The 1999–2000 season was Ulster Rugby's fifth season under professionalism, and Harry Williams's second season as head coach. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship.
Ahead of the new season, Williams signed Paddy Johns, Simon Best, Niall Malone, Tyrone Howe, Spencer Bromley and Riaz Fredericks to full-time contracts. Mark McCall retired as a player, and was appointed assistant coach.Gerry Thornley, "Ulster bid to continue their roll by recruiting heavily", Irish Times, 31 July 1999
In the Heineken Cup, Ulster finished bottom of their pool. They came second in the Interprovincial Championship, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. Tony McWhirter was Ulster's Player of the Year.
Plans for a Celtic League, featuring the Irish provinces alongside teams from Scotland and Wales, were mooted. This would give the provinces a 12-game league schedule, alongside six Interpros and at least six Heineken Cup matches, and mean contracted players would no longer be available for their All-Ireland League clubs, but play exclusively for their provinces. This plan would not materialise for another few seasons.Jim Stokes, "Different League beckons as Irish get set to cash in", Belfast Telegraph, 21 December 1999
Player transfers
Players in Simon Best from Newcastle Spencer Bromley from HarlequinsBrendan Fanning, "Gatland geared up for bout of double vision", Sunday Independent, 1 August 1999 Riaz Fredericks from Hong Kong sevens team Tyrone Howe from Newbury"Tyrone to hang up his boots", Ulster Rugby, archived 21 December 1995 Paddy Johns from Saracens"Johns departs to play for Ulster", Watford Observer, 20 March 1999 Niall Malone from Worcester Dion O'Cuinneagain from Sale"'He was told he was too small for the Springboks, like me' - Former Ireland captain on Stander", The 42, 13 February 2016 Joeli Veitayaki from Northland"Fijian linking up with Ulster", ESPN, 27 October 1999
Players out Mark McCall (retired) Stan McDowell (out of contract) Andy Park (out of contract)
Squad Ulster Rugby squadProps Simon Best Justin Fitzpatrick Rab Irwin Lewis Johnston Gary Leslie Joeli Veitayaki
Hookers Allen Clarke Richard Weir
Locks Mark Blair Paddy Johns Gary LongwellBack row Stephen McKinty Tony McWhirter Eric Miller Dion O'Cuinneagain Derek Topping Andy Ward
Scrum-halves Stephen Bell Mark Edwards Andrew Matchett
Fly-halves David Humphreys (c)Centres Jonny Bell Jan Cunningham Riaz Fredericks Tyrone Howe Niall Malone
Wings Spencer Bromley James Topping Sheldon Coulter
Fullbacks Simon Mason (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Season record Competition Played Won Drawn Lost PF PA PD TF TA 1999-2000 Heineken Cup 6 0 0 6 71 179 -108 4 20 IRFU Interprovincial Championship 6 3 0 3 186 129 57 18 8 Total 12 3 0 9 257 308 -51 22 28
1999–2000 Heineken Cup
Pool 3 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts Llanelli65011789152866610 Wasps65011697163996410 Bourgoin620414140140162−224 Ulster6006420−1671179−1080
1999–2000 IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Team P W D LFA BPPts Status 6 6 0 0 242 103 5 29 Champions; qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup 6 3 0 3 186 129 3 15 Qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup 6 2 0 4 145 137 2 10 Qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup 6 0 0 6 85 289 1 1 Qualified for 2000–01 European Challenge Cup
Home attendance Domestic LeagueEuropean CupTotal League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance––––– 1999–00 Heineken Cup38,667 12,0006,00026,0008,667
Friendlies
Ulster Rugby Awards The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 18 May 2000 at the La Mon House Hotel. Winners were:Jim Stokes, "Humphreys is 'Mr Personality'", Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 2000
Bank of Ireland Ulster player of the year: Tony McWhirter Guinness personality of the year: David Humphreys Reneault schools player of the year: Matt McCullough Calor Gas youth player of the year: Martin Miller, Coleraine First Trust club of the year: Ballymena R.F.C. Coach of the year: Mark McCall, Ballynahinch RFC Dorrie B. Faulkner Award: Jack Lewis, Civil Service Rugby Club
References