| pattern_sh1 = | leftarm1 = fcfcfc | body1 = fcfcfc | pattern_b1 = _collarred 2 | rightarm1 = fcfcfc | shorts1 = fcfcfc | socks1 = fcfcfc | pattern_so1 = _band_red | prevseason = 2025–26 | nextseason = 2027–28 }} The 2026–27 season is Ulster Rugby's sixth season in the United Rugby Championship, 26th in all formats of the competition, 33rd since the advent of professionalism, and Richie Murphy's third season as head coach. Along with competing in the URC and its Irish Shield competition, the club will also participate in the 2026–27 EPCR Challenge Cup having been beaten finalist in the previous season.
Ulster women finished third in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series, losing all three of their round-robin matches before defeating Connacht 29-10 in the third/fourth place playoff. Sophie Barrett made her international debut for Ireland.
Men's season Personnel changes Signings for the 2026–27 season include Benetton's Zimbabwean lock Eli Snyman,"Ulster beat Stormers to lock's signature", SA Rugby Mag, 11 January 2026 Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine,Gerry Thornley, "Connacht scrumhalf Matthew Devine set to switch to Ulster from next season", The Irish Times, 24 January 2026 Irish-qualified lock/back row Ben Donnell from Cardiff,"Donnell to depart at end of season", Cardiff Rugby, 3 February 2026 Irish-qualified out-half Jamie Benson from Harlequins,John Newcombe, "New candidate for the Ireland No.10 jersey signs for Ulster", RugbyPass, 8 April 2026 Argentinian prop Eduardo Bello from Newcastle Red Bulls, Irish-qualified South African prop Keynan Knox from Nevers, Connacht wing Chay Mullins,"Chay Mullins signs for Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 16 June 2026 Clontarf centre Daniel Hawkshaw and Exeter Chiefs flanker Martin Moloney."Hawkshaw and Moloney sign for Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 6 August 2026 Back row forward Bryn Ward,"Bryn Ward signs first Senior deal with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 26 March 2026 hooker Henry Walker and wing Aitzol Arenzana-King were promoted from the academy to the senior squad.
Prop Angus Bell returned to the Waratahs after the end of his sabattical. Wing Werner Kok joined Newcastle Red Bulls,"Werner Kok to join Newcastle Red Bulls", Newcastle Red Bulls, 25 June 2026 out-half James Humphreys joined Ealing Trailfinders. and lock Matthew Dalton moved to Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Hooker John Andrew, scrum-half David Shanahan, wing Ben Moxham, props Rory McGuire and Bryan O'Connor, and flankers Marcus Rea, Sean Reffell and Lorcan McLoughlin were released at the end of their contracts. Flanker Josh Stevens, wings Ethan Graham and Lukas Kenny, and centres Sam Berman and Wilhelm de Klerk left the academy."Ulster Rugby confirm senior players to leave at end of 2025/26 season", Ulster Rugby, 15 May 2026 Seven new players joined the academy: props Tyrese Abolarin and Blake McClean, lock Mahon Ronan, scrum-half Connor McVicker, out-half Charlie O'Connor, centre Tom Bell and back three player Jed Findlay.
