Ulster Rugby is one of the four professional provincial rugby union teams from the island of Ireland. They compete in the Irish regional pool of the United Rugby Championship and in the European Rugby Champions Cup, each of which they have won once. Ulster were the first Irish team and the first team outside England and France to win the European Cup in 1999.
The team represents the IRFU Ulster Branch, which is one of the four primary branches of the IRFU and is responsible for rugby union throughout the geographical Irish province of Ulster, comprising Northern Ireland (Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Derry and Tyrone) and three counties in the Republic of Ireland which are Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan.
Prior to professionalisation, Ulster were a representative amateur team taking part in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship. They have also competed in the now defunct Celtic Cup (2003–05). Their development team, Ulster A, formerly known as the Ulster Ravens, have competed in the British and Irish Cup (2009–18) and a revived Celtic Cup (2018–20).
The Ulster women's team compete in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series.
History
Foundation (1868–1879)
A number of clubs were operating in Ulster prior to the foundation of the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Ulster branch. The Belfast-based North of Ireland F.C., founded in 1868, was the earliest club to operate in the province. Clubs from this era still in existence include Dungannon and Queen's University. The first Irish inter-provincial game took place in 1875 between Ulster and Leinster, with Ulster being the victors. In 's first international match, which was played in 1875 against , eight Ulster-based players took part. Rugby in Ulster at this time was mostly overseen by the Irish Football Union, with the Northern Football Union of Ireland controlling the game in Belfast. The two unions amalgamated in 1879, with the provincial branches of Ulster, Leinster and Munster being founded as part of the terms of this arrangement. The final Irish provincial side, Connacht, was founded in 1885.
Amateur era (1879–1995) During the amateur era Irish players primarily played for their respective clubs, with provincial games effectively treated as Irish trial matches. The provincial teams were also used to provide competitive club opposition for touring international sides. Inter-provincial games were played on an irregular basis but starting in the 1946–47 season, the provinces played against each other in the annual Irish Interprovincial Championship. Ulster won this tournament 26 times in total, with eight of these titles being shared.
Ulster first appointed a coach in 1969. The first three coaches enjoyed great success in the Interprovincial Championship. Under Ken ArmstrongPeter McMullan, "Ken Armstrong to coach Ulster XV", Belfast Telegraph, 17 June 1969 Ulster won the title unbeaten in 1969 and 1970, and finished second, losing only once, in 1971.John Redmond, "Armstrong Gives Up The Reins of Ulster Rugby", Irish Press, 24 December 1971 He was succeeded by Maurice Crabbe, under whom Ulster shared the title in 1972, came third in 1973, and won it in 1974. George Spotswood then led Ulster to a shared title in 1975, an unbeaten championship in 1976, and another shared title in 1976. Under Cecil Watson, Ulster came third in 1978 and fourth in 1979, and came third in 1980 under Matt Gillen, before form began to return under Willie John McBride, who led them to second place in 1981 and a shared title in 1982.
Their most sustained period of success began under Jimmy Davidson. In his first season, 1983, Ulster finished third, before he led them to three straight undefeated championships in 1984–86. Harry Williams succeeded him, and under him Ulster shared the title in 1987 and won three straight undefeated titles in 1988–90. Then Davy McMaster led Ulster to two undefeated titles in 1991 and 1992, and a shared title in 1991. Under these three coaches, Ulster won or shared ten Interprovincial Championships in a row.
Brian Bloomfield was the final coach of the amateur era, coming joint second in 1994.
Transition to professionalism (1995-2001) After rugby union was declared open to professionalism in 1995, the IRFU gradually developed the provincial sides as professional teams."How The Irish Provinces Moulded History With Modernity To Leave The Welsh Regions Trailing So Far Behind" , Dai Sport, 21 January 2019 The Heineken Cup was launched in 1995 to provide a new level of European cross-border competition. Ireland chose to enter provincial teams rather than clubs."Ireland confirm Euro entry", Belfast Telegraph, 22 August 1995 They were given three places, and entered the top three teams in the Interprovincial Championship.Jim Stokes, "Ulster to face Cardiff?", Belfast Telegraph, 29 August 1995 In their first professional season, under Brian Bloomfield, Ulster finished bottom of their Heineken Cup group, but qualified for the following season by finishing second in the Interprovincial Championship. The following season, coached by Tony Russ, they finished fourth of five in the pool stage of the Heineken Cup, and third in the Interprovincial Championship. Russ quit, and was replaced by Davy Haslett for the 1997-98 season. Ulster finished fourth of four in the pool stage of the Heineken Cup, and third in the Interprovincial Championship. The Ulster Rugby Awards were launched this season, with Andy Ward named player of the year.Jim Stokes, "Handy Andy is tops", Belfast Telegraph, 21 May 1998
