The 2020–21 season was Ulster's 27th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Dan McFarland's third season as head coach. Iain Henderson was captain. They competed in the Pro14, the Pro14 Rainbow Cup, the European Rugby Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The Pro14 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the two South African teams unable to compete and the playoffs reduced to a final between the winners of the two conferences. Ulster finished second in Conference A, qualifying for next season's Champion's Cup. Scrum-half John Cooney was the league's leading scorer with 115 points. Number eight Marcell Coetzee was joint top try scorer with nine, and was named Players' Player of the Season. Ulster led the league in lineouts and scrums.URC Team Statistics, retrieved 28 May 2022 Cooney and Coetzee made the Pro14 Dream Team, as did fullback Michael Lowry and loosehead prop Eric O'Sullivan.
The pool stage of the Champions Cup was reduced to two matches by the pandemic. Ulster lost both and failed to progress to the knockout stage, but were entered into the Challenge Cup, making the semi-finals where they lost to Leicester Tigers. The Pro14 regular season was followed by the Pro14 Rainbow Cup, played between the winners of a European pool and the winners of a pool containing the four ex-Super Rugby South African teams. Ulster finished tenth of twelve in the European pool, and led the competition in scrums.
John Cooney was Ulster's leading scorer with 174 points. Marcell Coetzee was leading try scorer with nine. Lock Alan O'Connor was leading tackler with 242,"Ulster 2020-21: Who Did What?", The Front Row Union, 12 August 2021 and was named Ulster's Player of the Year. This was Coetzee's last season with Ulster: he left in April to join the Bulls. Attack coach Dwayne Peel left at the end of the season to become head coach of Scarlets.
Events Personnel changes New arrivals were scrum-half Alby Mathewson, formerly of Munster, and out-half Ian Madigan from Bristol Bears, although due to the delays caused by COVID-19, both had actually made their debuts and the end of the previous season. Academy centre Stewart Moore joined the senior squad on a development contract."https://web.archive.org/web/20200131224912/https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2020/01/rea-and-moore-recommit-to-ulster/", Ulster Rugby, 28 January 2020 Hooker Bradley Roberts was signed from Rainey Old Boys as short-term injury cover, and ended up being kept on permanently.
Wing Angus Kernohan departed for Ealing Trailfinders, hooker Zack McCall, prop Tommy O'Hagan and flanker Clive Ross were released. Six new players joined the academy, including three from Wallace High School - flanker Reuben Crothers, centre Ben Carson and scrum-half Nathan Doak - as well as Down High School scrum-half Lewis Finlay, Ireland Sevens lock Cormac Izuchukwu and Dalriada School hooker James McCormick."Ulster Rugby Academy squad confirmed for 2020/21 season", Belfast Live, 12 May 2020
Pre-season Due to the mid-season break during the 2019–20 season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season started later than usual. The two South African teams, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings, would not take part."Southern Kings, Cheetahs to sit out entirety of 2020 PRO14", ESPN, 26 August 2020
The EPCR agreed a new format for the 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup in response to COVID-19: the top eight eligible teams from the Pro14, the Gallagher Premiership and Top 14 competed in a 24-team tournament divided into two pools of twelve teams, with each team playing four games in the pool stage - two at home and two away.
First block The Pro14 season started on 2 October. Ulster started the season with five straight victories.
Autumn internationals The Ireland team for the Autumn Nations Cup was announced on 5 November, and included five Ulster players, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Billy Burns, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale. Burns made his international debut against Wales. Eric O'Sullivan was called up during the tournament, and made his debut against Georgia.
The Pro14 season continued during the tournament, and Ulster played three games, winning them all.
Second block Ulster lost their first two games in the Champions Cup, at home against Toulouse and away to Gloucester. After the first two rounds, the EPCR took the decision to temporarily suspend rounds 3 and 4, and later confirmed that rounds 3 and 4 would not take place. Ulster were eliminated from the Champions Cup and joined the Challenge Cup in the round of 16.
