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2019–20 Ulster Rugby season

Ulster Rugby 2019–20 rugby season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2019–20 season was Ulster's 26th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Dan McFarland's second season as head coach. Lock Iain Henderson was named captain in place of retired hooker Rory Best. They competed in the Pro14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup. Both competitions were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he later stages being played in August, September and October 2020. In the Pro14, Ulster finished second in Conference A, making the playoffs and qualifying for next season's Champions Cup. They beat Edinburgh in the semi-final, but lost to Leinster in the final. They finished second in Pool 3 in the Champions Cup, qualifying for the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by Toulouse.

Head CoachDan McFarland
Operations DirectorBryn Cunningham
CaptainIain Henderson
Pro14Final
Quick facts Head Coach, Operations Director ...
Ulster Rugby
2019–20 season
Head CoachDan McFarland
Operations DirectorBryn Cunningham
CaptainIain Henderson
Pro14Final
European Rugby Champions CupQuarter-final
Top try scorerLeague: Matt Faddes (6)
All: John Cooney (10)
Top points scorerLeague: John Cooney (96)
All: John Cooney (180)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2018–19 2020–21 →
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Academy players who made their debuts this season included centre Stewart Moore and wing Ethan McIlroy. Ulster led the league in defence. Scrum-half John Cooney and centre Stuart McCloskey made the Pro14 Dream Team. Cooney and number eight Marcell Coetzee were nominated for European Player of the Year. Cooney was leading scorer with 180 and leading try scorer with ten, and was named Ulster's Player of the Year.

Events

Personnel changes

New signings were Australian lock Sam Carter, from the Brumbies; Ireland and Lions prop Jack McGrath, from Leinster; New Zealand wing Matt Faddes, from the Highlanders; South African-born, Irish-qualified prop Gareth Milasinovich, from Worcester Warriors; former Ireland U20 out-half Bill Johnston, from Munster; and lock David O'Connor, from Lansdowne, joining his older brother Alan at Ulster on a development contract.

Players leaving included flanker Caleb Montgomery to Worcester Warriors, wing David Busby to the Seattle Seawolves, out-half Johnny McPhillips to Leicester Tigers, and lock Alex Thompson to Jersey Reds. Utility back Peter Nelson and wing Jack Owens were released. Centre Darren Cave retired, and so did hooker Rory Best after captaining Ireland at the 2019 World Cup. Iain Henderson was named Ulster's new captain in Best's place.[1]

Six new players joined the academy: wing Aaron Sexton, from Bangor Grammar School; wing Conor Rankin, from Campbell College; hooker Tom Stewart, last seasons' Ulster Schools Player of the Season, from Belfast Royal Academy; Irish-qualified centre Hayden Hyde, from Harlequins academy; prop Callum Reid, from Banbridge RFC;[2] and wing Ethan McIlroy, who joined in January 2020, from Methodist College Belfast.[3]

Scrum coach Aaron Dundon, strength and conditioning coach Kevin Geary and GPS analyst Chris Hagan left the province's support staff.[4]

Rugby World Cup

Three Ulster players were named in the initial Ireland squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup: hooker Rory Best, captaining the team for his last tournament before retiring, lock Iain Henderson, and wing Jacob Stockdale. Flanker Jordi Murphy and hooker Rob Herring were later called up to replace the injured Jack Conan and Seán Cronin.

Season

With Iain Henderson away with Ireland at the World Cup, Rob Herring was named stand-in captain.[5] When Herring was called up to the World Cup due to injury, the captaincy went to Billy Burns.[6]

The pool stage of the Champions Cup was completed in January 2020, with Ulster finishing second in Pool 3 and qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The 2020 Six Nations Championship began in February 2020. Seven Ulster players, Ian Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Will Addison, Billy Burns, John Cooney and Jacob Stokdale, were called up for Ireland. Robert Baloucoune included in the training squad as a development player.[7] Stockdale, Henderson, Herring and Cooney appeared in the first three games, before the tournament was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ulster's away game against Benetton in the Pro14, scheduled for 29 February 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and later recorded as a 0–0 draw. The rest of the season was suspended on 12 March.[8] The knockout stage of the Champions Cup was also postponed.

