–16 however following their opening day win the team went on a terrible run of form losing their next 3 games before David Humphreys inspired the team to a comeback draw against a star studded Leinster side at Ravenhill, suggesting that the return of their World Cup stars could lead Ulster back up the table. However in the week before they opened their Heineken Cup Campaign Ulster lost 25–6 away to Glasgow. Mark McCall parted company with Ulster when he resigned on the 13th November 2007 following Ulster's embarrassing 32–14 home defeat to Gloucester in the opening round of the 2007-08 Heineken Cup
2007-08 Heineken Cup
The 2007–08 Heineken Cup was the 13th edition of the Heineken Cup, the annual rugby union European club competition for clubs from the top six nations in European rugby.The start of the tournament was delayed because of the 2007 Rugby World Cup...
, with assistant coach Steve Williams taking temporary charge of the team.
Under Williams Ulster seemed to get back on track with a brave display in France culminating in an unlucky 24–17 away defeat to Bourgoin and following an away win at Connacht, 30–13, things seemed to be improving however Ulster then lost at home to Edinburgh, home and away to the Ospreys in the Heineken Cup and away to Leinster to leave them firmly rooted to the bottom of the Celtic League and out of Europe.
On the 30th of December 2007 former Leinster and Scotland Head Coach Matt Williams was named Mark McCall's successor as Ulster's Head Coach. He took charge at the beginning of February 2008, but despite some improved performances, he failed to turn the season around; Ulster finishing 9th in the 2007–08 Celtic League (in the 10 team league Connacht finished bottom).
On 21 May 2009, Matt Williams resigned as Coach of Ulster after finishing 8th in the Celtic League that season. He was replaced by Brian McLaughlin as Head Coach, with Jeremy Davidson
Jeremy Davidson
Jeremy Davidson is a rugby union lock who played club rugby for Dungannon RFC, Ulster, London Irish and Castres Olympique. At international level he represented Ireland with 32 caps and also represented the British and Irish Lions...
and Neil Doak
Neil Doak
Neil George Doak is an Irish former cricketer and rugby union player.-Cricket:...
as assistants, and former Ulster and Ireland outhalf David Humphreys
David Humphreys (rugby union)
David Humphreys MBE is a retired rugby player. He played for 72 times for Ireland and for Ulster.-Life & Career:...
taking on the role as Director of Rugby. The 2009/10 season was the beginning of a new era for Ulster Rugby, as they got new management staff, a newly improved Heineken Cup campaign where they got their first ever win on English soil against Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
, a brand new stand at Ravenhill and more fans started to follow the team. But unfortunately, Ulster finished 8th place in the Celtic League again due to a series of disappointing results in the league since Christmas. But the 2010/11 season became an even better season for Ulster as they signed new key players including 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
winning Springbok Ruan Pienaar
Ruan Pienaar
Ruan Pienaar is a South African rugby union footballer who plays either as a scrum-half or as a fly-half. He joined Ulster for the 2010/2011 Magners League campaign....
, reached the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup for the first time since 1999 and performed outstandingly in the Celtic League which saw them finish 3rd place.
Honours
- Heineken CupHeineken CupThe Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
- Winners: 1998–99 1
- Celtic LeagueCeltic League (rugby union)The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
- Winners: 2005–062005-06 Celtic LeagueThe 2005-06 Celtic League was the third season of the Celtic League since the inception of regional rugby union in Wales. Eleven teams, from three countries participated. The final table was dominated by the Irish, with the top three spots taken by Ulster, Leinster and Munster respectively...
1
- Winners: 2005–06
- Celtic CupCeltic League (rugby union)The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
- Winners: 2003–04 1
- Irish Inter-Provincial Championships
- Winners: 26
Current squad (Season 2011/2012)
- Internationally capped players in bold
- Players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality *
Players in (Season 2011/2012)
- Lewis StevensonLewis Stevenson (rugby player)Lewis Stevenson is an Irish rugby union footballer. He previously played for the Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins. He currently plays for Ulster in the RaboDirect Pro12 as a lock. Stevenson grew up outside a small village called Ballynure, approximately 12 miles from Belfast. He attended Ballynure...
