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Ulster Rugby
2022–23 season
Head Coach Dan McFarland
Operations Director Bryn Cunningham
Captain Iain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipQuarter-finals
European Rugby Champions CupRound of 16
Top try scorerAll: Tom Stewart (17)
Top points scorerAll: John Cooney (154)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2021–22 2023–24 →

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, finishing second in the league table and going out in the quarter-finals, and the European Rugby Champions Cup going out in the round of 16. It was Dan McFarland's fifth season as head coach. Scrum-half John Cooney was leading scorer with 154 points. Hooker Tom Stewart was leading try scorer with 17, and won the URC Top Try Scorer and Next-Gen Player of the Season awards.

Events

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. [1]

New signings include Irish-qualified flanker Sean Reffell, from Saracens, [2] lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan from French club Nevers, [3] out-half Jake Flannery from Munster, [4] former All-Black tighthead prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen from Wasps, [5] and fullback Shea O'Brien from City of Armagh RFC, on a development contract. [6] Hooker Declan Moore, who was signed as temporary injury cover from Munster last season, made his move to Ulster permanent. [7] Academy centre Jude Postlethwaite signed a development contract, to be upgraded to a full senior contract after a year. [8]

After the collapse of Worcester Warriors, Scotland and Lions international loosehead prop Rory Sutherland joined until the end of the season. [9]

Hooker Bradley Roberts, now a Wales international, left for the Dragons, [10] 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. [11]

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 McLaughlin, James McNabney, Reece Malone, Scott Wilson and Joseph Mawhinney all appeared for Ireland U20s in the summer.

Pre-season

Ulster's pre-season campaign opened on 2 September with a home friendly against Exeter Chiefs, [12] 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. [13]

A second friendly, away to Glasgow Warriors, arranged for 9 September, was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II the day before. [14]

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; [15] and flanker David McCann. [16]

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. [17] After a high-scoring away win against Scarlets, in which John Cooney scored 30 points, [18] Ulster lost at home to Leinster in heavy rain. [19] There followed a 47-17 win over Ospreys, in which Luke Marshall and Sam Carter scored two tries each. [20] Ulster then became the first northern hemisphere team to win in South Africa this season, beating the Lions in Johannesburg. [21] 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. [22] Ulster narrowly beat Munster away, with Rory Sutherland making his debut [23] and John Andrew making his 100th appearance for the province, both off the bench, [24] 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. [25]

Second block

After the international break, Ulster had a comfortable home win over Zebre Parma, with Tom Stewart scoring two tries. [26] They then travelled to Leinster, and led the league leaders at half time, before Leinster fought back to win the game 38-29. [27] 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. [28] 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. [29] Returning to the URC, Ulster halted their losing streak with a close away win against Connacht, featuring another two-try display from Tom Stewart. [30] After last-minute defeats to Munster (during which flanker Sean Reffell made a URC record 42 tackles, [31] and tighthead prop Marty Moore's season was ended by an anterior cruciate ligament injury) [32] 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. [33]

Academy lock Harry Sheridan made his senior debut in the away defeat to La Rochelle. [34]

Six Nations international break

Five Ulster players were called up to the initial Ireland squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship: Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale. Tom Stewart was later added to the squad as cover for the injured Ronan Kelleher, [35] Nick Timoney was added to the squad ahead of the fourth match against Scotland, [36] and Kieran Treadwell was called up for the fifth match against England. [37]

James McNabney, Rory Telfer and Joe Hopes all featured for Ireland in the U20 Six Nations. [38] [39]

During the Six Nations, Ulster played three away games, losing to Glasgow Warriors, before travelling to Durban to defeat the Sharks in a fixture rearranged from October, and then defeating Cardiff. This left Ulster in third. [40]

Centre Jude Postlethwaite made his senior debut in the away win against Cardiff. [41]

Third block

Ulster finished the URC regular season with three home games. In the first of these three, they defeated the Bulls, with Tom Stewart scoring a hat-trick. This result made them the first European team in the URC to beat all four South African sides in the same season. [42] The following week they went out of the Champions Cup in the round of 16, losing 30-15 to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium. Back in the URC, they moved into second with a bonus point win against the Dragons 40-21, with Tom Stewart scoring another hat-trick. The following week they secured second place with a home win over Edinburgh, earning a home quarter-final against Connacht, which they lost 10-15. Wing Jacob Stockdale made his 100th appearance for the province, and hooker Rob Herring equalled the all-time appearance record with 229, alongside Andrew Trimble and Darren Cave. [43]

URC awards

Tom Stewart was the URC's Top Try Scorer with 16, a record for the competition - beating the 14 scored by Edinburgh's Tim Visser in 2010-11 and the Cheetahs' Rabz Maxwane in 2018-19, [44] and the Next-Gen Player of the Season award for players under 23 who have fewer than five international caps. [45]

Ulster Rugby Awards

The 2023 Ulster Rugby Awards were announced online on 1 June. Winners were: [46]

Future

Signings announced for next season include South African prop Steven Kitshoff, from the Stormers, [47] and flanker Dave Ewers, from Exeter Chiefs. [48]

Flanker Jordi Murphy announced his retirement at the end of the 2022-23 season. [49] Lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan left for Montauban. [50] Wings Rob Lyttle [51] and Craig Gilroy [52] announced they would leave at the end of the season. Hooker Declan Moore and scrum-half Michael McDonald will move to Connacht on a season-long loan. [53]

Five academy players will join 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. [54]

Staff

Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Jonny Petrie   Scotland
Operations director Bryn Cunningham   Ireland
Head coach Dan McFarland   England
Assistant coach Dan Soper   New Zealand
Defence coach Jonny Bell   Ireland
Forwards coach Roddy Grant   Scotland
Skills coach Craig Newby   New Zealand
Academy manager Gavin Hogg   Ireland
Elite performance development officer Willie Faloon   Ireland
Elite performance development officer Neil Doak   Ireland

Squad

Senior squad

Ulster Rugby squad [a] [67]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

( 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.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
  1. ^ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2021–22 season as listed on List of 2022–23 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy squad

Ulster Rugby academy squad [71]

Props

  • Ireland George Saunderson (2)
  • Ireland Scott Wilson (1)

Hookers

  • Ireland James McCormick (3)

Locks

Back row

  • Ireland Reuben Crothers (3)
  • Ireland Lorcan McLaughlin (1)
  • Ireland James McNabney (1)

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Conor McKee (2)

Fly-halves

  • Ireland James Humphreys (2)

Centres

  • Ireland Ben Carson (3)

Wings

  • None currently named

Fullbacks

  • Ireland Rory Telfer (1)
Number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website. [72]

Ulster 'A'

The following players, other than players from the senior squad and academy, appeared for Ulster 'A this season.

Players used by Ulster 'A'

Props

  • Ireland Cameron Doak
  • Ireland Joe Mawhinney
  • Ireland Jack Boal

Hookers

  • Ireland Zac Solomon

Locks

  • Ireland Charlie Irvine
  • Ireland Paddy Browne
  • Ireland Jamie Macartney

Back row

  • Ireland Mark Lee
  • Ireland Conor Neary
  • Ireland Adam Montgomery

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Rhys O'Donnell

Fly-halves

  • Ireland Zach Quirke

Centres

  • Ireland Ross Taylor
  • Ireland James Girvan
  • Ireland Henry Boyle

Wings

  • Ireland Sam Cunningham
  • Ireland Ethan Graham

Fullbacks

  • Ireland Ben Gibson

2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup

Main article: 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup

Group stage

2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool B
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
France La Rochelle 4 4 0 0 120 57 +63 15 7 2 0 18
France Toulouse 4 4 0 0 110 53 +57 12 7 1 0 17
South Africa Stormers 4 3 0 1 106 68 +38 13 7 3 0 15
England Leicester Tigers 4 3 0 1 116 89 +27 11 10 1 1 14
Wales Ospreys 4 3 0 1 100 88 +12 12 10 1 1 14
Ireland Munster 4 2 0 2 73 67 +6 8 5 0 2 10
France Montpellier 4 1 1 2 92 104 –12 13 13 2 1 9
Ireland Ulster 4 1 0 3 54 93 –39 7 11 1 2 7
France Clermont 4 1 0 3 85 111 –26 8 12 1 1 6
England Sale Sharks 4 1 0 3 74 94 –20 11 12 1 0 5
England London Irish 4 0 1 3 76 115 –39 10 15 0 1 3
England Northampton Saints 4 0 0 4 54 121 –67 5 16 0 1 1
Green background (rows 1 to 8) indicates qualification places for the Champions Cup round of 16.
Blue background (rows 9 to 10) indicates qualification places for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Starting table β€” source: European Professional Club Rugby


11 December 2022 (1 BP) Sale Sharks England 39–0 Ireland Ulster AJ Bell Stadium  
13:00 Try: T. Curry 16' m
D. du Preez 22' c
R. du Preez 49' m
Curtis 64' c
McGuigan 71' c
Reed 77' m
Con: R. du Preez (3/6) 22', 65', 72'
Pen: R. du Preez (1/1) 28'
 Report [73]
Highlights 		Referee: Mathieu Raynal ( France)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen Yellow card 30',
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 50'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick 50'), 18. Marty Moore (for O'Toole 7', 50'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 74'), 20. Marcus Rea (for Matty Rea 45'),
21. David Shanahan (for Doak 59'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Hume 31'), 23. Ben Moxham (for Stockdale 59').

