The 2023–24 season was Ulster Rugby's 30th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They competed in the United Rugby Championship the European Rugby Champions Cup, and the EPCR Challenge Cup. It was Dan McFarland's sixth season as head coach. Despite some good results, including a home win against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup and an away win against Leinster in the URC, Ulster slipped back in the league, and poor performances against Bath, Harlequins and Toulouse dumped them out of the Champions Cup. After an away defeat in the URC against Ospreys in February, McFarland left his position, replaced by former Ireland under-20 head coach Richie Murphy. CEO Jonny Petrie also left, replaced on an interim basis by Hugh McCaughey. Murphy oversaw two away losses in South Africa and a quarter-final exit in the Challenge Cup, but form improved in the league, with four straight wins, including a home win against Leinster, and a losing bonus point away to Munster secured a quarter-final place, losing away to a full-strength Leinster side, and qualification for next season's Champions Cup.
New signings this season included South African prop Steven Kitshoff and Zimbabwean flanker Dave Ewers, both of whom left at the end of the season. Prop Scott Wilson, hooker Zac Solomon, lock Joe Hopes, and flankers Reuben Crothers and Lorcan McLaughlin made their debuts from the academy. Centre Ben Carson and fullback Shea O'Brien also made their debuts. Scrum-half John Cooney was Ulster's leading scorer with 141 points in all competitions, and was named Ulster's supporters club player of the year for the third time, and selected in the URC team of the season for the fifth time. Number eight Nick Timoney was leading try scorer with 12. Flanker David McCann was named Ulster's player of the year and rugby writers' player of the year. Lock Harry Sheridan was young player of the year.
Ulster Women won their first interpro since 2012, finishing third in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series. Back rower Brittany Hogan was Ulster's women's player of the year, and fellow back rower Sophie Barrett was young women's player of the year.
In the All-Ireland League, Instonians topped Division 2B and were promoted for the second season running. Clogher Valley topped Division 2B and were promoted in their first season in senior rugby. Malone were relegated from Division 2A, Belfast Harlequins were relegated from Division 2B, and Bangor dropped into junior rugby after being relegated from Division 2B. Ulster junior champions Ballyclare were promoted to senior level after winning the provincial playoffs.
Pre-season Ulster renewed their sponsorship deal with Kingspan in July 2023 for the coming season, despite criticism of the firm emerging from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Their stadium naming deal would continue until the end of the season.Jonathan McCambridge, "Ulster Rugby agrees extension with Kingspan despite Grenfell Tower controversy", Belfast Live, 19 July 2023 In January 2024 it was announced that Kingspan would remain as Ulster's principal sponsor until the end of the 2024–25 season, to give the team time to find a new sponsor.Johnny McNabb, "Ulster Rugby to seek new sponsor as Kingspan signals 2025 as 'natural stepping off point'", News Letter, 17 January 2024
In May 2023 Ulster submitted a planning application to install a 3G artificial turf pitch at Ravenhill."Ulster Rugby: Application submitted for potential 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium", BBC Sport, 1 May 2023 Planning permission was granted by Belfast City Council in late June,"Ulster Rugby: Application for 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium approved", BBC Sport, 29 June 2023 and work began in late July.Adam McKendry, "Ulster confirm work has begun on new 3G pitch at Ravenhill ahead of new season", Belfast Telegraph, 28 July 2023
Men's season Personnel changes Signings announced for next season include South African prop Steven Kitshoff, from the Stormers,"Ulster sign South Africa prop Steven Kitshoff on a three-year deal", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 2022 flanker Dave Ewers, from Exeter Chiefs,Adam Kyriacou, "Dave Ewers: Ulster announce signing of Exeter Chiefs stalwart", Planet Rugby, 17 January 2023 and former Munster prop James French.Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster Rugby sign former All-Ireland shot put champion", Belfast Telegraph, 18 May 2023 Five academy players joined the senior squad on development contracts: lock Harry Sheridan, scrum-half Conor McKee, hooker James McCormick, back row forward Reuben Crothers and centre Ben Carson."Ulster secure young prospects to new deals", Ulster Rugby, 12 April 2023 After a successful trial in pre-season, Clontarf tighthead prop Ben Griffin was signed on a development contract in August."Ben Griffin signs Development contract with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 17 August 2023 Former Leinster, Connacht and Jersey Reds prop Greg McGrath joined as injury cover in October.Jonathan Bradley, "Jacob Stockdale makes his return as Ulster prepare for historic match at the home of Cavan GAA", Belfast Telegraph, 6 October 2023
Flanker Jordi Murphy and out-half Ian Madigan"Ian Madigan: Former Ireland fly-half, 34, announces retirement", BBC Sport, 20 September 2023 retired. Lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan left for Montauban. Wings Rob LyttleJonathan Bradley, "I'm sad to be leaving Ulster at end of the season, admits winger Rob Lyttle", Belfast Telegraph, 11 April 2023 and Craig Gilroy"Craig Gilroy: Former Ireland wing to leave Ulster at the end of this season", BBC Sport, 18 April 2023 announced they would leave at the end of the season. Hooker Declan Moore and scrum-half Michael McDonald moved to Connacht on a season-long loan."Declan Moore & Michael McDonald join Connacht", Connacht Rugby, 27 April 2023 Also departing were Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Gareth Milasinovich, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Rory Sutherland.
Eleven players joined the academy: props Cameron Doak, Jack Boal and Jacob Boyd; hookers Zac Solomon and Henry Walker; lock Charlie Irvine; back rowers Josh Stevens and Tom Brigg; and outside backs Ethan Graham, Lukas Kenny and Ben McFarlane.