Ulster synchronised the contracts of their entire senior coaching team: Head coach Richie Murphy, forwards coach Jimmy Duffy, defence coach Willie Faloon and attack coach Mark Sexton all signed new contracts to the end of the 2027–28 season, with development and transition coach Dan Soper already signed until then.Adam McKendry, "'There is a clear vision in place': Ulster confirm head coach Richie Murphy has signed new two-year deal', Belfast Telegraph, 22 January 2026 However, Duffy left at the end of the 2025–26 season by mutual consent,"'Vital' Duffy to leave Ulster despite new contract", BBC Sport, 17 March 2026 joining Munster,"Forwards coach Duffy joins Munster after Ulster exit", BBC Sport, 5 June 2026 and Clarke Dermody was recruited from the Highlanders in New Zealand as his replacement. Former Ireland and Australia coach Joe Schmidt joined Ulster's coaching setup as a coach development advisor,"Ulster Rugby appoints Joe Schmidt as Coach Development Advisor", Ulster Rugby, 29 July 2026 and Matt Ireton was appointed head of athletic performance.Interview | Matt Ireton", Ulster Rugby, 12 August 2026
Captain Iain Henderson underwent surgery on his hip in the off-season, which will keep him out for several months. Bryn Ward had surgery on his shoulder, Juarno Augustus on his ankle, and Jude Postlethwaite on his knee.Keith Bailie, "Blow for Ulster as Iain Henderson faces 'a number of months' out after latest hip operation, Belfast Telegraph, 11 August 2026
Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series The 2026 Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series ran between 4 and 18 July. The initial Ireland squad included eight Ulster players: prop Tom O'Toole, hooker Tom Stewart, lock/back row Cormac Izuchukwu, flanker Nick Timoney, scrum-half Nathan Doak, centre Stuart McCloskey, and wings Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale."Farrell Names Ireland Squad For Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series", Irish Rugby, 17 June 2026 After Leinster's Caelan Doris and Tommy O'Brien were ruled out through injury, two more Ulstermen, back row forward Bryn Ward and wing Zac Ward, were added to the squad."Ireland Squad Update", Irish Rugby, 20 June 2026 O'Toole and McCloskey started, and Timoney came off the bench, in a 33–31 win over Australia in Sydney on 4 July. Baloucoune had been selected to start, but had to withdraw with a hamstring injury."Ireland deny Wallabies after nail-biting finish", BBC Sport, 4 July 2026 In the 36–20 win over Japan in Newcastle, New South Wales, O'Toole, Timoney, McCloskey and Stockdale started, Stewart, Izuchukwu, Bryn Ward and Doak came off the bench, and Timoney, O'Toole and Stewart each scored a try."Nations Championship: Much-changed Ireland beat Japan for second win", BBC Sport, 11 July 2026 Finally O'Toole, McCloskey and Baloucoune started, and Timoney appeared from the bench, in a 21–40 defeat by New Zealand."All Blacks punish Ireland in dominant Eden Park win", BBC Sport, 18 July 2026
Pre-season friendlies Before the URC season opened, Ulster played two friendlies, the first away to Edinburgh on 4 September, which they won 28-26, the second at home to Ospreys on 11 September, which they won 45-28, with Aitzol Arenzana-King scoring a hat-trick, and Chay Mullins scoring twice."Ospreys finish pre-season with four tries against Ulster", Ospreys Rugby, 11 September 2026
Season The first block of the season opened with round one of the URC, at home to on 25 September. With their Ireland internationals rested, Ulster started poorly, going down 5-34. They got back into the game in the second half, finishing 29-34 with two losing bonus points,Michael Sadlier, "Ulster's second half comeback in vain as Edinburgh hold on for dramatic victory in URC season opener", Belfast Telegraph, 25 September 2026 and David McCann was named player of the match."Opening Night Defeat For Ulster Despite Fightback", Irish Rugby, 25 September 2026 Four internationals returned for the away match against Glasgow Warriors on 3 October,Adam McKendry, "Ulster recall their big guns for bounce back bid as five Ireland internationals return to make trip to Glasgow", Belfast Telegraph, 1 October 2026 which finished in a 33-33 draw; Ethan McIlroy was player of the match with one try and two assists.Michael Sadlier, "'It was hard to look on': Ethan McIlroy admits to uncomfortable viewing from the sin bin in Ulster’s battling draw with Glasgow", Belfast Telegraph, 4 October 2026
The remaining fixtures in the first block are home in the URC to on 10 October, before round one of the Challenge Cup away to on 17 October, and a two-week tour to South Africa, playing the on 24 October and the on 31 October.
The Northern hemisphere series of the 2026 Nations Championship runs between 6 and 29 November.
Ulster return to URC action away to on 5 December, followed by round 2 of the Challenge Cup at home to on 12 December. Three URC fixtures follow, at home to Ospreys on 18 December, at home to on 27 December, and away to on 2 January, before round 3 of the Challenge Cup away to on the weekend of 10 January, and round 4 at home to on 16 January. Two more URC fixtures, at home to the on 22 January and away to on 30 January, follow.
