The 2022–23 season was Ulster Rugby's 29th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They competed in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was Dan McFarland's fifth season as head coach.
Ulster made a strong start to the URC season, going into the autumn international break second in the table, having beaten the Lions and Munster away and only lost to Leinster at home. Their away match against the Sharks was postponed after an outbreak of E.coli and norovirus. After comfortable win against Zebre, Ulster opened up a halftime lead away to Leinster, before the 14-man Leinster came back to win. There followed an abject 36–0 away defeat to Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup, after bad weather disrupted travel. The following week's home tie against La Rochelle was subject to a last-minute relocation to Dublin's Aviva Stadium, behind closed doors, because of a frozen pitch at Ravenhill. La Rochelle built up a 29–0 halftime lead, but Ulster recovered enough for a losing bonus point. After an away win against Connacht, Ulster lost to Munster and Benetton, lost to La Rochelle, and finally beat Sale and an under-strength Stormers at home, going into the Six Nations break third in the URC and in the round of 16 in the Champions Cup. After defeating the Sharks in the rearranged fixture, Ulster became the first European team in the URC to win all four fixtures against South African opposition by beating the Bulls at home. They lost their Champion's Cup knockout match against Leinster, but secured second spot in the URC table with five straight wins. That would have guaranteed a home semi-final had they won the quarter-final, but they lost it to Connacht.
Ulster's top scorer was scrum-half John Cooney with 154 points. Hooker Tom Stewart was top try scorer with 17 in all competitions, including a record 16 in the URC. He was named Ulster's player of the year, supporters club player of the season, and the URC Next-Gen Player of the Season. Stuart McCloskey was rugby writers' player of the season, and Stewart Moore was young player of the season. Lock Harry Sheridan and centre Jude Postlethwaite made their debuts this season. Hooker Rob Herring became the most-capped Ulster player, reaching 229 appearances for the province.
Ulster women finished last in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series. Centre Kelly McCormill was Ulster women's player of the year, and prop Sadhbh McGrath was young women's player of the year.
In the All-Ireland League, City of Armagh were promoted after topping Division 1B, Queen's University were promoted after topping Division 2A, and Instonians were promoted after topping Division 2C. Banbridge and Malone were both relegated from Division 1B. Ulster junior champions Clogher Valley were promoted to senior level after winning the provincial playoffs.
Men's season Personnel changes Ulster appointed a new defence coach, Jonny Bell, returning to his home province from a spell at Worcester Warriors, in place of the departing Jared Payne."Bell to return to Ulster's coaching ticket as Newby extends contract", Ulster Rugby, 30 March 2022
New signings include Irish-qualified flanker Sean Reffell, from Saracens,Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster Rugby shorts: Sean Reffell signing explained as Stuart McCloskey targets quick return", Belfast Telegraph, 4 January 2022 lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan from French club Nevers,"Frank Bradshaw Ryan: Ulster sign Irish lock on one-year deal", BBC Sport, 23 February 2022 out-half Jake Flannery from Munster,"Munster talent Jake Flannery set to join Ulster", The42, 14 March 2022 former All-Black tighthead prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen from Wasps,"All-Black Toomaga-Allen is coming to Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 30 May 2022 and fullback Shea O'Brien from City of Armagh RFC, on a development contract."Talented local player from City of Armagh RFC signs on with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 1 March 2022 Hooker Declan Moore, who was signed as temporary injury cover from Munster last season, made his move to Ulster permanent."Shanahan, Postlethwaite and Moxham commit to Ulster as Moore signs on", Ulster Rugby, 1 February 2022 Academy centre Jude Postlethwaite signed a development contract, to be upgraded to a full senior contract after a year.
After the collapse of Worcester Warriors, Scotland and Lions international loosehead prop Rory Sutherland joined until the end of the season.Jonathan Bradley and Adam McKendry, "Lions prop Rory Sutherland signs short-term Ulster deal, with Springbok Steven Kitshoff expected to arrive at Ravenhill next season", Belfast Telegraph, 7 October 2022
Hooker Bradley Roberts, now a Wales international, left for the Dragons,"Dragons sign Bradley Roberts four days after Hibbard retirement", RugbyPass, 25 January 2022 prop Ross Kane and lock David O'Connor left for Ealing Trailfinders, and lock Mick Kearney, prop Jack McGrath and flanker Sean Reidy were released.Neil Treacy, "McGrath and Reidy among five Ulster departures", RTÉ Sport, 26 May 2022
Five new players joined the academy: last season's Ulster Schools Player of the Year, Campbell College lock Joe Hopes; QUB flanker Lorcan McLaughlin; Cambridge House Grammar flanker James McNabney; Coleraine Grammar fullback Rory Telfer; and Wallace High School prop Scott Wilson.
Summer internationals Seven Ulster players were selected for Ireland's tour to New Zealand: hooker Rob Herring, prop Tom O'Toole, locks Iain Henderson and Kieran Treadwell, flanker Nick Timoney, centres Stuart McCloskey and James Hume, and fullback Michael Lowry. Treadwell, Herring and O'Toole made test appearances. Hume, Timoney, Lowry and McCloskey appeared in non-test matches against the Māori All Blacks. Henderson injured his knee before the opening match, and Hume injured his groin in the opening match against the Māori All Blacks.
James McCormick, Adam McNamee, Reuben Crothers, Josh Hanlon, Charlie Irvine, Lorcan McLoughlin, James McNabney, Reece Malone, Scott Wilson and Joseph Mawhinney all appeared for Ireland U20s in the summer.