The Pro14 season resumed in August, the regular season reduced from 21 games to 15,[9] with matches played behind closed doors.[10]

Scrum-half Alby Mathewson[11] and out-half Ian Madigan[12] joined in the summer, and were able to play in these late-season matches, but Ulster were docked a point in the Pro14 table as Madigan played two games before he was properly registered with his new club.[13] Ulster finished second in Conference A and qualified for the playoffs. They beat Edinburgh in the semi-final, but lost to Leinster in the final. The knockout stages of the Champions Cup resumed in September, and Ulster went out in the quarter-finals to Toulouse.

The Six Nations resumed in October. The Ireland squad included four Ulster players, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale,[14] and Herring and Stockdale both played in the last two matches.

Academy players Stewart Moore, Azur Allison and Ethan McIlroy made their senior debuts this season.[15]

Ulster had the highest home attendance in the Pro14, averaging 15,295,[16] and led the league in defence.[17] They were fourth in attendance in the Champions Cup, averaging 17,024.[18]

Post-season

Inside centre Stuart McCloskey and scrum-half John Cooney were named on the Pro14 Dream Team.[19] Cooney and number 8 Marcell Coetzee made the longlist for EPCR European Player of the Year.[20]

At the Ulster Rugby Awards, John Cooney was named Player of the Year. Marcell Coetzee won Personality of the Year, Supporters' Club Player of the Year, and Rugby Writers' Player of the Year. Tom O'Toole was Young Player of the Year.

Staff

More information Position, Name ...
Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Jonny Petrie Scotland
Operations Director Bryn Cunningham Ireland
Head coach Dan McFarland England
Attack Coach Dwayne Peel Wales
Defence Coach Jared Payne Ireland
Forwards Coach Roddy Grant Scotland
Skills Coach Dan Soper New Zealand
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Squad

Senior squad

More information Ulster Rugby squad ...
Ulster Rugby squad[37][38]

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.
Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.[39][40]
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Academy squad

Players in

More information Ulster Rugby Academy squad ...
Ulster Rugby Academy squad[a]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

  • Zimbabwe Graham Curtis* (3)

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players, 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.[42]
  1. [a]
    Taking into account signings and departures head of 2019–20 season as listed on List of 2019–20 Pro14 transfers.
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Season record

More information Competition, Played ...
CompetitionPlayedWonDrawnLost PFPAPD TFTA
2019-20 Champions Cup 7 5 0 2 137 143 -6 16 10
2019-20 Pro14 17 9 1 7 412 352 60 54 46
Total 24 14 1 9 549 495 54 70 56
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European Rugby Champions Cup

Main article: 2019–20 European Rugby Champions Cup

Pool 3

More information P, W ...
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
France Clermont (4) 65012071149324153124
Ireland Ulster (6) 65011291072216101021
England Harlequins 6204114166–5213200210
England Bath 6006102165–631220145
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[43]

16 November 2019 (1 BP) Bath England 16–17 Ireland Ulster Recreation Ground, Bath  
16:00 Try: Gabriel Hamer-Webb 60' c
Con: Freddie Burns (1/1) 61'
Pen: Freddie Burns (2/2) 25', 29'
Rhys Priestland (1/2) 66'
 Report[44]
Highights
Full game		 Try: John Cooney 13' c
Rob Lyttle 57' c
Con: John Cooney (2/2) 14', 58'
Pen: John Cooney (1/2) 70'
 Attendance: 13,289
Referee: Manuel Bottino (FIR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Iain Henderson, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney, 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath 7'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore, 63'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Carter 24'), 20. Sean Reidy (for Matty Rea 51'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Angus Curtis (for Burns 59'), 23. Louis Ludik (for Lyttle, 63').

22 November 2019 Ulster Ireland 18–13 France Clermont (1 BP) Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:45 Try: Jordi Murphy 17' c
John Cooney 62' m
Con: John Cooney (1/2) 18'
Pen: John Cooney (2/2) 2', 36'
 Report[45]
Highlights
Full game		 Try: Penalty try 71'
Pen: Greig Laidlaw (2/3) 32', 61'
 Attendance: 15,466
Referee: JP Doyle (RFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney, 17. Kyle McCall (for O'Sullivan, 66'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore, 66'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for O'Connor, 57'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Reidy, 61'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Bill Johnston (for Burns, 68'), 23. Craig Gilroy.

