2002–03 Ulster Rugby season

2002–03 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)	Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)	Alan Solomons
Captain(s)	Andy Ward
Most appearances	Neil Doak (15)
Top scorer	David Humphreys (128)
Most tries	Neil Doak (3); Tyrone Howe (3); Neil McMillan (3)
League(s)	Heineken Cup (3rd in pool); Celtic League (semi-finalists)
← 2001–02	2003–04 →

The 2002–03 season was Ulster Rugby's eighth under professionalism, and their second under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League. No IRFU Interprovincial Championship was held this season.

In the Celtic League, they finished third in Pool A, qualifying for the playoffs. They beat Glasgow in the quarter-finals, but lost to Munster in the semi-finals. In the Heineken Cup, they finished third in Pool 6, missing out on the knockout stage. Bryn Cunningham was Ulster's Player of the Year. Flanker Neil McMillan won the IRUPA Young Player of the Year award.[1]

Staff

Position	Name	Nationality
Chief Executive	Michael Reid	Ireland
Director of Rugby	Alan Solomons	South Africa
Team manager	John McComish	Ireland
Forwards coach	Adrian Kennedy	Ireland
Backs coach	Mark McCall	Ireland
Assistant conditioning coach	John McCloskey	Ireland
Physiotherapist	Gareth Robinson	Ireland
Director of Elite Player Development	Allen Clarke	Ireland

Pre-season

Players in

Players out

David Allen (released)[2]
Robby Brink (retired)[4]
Mark Crick (work permit expired)[5]
Leopoldo de Chazal (released)[2]
Brad Free (emigrated)[2]
Mike Haslett to London Irish[6]
Paddy Johns (retired)[7]
Aidan Kearney to Leinster[8]
Niall Malone (released)[2]
Richie Weir (released)[2]

Squad

Ulster Rugby squad[9]
Props Robbi Kempson (14 apps, 14 starts) Justin Fitzpatrick (14 apps, 11 starts) Simon Best (8 apps, 5 starts) Clem Boyd Hookers Matt Sexton (14 apps, 14 starts, 5 pts) Paul Shields (8 apps, 1 start, 5 pts) Locks Jeremy Davidson (11 apps, 11 starts) Gary Longwell (10 apps, 10 starts) Mark Blair (11 apps, 8 starts) Paddy Johns (1 app) Matt McCullough	Back row Neil McMillan (14 apps, 14 starts, 15 pts) Warren Brosnihan (13 apps, 13 starts, 5 pts) Tony McWhirter (14 apps, 12 starts, 5 pts) Andy Ward (c) (7 apps, 5 starts, 10 pts) Russell Nelson (4 apps, 2 starts) Neil Best (7 apps, 10 pts) Scrum-halves Neil Doak (15 apps, 15 starts, 48 pts) Kieran Campbell (4 apps) David Spence Fly-halves David Humphreys (11 apps, 11 starts, 128 pts) Paddy Wallace (3 apps, 2 starts, 23 pts)	Centres Jonny Bell (10 apps, 10 starts, 5 pts) Ryan Constable (10 apps, 8 starts) Shane Stewart (10 apps, 8 starts, 5 pts) Adam Larkin (10 apps, 6 starts) Jan Cunningham (3 apps, 1 start, 5 pts) Wings James Topping (12 apps, 12 starts, 5 pts) Tyrone Howe (8 apps, 8 starts, 15 pts) Scott Young (8 apps, 5 starts, 5 pts) Sheldon Coulter (8 apps, 5 starts) Fullbacks Bryn Cunningham (14 apps, 14 starts, 8 pts)

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. ^* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.[9]

2002–03 Heineken Cup

Pool 6

Team	P	W	L	Tries for	Tries against	Try diff	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Pts
Northampton Saints	6	4	2	21	10	11	172	110	62	8
Biarritz Olympique	6	4	2	14	5	9	138	73	65	8
Ulster	6	4	2	8	8	0	116	106	10	8
Cardiff	6	0	6	6	26	−20	78	215	−137	0

13 October 2002
16:30

Northampton Saints	32 – 9	Ulster
Try: Dawson Leslie Con: Grayson (2) Pen: Grayson (5)	Report[10]	Pen: Humphreys (2) Doak

Franklin's Gardens
Attendance: 9,481
Referee: A. Lambardi

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Adam Larkin (for Humphreys, 50)