Pre-season friendlies Ulster's pre-season campaign opened on 2 September with a home friendly against Exeter Chiefs,"Match Day Guide | Ulster v Exeter", Ulster Rugby, 2 September 2022 which they won 31–12. Jacob Stockdale scored a try on his return from injury, and new scrum-half Michael McDonald was named man of the match."Report | Ulster 31 Exeter Chiefs 12", Ulster Rugby, 2 September 2022
A second friendly, away to Glasgow Warriors, arranged for 9 September, was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II the day before."Pre-season | Glasgow v Ulster cancelled", Ulster Rugby, 8 September 2022
Emerging Ireland tour Ten Ulster players were selected for the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa for the Toyota Challenge at the end of September: wings Robert Baloucoune and Ethan McIlroy; centre Stewart Moore; out-half Jake Flannery; scrum-halves Nathan Doak and Michael McDonald; loosehead prop Callum Reid; hooker Tom Stewart; lock Cormac Izuchukwu;"Emerging Ireland Squad Named For Toyota Challenge In Bloemfontein", Irish Rugby, 14 September 2022 and flanker David McCann."Emerging Ireland: Ulster flanker David McCann joins squad for tour", BBC Sport, 26 September 2022
Domestic season: first block The team opened the season with a 36–10 home victory over Connacht in the URC. Hooker Tom Stewart made his first senior start, scored a try and was named Player of the Match."Ulster produce dominant display to start season with win over Connacht", United Rugby, 17 September 2022 After a high-scoring away win against Scarlets, in which John Cooney scored 30 points,"Ulster overcome battling Scarlets in Llanelli thriller", United Rugby, 24 September 2022 Ulster lost at home to Leinster in heavy rain."Leinster triumph over Ulster in top-of-the-table clash in Belfast", United Rugby, 30 September 2022 There followed a 47–17 win over Ospreys, in which Luke Marshall and Sam Carter scored two tries each."Ulster bounce back to cruise past Ospreys", United Rugby, 8 October 2022 Ulster then became the first northern hemisphere team to win in South Africa this season, beating the Lions in Johannesburg."Ulster make extra man count in narrow victory over Emirates Lions", United Rugby, 15 October 2022 Their next match, against the Sharks in Durban, was postponed after an outbreak of E. coli and norovirus meant they were unable to field a team."United Rugby Championship: Ulster reveal 29 players and 13 staff were hit by illness which forced postponement", BBC Sport, 23 October 2022 Ulster narrowly beat Munster away, with Rory Sutherland making his debut"Munster 14-15 Ulster: Visitors edge URC derby to earn first Thomond win since 2014", BBC Sport, 29 October 2022 and John Andrew making his 100th appearance for the province, both off the bench,Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster to hand Rory Sutherland his debut off bench against Munster as James Hume returns from groin surgery", Belfast Telegraph, 29 October 2022 and went into the international break second in the URC table.
Autumn international break Eight Ulster players were called up to the Ireland squad for the 2022 end-of-year internationals: Robert Baloucoune, Rob Herring, Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey, Tom O'Toole, Jacob Stockdale, Nick Timoney and Kieran Treadwell. Two more, James Hume and Marty Moore, were selected for the panel for Ireland 'A' to play a New Zealand XV."Autumn internationals: Wing Stockdale returns to 37-man Ireland squad for first time since July 2021", BBC Sport, 19 October 2022
Domestic second block After the international break, Ulster had a comfortable home win over Zebre Parma, with Tom Stewart scoring two tries.Michael Sadlier, "Ulster 36 Zebre Parma 15 ratings: Tom Stewart leads the way with two-try performance against Italians", Belfast Telegraph, 25 November 2022 They then travelled to Leinster, and led the league leaders at half time, before Leinster fought back to win the game 38–29.Johnny Watterson, "URC: Leinster turn around Ulster despite Cian Healy's red card", The Irish Times, 3 December 2022. This began a three-game losing streak, as Ulster lost their opening two games in the Champions Cup. After poor weather caused travel disruption, they capitulated 39–0 away to Sale Sharks.Paul McIntyre, "Ulster thrashed by Sale on opening weekend of Heineken Champions Cup", The Irish News, 12 December 2022 A frozen pitch at Ravenhill meant Ulster's home game against reigning champions La Rochelle had to be relocated to Dublin's Aviva Stadium at the last minute, with the match played behind closed doors. La Rochelle built a 29-0 half-time lead, but Ulster improved enough in the second half to earn two bonus points in a 29–36 defeat."Ulster 29-36 La Rochelle: Irish province snatch bonus points as champions hold on", BBC Sport, 17 December 2022 Returning to the URC, Ulster halted their losing streak with a close away win against Connacht, featuring another two-try display from Tom Stewart."Connacht 20 Ulster 22 ratings: Tom Stewart continues strong start to season as province finally get win on board", Belfast Telegraph, 23 December 2022 After last-minute defeats to Munster (during which flanker Sean Reffell made a URC record 42 tackles,"Round 12 Statmaster Preview", United Rugby, 5 January 2023 and tighthead prop Marty Moore's season was ended by an anterior cruciate ligament injury)Shane Donovan, "Ulster's Marty Moore to see surgeon after ACL injury confirmed", Irish Examiner, 10 January 2023 and Benetton in the URC and La Rochelle in the Champions Cup, Ulster secured qualification for the last 16 of the Champions Cup with a home win over Sale. They reached the Six Nations break with a bonus point home win against the Stormers, sitting at third in the URC table and second in the Irish shield."Match Report: Ulster 35 - 5 DHL Stormers", Ulster Rugby, 28 January 2023