The 2006–07 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 13th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their third under head coach Mark McCall. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League.
They finished fifth in the Celtic League. Andrew Trimble was the league's joint top try scorer with seven. David Humphreys was fourth top points scorer with 148, and third leading marksman with 56 successful goal kicks.Statzone, Pro12 Rugby, retrieved 2 June 2022 They were third in their Heineken Cup pool, failing to qualify for the knockout stage. Roger Wilson was Ulster's Player of the Year.
Staff Position NameManagement profiles, Ulster Rugby, archived 23 November 2006 Nationality Director of Coaching Mark McCall Assistant coach (forwards) Allen Clarke Defence coach Neil Kelly Strength and conditioning coach Rodney Kennedy Fitness and conditioning coach Philip Morrow Team manager John McComish Team doctor David Irwin Team physiotherapist Gareth Robinson Video analyst Simon McGookin
Squad Senior squad
Players in Tim Barker from Glasgow"Ulster sign Tim Barker", Glasgow Warriors, 3 March 2006 Mark Bartholomeusz from Saracens"Ulster sign Bartholomeusz", The Irish Times, 22 March 2006 Tom Court from Queensland RedsGavin Mairs, "Rookie Tom set to hold Court for Ireland A", Belfast Telegraph, 1 June 2006 Kieron Dawson from London Irish"Dawson joins Ulster on two-year deal", The Irish Times, 3 April 2006 Sam Harding from Northampton Saints (February 2007 to end of season)"Sam Harding joins Ulster", EPCRugby, 1 February 2007
Promoted from academy Niall Conlon Chris Henry"Success Stories", Ulster Rugby, archived 23 November 2006 Mark Kettyle Paul Marshall Paul McKenzie Stuart Philpott
Players out Jonny Bell retired"McCall determined to make his Mark again", Belfast Telegraph, 6 September 2006 Campbell Feather retired Rowan Frost to Mountauban"Transfer Ins And Outs", Irish Rugby, 30 June 2006 Henry Head to Rotherham TitansGavin Mairs, "Head and McComish set to join Irish exiles at Titans", Belfast Telegraph, 30 March 2006 Oisin Hennessy released Tyrone Howe retired Rod Moore to Calvisano Reece Spee to Pertemps BeesElliott Josypenko, "Reece Spee signs", Rugby Network, 31 July 2006 Shane Stewart to Newport Gwent Dragons"Dragons reorganise senior squad", WRU, 5 June 2006 James Topping retired
Ulster Rugby squadAppearances and scoring stats from ItsRugby.co.ukProps
Bryan Young (23 apps, 20 starts) Simon Best (17 apps, 15 starts) Justin Fitzpatrick (22 apps, 14 starts, 5 pts) Tom Court* (3 apps, 2 starts) Declan Fitzpatrick (8 apps, 1 start, 5 pts) John Andress (no apps) Niall Conlon (no apps)
Hookers
Rory Best (19 apps, 18 starts, 20 pts) Paul Shields (16 apps, 8 starts) Nigel Brady (3 apps) Stuart Philpott (1 app)
Locks
Justin Harrison (25 apps, 25 starts) Matt McCullough (18 apps, 13 starts, 5 pts) Tim Barker (21 apps, 10 starts) Ryan Caldwell (6 apps, 4 starts) Lewis Stevenson (no apps)Back row
Roger Wilson (26 apps, 25 starts, 15 apps) Neil Best (18 apps, 18 starts, 15 pts) Stephen Ferris (20 apps, 17 starts) Kieron Dawson (20 apps, 14 starts, 5 pts) Neil McMillan (14 apps, 4 starts, 10 pts) David Pollock (3 apps) Sam Harding (1 app) Chris Henry (no apps)
Scrum-halves
Isaac Boss (20 apps, 19 starts, 15 pts) Kieran Campbell (20 apps, 7 starts, 5 pts) Paul Marshall (2 apps)
Fly-halves
David Humphreys (19 apps, 19 starts, 200 pts)Centres
Paddy Wallace (24 apps, 22 starts, 47 pts) Paul Steinmetz (23 apps, 22 starts, 62 pts) Andrew Trimble (19 apps, 19 starts, 45 pts) Kevin Maggs (20 apps, 7 starts) Adam Larkin (3 apps, 1 start) Darren Cave (1 app)
Wings
Paul McKenzie (12 apps, 16 starts) Tommy Bowe (17 apps, 15 starts, 25 pts) Mark Bartholomeusz (15 apps, 14 starts, 5 pts) Andy Maxwell (14 apps, 12 starts, 20 pts)
Fullbacks
Scott Young (23 apps, 20 starts) Bryn Cunningham (19 apps, 18 starts, 30 pts) Mark Kettyle (no apps) (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.