2. 17 December 2022 (2 BP) Ulster Ireland 29–36 France La Rochelle Aviva Stadium [a]  
17:30 Try: Henderson 44' c
Cooney 60' c
Vermeulen 63' m
Stewart 74' c
Con: Cooney (3/4) 45', 61', 75'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 80+1'
 Report [75]
Highlights 		Try: Dulin 28' c
Hastoy 40' c
Bougarit 53' c
Con: Hastoy (3/3) 30', 40+1', 54'
Pen: Hastoy (5/6) 4', 15', 19', 25', 39'
 Attendance: 0
Referee: Luke Pearce ( England)
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Iain Henderson (c) Yellow card 24', 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Stewart 52'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 60'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for M. Moore 60'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 53'), 20. David McCann (for Timoney 65'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Burns 21'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Marshall 73'), 23. Ben Moxham.

3. 14 January 2023 La Rochelle France 7 – 3 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Stade Marcel-Deflandre  
18:30 Try: Sclavi 80+1' c
Con: Hastoy (1/1) 80+3'
 Report [76]
Highights 		Pen: Doak (1/2) 65'
 Referee: Nika Amashukeli ( Georgia)
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Iain Henderson (c), 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Ian Madigan,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. Stewart Moore, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 65'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 61'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Toomaga-Allen 70'),
19. Harry Sheridan (for Treadwell 57'), 20. David McCann (for Henderson 61'),
21. Michael McDonald, 22. Ben Moxham (for Marshall 26'), 23. Ethan McIlroy.

4. 21 January 2023 Ulster Ireland 22–11 England Sale Sharks Kingspan Stadium  
20:00 Try: Lyttle 19' m
Herring 64' c
Vermeulen 76' c
Con: Cooney (2/2) 65', 78'
Pen: Doak (1/1) 38'
 Report [77]
Highlights
Star of the Match:
Nick Timoney 		Try: B. Curry 47' m
Pen: R. Du Preez (2/2) 3', 25'
 Attendance: 18,196
Referee: Pierre Brousset ( France)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak Yellow card 45', 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Stewart 53'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick 53'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Toomaga-Allen 53'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 62'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Doak 56'),
21. John Cooney (for Sheridan 50'), 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Ben Moxham.

Round of 16

1 April 2023 Leinster Ireland 30-15 Ireland Ulster Aviva Stadium  
17:30 Try: Baird 19'
Gibson-Park 53'
Porter 62'
Con: R. Byrne (3) 20' 54' 63'
Pen: R. Byrne (3) 11' 25' 37'
 Report [78] Try: Hume 26'
Herring 57'
Con: Cooney 58'
Pen: Doak 10'
 Attendance: 51,700 [79]
Referee: Luke Pearce
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume Yellow card 52', 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements: 16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 58-62'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 62'), 18. Jeff Toomaga-Allen (for O'Toole 41'), 19. Harry Sheridan (for McCann 46' Yellow card 68'), 20. Marcus Rea (for Treadwell 66'), 21. John Cooney (for Doak 50'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Burns 54'), 23. Ben Moxham (for Baloucoune 78').

2022–23 United Rugby Championship

Main article: 2022–23 United Rugby Championship
2022–23 United Rugby Championship watch Β· Β· discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Ireland Leinster 18 16 1 1 580 363 +217 82 42 13 0 79
2 Ireland Ulster 18 13 0 5 554 378 +176 79 45 12 4 68
3 South Africa Stormers (RU) 18 12 2 4 531 391 +140 69 48 13 3 68
4 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 18 13 0 5 498 403 +95 72 53 11 0 63
5 Ireland Munster (CH) 18 10 1 7 470 357 +113 61 43 9 4 55
6 South Africa Bulls 18 10 0 8 613 448 +165 78 52 11 2 53
7 Ireland Connacht 18 10 0 8 456 426 +30 64 58 7 3 50
8 South Africa Sharks 18 9 1 8 486 480 +6 63 61 8 2 48
9 South Africa Lions 18 9 0 9 454 538 –84 55 75 7 2 45
10 Wales Cardiff 18 9 0 9 425 470 –45 52 64 6 2 44
11 Italy Benetton 18 8 0 10 440 533 –93 56 74 8 1 41
12 Scotland Edinburgh 18 6 0 12 466 467 –1 70 62 8 6 38
13 Wales Ospreys 18 5 2 11 400 514 –114 52 70 6 5 35
14 Wales Scarlets 18 6 1 11 435 506 –71 55 65 5 3 34
15 Wales Dragons 18 4 0 14 391 534 –143 46 70 5 3 24
16 Italy Zebre Parma 18 0 0 18 343 734 –391 50 105 6 5 11
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: [80]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are playoff places that top their regional pools and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup

Blue background indicates teams that did not top their regional pool but are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup
Pink background indicates teams that did not top their regional pool but are in play-off places, and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates teams that top their regional pool and thus currently in a qualification place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2023–24 European Challenge Cup.
Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

1. 17 September 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 36-10 Ireland Connacht Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Marshall 27'
Stewart 37'
Doak 50'
S. Moore 63'
Reid 75'
Con: Doak (4) 28' 38' 52' 76'
Pen: Doak 44'
 Report [17]
Match Centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Blade 70'
Con: Hawkshaw 71'
Pen: Fitzgerald 41'
 Attendance: 10,858 [81]
Referee: Eoghan Cross
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. David McCann,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 60'), 17. Callum Reid (for O'Sullivan 58'), 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (for M. Moore 5'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for Carter 58'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for McCann 58'),
21. David Shanahan (for Burns 65'), 22. Angus Curtis (for McCloskey 53'), 23. Aaron Sexton (for Baloucoune 77').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Luke Marshall, Stewart Moore. [82]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore. [83]

2. 24 September 2022 Scarlets Wales 39-55 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Parc y Scarlets  
13:00 Try: J. Davies 16'
Conbeer 20'
Fifita 41'
D. Hughes (2) 54' 62'
Con: Costelow (3) 19' 42' 54'
Patchell 63'
Pen: Costelow 24'
Patchell 67'
 Report [18]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
John Cooney 		Try: O'Connor 5'
M. Moore 14'
Cooney (2) 33' 57'
Marcus Rea 41'
Burns 48'
O'Toole 77'
Con: Cooney (7) 6' 15' 34' 42' 49' 58' 78'
Pen: Cooney (2) 43' 74'
 Attendance: 6,171 [84]
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Aaron Sexton,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Declan Moore (for Reffell, 68'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick, 46'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for M. Moore, 22'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell, 54'), 20. Sean Reffell (for Marcus Rea, 58'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney, 79'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall, 58'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Sexton, 32').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: John Cooney, Michael Lowry. [85]
RTÉ Team of the Week: John Cooney, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry. [86]

3. 30 September 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 13–20 Ireland Leinster Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Andrew 61'
Con: Cooney 63'
Pen: Cooney (2) 18' 72'
 Report [19]
Match centre 		Try: Baird 7'
Sheehan
Con: R. Byrne (2) 9' 22'
Pen: R. Byrne (2) 36' 45'
 Attendance: 14,477 [87]
Referee: Andrew Brace
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Aaron Sexton,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring, 22'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick, 58'), 18. Marty Moore (for O'Toole, 58'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell, 63'), 20. Greg Jones (for Matty Rea, 58'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney, 72'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall, 72'), 23. Ben Moxham (for Stockdale, 40').

4. 8 October 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 47-17 Wales Ospreys Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Marshall (2) 1' 33'
Andrew 7'
Carter (2) 22' 64'
McCloskey 41'
Marcus Rea 75'
Con: Cooney (6) 2' 8' 23' 34' 66' 76'
 Report [20]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Luke Marshall 		Try: J. Morgan 12'
Morris 82'
Con: Walsh (2) 13' 82'
Pen: Walsh 27'
 Attendance: 11,517 [88]
Referee: Ben Blain
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. John Andrew, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Nick Timoney, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Ian Madigan,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Declan Moore (for Andrew 77'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for O'Sullivan 52'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for M. Moore 11'),
19. Frank Bradshaw Ryan (for O'Connor 52'), 20. Marcus Rea (for Vermeulen 61'),
21. David Shanahan (for Burns 61'), 22. Billy Burns (for Madigan 40'), 23. Aaron Sexton (for McCloskey 44').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Sam Carter, Nick Timoney. [89]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Sam Carter, Nick Timoney, Luke Marshall, Michael Lowry [90]

5. 15 October 2022 (2 BP) Lions South Africa 37–39 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Emirates Airline Park  
Try: F. Horn (2) 16' 76'
Tshituka 32'
Coetzee 61'
Q. Horn 65'
Con: Lombard 17'
Hendrikse (2) 66' 77'
Pen: Lombard (2) 7' 26'
 Report [21]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Michael Lowry 		Try: Baloucoune 1'
Burns 39'
Lyttle 41'
McCloskey 46'
Herring 52'
Con: Cooney (3) 2' 42' 47'
Doak 53'
Pen: Cooney 9'
Doak 74'
 Attendance: 5,419
Referee: Ben Blain
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Gareth Milasinovich,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 57'), 17. Callum Reid (for O'Sullivan 57'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Milasinovich 24'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for Carter 66'), 20. Nick Timoney (for McCann 50'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 50'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Marshall 75'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Baloucoune 57').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Stuart McCloskey. [91]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Rob Herring, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry [92]

7. 29 October 2022 (1 BP) Munster Ireland 14-15 Ireland Ulster Thomond Park  
17:15 Try: S. Daly 66'
Pen: Crowley (3) 9' 48' 53'
 Report [93]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Marty Moore 		Try: Murphy 4'
Stewart 13'
Hume 41'
 Attendance: 15,260 [94]
Referee: Frank Murphy
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Ethan McIlroy, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. James Hume, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 60'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for Warwick 41'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich,
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for Carter 53') Yellow card 62', 20. Matty Rea (for McCann 52'),
21. John Cooney (for Doak 43'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall 41'), 23. Craig Gilroy.