7 December 2019 Ulster Ireland 25–24 England Harlequins (1 BP) Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
15:15 Try: Sean Reidy 31' c
Stuart McCloskey 43' m
Adam McBurney 66' c
Con: John Cooney (2/3) 32', 66'
Pen: John Cooney (2/2) 7', 78'
 Report[46]
Highlights
Full game		 Try: Alex Dombrandt 24' c
Elia Elia (2) 56' c, 59' c
Con: Marcus Smith (3/3) 25', 58', 60'
Pen: Marcus Smith (1/2) 9'
 Attendance: 17,923
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Craig Gilroy, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Jacob Stockdale.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Herring, 60'), 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore, 73'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for O'Connor, 58'), 20. Matty Rea (for Coetzee, 60'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Bill Johnston, 23. Matt Faddes (for Gilroy, 73').

13 December 2019 Harlequins England 10–34 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Twickenham Stoop, London  
19:45 Try: Stephan Lewies 61' c
Con: James Lang (1/1) 62'
Pen: James Lang (1/1) 34'
 Report[47]
Highlights
Full game		 Try: John Cooney (2) 38' c, 58' c
Marshall 46' c
Faddes 75' m
O'Toole 78' m
Con: John Cooney (3/4) 40', 47', 59'
Pen: John Cooney (1/1) 6'
 Attendance: 13,808
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Matt Faddes,
15. Jacob Stockdale.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Herring, 66'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for O'Sullivan, 71'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore, 34'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Treadwell, 49'), 20. Matty Rea (for Reidy, 49'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney, 76'), 22. Bill Johnston (for Burns, 62'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Ludik, 73').

11 January 2020 Clermont France 29–13 Ireland Ulster Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand  
13:00 Try: Alivereti Raka 48' c
George Moala 76' c
Con: Morgan Parra (1/1) 49'
Greig Laidlaw (1/1) 77'
Pen: Morgan Parra (3/4) 18', 40'+1, 67'
Greig Laidlaw (1/1) 71'
Drop: Camille Lopez (1/1) 6'
Cards: Parra Yellow card 22'		 Report[48]
Highlights		 Try: John Cooney 7' c
Con: John Cooney (1/1) 8'
Pen: John Cooney (2/2) 2', 64'
 Attendance: 19,004
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney, 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath, 60'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore, 49'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for O'Connor, 69'), 20. Matty Rea (for Murphy, 69'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney, 69'), 22. Bill Johnston (for Burns, 69'), 23. Matt Faddes (for Addison, 50').

18 January 2020 Ulster Ireland 22–15 England Bath (1 BP) Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
15:15 Try: Marcell Coetzee 5' c
Robert Baloucoune 41' c
Will Addison 47' m
Con: John Cooney (2/3) 6', 42'
Pen: Billy Burns (1/1) 73'
 Report[49]
Highlights
Full game		 Try: Ruaridh McConnochie 18' c
Ross Batty 65' m
Con: Freddie Burns (1/2) 19'
Pen: Freddie Burns (1/1) 46'
Cards: Ellis Yellow card 23'
Batty Red card 73'		 Attendance: 17,682
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 3. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney, 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath, 55'), 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole, 26'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for O'Connor, 60'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Murphy, 5'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney, 72'), 22. Bill Johnston, 23. Craig Gilroy (for Addison, 13', 52').

Quarter-final

20 September 2020 Toulouse France (3) 36–8 (6) Ireland Ulster Stade Ernest-Wallon, Toulouse  
13:30 Try: Cheslin Kolbe (2) 2' m, 39' c
Antoine Dupont 50' c
Thomas Ramos 66' c
Pita Ahki 61' c
Con: Thomas Ramos (4/5) 40'+1, 52', 63', 69'
Pen: Thomas Ramos (1/2) 14'
 Report[50]
Highlights
Extended highlights		 Try: John Cooney 72' m
Pen: John Cooney (1/1) 26'
 Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring, 62'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath, 46'), 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole, 62'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor, 46'), 20. Kieran Treadwell (for Henderson, 55'),
21. Alby Mathewson (for McCloskey, 51'), 22. Matt Faddes (for Burns, 15'), 23. Matty Rea (for Timoney, 42').

