Wikipedia

2024–25 Ulster Rugby season

The 2023–24 season will be Ulster Rugby's 31st season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Richie Murphy's first full season as head coach..

Ulster Rugby
2023–24 season
Head CoachRichie Murphy
Operations DirectorBryn Cunningham
CaptainIain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipTBC
Champions CupTBC
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2023–24 2025–26 →

Events

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Personnel changes

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Richie Murphy, who joined as interim head coach last season following the departure of Dan McFarland, was confirmed as head coach on a two-year contract.[1] Skills coach Craig Newby left for Ealing Trailfinders.[2] Jimmy Duffy, former assistant coach at Connacht, Ireland under-20s and Western Force, joined as scrum coach.[3]

Centre Angus Curtis retired partway through last season on medical advice after a series of concussions.[4] Prop Steven Kitshoff cut short his stay at Ulster and returned to the Stormers.[5] Out-half Billy Burns joined Munster on a one-year contract.[6] Centre Luke Marshall retired.[7] Utility back Will Addison signed for his former club, Sale Sharks.[8] Fullback Shea O'Brien, flanker Dave Ewers, prop James French and flanker Greg Jones were released.[9]

New signings included wing Werner Kok from the Sharks,[10] and Irish-qualified out-half Aidan Morgan from the Hurricanes.[11] Scrum-half Michael McDonald returned from his season-long loan at Connacht.[12] Academy prop Scott Wilson, flankers Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney[13] and out-half James Humphreys[14] joined the senior squad on development contracts.

Seven players joined the academy: centres Sam Berman, Wilhelm de Klerk and Jonny Scott, scrum-half Clarke Logan, flankers James McKillop and Bryn Ward, and out-half Jack Murphy.[15] Prop George Saunderson left the academy after retiring from the game on medical grounds.[16]

Internationals

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Six Ulstermen were named in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad for their two-match tour of South Africa in July 2024: Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and the uncapped Cormac Izuchukwu.[17]

Friendlies

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Two pre-season friendlies have been arranged, at home to Benetton on 7 September,[18] and away to Exeter Chiefs on 14 September 2024.[19] Ulster will also face Queensland Reds at home on 7 February 2025, as part of the Reds' European tour.[20]

Staff

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(Subject to change)

Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Hugh McCaughey (interim)   Ireland
Operations director Bryn Cunningham   Ireland
Head coach Richie Murphy   Ireland
Assistant coach Dan Soper   New Zealand
Defence coach Jonny Bell   Ireland
Scrum coach Jimmy Duffy   Ireland
Forwards coach Roddy Grant   Scotland
Academy manager Gavin Hogg   Ireland
Elite performance development officer Willie Faloon   Ireland
Elite performance development officer Neil Doak   Ireland

Squad

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Senior squad

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The below squad reflects the confirmed joiners and leavers for the 2024–25 season. Amendments to the squad will be made as-and-when announcements are confirmed by the province.[14]

Ulster Rugby squad[a]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* 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 ahead of 2024–25 season as listed on List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy squad

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Ulster Rugby academy squad[15]

Props

  •   Jack Boal (2)
  •   Jacob Boyd (2)
  •   Cameron Doak (2)

Hookers

  •   Zac Solomon (2)
  •   Henry Walker* (2)

Locks

  •   Joe Hopes (3)
  •   Charlie Irvine (2)
  •   James McKillop (1)

Back row

  •   Tom Brigg (2)
  •   Josh Stevens (2)
  •   Bryn Ward (1)

Scrum-halves

  •   Clarke Logan (1)


Fly-halves

  •   Jack Murphy (1)

Centres

  •   Sam Berman (1)
  •   Wilhelm de Klerk* (1)
  •   Jonny Scott (1)

Back three

  •   Rory Telfer (3)
  •   Ethan Graham (2)
  •   Lukas Kenny (2)
  •   Ben McFarlane (2)
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.