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Tom Stewart [95]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O'Connor, James Hume [96]

8. 25 November 2022 Ulster Ireland 36-15 Italy Zebre Parma Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Stewart (2) 4' 52'
Matty Rea 8'
Reid 35'
S. Moore
Andrew 65'
Con: Doak (3) 9' 36' 42'
 Report [97]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Pani 30'
CronjΓ© 80'
Con: Prisciantelli 81'
Pen: Prisciantelli 13'
 Attendance: 16,741 [98]
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Sam Carter Yellow card 29',
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Duane Vermeulen (c),
9. Nathan Doak Yellow card 42', 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. James Hume, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart, 61'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Reid, 61'), 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (for M. Moore, 40'),
19. Iain Henderson (for Izuchukwu 52'), 20. David McCann (for Matty Rea 54'),
21. Michael McDonald (for Flannery, 61'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall 64'), 23. Ben Moxham (For Stockdale 77').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Tom Stewart. [99]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Stewart Moore [100]

9. 3 December 2022 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 38-29 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) RDS Arena  
19:35 Try: Kelleher 40'
Ringrose (2) 58' 63'
Porter 73'
Lowe 75'
Con: R. Byrne (5) 42' 59' 63' 73' 76'
Pen: R. Byrne 2'
 Report [101]
Match centre 		Try: Herring 21'
Treadwell 28'
McIlroy 34'
Carter 79'
Con: Cooney (2) 22' 29'
Nathan Doak 80'
Pen: Cooney 9'
 Attendance: 15,990 [102]
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Iain Henderson (c), 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney Yellow card 62',
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Ethan McIlroy, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume Yellow card 59', 14. Stewart Moore,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Stewart 20'), 17. Callum Reid (for Warwick 73'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for M. Moore 52'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell 52'), 20. Duane Vermeulen (for Henderson 56'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 44'), 22. Jacob Stockdale (for Hume 70'), 23. Matty Rea (for Timoney 73').

10. 23 December 2022 (1 BP) Connacht Ireland 20-22 Ireland Ulster Galway Sportsgrounds  
17:35 Try: Blade 59'
Butler 78'
Byrne 84'
Con: Carty 78'
Pen: Carty 34'
 Report [103]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Lyttle 29'
Stewart (2) 44', 53'
Con: Cooney (2) 45', 54'
Pen: Cooney 71'
 Attendance: 6,041
Referee: Frank Murphy
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson (c),
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Nathan Doak,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 80'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 65'), 18. Gareth Milsinovich (for M. Moore 51'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 52'), 20. Greg Jones (for McCann 57') Yellow card 76',
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 81'), 22. Jake Flannery (for Marshall 81'), 23. Stewart Moore (for Lowry 40').

11. 1 January 2023 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 14-15 Ireland Munster Ravenhill Stadium  
17:15 Try: Baloucoune 67'
Pen: Cooney (3) 15' 19' 24'
 Report [104]
Match centre 		Try: Patterson 44'
Healy 79'
Con: Healy 80'
Pen: Healy 73'
 Attendance: 16,672
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Tom Stewart Yellow card 34', 3. Marty Moore,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Iain Henderson (c),
6. Greg Jones, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for S. Moore 35-45', for Stewart 76'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 65'), 18. Gareth Milsinovich (for M. Moore 29'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell 62'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Jones 65'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 62'), 22. Jake Flannery (for Burns 72'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Stockdale 76').

12. 7 January 2023 Benetton Italy 31-29 Ireland Ulster (2 BP) Stadio Comunale di Monigo  
Try: Albornoz 13'
Ratave 18'
Brex 63'
Con: Albornoz (2) 14' 19'
Pen: Albornoz 36'
Smith (2) 59' 77'
Drop: Albornoz 42'
 Report [105]
Match centre 		Try: O'Sullivan 8'
Herring 54'
Lowry 67'
Penalty try 74'
Con: Cooney (2) 9' 68'
Pen: Cooney 40'
 Attendance: 4,218
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Iain Henderson (c),
6. Greg Jones, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 56'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for O'Sullivan 56'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Reffell 68'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Henderson 49'), 20. Duane Vermeulen (for Jones 49'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Burns 74'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Hume 49'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Stockdale 74').

13. 27 January 2023 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 35-5 South Africa Stormers Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Doak 13'
Moxham 20'
Timoney 41'
Toomaga-Allen 45'
Lowry 56'
Con: Doak (4) 14' 21' 42' 46'
Cooney 57'
 Report [106]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 		Try: Venter 76'
 Attendance: 12,216 [98]
Referee: Ian Adamson
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Ben Moxham, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 52'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for O'Sullivan 54'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Toomaga-Allen 64'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 52'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Sheridan 54'),
21. John Cooney (for Doak 52'), 22. Ian Madigan (for Burns 70'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Lyttle 57').

14. 17 February 2023 Glasgow Warriors Scotland 17-11 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Scotstoun Stadium  
17:35 Try: Valianu 17'
Dempsey 63'
F. Brown 74'
Con: Weir 76'
 Report [107]
Match centre 		Try: Sheridan 28'
Pen: Doak 41'
Cooney 82'
 Attendance: 7,338
Referee: Craig Evans
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Ethan McIlroy.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 61'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for O'Sullivan 45'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Toomaga-Allen 67'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for O'Connor 67'), 20. Greg Jones (for Timoney 61'),
21. John Cooney (for Doak 50'), 22. Luke Marshall (for Hume 76'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Moxham 57').

6. 25 February 2023 (2 BP) Sharks South Africa 24-31 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Kings Park Stadium  
12:00 Try: Williams 1'
Abrahams 29'
N. Mchunu 51'
Chamberlain 67'
Con: Bosch (2) 30' 51'
 Postponed from 22 October 2022 due to illness [108]
Report [109]
Match centre
Player of the Match: John Cooney 		Try: Stewart (2) 24' 32'
S. Moore 43'
Sheridan 56'
Con: Cooney (4) 25' 33' 44' 58'
Pen: Cooney 18'
 Attendance: 13,212
Referee: Sam Grove-White
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. John Andrew, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Harry Sherridan,
6. Jordi Murphy, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen (c),
9. John Cooney, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Aaron Sexton, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Andrew 3'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Sutherland 65'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 65'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for O'Connor 76-78', for Vermeulen 78'), 20. David McCann (for Murphy 59'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Ian Madigan (for Flannery 59'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Gilroy 37').

15. 4 March 2023 Cardiff Wales 20-42 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Cardiff Arms Park  
Try: Lane (2) 6' 62'
Summerhill 66'
Con: Evans 67'
Pen: Evans 16'
 Report [110]
Match centre
Player of the Match: Nathan Doak 		Try: S. Moore 1'
Stockdale 18'
Doak 24'
Burns 51'
Stewart (2) 60' 72'
Con: Doak (6) 2' 19' 25' 52' 61' 73'
 Attendance: 6,728
Referee: Hollie Davidson
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring (c), 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 58'), 17. Callum Reid (for Sutherland 58'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 68'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Carter 49'), 20. Harry Sheridan (for Treadwell 72'),
21. John Cooney, 22. Jude Postlethwaite (for Hume 59'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Stockdale 62').

16. 25 March 2023 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 32-23 South Africa Bulls Kingspan Stadium  
Try: Baloucoune 2'
Stewart (3) 25' 42' 54'
Con: Doak (3) 26' 43' 54'
Pen: Doak 72'
Cooney 79'
 Report [111]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Arendse 19'
Burger 32'
Con: C. Smith (2) 19' 33'
Pen: C. Smith (3) 13' 40' 63'
 Attendance: 12,196
Referee: Craig Evans
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 77'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick 50'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 61'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Treadwell 61'), 20. Harry Sheridan (for Carter 50'),
21. John Cooney (for Cooney 77'), 22. Jude Postlethwaite (for S. Moore 50'), 23. Marcus Rea (for McCann 61').

17. 14 April 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 40-19 Wales Dragons Kingspan Stadium  
Try: McCann 7'
Stewart (3) 29' 37' 48'
Timoney 67'
Penalty try 79'
Con: Cooney (4) 9' 38' 50' 68'
 Report [112]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: O'Brien 11'
Dee 54'
R. Williams 56'
Con: O'Brien 12'
Reed 55'
 Attendance: 11,972
Referee: Andrew McMenemy
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 66'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for O'Sullivan 22'), 18. Jeff Toomaga-Allen (for O'Toole 5'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 58'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Vermeulen 53'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Burns 76'), 22. Stewart Moore (for McCloskey 64'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Lowry 44'-55', for Gilroy 76').