Pro14

Main article: 2019–20 Pro14
More information Conference A, Team ...
2019–20 Pro14 table view · watch · edit · discuss
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1Ireland Leinster (CH) 151500531216+31574289069
2Ireland Ulster (RU) 15816385306+7950407344[a]
3Scotland Glasgow Warriors 15807364329+3553425138
4South Africa Cheetahs 13607342280+6248325232
5Wales Dragons 15519283415–13232491124
6Italy Zebre 153111230399–16929564321
7Wales Ospreys 152211205375–17021451417
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1Scotland Edinburgh (SF) 151104391225+16647275251
2Ireland Munster (SF) 151005426255+17153268351
3Wales Scarlets 151005354274+8046345247
4Ireland Connacht 15807302360–5841487140
5Italy Benetton 15618309350–4135425536
6Wales Cardiff Blues 15708283327–4430383233
7South Africa Southern Kings 131012204498–2942375037
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[52]
  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 compete in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup

Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
Red background indicates teams ineligible for European cup tournaments
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (Q) Qualified for Pro14 play-off semi-finals. (e) Cannot reach play-offs.

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  1. [a]
    Ulster deducted 1 point for administration error regarding Ian Madigan. [51]
27 September 2019 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 38–14 Wales Ospreys Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:35 Try: Gilroy 13' c, 50' c
Jones 30' c
Faddes 39' c
Penalty Try 71'
Con: Cooney (4/4) 14', 31' 40+1, 51'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 46'
 Report[53]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Evans 7' m
Pen: Price (3/3) 4', 22', 37'
Cards: Morgan Yellow card 30'		 Attendance: 12,408
Referee: Marius Mitrea
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Greg Jones,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. James Hume, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Matt Faddes.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 70'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath 59'), 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole 59'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Carter 60'), 20. Clive Ross (for Matty Rea 70'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 70'), 22. Michael Lowry (for Burns 52'), 23. Louis Ludik (for Marshall 72').

5 October 2019 (1 BP) Cheetahs South Africa 63–26 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:15 Try: Volmink (3) 8' c 21' c 42' c
Smith (2) 27' c 45' c
Dweba 36' c
Fouché 49' c
Venter 68' c
Con: Pienaar (6) 9' 22' 29' 38' 43' 46'
Schoeman 50' 69'
Cards: Dweba Yellow card 63'		 Report[54]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Carter 25' c
Hume 58' c
Shanahan 63'
Gilroy 79' c
Con: Cooney 26'
Johnston (2) 58' 80'
 Attendance: 4,582
Referee: Ian Davies
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Greg Jones,
9. John Cooney, 10. Bill Johnston,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. James Hume, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Matt Faddes.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 52'), 17. Kyle McCall (for O'Sullivan 46', 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole 46'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Carter 46'), 20. Clive Ross (for Reidy 50'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 46'), 22. Michael Lowry (for Faddes 46'), 23. Louis Ludik (for Hume 65').

12 October 2019 Southern Kings South Africa 17–42 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha  
15:00 Try: Kruger 37' c
Fortuin 68' c
Con: Catrakilis 37'
Jackson 68'
Pen: Catrakilis 7'
 Report[55]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Cooney (2) 1' c 31' c
L. Marshall 13' c
Herring 16' c
Faddes 29' c
Reidy 58' c
Con: Cooney (6) 2' 14' 17' 30' 32' 59'
Cards: McBurney Yellow card 67'
Jones Yellow card 70'		 Attendance: 2,807
Referee: Craig Evans
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Matt Faddes.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Herring 54'), 17. Kyle McCall (for O'Sullivan 55'), 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole 64'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 51'), 20. Greg Jones (for Coetzee 66'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 60'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Burns 70'), 23. James Hume (for McCloskey 45').