In the Pro14, they won their next two matches, but lost a third, away to Leinster. It was announced in December 2020 that the 2020–21 Pro14 season would conclude after 16 rounds, with the winners of each conference advancing straight to the final on 27 March 2021. Four South African Super Rugby teams - the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers - would then be introduced in the Rainbow Cup.
Six Nations break The Ireland squad for the 2021 Six Nations Championship was announced on 25 January, and included Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Billy Burns and Stuart McCloskey, with Jacob Stockdale added to the squad later."Jacob Stockdale back as Ireland squad for Scotland game announced", SportsJoe, 25 January 2021
Ulster played five Pro14 matches during the tournament, winning four and losing once, at home to Leinster. They finished second in Conference A, missing out on the final.
Third block Having been eliminated from the Champions Cup, Ulster joined the Challenge Cup in the round of sixteen. After strong performances in away wins against Harlequins and Northampton Saints, Ulster faced a semi-final away to Leicester Tigers. They controlled the game in the first half, but after John Cooney departed with a head injury, Ulster's performance fell away, and a masterclass by England fly-half George Ford won the tie for Leicester.Michael Morrow, "Leicester Tigers 33-24 Ulster: Stunning second half Leicester fightback sinks Ulster", BBC Sport, 30 April 2021
Leading try-scorer Marcell Coetzee left in April. He had announced his intention to go home to South Africa and join the Bulls, but after he sustained a season-ending injury in March, the club agreed to release him from his contract early.Neil Treacy, "Marcell Coetzee to leave Ulster early ahead of move to the Bulls", OTBSports, 13 April 2021
Ulster's poor performance in the second half of the Challenge Cup semi-final followed them into the Rainbow Cup, and they finished tenth of twelve in the European pool.
Post-season
Ulster led the Pro14 in offloads with 130, tackle success at 90%, lineout success at 92%, scrums won at 97% and kicks retained with 11, and were second in points scored, tries, metres gained, defenders beaten, clean breaks and turnovers won.Team statistics, 2020-21 Pro14 Scrum-half John Cooney was the league's leading points scorer with 115, and led the league in try assists with 13 and clean breaks with 22.Player statistics, 2020-21 Pro14 Cooney, Fullback Michael Lowry, number 8 Marcell Coetzee and loosehead prop Eric O'Sullivan were named in the Pro14 Dream Team."The Media Votes are in - Who made the Guinness PRO14 Dream Team?", Pro14, 1 April 2021 Coetzee was named Players' Player of the Year,"Coetzee Named Guinness PRO14 Players' Player of the Season", Pro14, 1 April 2021 and was joint top try scorer, alongside Leinster's Scott Penny and Connacht's Alex Wootton."PRO14 Awards: Three Players win Top-Try Scorer Title", Pro14, 1 April 2021
Academy players Cormac Izuchukwu, Nathan Doak, David McCann, Callum Reid and Aaron Sexton all made their senior debuts this season.Ulster 2020-21 - Who Did What?, The Front Row Union, 12 August 2021 Billy Burns and Eric O'Sullivan made their international debuts with Ireland."Henderson Leads The Winners At Ulster Rugby Awards", IrishRugby.ie, 7 June 2021
At the Ulster Rugby Awards, Alan O'Connor was named Player of the Year, with Iain Henderson Personality of the Year, John Cooney Supporters' Club Player of the Year, Nick Timoney Rugby Writers Player of the Year, and James Hume Young Player of the Year.