18. 21 April 2023 Ulster Ireland 28-14 Scotland Edinburgh Kingspan Stadium  
Try: Stockdale 25'
Cooney 41'
Timoney 64'
Con: Cooney (2) 42' 65'
Pen: Cooney (3) 37' 43' 78'
 Report [113]
Highlights
Match centre
Player of the Match:
John Cooney 		Try: Graham 7'
Nel 75'
Con: Boffelli (2) 8' 76'
 Attendance: 14,641
Referee: Andrea Piardi
Ulster lineup:

1. Andy Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 27'), 17. Callum Reid (for Warwick 71'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 62'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 56'), 20. Harry Sheridan (for Marshall 69'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Baloucoune 40'), 22. Luke Marshall (for Lowry 12'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Hume 13').

Quarter-final

5 May 2023 Ulster Ireland 10-15 Ireland Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35 Try: O'Connor 63'
Con: Cooney 65'
Pen: Cooney 20'
 Report [114]
Match Centre 		Pen: Carty (5) 24' 33' 40' 44' 75'
 Attendance: 12,844
Referee: Andrew Brace
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 58'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for O'Sullivan 78'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 40'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell 58'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Timoney 58'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 73'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Lowry 23'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Hume 65').

Notes

  1. ^ Match was originally due to take place at the Kingspan Stadium, but had to be relocated because of a frozen pitch. [74]

Friendlies

2 September 2022 Ulster Ireland 31-12 England Exeter Chiefs Kingspan Stadium  
Try: Madigan
Lyttle
Andrew
Marshall
Stockdale
Con: Flannery (2)
Doak
 Report [115] Try: Schickerling
Norey
Con: Skinner
 Referee: Andrew Brace
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. Declan Moore, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Frank Bradshaw Ryan, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Jordi Murphy (c),
9. Michael McDonald, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Ian Madigan, 13. Angus Curtis, 14. Aaron Sexton,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
Eric O'Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, John Andrew, Gareth Milsinovich,
Alan O'Connor, Cormac Izuchukwu,
Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones,
Nathan Doak, Billy Burns, Conor McKee,
Jacob Stockdale, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Rory Telfer.

Ulster 'A'

16 September 2022 Leinster 'A' Ireland 28-12 Ireland Ulster 'A' Templeville Road  
Try: Adams
Daly
Leane
Cosgrave
Con: Lynch (2)
Tector (2)
 Report [116] Try: McCormick
Solomon
Con: McKee
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. George Saunderson, 2. James McCormick, 3. Cameron Doak,
4. Joe Hopes, 5. Charlie Irvine,
6. Harry Sheridan (c), 7. Lorcan McLaughlin, 8. James McNabney,
9. Michael McDonald, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Ross Taylor, 13. James Girvan, 14. Rory Telfer,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
Zac Solomon (for McCormick 62'), Jack Boal (for Mawhinney 57'), Joe Mawhinney (for C. Doak 22'),
Paddy Browne (for Irvine 47'), Jamie Macartney (for Hopes 51'),
Conor McKee (for McDonald HT), Zach Quirke (for Flannery HT),
Henry Boyle (for Taylor 51'), Sam Cunningham (for Lyttle 64'), Ethan Graham, Adam Montgomery.

16 December 2022 Ulster 'A' Ireland 19-15 England Ealing Trailfinders 'A' Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt  
Try: Izuchukwu
McCormick
Gibson
Con: Gibson (2)
 Report [117] Try: Douglas-Bridge
Dugmore
Con: Lancaster
Pen: Lancaster
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. George Saunderson, 2. James McCormick, 3. Scott Wilson,
4. Harry Sheridan, 5. Cormac Izuchukwu,
6. Mark Lee, 7. Rueben Crothers, 8. Greg Jones,
9. Michael McDonald, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Henry Boyle, 12. Ben Carson, 13. Angus Curtis, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
16. Declan Moore, 17. Callum Reid 18. Jack Boal
19. Frank Bradshaw Ryan 20. Conor Neary
21. James Humphreys 22. James Girvan 23. Ben Gibson [118]

6 January 2023 Ealing Trailfinders 'A' England 26-31 Ireland Ulster 'A' Trailfinders Sports Ground  
Try: Zigiriadis 2'
Byrne 31'
Douglas-Bridge 34'
Jewell 76'
Con: Lancaster (3) 32' 35' 77'
 Try: McCormick 4'
Humphreys 16'
Moxham 43'
Lyttle 51'
O'Brien 72'
Con: Flannery (3) 5' 17' 73'
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. Declan Moore, 3. Scott Wilson,
4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Frank Bradshaw Ryan,
6. Harry Sheridan (c), 7. Matty Rea, 8. David McCann,
9. Rhys O'Donnell, 10. James Humphreys,
11. Ethan Graham, 12. Jake Flannery, 13. Ben Moxham, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
16. James McCormick, 17. George Saunderson, 18. Gareth Milsinovich,
19. Conor Neary, 20. Adam Montgomery,
21. Zac Solomon, 22. Ben Gibson, 23. James Girvan, 24. Henry Boyle. [119]

28 April 2023 Ulster 'A' Ireland 26-19 Ireland Munster 'A' IRFU High Performance Centre, Dublin  
Try: Moxham
Sexton
Shanahan
Graham
Con: Flannery
Madigan (2)
 Report [120] Try: (3) scorers TBC
Con: Butler (2)
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. John Andrew, 3. Scott Wilson,
4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Harry Sheridan,
6. Lorcan McLaughlin, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Greg Jones,
9. David Shanahan (c), 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Aaron Sexton, 12. Ian Madigan, 13. Angus Curtis, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
Declan Moore, George Saunderson, Cameron Doak,
Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Joe Hopes, James McNabney, Reuben Crothers,
Michael McDonald, Jude Postlethwaite, Ben Carson, Rory Telfer. [121]

Home attendance

Domestic League European Cup Total
League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance
2022–23 United Rugby Championship 10 13,413 16,741 10,858 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup 1 18,196 18,196 18,196 152,330 13,848

Senior club rugby

All-Ireland League

Main article: All-Ireland League (rugby union)

Ballynahinch were Ulster's only club in Division 1A, finishing fifth. [122] City of Armagh achieved promotion by finishing first in Division 1B; Banbridge finished 9th and Malone were tenth, and both were relegated. [123] Queen's University were promoted after finishing first in Division 2A; Ballymena were seventh. [124] In Division 2B, Dungannon were third, Rainey Old Boys sixth, and Belfast Harlequins seventh. [125] And in Division 2C, Instonians finished first and were promoted; Bangor were sixth and Omagh Academicals 7th. [126]

Clogher Valley were promoted to the All-Ireland League for the first time after finishing top of the Ulster Rugby Championship [127] and winning playoffs against Leinster's Bective Rangers [128] and Munster's Richmond. [129]

Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 1

Main article: Ulster Senior League (rugby union)

League table

Team P W D L Pts Status
1 5 5 0 0 22 Champions
2 5 4 0 1 19
3 5 2 1 2 14
4 5 1 0 4 8
5 5 1 1 3 8
6 5 1 0 4 6

Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 2

League table

Team P W D L Pts Status
1 5 5 0 0 24
2 5 3 0 2 16
3 5 3 0 2 14
4 5 2 0 3 9
5 5 1 0 4 7
6 5 1 0 4 7

Ulster Senior Cup

Main article: Ulster Senior Cup (rugby union)
First round Quarter finals Semifinals Final
 
11 March 2023
 
  Omagh Academicals 0
4 February 2023
  Belfast Harlequins 20
  Instonians 22
8 April 2023
  Belfast Harlequins 25
  Belfast Harlequins 0
1 February 2023
  Ballynahinch 0
  Banbridge 35'
14 March 2023
  Rainey Old Boys 8
  Banbridge 31
  Ballynahinch 52
 
8 May 2023 [130]
 
  Ballynahinch 25
2 February 2023
  QUB 15
  Ballymena 35
9 March 2023
  Malone 14
  Ballymena 12
4 February 2023
  City of Armagh 5
  City of Armagh 0
8 April 2023
  Bangor 0
  Ballymena 24
 QUB 15
 
14 March 2023
 
  Queen's University 46
 
  Dungannon 7
      
      

References

  1. ^ "Bell to return to Ulster’s coaching ticket as Newby extends contract", Ulster Rugby, 30 March 2022
  2. ^ Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster Rugby shorts: Sean Reffell signing explained as Stuart McCloskey targets quick return", Belfast Telegraph, 4 January 2022
  3. ^ "Frank Bradshaw Ryan: Ulster sign Irish lock on one-year deal", BBC Sport, 23 February 2022
  4. ^ "Munster talent Jake Flannery set to join Ulster", The42, 14 March 2022
  5. ^ a b "All-Black Toomaga-Allen is coming to Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 30 May 2022
  6. ^ "Talented local player from City of Armagh RFC signs on with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 1 March 2022
  7. ^ "Shanahan, Postlethwaite and Moxham commit to Ulster as Moore signs on", Ulster Rugby, 1 February 2022
  8. ^ "Jude Postlethwaite: "It has been a dream of mine to play for Ulster"". Ulster Rugby. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  9. ^ 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
  10. ^ "Dragons sign Bradley Roberts four days after Hibbard retirement", RugbyPass, 25 January 2022
  11. ^ a b Neil Treacy, "McGrath and Reidy among five Ulster departures", RTÉ Sport, 26 May 2022
  12. ^ "Match Day Guide | Ulster v Exeter", Ulster Rugby, 2 September 2022
  13. ^ "Report | Ulster 31 Exeter Chiefs 12", Ulster Rugby, 2 September 2022
  14. ^ "Pre-season | Glasgow v Ulster cancelled", Ulster Rugby, 8 September 2022
  15. ^ "Emerging Ireland Squad Named For Toyota Challenge In Bloemfontein", Irish Rugby, 14 September 2022
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Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=2022–23_Ulster_Rugby_season&oldid=1209324036"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ulster Rugby
2022–23 season
Head Coach Dan McFarland
Operations Director Bryn Cunningham
Captain Iain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipQuarter-finals
European Rugby Champions CupRound of 16
Top try scorerAll: Tom Stewart (17)
Top points scorerAll: John Cooney (154)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2021–22 2023–24 →

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, finishing second in the league table and going out in the quarter-finals, and the European Rugby Champions Cup going out in the round of 16. It was Dan McFarland's fifth season as head coach. Scrum-half John Cooney was leading scorer with 154 points. Hooker Tom Stewart was leading try scorer with 17, and won the URC Top Try Scorer and Next-Gen Player of the Season awards.