25 October 2019 Ulster Ireland 23–14 Wales Cardiff Blues Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:35 Try: L. Marshall 2' c
Burns 19'c
Con: Cooney (2) 3' 20'
Pen: Cooney (3) 8' 45' 62'
Cards: L. Marshall Yellow card 39'		 Report[56]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Summerhill 42' c
Boyde 56' c
Con: Evans (2) 43' 57'
 Attendance: 12,250
Referee: Mike Adamson
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. John Andrew, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. James Hume, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Andrew 58'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath 49'), 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole 65'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 49'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Reidy 58'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Bill Johnston, 23. Matt Faddes (for Hume 2').

1 November 2019 Ulster Ireland 22–7 Italy Zebre Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:35 Try: Shanahan 20' c
Penalty try 51'
Lyttle 70'
Con: Johnston 21'
Pen: Johnston 32'
 Report[57]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Bellina 1' c
Con: Canna 2'
Cards: Nagle Yellow card 51'
Licata Yellow card 68'		 Attendance: 10,975
Referee: Sam Grove-White
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. David Shanahan, 10. Bill Johnston,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. Matt Faddes, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Herring 71'), 17. Kyle McCall (for McGrath 71'), 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole 71'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 54'), 20. Sean Reidy (for Timoney 51'),
21. John Cooney (for Shanahan 71'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Ludik 51'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Addison 16').

9 November 2019 Munster Ireland 22–16 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Thomond Park, Limerick  
17:15 Try: Stander 14' c
R. Scannell 35'
Conway 64' c
Con: Hanrahan 14'
Bleyendaal 66'
Pen: Hanrahan 25'
 Report[58]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Herring 49' c
Con: Cooney 51'
Pen: Cooney (3) 3' 19' 57'
 Attendance: 14,436
Referee: Frank Murphy
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Angus Curtis,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Matt Faddes.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Herring 53'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath 55'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore 53'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for O'Connor 55'), 20. Matty Rea (for Murphy 66'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 78'), 22. Bill Johnston (for Curtis 78'), 23. Robert Baloucoune (for Lyttle 70').

29 November 2019 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 29–5 Wales Scarlets Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:35 Try: Faddes (2) 4' 78'
Cooney 8' c
Matty Rea 16' c
Baloucoune 27'
Con: John Cooney (2) 8' 17'
Cards: Gilroy Yellow card 72'		 Report[59]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Morgan 74'
Cards: Cassiem Yellow card 28'		 Attendance: 12,319
Referee: Sam Grove-White
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Bill Johnston,
11. Craig Gilroy, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Matt Faddess, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Herring 50'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for O'Sullivan 65'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore 58'),
19. David O'Connor (for Rea 71'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Coetzee 50'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 50'), 22. Angus Curtis (for Johnston 71'), 23. Angus Kernohan (for Ludik 65').

20 December 2019 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 54–42 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) RDS Arena, Dublin  
19:35 Try: Deegan (2) 2' c 62' c
Penny (2) 15' c 22' c
Henshaw 27' c
McFadden 39'
R. Kearney 44' c
Kelleher 48' c
Con: H. Byrne (7) 3' 16' 23' 28' 45' 49' 62'
Cards: Murphy Yellow card 79'		 Report[60]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Kernohan 8' c
Faddes 35' c
Gilroy 57' c
Jones (2) 64' v 72' c
Stewart 80+2'
Con: Johnston (6) 10' 37' 58' 65' 73' 80+2'
Cards: Faddes Yellow card 19'		 Attendance: 16,375
Referee: George Clancy
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. David O'Connor, 5. Alan O'Connor,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Greg Jones,
9. David Shanahan, 10. Bill Johnston,
11. Angus Kernohan, 12. Angus Curtis, 13. Matt Faddes, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Rob Lyttle.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for McBurney 55'), 17. Kyle McCall (for Warwick 55'), 18. Ross Kane (for O'Toole 55'),
19. Jack Regan (for A. O'Connor 69'), 20. Azur Allison (for Curtis 51'),
21. Jonny Stewart (for Shanahan 71'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Faddes 49'), 23. Ethan McIlroy (for Lyttle 23').