For the 1998-99 season, Harry Williams returned as coach, and Ulster benefited from a drive by the IRFU to bring Irish players who had signed contracts in England back to Ireland, with David Humphreys, Mark McCall, Jonny Bell, Allen Clarke and Mark Blair returning to the province, and Simon Mason and Justin Fitzpatrick joining for the first time. Captained by Humphreys, Ulster became the first Irish province to win the Heineken Cup, beating French side Colomiers 21–6 in the final at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. The Provincial Championship expanded to a six-game, home and away schedule, and Ulster finished second. Simon Mason was player of the year.Jim Stokes, "Ulster toasts master Mason", Belfast Telegraph, 28 May 1999
Williams coached Ulster for two more seasons,"Williams to quit as Ulster coach", BBC Sport, 31 August 2000 but success eluded them. In 1999-2000, they finished bottom of their pool in the Heineken Cup and second in the Interprovincial Championship. Tony McWhirter was player of the year.Jim Stokes, "Humphreys is 'Mr Personality'", Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 2000 In 2000-01, they again finished bottom of their Heineken Cup pool, and second in the Interprovincial Championship. Tyrone Howe was player of the year."Honours for Howe and Longwell", BBC Sport, 25 May 2001
Launch of the Celtic League (2001-2003) In 2001-2002, Ulster appointed former Stormers head coach and Springboks assistant coach Alan Solomons as head coach. The Celtic League, featuring all four Irish provinces as well as teams from Scotland and Wales, launched this season, beginning as a seven-game round-robin tournament with playoffs."Celtic League gets green light to kick off in August", Evening Herald, 31 May 2001 Ulster finished second in Pool A, defeated Neath in the quarter-finals, but went out to Munster in the semi-finals. They finished second in their pool in the Heineken Cup, and second in the final Interprovincial Championship, based on games played between the provinces in the Celtic League, plus four additional matches at the end of the season. David Humphreys was player of the year,"Humphries doubles up", BBC Sport, 24 May 2002 the Celtic League's leading scorer,Statzone , Pro12 Rugby, retrieved 2 June 2022 and set a Heineken Cup record by scoring 37 points in one game.
The next season, Ulster finished third in their pool in the Heineken Cup, and third in their Celtic League pool, qualifying for the playoffs. They beat Glasgow in the quarter-finals, but again went out to Munster in the semis. They qualified for next season's Heineken Cup as the second placed Irish team in the Celtic League. Bryn Cunningham was player of the year.Gavin Mairs, "Clarke lands Ulster rugby's personality of the year title", Belfast Telegraph, 16 May 2003
Full professionalism (2003-2006) In 2003-04, the Celtic League expanded to a twelve-team, 22-game home and away schedule, alongside a knockout Celtic Cup. This, alongside the Heineken Cup, meant the Irish provincial teams were now full-time professional operations - prior to this, players had time to play for their clubs in the All-Ireland League alongside their provincial commitments.[Jimmy Davidson, "Club Ulster is perfect route to success for Solomons", Belfast Telegraph, 9 May 2003 Ulster finished second in the Celtic League, and won the Celtic Cup, defeating Edinburgh in the final."Ulster hold on for victory", BBC Sport, 20 December 2003 In the Heineken Cup, they finished third in their pool. Roger Wilson was player of the year. Alan Solomons left at the end of the season, boasting a three-year unbeaten home record in the Heineken Cup. He was replaced as head coach by Mark McCall."McCall gets call to coach Ulster", The Irish Times, 23 March 2004
The following season, Ulster finished third in their pool in the Heineken Cup, went out in the quarter-finals of the Celtic Cup, and finished eighth in the Celtic League, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup as third placed Irish province. Neil Best was player of the year.Gavin Mairs, "Bowe bags the top Ulster rugby gong", Belfast Telegraph, 13 May 2005 In 2005-06, bolstered by the signing of Australian international lock Justin Harrison, Ulster won the Celtic League, the title decided on the last day of the season, with David Humphreys' 40-metre drop-goal against Ospreys edging them ahead of Leinster in the table."Humphreys drop snatches title for Ulster" , Pro12 Rugby, 26 May 2006 Tommy Bowe was the league's top try scorer with ten. They finished third in their pool in the Heineken Cup. Andrew Trimble was player of the year.Gavin Mairs, "Justin given a timely boost", Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 2006
Decline (2006–2010) Ulster started the 2006–07 season well, including beating Toulouse 30–3 in the Heineken Cup.Tom Glover, "Ulster 30 Toulouse 3: Humphreys master of the guillotine", The Independent, 22 October 2006 But this form did not continue, they were eliminated from the competition early, and finished fifth in the Celtic League. Back row forward Roger Wilson was Player of the Year.Gavin Mairs, "Rory heads for World Cup as Personality of the Year", Belfast Telegraph, 18 May 2007
The team began the 2007-08 season with a poor run of results, and Mark McCall resigned in November following Ulster's embarrassing 32–14 home defeat to Gloucester in the opening round of the 2007–08 Heineken Cup. Assistant coach Steve Williams took temporary charge, and Matt Williams took charge in February, but failed to turn the season around, with Ulster finishing 9th in the 10 team Celtic League. Centre Darren Cave made his debut from the academy.Ciaran Donaghy, "Cave finds ray of light in shape of first start for Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 6 October 2007 At the end of the season wing Tommy Bowe, who was named Player of the Year,Richard Mulligan, "Humphreys steals the limelight while Monaghan boy Bowe bows out in style", News Letter, 16 May 2008 left for Ospreys."Bowe to join Ospreys", Irish Times, 25 January 2008 Roger Wilson went to Northampton Saints. Out-half David Humphreys retired, and was appointed the province's Director of Operations.Richard Mulligan, "New Role in Ulster for Humphreys", News Letter, 5 June 2008