Events

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. [1]

New signings include Irish-qualified flanker Sean Reffell, from Saracens, [2] lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan from French club Nevers, [3] out-half Jake Flannery from Munster, [4] former All-Black tighthead prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen from Wasps, [5] and fullback Shea O'Brien from City of Armagh RFC, on a development contract. [6] Hooker Declan Moore, who was signed as temporary injury cover from Munster last season, made his move to Ulster permanent. [7] Academy centre Jude Postlethwaite signed a development contract, to be upgraded to a full senior contract after a year. [8]

After the collapse of Worcester Warriors, Scotland and Lions international loosehead prop Rory Sutherland joined until the end of the season. [9]

Hooker Bradley Roberts, now a Wales international, left for the Dragons, [10] 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. [11]

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 McLaughlin, James McNabney, Reece Malone, Scott Wilson and Joseph Mawhinney all appeared for Ireland U20s in the summer.

Pre-season

Ulster's pre-season campaign opened on 2 September with a home friendly against Exeter Chiefs, [12] 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. [13]

A second friendly, away to Glasgow Warriors, arranged for 9 September, was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II the day before. [14]

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; [15] and flanker David McCann. [16]

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. [17] After a high-scoring away win against Scarlets, in which John Cooney scored 30 points, [18] Ulster lost at home to Leinster in heavy rain. [19] There followed a 47-17 win over Ospreys, in which Luke Marshall and Sam Carter scored two tries each. [20] Ulster then became the first northern hemisphere team to win in South Africa this season, beating the Lions in Johannesburg. [21] 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. [22] Ulster narrowly beat Munster away, with Rory Sutherland making his debut [23] and John Andrew making his 100th appearance for the province, both off the bench, [24] 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. [25]

Second block

After the international break, Ulster had a comfortable home win over Zebre Parma, with Tom Stewart scoring two tries. [26] They then travelled to Leinster, and led the league leaders at half time, before Leinster fought back to win the game 38-29. [27] 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. [28] 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. [29] Returning to the URC, Ulster halted their losing streak with a close away win against Connacht, featuring another two-try display from Tom Stewart. [30] After last-minute defeats to Munster (during which flanker Sean Reffell made a URC record 42 tackles, [31] and tighthead prop Marty Moore's season was ended by an anterior cruciate ligament injury) [32] 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. [33]

Academy lock Harry Sheridan made his senior debut in the away defeat to La Rochelle. [34]

Six Nations international break

Five Ulster players were called up to the initial Ireland squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship: Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale. Tom Stewart was later added to the squad as cover for the injured Ronan Kelleher, [35] Nick Timoney was added to the squad ahead of the fourth match against Scotland, [36] and Kieran Treadwell was called up for the fifth match against England. [37]

James McNabney, Rory Telfer and Joe Hopes all featured for Ireland in the U20 Six Nations. [38] [39]

During the Six Nations, Ulster played three away games, losing to Glasgow Warriors, before travelling to Durban to defeat the Sharks in a fixture rearranged from October, and then defeating Cardiff. This left Ulster in third. [40]

Centre Jude Postlethwaite made his senior debut in the away win against Cardiff. [41]

Third block

Ulster finished the URC regular season with three home games. In the first of these three, they defeated the Bulls, with Tom Stewart scoring a hat-trick. This result made them the first European team in the URC to beat all four South African sides in the same season. [42] The following week they went out of the Champions Cup in the round of 16, losing 30-15 to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium. Back in the URC, they moved into second with a bonus point win against the Dragons 40-21, with Tom Stewart scoring another hat-trick. The following week they secured second place with a home win over Edinburgh, earning a home quarter-final against Connacht, which they lost 10-15. Wing Jacob Stockdale made his 100th appearance for the province, and hooker Rob Herring equalled the all-time appearance record with 229, alongside Andrew Trimble and Darren Cave. [43]

URC awards

Tom Stewart was the URC's Top Try Scorer with 16, a record for the competition - beating the 14 scored by Edinburgh's Tim Visser in 2010-11 and the Cheetahs' Rabz Maxwane in 2018-19, [44] and the Next-Gen Player of the Season award for players under 23 who have fewer than five international caps. [45]

Ulster Rugby Awards

The 2023 Ulster Rugby Awards were announced online on 1 June. Winners were: [46]

Future

Signings announced for next season include South African prop Steven Kitshoff, from the Stormers, [47] and flanker Dave Ewers, from Exeter Chiefs. [48]

Flanker Jordi Murphy announced his retirement at the end of the 2022-23 season. [49] Lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan left for Montauban. [50] Wings Rob Lyttle [51] and Craig Gilroy [52] announced they would leave at the end of the season. Hooker Declan Moore and scrum-half Michael McDonald will move to Connacht on a season-long loan. [53]

Five academy players will join 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. [54]

Staff

Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Jonny Petrie   Scotland
Operations director Bryn Cunningham   Ireland
Head coach Dan McFarland   England
Assistant coach Dan Soper   New Zealand
Defence coach Jonny Bell   Ireland
Forwards coach Roddy Grant   Scotland
Skills coach Craig Newby   New Zealand
Academy manager Gavin Hogg   Ireland
Elite performance development officer Willie Faloon   Ireland
Elite performance development officer Neil Doak   Ireland

Squad

Senior squad

Ulster Rugby squad [a] [67]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

( 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.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
  1. ^ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2021–22 season as listed on List of 2022–23 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy squad

Ulster Rugby academy squad [71]

Props

  • Ireland George Saunderson (2)
  • Ireland Scott Wilson (1)

Hookers

  • Ireland James McCormick (3)

Locks

Back row

  • Ireland Reuben Crothers (3)
  • Ireland Lorcan McLaughlin (1)
  • Ireland James McNabney (1)

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Conor McKee (2)

Fly-halves

  • Ireland James Humphreys (2)

Centres

  • Ireland Ben Carson (3)

Wings

  • None currently named

Fullbacks

  • Ireland Rory Telfer (1)
Number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website. [72]

Ulster 'A'

The following players, other than players from the senior squad and academy, appeared for Ulster 'A this season.

Players used by Ulster 'A'

Props

  • Ireland Cameron Doak
  • Ireland Joe Mawhinney
  • Ireland Jack Boal

Hookers

  • Ireland Zac Solomon

Locks

  • Ireland Charlie Irvine
  • Ireland Paddy Browne
  • Ireland Jamie Macartney

Back row

  • Ireland Mark Lee
  • Ireland Conor Neary
  • Ireland Adam Montgomery

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Rhys O'Donnell

Fly-halves

  • Ireland Zach Quirke

Centres

  • Ireland Ross Taylor
  • Ireland James Girvan
  • Ireland Henry Boyle

Wings

  • Ireland Sam Cunningham
  • Ireland Ethan Graham

Fullbacks

  • Ireland Ben Gibson

2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup

Main article: 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup

Group stage

2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool B
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
France La Rochelle 4 4 0 0 120 57 +63 15 7 2 0 18
France Toulouse 4 4 0 0 110 53 +57 12 7 1 0 17
South Africa Stormers 4 3 0 1 106 68 +38 13 7 3 0 15
England Leicester Tigers 4 3 0 1 116 89 +27 11 10 1 1 14
Wales Ospreys 4 3 0 1 100 88 +12 12 10 1 1 14
Ireland Munster 4 2 0 2 73 67 +6 8 5 0 2 10
France Montpellier 4 1 1 2 92 104 –12 13 13 2 1 9
Ireland Ulster 4 1 0 3 54 93 –39 7 11 1 2 7
France Clermont 4 1 0 3 85 111 –26 8 12 1 1 6
England Sale Sharks 4 1 0 3 74 94 –20 11 12 1 0 5
England London Irish 4 0 1 3 76 115 –39 10 15 0 1 3
England Northampton Saints 4 0 0 4 54 121 –67 5 16 0 1 1
Green background (rows 1 to 8) indicates qualification places for the Champions Cup round of 16.
Blue background (rows 9 to 10) indicates qualification places for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Starting table β€” source: European Professional Club Rugby


11 December 2022 (1 BP) Sale Sharks England 39–0 Ireland Ulster AJ Bell Stadium  
13:00 Try: T. Curry 16' m
D. du Preez 22' c
R. du Preez 49' m
Curtis 64' c
McGuigan 71' c
Reed 77' m
Con: R. du Preez (3/6) 22', 65', 72'
Pen: R. du Preez (1/1) 28'
 Report [73]
Highlights 		Referee: Mathieu Raynal ( France)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen Yellow card 30',
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 50'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick 50'), 18. Marty Moore (for O'Toole 7', 50'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 74'), 20. Marcus Rea (for Matty Rea 45'),
21. David Shanahan (for Doak 59'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Hume 31'), 23. Ben Moxham (for Stockdale 59').