27 December 2019 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 35–3 Ireland Connacht Ravenhill Stadium, Dublin  
19:35 Try: A. O'Connor 17' c
Burns 22' c
Baloucoune 43' c
Herring 49' c
Timoney 76' c
Con: Cooney (4) 18' 23' 44' 50'
Johnston 77'
Cards: Herring Yellow card 39'		 Report[61]
Match centre
Highlights		 Pen: Fitzgerald
Cards: Delahunt Yellow card 64'		 Attendance: 17,483
Referee: Sean Gallagher
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Gilroy 39-46', for Herring 64'), 17. Kyle McCall (for McGrath 51'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore 51'),
19. David O'Connor (for Treadwell 59'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Coetzee 23'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 69'), 22. Bill Johnston (for Burns 60'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Ludik 27').

3 January 2020 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 38–17 Ireland Munster Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:35 Try: Cooney 17. c
Baloucoune 34' c
Matty Rea 42' c
McCloskey 57' c
Stockdale 61' c
Con: Cooney (5) 18' 35' 43' 58' 62'
Pen: Cooney 14'
Cards: McCall Yellow card 79'		 Report[62]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Daly 9' c
N. Scannell 65' c
Con: Carbery (2) 10' 65'
Pen: Carbery 39'
Cards: Cloete Yellow card 75'		 Attendance: 17,461
Referee: Daniel Jones
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Will Addison.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 72'), 17. Kyle McCall (gor McGrath 62'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore 58'),
19. David O'Connor (for A. O'Connor 66'), 20. Greg Jones (for Reidy 70'),
21. David Shanahan (for Burns 62'), 22. Angus Kernohan (for Cooney 73'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Marshall 62').

15 February 2020 Ospreys Wales 26–24 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Liberty Stadium, Swansea  
17:15 Try: Watkin 15' c
Otten (2) 24' 47'
Con: Price 16'
Pen: Price (3) 4' 28' 75'
 Report[63]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Baloucoune 9' c
Faddes 59' c
McCloskey 67' c
Con: Burns 10'
Johnston (2) 60' 69'
Pen: Burns 35'
 Attendance: 5,868
Referee: Marius Mitrea
Lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. David Shanahan, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Matt Faddes.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for McBurney 50'), 17. Jack McGrath (for O'Sullivan 40'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore 40'),
19. David O'Connor (for Treadwell 50'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Rea 50'),
21. Jonny Stewart, 22. Bill Johnston (for Burns 57'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Faddes 60').

22 February 2020 Ulster Ireland 20–10 South Africa Cheetahs Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:35 Try: O'Toole 7' c
Baloucoune 45' c
Con: Johnston (2) 8' 47'
Pen: Johnston (2) 35' 59'
 Report[64]
Match centre
Highlights
Full game		 Try: Blommetjies 65' c
Con: Pienaar 67'
Pen: Pienaar 38'
 Attendance: 13,829
Referee: Mike Adamson
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Nick Timoney, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. David Shanahan, 10. Bill Johnston,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. James Hume, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for McBurney 65'), 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Tom O'Toole (For M. Moore 5'),
19. David O'Connor (for Treadwell 58'), 20. Sean Reidy (for Murphy 58'),
21. Jonny Stewart (for Shanahan 61'), 22. Stewart Moore (for Hume 67'), 23. Craig Gilroy (for Lowry 61').

29 February 2020 Benetton Italy 0-0 Ireland Ulster Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso  
15:00 Postponed due to coronavirus fears. Awarded as a 0–0 draw.
23 August 2020 (1 BP) Connacht Ireland 26–20 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
16:30 Try: Porch 11' c
Marmion 22' c
Aki 54' c
Aungier 78'
Con: Carty (3) 11' 23' 55'
 Report[65]
Match centre
Highlights		 Try: Stockdale 48' c
Timoney 61' c
Con: Burns 49'
Madigan 62'
Pen: Cooney (2) 5' 20'
 Referee: Frank Murphy
Ulster lineup:

1. Jack McGrath, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Marty Moore,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Nick Timoney, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Jacob Stockdale.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for McBurney 56'), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for McGrath 40'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Moore 40'),
19. Sam Carter (for O'Connor 31'), 20. Matty Rea (for Coetzee 46'),
21. Alby Mathewson (for Cooney 40'), 22. Ian Madigan (for Burns 52'), 23. Michael Lowry (for Hume 72').