18 October 2002
19:05

Ulster	25 – 6	Cardiff
Try: Young Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (5) Drop: Humphreys	Report[11][12]	Pen: Harris (2)

Ravenhill
Attendance: 11,000

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Scott Young (for Howe, 9), Neil Best (for McWhirter, 59), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 65), Adam Larkin (for Bell, 75), Kieran Campbell (for Stewart, 79)

6 December 2002
19:15

Ulster	13 – 9	Biarritz
Try: Topping Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (2)	Report[13][14]	Pen: Yachvili (2) Drop: Peyrelongue

Ravenhill
Attendance: 11,650
Referee: Chris White

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Andy Ward (c), 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Adam Larkin (for Constable, 2), Sheldon Coulter (for Bell, 80)

14 December 2002
15:00

Biarritz	25 – 20	Ulster
Try: Isaac Couzinet Cassin Con: Yachvili (2) Pen: Yachvili (2)	Report[15][16]	Try: J. Cunningham Ward Con: Doak (2) Pen: Doak (2)

Parc des Sports Aquil
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: D. Pearson

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Andy Ward (c), 9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Sheldon Coulter (for Bell, 4), Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick, 61), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 61), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 61), Tony McWhirter (for McMillan, 61)

11 January 2003
14:45

Cardiff	21 – 33	Ulster
Try: Walne, Allen Con: Robinson Pen: Robinson (3)	Report[17][18]	Try: McMillan (2) penalty try Con: Humphreys (3) Pen: Humphreys (2) Drop: B. Cunningham

Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: R. Goodcliffe

Ulster lineup

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Paul Shields (for Sexton), Russell Nelson (for McWhirter)

17 January 2003
19:05

Ulster	16 – 13	Northampton Saints
Try: McMillan Con: Humphreys Pen: Doak Drop: Humphreys (2)	Report[19][20]	Try: Cohen Con: Grayson Pen: Grayson (2)

Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,500
Referee: Joel Dume

Ulster lineup

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Justin Fitzpatrick (for Best, 61), Russell Nelson (for McWhirter, 69)

2002-03 Celtic League

Pool A

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	Try bonus	Losing bonus	Pts
1	Munster	7	6	0	1	227	129	+98	25	12	4	0	28
2	Edinburgh	7	6	0	1	231	145	+86	24	13	2	1	27
3	Ulster	7	5	0	2	173	111	+62	15	9	1	1	22
4	Neath	7	4	0	3	153	121	+32	15	12	1	1	18
5	Llanelli	7	3	0	4	191	168	+23	23	16	3	2	17
6	Swansea	7	3	0	4	177	212	−35	18	22	3	1	16
7	Ebbw Vale	7	1	0	6	140	226	−86	16	27	1	0	5
8	Caerphilly	7	0	0	7	144	324	−180	17	42	2	1	3
Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows: 4 points for a win 2 points for a draw 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus) 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage. Source: RaboDirect PRO12

30 August 2002
19:15

Ebbw Vale	0 – 19	Ulster
	Report[21]	Try: Wallace Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (4)

Eugene Cross Park
Referee: Dave Pearson

Ulster lineup

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Warren Brosnihan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Paddy Wallace. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Davidson, 30), Justin Fitzpatrick (for S. Best, 67)

6 September 2002
19:30

Ulster	18 – 19	Edinburgh
Pen: Wallace (6)	Report[22]	Try: Laney Con: Laney Pen: Laney (3) Drop: Hodge

Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,500

Ulster lineup

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Tony McWhirter, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Russell Nelson 9. Neil Doak, 10. Paddy Wallace, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Justin Fizpatrick (for S. Best, 21) Neil Best (for McMillan, 21)

14 September 2002
14:30

Swansea	38 – 10	Ulster
Try: K. Morgan Robinson Gibbs Payne Con: A. Thomas (3) Pen: A. Thomas (4)	Report[23]	Try: Howe Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys

St Helen's
Attendance: 2,500

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Russell Nelson 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Jonny Bell (c), 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Neil Best (for Brosnihan, 39-40; for Nelson, 40), Paddy Wallace (for Humphreys, 55) Ryan Constable (for Bell, 60), Kieran Campbell (for Sexton, 60) Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick, 62) Tony McWhirter (for Davidson, 65-78)