2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup

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Main article: 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup

(draw to follow)

2024–25 United Rugby Championship

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Main article: 2024–25 United Rugby Championship
21 September 2024 Ulster   v   Glasgow Warriors Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
28 September 2024 Lions   v   Ulster Emirates Airline Park  
12:45
5 October 2024 Bulls   v   Ulster Loftus Versfeld Stadium  
15:00
12 October 2024 Ulster   v   Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
20:00
18 October 2024 Ulster   v   Ospreys Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
26 October 2024 Cardiff   v   Ulster Cardiff Arms Park  
29 November 2024 Ulster   v   Leinster Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
TBC Ulster   v   Munster Ravenhill Stadium  
TBC
TBC Connacht   v   Ulster The Sportsground  
TBC
26 January 2025 Ulster   v  Zebre Parma Ravenhill Stadium  
17:30
15 February 2025 Benetton   v   Ulster Stadio Monigo  
17:15
1 March 2025 Ulster   v   Scarlets Ravenhill Stadium  
17:15
22 March 2025 Dragons   v   Ulster Rodney Parade  
28 March 2025 Ulster   v   Stormers Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
19 April 2025 Leinster   v   Ulster Aviva Stadium  
19:35
26 April 2025 Ulster   v   Sharks Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
9 May 2025 Munster   v   Ulster Thomond Park  
19:35
16 May 2025 Edinburgh   v   Ulster Rugby Edinburgh Rugby Stadium  
19:35

Friendlies

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7 September 2024 Ulster   v   Benetton Ravenhill Stadium  
17:00
14 September 2024 Exeter Chiefs   v   Ulster Sandy Park  
17:00
7 February 2025 Ulster   v   Queensland Reds Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35

References

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  1. ^ "Ulster name Murphy permanent boss on two-year deal", BBC Sport, 13 May 2023
  2. ^ Adam McKendry, "Ulster backroom staff set for more change as coach to depart for Championship", Belfast Telegraph, 23 May 2024
  3. ^ "Duffy to join Ulster Rugby coaching set-up", Ulster Rugby, 28 May 2024
  4. ^ a b "Ulster Rugby confirms Angus Curtis’ retirement", Ulster Rugby, 26 January 2024
  5. ^ a b "Steven Kitshoff: Two-time World Cup winner to leave Ulster in the summer", BBC Sport, 5 April 2024
  6. ^ a b Shane Donovan, "Confirmed: Ulster out-half Billy Burns seals Munster move", irish Examiner, 19 March 2023
  7. ^ a b Keith Bailie, "Ulster centre confirms retirement after 15 seasons at Ravenhill", Belfast Telegraph, 8 April 2024
  8. ^ a b Neil Treacey, "Ulster's Will Addison confirms Sale Sharks return", RTÉ, 28 May 2024
  9. ^ a b c d e "Ulster confirm a nine-strong leavers list that includes Dave Ewers". Rugby Pass. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Werner Kok to become the first Ulster signing for 2024/25". Rugby Pass. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Ulster Rugby signs Irish-Qualified Morgan", Ulster Rugby, 27 May 2024
  12. ^ a b "Departing players & 24/25 squad confirmed", Connacht Rugby, 16 May 2024
  13. ^ a b c d "McNabney, Wilson and McLoughlin to continue their development at Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 3 April 2024
  14. ^ a b c "Ulster men for 2024/25 season are named", Ulster Rugby, 13 June 2024
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ulster Rugby Academy confirmed for 2024/25", Ulster Rugby, 14 June 2024
  16. ^ a b "Ulster Rugby confirm George Saunderson’s retirement", Ulster Rugby, 20 June 2024
  17. ^ "Six Ulstermen named in Ireland squad for South Africa Tour", Ulster Rugby, 18 June 2024
  18. ^ "Benetton Rugby confirmed as opposition in Bank of Ireland home pre-season friendly", Ulster Rugby, 27 May 2024
  19. ^ "Ulster to face Exeter Chiefs in pre-season away fixture", Ulster Rugby, 14 May 2024
  20. ^ "Ulster to play Queensland Reds in Belfast friendly", BBC Sport, 18 June 2024
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