from Harlequins - Callum BlackCallum BlackCallum Black is an Irish rugby union player for Ulster in the RaboDirect Pro12. He has represented Ireland at Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 levels. He will join Ulster fro the 2011/12 season.He plays as a loosehead prop....
from Worcester - Mike McCormish from ConnachtConnacht RugbyConnacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
- John AfoaJohn AfoaIoane Fitu "John" Afoa is a New Zealand professional Rugby union player and plays prop and hooker. Afoa currently plays for Ulster after signing a two-and-a-half year deal after the 2011 Rugby World Cup.-Representative Rugby:...
from Auckland Blues - Jared PayneJared PayneJared Payne is a rugby union player from New Zealand, playing for Ulster Rugby at centre and fullback. He has played for the New Zealand Under-21s and Schools sevens teams, making his Crusaders debut in 2009. Payne has represented Waikato and was a member of the Chiefs squad for the 2007 season,...
from Auckland Blues - Stefan TerblancheStefan TerblancheStefan Terblanche is a South African rugby union player. He plays mostly at fullback also has the ability to play at centre or on the wing.-Career:...
from The Sharks (On 3 Month Deal)
Players out (Season 2011/2012)
- Niall O'ConnorNiall O'ConnorNiall O'Connor is a rugby union player for Connacht Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12.He is also contracted to Belfast Harlequins who play in AIB League Division 2.O'Connor's position of choice is as a Fly-half....
to ConnachtConnacht RugbyConnacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup... - Mark McCreaMark McCreaMark McCrea born 7 September 1987 in Belfast, Northern Ireland is a rugby union player for Connacht in the RaboDirect Pro12 competition.McCrea signed a year and a half professional contract in January 2008 which will keep him at Ravenhill until June 2009...
to ConnachtConnacht RugbyConnacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup... - Ryan CaldwellRyan CaldwellRyan Caldwell is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays for Bath after signing from Ulster in the Summer of 2011. Caldwell joined Ulster on a development contract in 2003 following a successful spell in the province's academy...
to BathBath RugbyBath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league... - BJ BothaBJ BothaBrendon James Botha, better known as BJ Botha is a South African rugby union player. He is a prop for the Irish Province, Munster. He signed for Ulster on Thursday 14 August 2008 on a three year deal, and left the province in May 2011...
to Munster RugbyMunster RugbyMunster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish... - TJ Anderson to ConnachtConnacht RugbyConnacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
- Tommy Seymour to Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow WarriorsThe Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
- Jamie SmithJamie Smith (rugby player)Jamie Smith is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons regional team having progressed through the Ulster academy. His usual position is Full Back....
to Newport Gwent DragonsNewport Gwent DragonsNewport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
British and Irish Lions
The following Ulster players, in addition to representing IrelandIreland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
, have also represented the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
.
|
Roger Young (rugby player) Roger Michael Young is a former international rugby union player.He was capped twenty-six times as a scrum-half for Ireland between 1965 and 1971. He scored one try for Ireland.... : 1966 1966 British Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand In 1966 the British Lions toured Australia and New Zealand. The Lions won the two test matches against but lost all four internationals against the All Blacks.... , 1968 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1968 the British Lions toured South Africa. The tour was not success in terms of international results, the Lions losing the test series against South Africa by three matches to nil, with the other match drawn. The Lions won 15 of their 16 non-international matches, losing only to Transvaal... Stewart McKinney (rugby player) Stewart Alexander McKinney is a former Ireland international rugby union player. In 1974 he played for the British Lions on their tour of South Africa. At the time he played club rugby for Dungannon. He moved to England and played for London Irish. His son Sam was the club Captain for the London... : 1974 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1974 the British Lions toured South Africa, with matches in South West Africa and Rhodesia . The tour was a great success, the Lions winning 21 of their 22 matches and drawing the other. After winning the first three test matches, the Lions drew the final test to preserve their unbeaten record... Colin Patterson (Rugby player) Colin Patterson is a former international rugby union player. He toured South Africa in 1980 with the British and Irish Lions and at the time played club rugby for Instonians. His son Johnny captained the Regent House Grammar School side that reached the Ulster Schools Cup final in 2008.