2. 17 December 2022 (2 BP) Ulster Ireland 29–36 France La Rochelle Aviva Stadium [a]  
17:30 Try: Henderson 44' c
Cooney 60' c
Vermeulen 63' m
Stewart 74' c
Con: Cooney (3/4) 45', 61', 75'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 80+1'
 Report [75]
Highlights 		Try: Dulin 28' c
Hastoy 40' c
Bougarit 53' c
Con: Hastoy (3/3) 30', 40+1', 54'
Pen: Hastoy (5/6) 4', 15', 19', 25', 39'
 Attendance: 0
Referee: Luke Pearce ( England)
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Iain Henderson (c) Yellow card 24', 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Stewart 52'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 60'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for M. Moore 60'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 53'), 20. David McCann (for Timoney 65'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Burns 21'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Marshall 73'), 23. Ben Moxham.

3. 14 January 2023 La Rochelle France 7 – 3 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Stade Marcel-Deflandre  
18:30 Try: Sclavi 80+1' c
Con: Hastoy (1/1) 80+3'
 Report [76]
Highights 		Pen: Doak (1/2) 65'
 Referee: Nika Amashukeli ( Georgia)
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Iain Henderson (c), 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Ian Madigan,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. Stewart Moore, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 65'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 61'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Toomaga-Allen 70'),
19. Harry Sheridan (for Treadwell 57'), 20. David McCann (for Henderson 61'),
21. Michael McDonald, 22. Ben Moxham (for Marshall 26'), 23. Ethan McIlroy.

4. 21 January 2023 Ulster Ireland 22–11 England Sale Sharks Kingspan Stadium  
20:00 Try: Lyttle 19' m
Herring 64' c
Vermeulen 76' c
Con: Cooney (2/2) 65', 78'
Pen: Doak (1/1) 38'
 Report [77]
Highlights
Star of the Match:
Nick Timoney 		Try: B. Curry 47' m
Pen: R. Du Preez (2/2) 3', 25'
 Attendance: 18,196
Referee: Pierre Brousset ( France)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak Yellow card 45', 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Stewart 53'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick 53'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Toomaga-Allen 53'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 62'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Doak 56'),
21. John Cooney (for Sheridan 50'), 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Ben Moxham.

Round of 16

1 April 2023 Leinster Ireland 30-15 Ireland Ulster Aviva Stadium  
17:30 Try: Baird 19'
Gibson-Park 53'
Porter 62'
Con: R. Byrne (3) 20' 54' 63'
Pen: R. Byrne (3) 11' 25' 37'
 Report [78] Try: Hume 26'
Herring 57'
Con: Cooney 58'
Pen: Doak 10'
 Attendance: 51,700 [79]
Referee: Luke Pearce
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume Yellow card 52', 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements: 16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 58-62'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 62'), 18. Jeff Toomaga-Allen (for O'Toole 41'), 19. Harry Sheridan (for McCann 46' Yellow card 68'), 20. Marcus Rea (for Treadwell 66'), 21. John Cooney (for Doak 50'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Burns 54'), 23. Ben Moxham (for Baloucoune 78').

2022–23 United Rugby Championship

Main article: 2022–23 United Rugby Championship
2022–23 United Rugby Championship watch Β· Β· discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Ireland Leinster 18 16 1 1 580 363 +217 82 42 13 0 79
2 Ireland Ulster 18 13 0 5 554 378 +176 79 45 12 4 68
3 South Africa Stormers (RU) 18 12 2 4 531 391 +140 69 48 13 3 68
4 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 18 13 0 5 498 403 +95 72 53 11 0 63
5 Ireland Munster (CH) 18 10 1 7 470 357 +113 61 43 9 4 55
6 South Africa Bulls 18 10 0 8 613 448 +165 78 52 11 2 53
7 Ireland Connacht 18 10 0 8 456 426 +30 64 58 7 3 50
8 South Africa Sharks 18 9 1 8 486 480 +6 63 61 8 2 48
9 South Africa Lions 18 9 0 9 454 538 –84 55 75 7 2 45
10 Wales Cardiff 18 9 0 9 425 470 –45 52 64 6 2 44
11 Italy Benetton 18 8 0 10 440 533 –93 56 74 8 1 41
12 Scotland Edinburgh 18 6 0 12 466 467 –1 70 62 8 6 38
13 Wales Ospreys 18 5 2 11 400 514 –114 52 70 6 5 35
14 Wales Scarlets 18 6 1 11 435 506 –71 55 65 5 3 34
15 Wales Dragons 18 4 0 14 391 534 –143 46 70 5 3 24
16 Italy Zebre Parma 18 0 0 18 343 734 –391 50 105 6 5 11
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: [80]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are playoff places that top their regional pools and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup

Blue background indicates teams that did not top their regional pool but are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup
Pink background indicates teams that did not top their regional pool but are in play-off places, and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates teams that top their regional pool and thus currently in a qualification place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2023–24 European Challenge Cup.
Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

1. 17 September 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 36-10 Ireland Connacht Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Marshall 27'
Stewart 37'
Doak 50'
S. Moore 63'
Reid 75'
Con: Doak (4) 28' 38' 52' 76'
Pen: Doak 44'
 Report [17]
Match Centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Blade 70'
Con: Hawkshaw 71'
Pen: Fitzgerald 41'
 Attendance: 10,858 [81]
Referee: Eoghan Cross
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. David McCann,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 60'), 17. Callum Reid (for O'Sullivan 58'), 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (for M. Moore 5'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for Carter 58'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for McCann 58'),
21. David Shanahan (for Burns 65'), 22. Angus Curtis (for McCloskey 53'), 23. Aaron Sexton (for Baloucoune 77').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Luke Marshall, Stewart Moore. [82]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore. [83]

2. 24 September 2022 Scarlets Wales 39-55 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Parc y Scarlets  
13:00 Try: J. Davies 16'
Conbeer 20'
Fifita 41'
D. Hughes (2) 54' 62'
Con: Costelow (3) 19' 42' 54'
Patchell 63'
Pen: Costelow 24'
Patchell 67'
 Report [18]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
John Cooney 		Try: O'Connor 5'
M. Moore 14'
Cooney (2) 33' 57'
Marcus Rea 41'
Burns 48'
O'Toole 77'
Con: Cooney (7) 6' 15' 34' 42' 49' 58' 78'
Pen: Cooney (2) 43' 74'
 Attendance: 6,171 [84]
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Aaron Sexton,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Declan Moore (for Reffell, 68'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick, 46'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for M. Moore, 22'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell, 54'), 20. Sean Reffell (for Marcus Rea, 58'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney, 79'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall, 58'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Sexton, 32').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: John Cooney, Michael Lowry. [85]
RTÉ Team of the Week: John Cooney, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry. [86]

3. 30 September 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 13–20 Ireland Leinster Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Andrew 61'
Con: Cooney 63'
Pen: Cooney (2) 18' 72'
 Report [19]
Match centre 		Try: Baird 7'
Sheehan
Con: R. Byrne (2) 9' 22'
Pen: R. Byrne (2) 36' 45'
 Attendance: 14,477 [87]
Referee: Andrew Brace
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Aaron Sexton,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring, 22'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick, 58'), 18. Marty Moore (for O'Toole, 58'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell, 63'), 20. Greg Jones (for Matty Rea, 58'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney, 72'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall, 72'), 23. Ben Moxham (for Stockdale, 40').

4. 8 October 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 47-17 Wales Ospreys Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Marshall (2) 1' 33'
Andrew 7'
Carter (2) 22' 64'
McCloskey 41'
Marcus Rea 75'
Con: Cooney (6) 2' 8' 23' 34' 66' 76'
 Report [20]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Luke Marshall 		Try: J. Morgan 12'
Morris 82'
Con: Walsh (2) 13' 82'
Pen: Walsh 27'
 Attendance: 11,517 [88]
Referee: Ben Blain
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. John Andrew, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Nick Timoney, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Ian Madigan,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Declan Moore (for Andrew 77'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for O'Sullivan 52'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for M. Moore 11'),
19. Frank Bradshaw Ryan (for O'Connor 52'), 20. Marcus Rea (for Vermeulen 61'),
21. David Shanahan (for Burns 61'), 22. Billy Burns (for Madigan 40'), 23. Aaron Sexton (for McCloskey 44').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Sam Carter, Nick Timoney. [89]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Sam Carter, Nick Timoney, Luke Marshall, Michael Lowry [90]

5. 15 October 2022 (2 BP) Lions South Africa 37–39 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Emirates Airline Park  
Try: F. Horn (2) 16' 76'
Tshituka 32'
Coetzee 61'
Q. Horn 65'
Con: Lombard 17'
Hendrikse (2) 66' 77'
Pen: Lombard (2) 7' 26'
 Report [21]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Michael Lowry 		Try: Baloucoune 1'
Burns 39'
Lyttle 41'
McCloskey 46'
Herring 52'
Con: Cooney (3) 2' 42' 47'
Doak 53'
Pen: Cooney 9'
Doak 74'
 Attendance: 5,419
Referee: Ben Blain
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Gareth Milasinovich,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 57'), 17. Callum Reid (for O'Sullivan 57'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Milasinovich 24'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for Carter 66'), 20. Nick Timoney (for McCann 50'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 50'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Marshall 75'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Baloucoune 57').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Stuart McCloskey. [91]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Rob Herring, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry [92]

7. 29 October 2022 (1 BP) Munster Ireland 14-15 Ireland Ulster Thomond Park  
17:15 Try: S. Daly 66'
Pen: Crowley (3) 9' 48' 53'
 Report [93]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Marty Moore 		Try: Murphy 4'
Stewart 13'
Hume 41'
 Attendance: 15,260 [94]
Referee: Frank Murphy
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Ethan McIlroy, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. James Hume, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 60'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for Warwick 41'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich,
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for Carter 53') Yellow card 62', 20. Matty Rea (for McCann 52'),
21. John Cooney (for Doak 43'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall 41'), 23. Craig Gilroy.