Academy squad Players in Niall O'ConnorNiall O'Connor player profile, Ulster Rugby, archived 23 November 2006 Neil SimpsonNeil Simpson player profile, Ulster Rugby, archived 23 November 2006 Michael Ferguson Stephen Douglas Mark Robinson T. J. Anderson Willie Faloon David Drake Phil Coulter Owen McMurray Richard Fegan Dale Black
Position"Ulster Rugby Academy Update", Ulster Rugby, 8 August 2006, archived 23 November 2006 Name Nationality High Performance Development Manager Gary Longwell Fitness and conditioning coach Steve Richards Elite Player Development Officer Neil Doak
Academy squad"Academy Introduction", Ulster Rugby, archived 23 November 2006Props Michael Ferguson, Dungannon (1) Neil Simpson, Instonians (1)
Hookers Stephen Douglas, Ballymena (1)
Locks noneBack row Mark Robinson, QUB (1) T. J. Anderson, Dungannon (1) David Pollock, QUB (2) Willie Faloon, Ballynahinch (1)
Scrum-halves David Drake, Ballymena (1) Phil Coulter, Malone (1)
Fly-halves Niall O'Connor, Belfast Harlequins (1) Owen McMurray, Instonians (1)Centres Darren Cave, Belfast Harlequins (2) Mark McCrea, QUB (1) Stuart Megaw, Ballynahinch
Wings Richard Fegan, Malone (1) Dale Black, Dungannon (1)
Fullbacks none
Season record Competition Played Won Drawn Lost PF PA PD TF TA 2006-07 Heineken Cup 6 2 0 4 111 129 -18 10 15 2006-07 Celtic League 20 11 1 8 423 310 113 45 31 Total 26 13 1 12 534 439 95 55 46
Heineken Cup
Pool 5 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTBLBPts Llanelli Scarlets (2)66002012+8169120+493027 Toulouse63031817+1147145+23217 Ulster62041015−5111129−181110 London Irish61051519−4124157−33239
Celtic League
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATry bonusLosing bonusPts1 Ospreys 201406461374 +87 49 32 4 4 642 Cardiff Blues 201316447327 +120 53 33 6 3 633 Leinster 201217472376 +96 54 37 7 4 614 Llanelli Scarlets 201208490417 +73 61 41 9 0 575 Ulster 201118423310 +113 45 31 4 5 556 Munster 201208379294 +85 37 31 3 3 547 Glasgow Warriors 201109434419 +15 42 49 3 2 498 Edinburgh 208111335423 −88 31 45 2 6429 Newport Gwent Dragons 208012353362 −9 36 43 1 6 3910 Connacht 204214326474 −148 30 48 2 4 2611 Border Reivers 202018201545 −344 16 64 0 4 12Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Home attendance Domestic LeagueEuropean CupTotal League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance2006–07 Celtic League1010,20712,9007,4292006–07 Heineken Cup312,599 12,77212,278139,86210,759
Friendlies
Ulster Rugby Awards
The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel on 17 May 2007. Winners were:Gavin Mairs, "Rory heads for World Cup as Personality of the Year", Belfast Telegraph, 18 May 2007
Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year: Roger Wilson Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year: Rory Best Vodofone Ulster Young Player of the Year: David Pollock Kukri Sportswear Club of the Year: Dungannon RFC First Trust Club Player of the Year: Paul Magee, Dungannon Ken Goodall Award for Outstanding Player at the Sports Institute: Thomas Anderson Northern Bank Schools Player of the Year: James Sandford, The Royal School, Armagh Calor Gas Youth Player of the Year: David McGregor Belfast Telegraph Merit Award: Simon McDowell Dorrington B. Faulkner Award: Walter Lindsay, Civil Service Rugby Club
References