Staff Position Name Nationality Chief executive officer Jonny Petrie Operations director Bryn Cunningham Head coach Dan McFarland Attack coach Dwayne Peel Defence coach Jared Payne Forwards coach Roddy Grant Skills coach Dan Soper Academy manager Kieran Campbell
Squad Senior squad
Players in Bradley Roberts from Rainey Old Boys, initially as short-term injury cover, later permanent."Who is Bradley Roberts? Meet the new Wales Player that Ireland thought was theirs" , Wales Rugby, 30 October 2021
Promoted from academy Stewart Moore
Players out Angus Kernohan to Ealing Trailfinders Zack McCall released Tommy O'Hagan released Clive Ross released Johnny Stewart to Utrechtse Studenten Rugby Society
Ulster Rugby squadGareth Fullerton, "Ulster Rugby confirm squad for 2020/21 season", Belfast Live, 12 May 2020Appearances and scoring stats from ItsRugby.co.ukProps Marty Moore (23 appearances, 20 starts, 5 points) Eric O'Sullivan (21 apps, 16 starts, 5 pts) Andrew Warwick (14 apps, 5 starts, 1 ) Tom O'Toole (15 apps, 2 starts, 20 pts) Kyle McCall (6 apps, 1 start, 1 ) Ross Kane (5 apps, 1 start) Gareth Milasinovich* (6 apps, no starts) Callum Reid (5 apps, 1 ) Jack McGrath (no apps)
Hookers John Andrew (17 apps, 12 starts, 35 pts, 1 ) Rob Herring (13 apps, 11 starts, 25 pts, 1 ) Adam McBurney (12 apps, 2 starts, 10 pts) Bradley Roberts* (5 apps, 5 pts)
Locks Alan O'Connor (23 apps, 19 starts, 5 pts, 1 ) Kieran Treadwell (19 apps, 13 starts, 5 pts, 1 ) Sam Carter (11 apps, 9 starts, 5 pts) Iain Henderson (c) (7 apps, 7 starts, 15 pts, 1 ) David O'Connor (8 apps, 1 start) Cormac Izuchukwu (6 apps, 1 start)Back row Jordi Murphy (16 apps, 15 starts, 20 pts, 1 ) Nick Timoney (17 apps, 14 starts, 20 pts, 1 ) Marcell Coetzee (12 apps, 11 starts, 45 pts, 1 ) Sean Reidy (19 apps, 13 starts, 25 pts) Matty Rea (14 apps, 10 starts) Greg Jones (10 apps, 4 starts) Marcus Rea (7 apps, 4 starts) David McCann (6 apps, 4 starts)
Scrum-halves John Cooney (19 apps, 19 starts, 170 pts) Alby Mathewson (14 apps, 4 starts, 10 pts, 1 ) David Shanahan (12 apps, 2 starts, 10 pts) Nathan Doak (2 apps)
Fly-halves Ian Madigan (20 apps, 10 starts, 42 pts) Billy Burns* (10 apps, 9 starts, 25 pts) Bill Johnston (6 apps, 2 starts, 21 pts) Angus Curtis* (1 app)Centres James Hume (20 apps, 19 starts, 10 pts) Stuart McCloskey (15 apps, 15 starts, 10 pts, 1 ) Stewart Moore (13 apps, 12 starts, 30 pts) Luke Marshall (4 apps, 3 starts, 5 pts)
Wings Jacob Stockdale (14 apps, 14 starts, 15 pts, 1 ) Rob Lyttle (14 apps, 11 starts, 15 pts) Matt Faddes (13 apps, 10 starts, 10 pts, 1 ) Craig Gilroy (11 apps, 9 starts, 10 pts) Robert Baloucoune (8 apps, 7 starts, 15pts) Ben Moxham (4 apps) Aaron Sexton (1 app)
Fullbacks Michael Lowry (22 apps, 18 starts, 53 pts, 1 ) Ethan McIlroy (14 apps, 7 starts, 10 pts) Louis Ludik* (4 apps, 2 starts, 12 pts) Will Addison (3 apps, 1 start) (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. Italics denotes academy players who appeared in the senior team. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.
Academy squad
Players in Nathan Doak from Wallace High School Cormac Izuchukwu from Ireland Sevens. Ben Carson from Wallace High School Reuben Crothers from Wallace High School Lewis Finlay from Down High School James McCormick from Dalriada School
Players out Matthew Dalton to Utah Warriors Matthew Agnew Joe Dunleavy Aaron Hall Graham Curtis Jack Regan to Dunedin Sharks
Ulster Rugby Academy squadProps Callum Reid (2) (5 apps)
Hookers Tom Stewart (2) James McCormick (1)
Locks Cormac Izuchukwu (1) (6 apps, 1 start)Back row Azur Allison (3) Reuben Crothers (1)