Iain Henderson's central contract with the IRFU was due to expire after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and there was speculation that he might move abroad. He signed an extension in 2023, keeping him with Ulster and Ireland for a further two seasons."Iain Henderson signs two-year contract extension with IRFU and Ulster", The 42, 23 June 2023
Centre Angus Curtis retired in mid-season on medical advice after a series of concussions."Ulster Rugby confirms Angus Curtis’ retirement", Ulster Rugby, 26 January 2024
U20 World Championship Four Ulster players featured for Ireland in the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship: locks Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes, flanker James McNabney and fullback Rory Telfer."Ireland Squad Named For World Rugby U20 Championship", Irish Rugby, 14 June 2023 Ireland made the final, which they lost 50–14 to France."France Show Their Class To Scupper Ireland U-20s' World Title Bid", Irish Rugby, 14 July 2023
World Cup Seven Ulster players were named in Andy Farrell's initial 42-man Ireland squad, to be reduced to 33 for the Rugby World Cup: locks Iain Henderson and Kieran Treadwell, hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart, prop Tom O'Toole, centre Stuart McCloskey and wing Jacob Stockdale.Josh Graham, "Ireland Rugby World Cup squad 2023 – Farrell names 42 players", Rugby World, 30 May 2023
In Ireland's three warm-up matches, Henderson captained the side against Italy and Samoa; Herring started against Italy and appeared off the bench against England and Samoa, scoring two tries; McCloskey started against Italy and Samoa, and scored a try; Stockdale started against Italy and Samoa and assisted a try; O'Toole started against Italy and came off the bench against Samoa; Stewart made his international debut from the bench against Italy, and his first international start against Samoa."Ireland 33-17 Italy: Hosts bag Rugby World Cup warm-up Test win at Aviva Stadium with Caelan Doris the standout", Sky Sports, 5 August 2023"Earls seals dream century as Ireland show class against 14-man England", Autumn Nations Series, 19 August 2023"Ireland hold on to defeat stubborn Samoa", Autumn Nations Series, 26 August 2023 Henderson, Herring, O'Toole and McCloskey were named in the Ireland World Cup squad.
In the World Cup pool stage, Ireland went unbeaten, topped Pool B, and qualified for the quarter-finals. Rob Herring started and scored a try against Romania, and came off the bench against Tonga, scoring another try; Tom O'Toole came off the bench against Romania; Iain Henderson came off the bench against Romania, Tonga and South Africa, and started and scored a try against Scotland; and Stuart McCloskey came off the bench against Scotland."'We'll take that' - Ireland beat Romania 82–8 in Pool B opener", Rugby World Cup, 9 September 2023"IRE 59-16 TGA: Record-breaking Sexton sets up Ireland for statement win", Rugby World Cup, 16 September 2023Jonathan Bradley, "Iain Henderson and the cavalry answered Ireland's call in style against South Africa", Belfast Telegraph, 24 September 2023"Rugby World Cup: Ireland 36-14 Scotland - Imperious Irish crush Scots to reach quarter-finals", BBC Sport, 7 October 2023 Henderson started in the quarter-final defeat to New Zealand."Ireland 24-28 New Zealand: All Blacks break Irish hearts and set up Argentina semi-final", BBC Sport, 14 October 2023
Friendlies Ulster's first pre-season friendly was against Leinster at Navan R.F.C. on 22 September, which Leinster won 38–21.Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster beaten by Leinster in first pre-season clash for Dan McFarland's side", Belfast Telegraph, 22 September 2023 They played a second friendly against Benetton in Treviso, which the hosts won 24–22.Michael Sadlier, "Ulster have much to work on after narrow pre-season defeat to Benetton in Italy"Sunday Life, 30 September 2023 They faced Glasgow Warriors at GAA ground Breffni Park in Cavan on 7 October,"Ulster Rugby confirms historic pre-season game at Kingspan Breffni", Ulster Rugby, 1 September 2023 winning 19–14."Ulster 19-14 Glasgow: Province secure pre-season win in Cavan on first visit to a GAA venue", BBC Sport, 7 October 2023
Domestic season: first block Ulster opened the URC season with a close away win against Zebre Parma, with Tom Stewart and Jacob Stockdale scoring two tries each, and flanker Dave Ewers and props Greg McGrath and James French making their Ulster debuts."Match Report | Zebre Parma 36-40 Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 21 October 2023 The following week they won at home against the Bulls, with Ireland international prop Tom O'Toole playing 80 minutes and winning Player of the Match."Ulster prop Tom O'Toole ruled out for four weeks with groin injury", The42, 31 October 2023 A spate of injuries saw an experimental side go to Connacht, and flanker Reuben Crothers, centre Ben Carson and academy lock Joe Hopes made their senior debuts in a narrow defeat."Connacht 22-20 Ulster: We're 'gutted' but they deserved win - McFarland", BBC Sport, 5 November 2023 The following weekend, Ulster beat Munster at home, with Rob Herring becoming Ulster's most capped player, and academy prop Scott Wilson making his senior debut."McCann And Wilson Weigh In With Big Performances In Ulster's Comeback Win", Irish Rugby, 10 November 2023 On 17 November Ulster defeated the Lions at home in rainy conditions. Prop Marty Moore made his first appearance since sustaining a serious knee injury in January, and flanker Lorcan McLoughlin made his first senior appearance, both from the bench.Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster fight back to secure victory over Lions at rain-swept Ravenhill", Belfast Telegraph, 17 November 2023