20 September 2002
19:30

Ulster	17 – 13	Neath
Try: B. Cunningham Howe Con: Doak (2) Pen: Doak	Report[24]	Try: S. Williams Con: Jarvis Pen: Jarvis (2)

Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,500

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson (C), 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Neil Best (for McWhirter, 74), Jan Cunningham (for Stewart, 80)

27 September 2002
19:35

Ulster	26 – 17	Munster
Try: Doak (2) Con: Doak (2) Pen: Doak (2)	Report[25]	Try: Lawler Pen: Staunton (2) Drop: Staunton Holland

Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: P. Adams

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson (C), 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Scott Young (for Topping, 34), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 54), Paddy Johns (for Davidson, 58), Shane Stewart (for Bell, 74) Neil Best (for Brosnihan, 80)

5 October 2002
14:30

Caerphilly	15 – 67	Ulster
Try: Chiltern (2) Con: McLaughlin Pen: McLaughlin	Report[26][27]	Try: Neil Best (2) Howe Brosnihan McWhirter Stewart Bell Sexton Con: Humphreys (6) Pen: Humphreys (5)

Virginia Park
Attendance: 750

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Scott Young, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Shane Stewart (for Constable, 7), Neil Best (for Fitzpatrick, 50), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 55), Kieran Campbell (for Doak, 60), Paul Shields (for McMillan, 32-40, for Sexton, 60), Adam Larkin (for Bell, 65)

25 October 2002
19:35

Ulster	16 – 9	Llanelli
Try: Doak Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys Drop: Humphreys	Report[28]	Pen: Jones (3)

Ravenhill
Attendance: 10,500
Referee: John Hogg

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Scott Young, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Sheldon Coulter (for Topping, 39), Neil Best (for McWhirter, 74)

Quarter final

30 November 2002
14:45

Glasgow	17 – 20	Ulster
Try: Steel Pen: Hayes (4)	Report[29]	Try: Shields Ward Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (2)

Hughenden
Attendance: 5,346

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Paul Shields (for Sexton, 25), Andy Ward (for McWhirter, 47), Ryan Constable (for Stewart, 47)

Semi-final

3 January 2003
19:35

Munster	42 – 10	Ulster
Try: Hayes Quinlan Kelly Mullins Galwey Con: O'Gara (3), Keane Pen: O'Gara (3)	Report[30]	Try: Humphreys Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys

Thomond Park
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: H. Watkins

Ulster lineup

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Simon Best (for McMillan, 17), Jan Cunningham (for Larkin, 34), Scott Young (for B Cunningham, 48), Andy Ward (for McWhirter, 48), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 65), Kieran Campbell (for Doak, 76)

Ulster Rugby Awards

The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel on 15 May 2003. Winners were:[31]

Ulster Player of the Year: Bryn Cunningham
Guinness Rugby Personality of the Year: Allen Clarke
Club Ulster Supporters Player of the Year: Robbi Kempson
Schools Player of the Year: Andrew Trimble, Coleraine Academical Institution
Club Team of the Year: Ballymena R.F.C.
Dorrington Faulkner Award: Ivan Coffey
Club PRO: John Dickson
Youth Player of the Year: Stephen Ferris
Coach of the Year: Tom McGaw
Club of the Year: Ballynahinch RFC
Merit Award: Scott Gardiner, Monaghan Rugby Club