-Notes:... : 1980 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa . The tour was not a success in terms of international results, the Lions losing the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth... 1955 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1955 the British Lions rugby union team toured Southern and Eastern Africa. The Lions drew the test series against , each team winning two of the four matches. They won the first test by a single point and the third by three points and lost the second and fourth matches by wider margins... David Irwin David George Irwin is a former rugby union player who played for and the British Lions.-Ireland:Between 1980 and 1990, Irwin made 25 appearances for , scoring 8 points including 2 tries... : 1983 1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand In 1983 the British and Irish Lions toured New Zealand for the first time since 1977. The Lions went down to a 4-0 whitewash for only the second time in history - the previous was also inflicted by the All Blacks on the 1966 Lions. Overall the Lions played eighteen matches, winning twelve and... Trevor Ringland Trevor Maxwell Ringland, MBE is a solicitor, former rugby union winger and Unionist politician. After attending Larne Grammar School Ringland studied law at Queen's University Belfast.-Rugby career:... : 1983 1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand In 1983 the British and Irish Lions toured New Zealand for the first time since 1977. The Lions went down to a 4-0 whitewash for only the second time in history - the previous was also inflicted by the All Blacks on the 1966 Lions. Overall the Lions played eighteen matches, winning twelve and... Steve Smith (Irish rugby player) Stephen James Smith is a former Ireland international rugby union player. He played as a hooker.Smith had 25 caps for Ireland, from 1988 to 1993, scoring 2 tries, 8 points in aggregate... : 1989 1989 British Lions tour to Australia In 1989 the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971. Despite losing the first test, the Lions won the remaining two to take the series 2-1... 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1974 the British Lions toured South Africa, with matches in South West Africa and Rhodesia . The tour was a great success, the Lions winning 21 of their 22 matches and drawing the other. After winning the first three test matches, the Lions drew the final test to preserve their unbeaten record... Eric Miller (rugby player) Eric Roger Patrick Miller is a former Irish rugby union and Gaelic football player. As a rugby player Miller played for, among others Old Wesley, Leicester Tigers,[Ulster],Leinster, the Barbarians, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions... : 1997 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa The 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa was a series of matches played by the British and Irish Lions rugby union team in South Africa.This tour followed the Lions' 1993 tour to New Zealand and preceded their 2001 tour to Australia.... Jeremy Davidson Jeremy Davidson is a rugby union lock who played club rugby for Dungannon RFC, Ulster, London Irish and Castres Olympique. At international level he represented Ireland with 32 caps and also represented the British and Irish Lions... : 1997 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa The 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa was a series of matches played by the British and Irish Lions rugby union team in South Africa.This tour followed the Lions' 1993 tour to New Zealand and preceded their 2001 tour to Australia.... , 2001 2001 British Lions tour to Australia The 2001 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia was a series of matches played by the British Lions rugby union team in Australia.This tour followed the Lions' 1997 tour to South Africa and preceded the 2005 tour to New Zealand.... Tyrone Howe Tyrone Gyle Howe is a former rugby union footballer who played on the wing for University of St Andrews RFC, Ulster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions.... : 2001 2001 British Lions tour to Australia The 2001 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia was a series of matches played by the British Lions rugby union team in Australia.This tour followed the Lions' 1997 tour to South Africa and preceded the 2005 tour to New Zealand.... 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa The 2009 British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa was an international rugby union tour which took place in South Africa from May to July 2009.... Tommy Bowe Thomas John "Tommy" Bowe is an Irish rugby union footballer from County Monaghan, Ireland... : 2009 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa The 2009 British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa was an international rugby union tour which took place in South Africa from May to July 2009.... |
Note : Philip Matthews
Philip Matthews
Phillip Michael Matthews is the current President of the National College of Ireland, in Dublin, since February 2009...
captained the Lions in their victory against France in Paris. The game formed part of the celebrations of the bi-centennial of the French Revolution, but did not count as a "formal" Lions international.
Robin Thompson and Willie John McBride both captained the Lions.
See also
- Celtic LeagueCeltic League (rugby union)The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
- Heineken CupHeineken CupThe Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
- European Challenge CupEuropean Challenge CupThe European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
External links
- Official site
- The UAFC – Ulster Rugby Supporters site
- The UAFC – Ulster Supporters Forum
- Videos of Ulster Matches
- The FRU Ulster Supporters Fanzine
- Ulster on itsrugby.co.uk