The 2027 Six Nations runs between 5 February and 13 March. During the tournament, Ulster play away to in the URC on 25 February.
The URC season returns on 20 March, with Ulster playing at home, then away to on 27 March. The round of 16 of the Challenge Cup, should Ulster qualify, takes place on the weekend of 2-4 April, followed by the quarter-finals on the weekend of 9-11 April. Returning to the URC, Ulster play at home on 17 April, and at home on 23 April. The Challenge Cup semi-finals are on the weekend of 30 April-2 May. The final two URC regular season games are away to on 8 May, and home to the on 14 May. The Challenge Cup final will be on 21 May. The URC quarter finals are on 29 May, the semi-finals on 5 June, and the final on 19 June.
Women's season The Ulster women's squad for the 2026 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series was announced by head coach Murray Houston on 28 July 2026. India Daley remained captain, with Abby Moyles and Claire Boles named vice-captains. James Hume joined the coaching team as skills coach, and Reuben Crothers as lineout coach."Ulster Squad for 2026 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Campaign", Ulster Rugby, 28 July 2026 The series began with a narrow home defeat to Connacht on 8 August,"Report | Ulster Women 10-15 Connacht", Ulster Rugby, 8 August 2026 then a 62-0 hammering away to Munster on 15 August,"Report | Munster Hold Ulster Scoreless In Virgin Media Park", Munster Rugby, 15 August 2026 and a 5-75 home walloping against Leinster,"Report | Ulster Women 5-75 Leinster Women", Ulster Rugby, 22 August 2026 but they salvaged something from the series by winning the third/fourth place playoff 29-10 against Connacht in Galway.
Three Ulster players were awarded Irish central contracts: Fiona Tuite, Sadhbh McGrath and the uncapped Sophie Barrett."Three Ulster players awarded central contracts for 2026/27", Ulster Rugby, 14 August 2026 All three were named in the Ireland training squad for the WXV Global Series, along with two former Ulster players currently playing in England, Brittany Hogan and Neve Jones."Bemand Announces Ireland Training Squad For WXV Global Series", Irish Rugby, 24 August 2026 Tuite started, with Jones, McGrath and Hogan coming off the bench, in the 36-40 defeat by the United States at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, on 20 September.Ireland 36-40 USA, WXV Global Series 2026, accessed 7 October 2026 Jones, Tuite and Hogan started, with Hogan scoring two tries, and McGrath came off the bench, in a 31-24 win over Japan at The Sportsground in Galway on 27 September.Ireland 31-24 Japan, WXV Global Series 2026, accessed 7 October 2026 Jones, Tuite and Hogan started, and McGrath and Barrett came off the bench, Barrett for her international debut, in a non-tournament test against Japan at Musgrave Park, Cork, on 3 October. Hogan, Jones and Barrett each scored a try in a 43-19 win.Ireland 43-19 Japan, World Rugby], accessed 7 October 2026
Men's personnel Staff Position Name Nationality Chief executive officer Hugh McCaughey General manager Rory Best Head coach Richie Murphy Forwards coach Clarke Dermody Backs coach Mark Sexton Defence and contact skills coach Willie Faloon Development and transition coach Dan Soper Coach development advisor Joe Schmidt Head of athletic performance Matt Ireton Academy manager Gavin Hogg Elite performance development officer Niall Annett Elite performance development officer Jonathon Graham
Transfers
Senior squad Ulster Rugby squad"Ulster Rugby Senior Men's Squad confirmed for 2026/27", Ulster Rugby, 23 June 2026Props
(2 app, 2 start) (2 apps, 1 start, 5 pts) (2 apps, 1 start) (2 apps)
Hookers (1 app, 1 start) (1 app, 1 start) (2 apps)
Locks (2 apps, 2 starts) (2 apps, 1 start) (1 app, 1 start) (1 app) (c) Back row