29 August 2020 Ulster Ireland 10–28 Ireland Leinster Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
19:35 Try: Herring 53' c
Con: Cooney 54'
Pen: Cooney 67'
 Report[66]
Match report
Highlights		 Try: E. Byrne 2' c
Penny 72'
H. Byrne 77'
Con: R. Byrne 4'
H. Byrne 79'
Pen: R. Byrne (3) 14' 20' 44'
 Referee: George Clancy
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Sam Carter, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Ian Madigan,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Matt Faddes,
15. Jacob Stockdale.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 62'), 17. Kyle McCall (for O'Sullivan 70'), 18. Marty Moore (for O'Toole 54'),
19. David O'Connor (for Treadwell 54'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Murphy 62'),
21. David Shanahan (for McCloskey 73'), 22. Bill Johnston (for Madigan 62'), 23. Louis Ludik (for Stockdale 54').

Semi-final

5 September 2020 Edinburgh Scotland 19–22 Ireland Ulster Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh  
19:35 Try: McInally 14'
Graham 46'
Dean 57'
Con: Van der Walt (2/3) 47', 59'
 Report[67]
Match centre
Highlights
Extended highlights		 Try: Lyttle 54'
Herring 62'
Andrew 75'
Con: Burns (1/2) 55'
Madigan (1/1) 76'
Pen: Madigan (1/1) 80'
 Attendance: 0
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Sam Carter,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Jacob Stockdale.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 69'), 17. Jack McGrath (for O'Sullivan 51'), 18. Marty Moore (for O'Toole 51'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Carter 48'), 20. Sean Reidy (for Murphy 40'),
21. Alby Mathewson (for Cooney 40'), 22. Ian Madigan (for Burns 69'), 23. Michael Lowry (for Ludik 40').

Final

Main article: 2020 Pro14 Grand Final
12 September 2020 Leinster Ireland 27–5 Ireland Ulster Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
19:35 Try: Lowe 12' c
Henshaw 45' c
Doris 71' c
Con: R. Byrne (2/2) 14', 47'
Sexton (1/1) 72'
Pen: R. Byrne (2/2) 26', 44'
 Report[68]
Match centre
Highlights
Extended highlights		 Try: Hume 3' m
 Attendance: 0
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Ulster lineup:

1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Billy Burns,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. James Hume, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Michael Lowry.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 20-34', 72'), 17. Jack McGrath (for O'Sullivan 47'), 18. Marty Moore (for O'Toole 55'),
19. Sam Carter (for Henderson 47'), 20. Jordi Murphy (for Rea 55'),
21. John Cooney (for Mathewson 47'), 22. Ian Madigan (for Burns 54'), 23. Nick Timoney (for Coetzee 47').

Home attendance

More information League, Fixtures ...
Domestic League European Cup Total
League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance
2019–20 Pro14 7‡ 13,818 17,483 10,975 2019–20 European Rugby Champions Cup 3 17,024 17,923 15,466 147,796 14,780
 ‡Match figures include fixtures in which COVID-19 restrictions limited attendance, but exclude fixtures in which no spectators were allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ulster Women

2019-20 Women's Interprovincial Series

Main article: IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series
More information Team, P ...
Team P W D L PF PA BP Pts
1 5 5 0 0 162 39 0 20
2 5 3 0 2 134 70 2 14
3 5 2 0 3 64 122 0 8
4 5 0 0 5 51 180 1 1
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17 August 2019 Munster Munster 38-12 Ulster Ulster Musgrave Park, Cork  
24 August 2019 Ulster Ulster 5-24 Leinster Leinster Palace Grounds, Armagh  
31 August 2019 Ulster Ulster 19-20 Connacht Connacht Upper Malone, Belfast  
14 September 2019 Leinster Leinster 59-3 Ulster Ulster Templeville Road, Dublin  
21 September 2019 Munster Munster 39-12 Ulster Ulster Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin  

Ulster Rugby Awards

The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 29 September 2020. Winners were:[69][70][71]

References

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