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Tom Stewart [95]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O'Connor, James Hume [96]

8. 25 November 2022 Ulster Ireland 36-15 Italy Zebre Parma Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Stewart (2) 4' 52'
Matty Rea 8'
Reid 35'
S. Moore
Andrew 65'
Con: Doak (3) 9' 36' 42'
 Report [97]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Pani 30'
CronjΓ© 80'
Con: Prisciantelli 81'
Pen: Prisciantelli 13'
 Attendance: 16,741 [98]
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Sam Carter Yellow card 29',
6. Matty Rea, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Duane Vermeulen (c),
9. Nathan Doak Yellow card 42', 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. James Hume, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart, 61'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Reid, 61'), 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (for M. Moore, 40'),
19. Iain Henderson (for Izuchukwu 52'), 20. David McCann (for Matty Rea 54'),
21. Michael McDonald (for Flannery, 61'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Marshall 64'), 23. Ben Moxham (For Stockdale 77').

URC Fantasy Team of the Week: Tom Stewart. [99]
RTÉ Team of the Week: Tom Stewart, Stewart Moore [100]

9. 3 December 2022 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 38-29 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) RDS Arena  
19:35 Try: Kelleher 40'
Ringrose (2) 58' 63'
Porter 73'
Lowe 75'
Con: R. Byrne (5) 42' 59' 63' 73' 76'
Pen: R. Byrne 2'
 Report [101]
Match centre 		Try: Herring 21'
Treadwell 28'
McIlroy 34'
Carter 79'
Con: Cooney (2) 22' 29'
Nathan Doak 80'
Pen: Cooney 9'
 Attendance: 15,990 [102]
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Iain Henderson (c), 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney Yellow card 62',
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Ethan McIlroy, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume Yellow card 59', 14. Stewart Moore,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Stewart 20'), 17. Callum Reid (for Warwick 73'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for M. Moore 52'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell 52'), 20. Duane Vermeulen (for Henderson 56'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 44'), 22. Jacob Stockdale (for Hume 70'), 23. Matty Rea (for Timoney 73').

10. 23 December 2022 (1 BP) Connacht Ireland 20-22 Ireland Ulster Galway Sportsgrounds  
17:35 Try: Blade 59'
Butler 78'
Byrne 84'
Con: Carty 78'
Pen: Carty 34'
 Report [103]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Lyttle 29'
Stewart (2) 44', 53'
Con: Cooney (2) 45', 54'
Pen: Cooney 71'
 Attendance: 6,041
Referee: Frank Murphy
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson (c),
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Nathan Doak,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Ethan McIlroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 80'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 65'), 18. Gareth Milsinovich (for M. Moore 51'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 52'), 20. Greg Jones (for McCann 57') Yellow card 76',
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 81'), 22. Jake Flannery (for Marshall 81'), 23. Stewart Moore (for Lowry 40').

11. 1 January 2023 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 14-15 Ireland Munster Ravenhill Stadium  
17:15 Try: Baloucoune 67'
Pen: Cooney (3) 15' 19' 24'
 Report [104]
Match centre 		Try: Patterson 44'
Healy 79'
Con: Healy 80'
Pen: Healy 73'
 Attendance: 16,672
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Tom Stewart Yellow card 34', 3. Marty Moore,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Iain Henderson (c),
6. Greg Jones, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Stewart Moore.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for S. Moore 35-45', for Stewart 76'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Sutherland 65'), 18. Gareth Milsinovich (for M. Moore 29'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell 62'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Jones 65'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 62'), 22. Jake Flannery (for Burns 72'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Stockdale 76').

12. 7 January 2023 Benetton Italy 31-29 Ireland Ulster (2 BP) Stadio Comunale di Monigo  
Try: Albornoz 13'
Ratave 18'
Brex 63'
Con: Albornoz (2) 14' 19'
Pen: Albornoz 36'
Smith (2) 59' 77'
Drop: Albornoz 42'
 Report [105]
Match centre 		Try: O'Sullivan 8'
Herring 54'
Lowry 67'
Penalty try 74'
Con: Cooney (2) 9' 68'
Pen: Cooney 40'
 Attendance: 4,218
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Iain Henderson (c),
6. Greg Jones, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 56'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for O'Sullivan 56'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Reffell 68'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Henderson 49'), 20. Duane Vermeulen (for Jones 49'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Burns 74'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Hume 49'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Stockdale 74').

13. 27 January 2023 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 35-5 South Africa Stormers Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Doak 13'
Moxham 20'
Timoney 41'
Toomaga-Allen 45'
Lowry 56'
Con: Doak (4) 14' 21' 42' 46'
Cooney 57'
 Report [106]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 		Try: Venter 76'
 Attendance: 12,216 [98]
Referee: Ian Adamson
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Ben Moxham, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 52'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for O'Sullivan 54'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Toomaga-Allen 64'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 52'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Sheridan 54'),
21. John Cooney (for Doak 52'), 22. Ian Madigan (for Burns 70'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Lyttle 57').

14. 17 February 2023 Glasgow Warriors Scotland 17-11 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Scotstoun Stadium  
17:35 Try: Valianu 17'
Dempsey 63'
F. Brown 74'
Con: Weir 76'
 Report [107]
Match centre 		Try: Sheridan 28'
Pen: Doak 41'
Cooney 82'
 Attendance: 7,338
Referee: Craig Evans
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Ethan McIlroy.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 61'), 17. Rory Sutherland (for O'Sullivan 45'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Toomaga-Allen 67'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for O'Connor 67'), 20. Greg Jones (for Timoney 61'),
21. John Cooney (for Doak 50'), 22. Luke Marshall (for Hume 76'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Moxham 57').

6. 25 February 2023 (2 BP) Sharks South Africa 24-31 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Kings Park Stadium  
12:00 Try: Williams 1'
Abrahams 29'
N. Mchunu 51'
Chamberlain 67'
Con: Bosch (2) 30' 51'
 Postponed from 22 October 2022 due to illness [108]
Report [109]
Match centre
Player of the Match: John Cooney 		Try: Stewart (2) 24' 32'
S. Moore 43'
Sheridan 56'
Con: Cooney (4) 25' 33' 44' 58'
Pen: Cooney 18'
 Attendance: 13,212
Referee: Sam Grove-White
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. John Andrew, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Harry Sherridan,
6. Jordi Murphy, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen (c),
9. John Cooney, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Aaron Sexton, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Andrew 3'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Sutherland 65'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 65'),
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for O'Connor 76-78', for Vermeulen 78'), 20. David McCann (for Murphy 59'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Ian Madigan (for Flannery 59'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Gilroy 37').

15. 4 March 2023 Cardiff Wales 20-42 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Cardiff Arms Park  
Try: Lane (2) 6' 62'
Summerhill 66'
Con: Evans 67'
Pen: Evans 16'
 Report [110]
Match centre
Player of the Match: Nathan Doak 		Try: S. Moore 1'
Stockdale 18'
Doak 24'
Burns 51'
Stewart (2) 60' 72'
Con: Doak (6) 2' 19' 25' 52' 61' 73'
 Attendance: 6,728
Referee: Hollie Davidson
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring (c), 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 58'), 17. Callum Reid (for Sutherland 58'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 68'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Carter 49'), 20. Harry Sheridan (for Treadwell 72'),
21. John Cooney, 22. Jude Postlethwaite (for Hume 59'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Stockdale 62').

16. 25 March 2023 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 32-23 South Africa Bulls Kingspan Stadium  
Try: Baloucoune 2'
Stewart (3) 25' 42' 54'
Con: Doak (3) 26' 43' 54'
Pen: Doak 72'
Cooney 79'
 Report [111]
Match centre
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: Arendse 19'
Burger 32'
Con: C. Smith (2) 19' 33'
Pen: C. Smith (3) 13' 40' 63'
 Attendance: 12,196
Referee: Craig Evans
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. Nathan Doak, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stewart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 77'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for Warwick 50'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 61'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Treadwell 61'), 20. Harry Sheridan (for Carter 50'),
21. John Cooney (for Cooney 77'), 22. Jude Postlethwaite (for S. Moore 50'), 23. Marcus Rea (for McCann 61').