References

Kieran Rooney, "Players' Player is Malcolm O'Kelly", Irish Independent, 9 May 2003
"Kempson finally signs", BBC Sport, 25 January 2002
"Spence in Ulster call", BBC Sport, 22 September 2002
"Former Bok retires from rugby", Irish Examiner, 6 September 2002
Brendan Fanning, "New twist for Crick", Irish Independent, 3 March 2002
Tony Ward, "Haslett signs for London Irish", Irish Independent, 19 December 2002
"Paddy Johns Retires as Ulster Name New Squad", Irish Rugby, 26 January 2002
"Brennan joins Toulouse", BBC Sport, 31 May 2002
"Ulster's 2002/3 squad", BBC Sport, 2 July 2002
"Grayson kicks Saints to eighth home win in a row", The Guardian, 14 October 2002
"Ulster too good for Cardiff", BBC Sport, 18 October 2002
Gavin Mairs, "Ulster need a cutting edge", Belfast Telegraph, 19 October 2002
"Topping try keeps Ulster hopes alive", Irish Independent, 7 December 2002
"Ulster upset French champions", BBC Sport, 6 December 2002
Micheal McGeary, "Ulster run out of luck", Sunday Life, 15 December 2002
"Biarritz edge out Ulster", BBC Sport, 14 December 2002
"Ulster edge past Cardiff", BBC Sport, 11 January 2003
Micheal McGeary, "Ulster have it all to do", Sunday Life, 12 January 2002
"Ulster win keeps slim hopes alive", BBC Sport, 17 January 2003
"Victory just not enough for Ulster", Irish Independent, 18 January 2003
"Scrappy victory for Ulster", BBC Sport, 30 August 2002
Gavin Mairs "Last gasp agony for jaded Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 7 September 2002
"Swansea's blistering pace exposes Ulster's deficiencies", Irish Independent, 15 September 2002
"Ulster edge out Neath", BBC Sport, 20 September 2002
"Doak one-man show just too much for Munster", Irish Independent, 28 September 2002
Mark McAuley, "Over and rout... Ulster whip the Welsh boyos", Sunday Life", 6 October 2002
"Ulster hammer Caerphilly", BBC Sport, 5 October 2002
"Ulster sneak past Llanelli", BBC Sport, 25 October 2002
"Ulster hang on for victory", BBC Sport, 30 November 2002
"Fitzpatrick sees red as Munster waltz into final", Irish Independent, 4 January 2003
Gavin Mairs, "Clarke lands Ulster rugby's personality of the year title", Belfast Telegraph, 16 May 2003

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[1] Kieran Rooney, "Players' Player is Malcolm O'Kelly", Irish Independent, 9 May 2003

[kempson-2] "Kempson finally signs", BBC Sport, 25 January 2002

[spence-3] "Spence in Ulster call", BBC Sport, 22 September 2002

[4] "Former Bok retires from rugby", Irish Examiner, 6 September 2002

[5] Brendan Fanning, "New twist for Crick", Irish Independent, 3 March 2002

[6] Tony Ward, "Haslett signs for London Irish", Irish Independent, 19 December 2002

[7] "Paddy Johns Retires as Ulster Name New Squad", Irish Rugby, 26 January 2002

[8] "Brennan joins Toulouse", BBC Sport, 31 May 2002

[Ulster's_2002/3_squad-9] "Ulster's 2002/3 squad", BBC Sport, 2 July 2002

[10] "Grayson kicks Saints to eighth home win in a row", The Guardian, 14 October 2002

[11] "Ulster too good for Cardiff", BBC Sport, 18 October 2002

[12] Gavin Mairs, "Ulster need a cutting edge", Belfast Telegraph, 19 October 2002

[13] "Topping try keeps Ulster hopes alive", Irish Independent, 7 December 2002

[14] "Ulster upset French champions", BBC Sport, 6 December 2002

[15] Micheal McGeary, "Ulster run out of luck", Sunday Life, 15 December 2002

[16] "Biarritz edge out Ulster", BBC Sport, 14 December 2002

[17] "Ulster edge past Cardiff", BBC Sport, 11 January 2003

[18] Micheal McGeary, "Ulster have it all to do", Sunday Life, 12 January 2002

[19] "Ulster win keeps slim hopes alive", BBC Sport, 17 January 2003

[20] "Victory just not enough for Ulster", Irish Independent, 18 January 2003

[21] "Scrappy victory for Ulster", BBC Sport, 30 August 2002

[22] Gavin Mairs "Last gasp agony for jaded Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 7 September 2002

[23] "Swansea's blistering pace exposes Ulster's deficiencies", Irish Independent, 15 September 2002

[24] "Ulster edge out Neath", BBC Sport, 20 September 2002

[25] "Doak one-man show just too much for Munster", Irish Independent, 28 September 2002

[26] Mark McAuley, "Over and rout... Ulster whip the Welsh boyos", Sunday Life", 6 October 2002

[27] "Ulster hammer Caerphilly", BBC Sport, 5 October 2002

[28] "Ulster sneak past Llanelli", BBC Sport, 25 October 2002

[29] "Ulster hang on for victory", BBC Sport, 30 November 2002

[30] "Fitzpatrick sees red as Munster waltz into final", Irish Independent, 4 January 2003

[31] Gavin Mairs, "Clarke lands Ulster rugby's personality of the year title", Belfast Telegraph, 16 May 2003