17. 14 April 2022 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 40-19 Wales Dragons Kingspan Stadium  
Try: McCann 7'
Stewart (3) 29' 37' 48'
Timoney 67'
Penalty try 79'
Con: Cooney (4) 9' 38' 50' 68'
 Report [112]
Match centre
Highlights
Player of the Match:
Tom Stewart 		Try: O'Brien 11'
Dee 54'
R. Williams 56'
Con: O'Brien 12'
Reed 55'
 Attendance: 11,972
Referee: Andrew McMenemy
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Sam Carter,
6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Stewart 66'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for O'Sullivan 22'), 18. Jeff Toomaga-Allen (for O'Toole 5'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 58'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Vermeulen 53'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Burns 76'), 22. Stewart Moore (for McCloskey 64'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Lowry 44'-55', for Gilroy 76').

18. 21 April 2023 Ulster Ireland 28-14 Scotland Edinburgh Kingspan Stadium  
Try: Stockdale 25'
Cooney 41'
Timoney 64'
Con: Cooney (2) 42' 65'
Pen: Cooney (3) 37' 43' 78'
 Report [113]
Highlights
Match centre
Player of the Match:
John Cooney 		Try: Graham 7'
Nel 75'
Con: Boffelli (2) 8' 76'
 Attendance: 14,641
Referee: Andrea Piardi
Ulster lineup:

1. Andy Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart Moore, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 27'), 17. Callum Reid (for Warwick 71'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 62'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 56'), 20. Harry Sheridan (for Marshall 69'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Baloucoune 40'), 22. Luke Marshall (for Lowry 12'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Hume 13').

Quarter-final

5 May 2023 Ulster Ireland 10-15 Ireland Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35 Try: O'Connor 63'
Con: Cooney 65'
Pen: Cooney 20'
 Report [114]
Match Centre 		Pen: Carty (5) 24' 33' 40' 44' 75'
 Attendance: 12,844
Referee: Andrew Brace
Ulster lineup:

1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Alan O'Connor (c), 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. David McCann, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Duane Vermeulen,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (for Herring 58'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for O'Sullivan 78'), 18. Gareth Milasinovich (for Toomaga-Allen 40'),
19. Sam Carter (for Treadwell 58'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Timoney 58'),
21. Nathan Doak (for Cooney 73'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Lowry 23'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Hume 65').

Notes

  1. ^ Match was originally due to take place at the Kingspan Stadium, but had to be relocated because of a frozen pitch. [74]

Friendlies

2 September 2022 Ulster Ireland 31-12 England Exeter Chiefs Kingspan Stadium  
Try: Madigan
Lyttle
Andrew
Marshall
Stockdale
Con: Flannery (2)
Doak
 Report [115] Try: Schickerling
Norey
Con: Skinner
 Referee: Andrew Brace
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. Declan Moore, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen,
4. Frank Bradshaw Ryan, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Harry Sheridan, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Jordi Murphy (c),
9. Michael McDonald, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Ian Madigan, 13. Angus Curtis, 14. Aaron Sexton,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
Eric O'Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, John Andrew, Gareth Milsinovich,
Alan O'Connor, Cormac Izuchukwu,
Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones,
Nathan Doak, Billy Burns, Conor McKee,
Jacob Stockdale, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Rory Telfer.

Ulster 'A'

16 September 2022 Leinster 'A' Ireland 28-12 Ireland Ulster 'A' Templeville Road  
Try: Adams
Daly
Leane
Cosgrave
Con: Lynch (2)
Tector (2)
 Report [116] Try: McCormick
Solomon
Con: McKee
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. George Saunderson, 2. James McCormick, 3. Cameron Doak,
4. Joe Hopes, 5. Charlie Irvine,
6. Harry Sheridan (c), 7. Lorcan McLaughlin, 8. James McNabney,
9. Michael McDonald, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Ross Taylor, 13. James Girvan, 14. Rory Telfer,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
Zac Solomon (for McCormick 62'), Jack Boal (for Mawhinney 57'), Joe Mawhinney (for C. Doak 22'),
Paddy Browne (for Irvine 47'), Jamie Macartney (for Hopes 51'),
Conor McKee (for McDonald HT), Zach Quirke (for Flannery HT),
Henry Boyle (for Taylor 51'), Sam Cunningham (for Lyttle 64'), Ethan Graham, Adam Montgomery.

16 December 2022 Ulster 'A' Ireland 19-15 England Ealing Trailfinders 'A' Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt  
Try: Izuchukwu
McCormick
Gibson
Con: Gibson (2)
 Report [117] Try: Douglas-Bridge
Dugmore
Con: Lancaster
Pen: Lancaster
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. George Saunderson, 2. James McCormick, 3. Scott Wilson,
4. Harry Sheridan, 5. Cormac Izuchukwu,
6. Mark Lee, 7. Rueben Crothers, 8. Greg Jones,
9. Michael McDonald, 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Henry Boyle, 12. Ben Carson, 13. Angus Curtis, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
16. Declan Moore, 17. Callum Reid 18. Jack Boal
19. Frank Bradshaw Ryan 20. Conor Neary
21. James Humphreys 22. James Girvan 23. Ben Gibson [118]

6 January 2023 Ealing Trailfinders 'A' England 26-31 Ireland Ulster 'A' Trailfinders Sports Ground  
Try: Zigiriadis 2'
Byrne 31'
Douglas-Bridge 34'
Jewell 76'
Con: Lancaster (3) 32' 35' 77'
 Try: McCormick 4'
Humphreys 16'
Moxham 43'
Lyttle 51'
O'Brien 72'
Con: Flannery (3) 5' 17' 73'
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. Declan Moore, 3. Scott Wilson,
4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Frank Bradshaw Ryan,
6. Harry Sheridan (c), 7. Matty Rea, 8. David McCann,
9. Rhys O'Donnell, 10. James Humphreys,
11. Ethan Graham, 12. Jake Flannery, 13. Ben Moxham, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
16. James McCormick, 17. George Saunderson, 18. Gareth Milsinovich,
19. Conor Neary, 20. Adam Montgomery,
21. Zac Solomon, 22. Ben Gibson, 23. James Girvan, 24. Henry Boyle. [119]

28 April 2023 Ulster 'A' Ireland 26-19 Ireland Munster 'A' IRFU High Performance Centre, Dublin  
Try: Moxham
Sexton
Shanahan
Graham
Con: Flannery
Madigan (2)
 Report [120] Try: (3) scorers TBC
Con: Butler (2)
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Callum Reid, 2. John Andrew, 3. Scott Wilson,
4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Harry Sheridan,
6. Lorcan McLaughlin, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Greg Jones,
9. David Shanahan (c), 10. Jake Flannery,
11. Aaron Sexton, 12. Ian Madigan, 13. Angus Curtis, 14. Ben Moxham,
15. Shea O'Brien.
Replacements:
Declan Moore, George Saunderson, Cameron Doak,
Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Joe Hopes, James McNabney, Reuben Crothers,
Michael McDonald, Jude Postlethwaite, Ben Carson, Rory Telfer. [121]

Home attendance

Domestic League European Cup Total
League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance
2022–23 United Rugby Championship 10 13,413 16,741 10,858 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup 1 18,196 18,196 18,196 152,330 13,848

Senior club rugby

All-Ireland League

Main article: All-Ireland League (rugby union)

Ballynahinch were Ulster's only club in Division 1A, finishing fifth. [122] City of Armagh achieved promotion by finishing first in Division 1B; Banbridge finished 9th and Malone were tenth, and both were relegated. [123] Queen's University were promoted after finishing first in Division 2A; Ballymena were seventh. [124] In Division 2B, Dungannon were third, Rainey Old Boys sixth, and Belfast Harlequins seventh. [125] And in Division 2C, Instonians finished first and were promoted; Bangor were sixth and Omagh Academicals 7th. [126]

Clogher Valley were promoted to the All-Ireland League for the first time after finishing top of the Ulster Rugby Championship [127] and winning playoffs against Leinster's Bective Rangers [128] and Munster's Richmond. [129]

Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 1

Main article: Ulster Senior League (rugby union)

League table

Team P W D L Pts Status
1 5 5 0 0 22 Champions
2 5 4 0 1 19
3 5 2 1 2 14
4 5 1 0 4 8
5 5 1 1 3 8
6 5 1 0 4 6

Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 2

League table

Team P W D L Pts Status
1 5 5 0 0 24
2 5 3 0 2 16
3 5 3 0 2 14
4 5 2 0 3 9
5 5 1 0 4 7
6 5 1 0 4 7

Ulster Senior Cup

Main article: Ulster Senior Cup (rugby union)
First round Quarter finals Semifinals Final
 
11 March 2023
 
  Omagh Academicals 0
4 February 2023
  Belfast Harlequins 20
  Instonians 22
8 April 2023
  Belfast Harlequins 25
  Belfast Harlequins 0
1 February 2023
  Ballynahinch 0
  Banbridge 35'
14 March 2023
  Rainey Old Boys 8
  Banbridge 31
  Ballynahinch 52
 
8 May 2023 [130]
 
  Ballynahinch 25
2 February 2023
  QUB 15
  Ballymena 35
9 March 2023
  Malone 14
  Ballymena 12
4 February 2023
  City of Armagh 5
  City of Armagh 0
8 April 2023
  Bangor 0
  Ballymena 24
 QUB 15
 
14 March 2023
 
  Queen's University 46
 
  Dungannon 7
      
      

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Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=2022–23_Ulster_Rugby_season&oldid=1209324036"

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