2022–23 Ulster Rugby season

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.

Ulster Rugby
2022–23 season
Head CoachDan McFarland
Operations DirectorBryn Cunningham
CaptainIain 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 →

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[lower-alpha 1][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 440012057+631572018
    France Toulouse 440011053+571271017
    South Africa Stormers 430110668+381373015
    England Leicester Tigers 430111689+2711101114
    Wales Ospreys 430110088+1212101114
    Ireland Munster 42027367+6850210
    France Montpellier 411292104–121313219
    Ireland Ulster 41035493–39711127
    France Clermont 410385111–26812116
    England Sale Sharks 41037494–201112105
    England London Irish 401376115–391015013
    England Northampton Saints 400454121–67516011
    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 — source: European Professional Club Rugby
    11 December 2022
    13:00
    (1 BP) Sale Sharks England39–0Ireland Ulster
    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
    AJ Bell Stadium
    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
    17:30
    (2 BP) Ulster Ireland29–36France La Rochelle
    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[74]
    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'
    Aviva Stadium[lower-alpha 1]
    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
    18:30
    La Rochelle France7 – 3Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
    Try: Sclavi 80+1' c
    Con: Hastoy (1/1) 80+3'    		Report[76]
    Highights    		Pen: Doak (1/2) 65'
    Stade Marcel-Deflandre
    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
    20:00
    Ulster Ireland22–11England Sale Sharks
    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'
    Kingspan Stadium
    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
    17:30
    Leinster Ireland30-15Ireland Ulster
    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'
    Aviva Stadium
    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
    Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
    1Ireland Leinster181611580363+217824213079
    2Ireland Ulster181305554378+176794512468
    3South Africa Stormers (RU)181224531391+140694813368
    4Scotland Glasgow Warriors181305498403+95725311063
    5Ireland Munster (CH)181017470357+11361439455
    6South Africa Bulls181008613448+165785211253
    7Ireland Connacht181008456426+3064587350
    8South Africa Sharks18918486480+663618248
    9South Africa Lions18909454538–8455757245
    10Wales Cardiff18909425470–4552646244
    11Italy Benetton188010440533–9356748141
    12Scotland Edinburgh186012466467–170628638
    13Wales Ospreys185211400514–11452706535
    14Wales Scarlets186111435506–7155655334
    15Wales Dragons184014391534–14346705324
    16Italy Zebre Parma180018343734–391501056511
    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
      19:35
      (1 BP) Ulster Ireland36-10Ireland Connacht
      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'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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 65'), 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
      13:00
      Scarlets Wales39-55Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
      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'
      Parc y Scarlets
      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
      19:35
      (1 BP) Ulster Ireland13–20Ireland Leinster
      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'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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
      19:35
      (1 BP) Ulster Ireland47-17Wales Ospreys
      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'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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 Africa37–39Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
      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'
      Emirates Airline Park
      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
      17:15
      (1 BP) Munster Ireland14-15Ireland Ulster
      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'
      Thomond Park
      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
      19:35
      Ulster Ireland36-15Italy Zebre Parma
      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'
      Cronjé 80'
      Con: Prisciantelli 81'
      Pen: Prisciantelli 13'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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
      19:35
      (1 BP) Leinster Ireland38-29Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
      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'
      RDS Arena
      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
      17:35
      (1 BP) Connacht Ireland20-22Ireland Ulster
      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'
      Galway Sportsgrounds
      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
      17:15
      (1 BP) Ulster Ireland14-15Ireland Munster
      Try: Baloucoune 67'
      Pen: Cooney (3) 15' 19' 24'      		Report[104]
      Match centre      		Try: Patterson 44'
      Healy 79'
      Con: Healy 80'
      Pen: Healy 73'
      Ravenhill Stadium
      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 Italy31-29Ireland Ulster (2 BP)
      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'
      Stadio Comunale di Monigo
      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
      19:35
      (1 BP) Ulster Ireland35-5South Africa Stormers
      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'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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
      17:35
      Glasgow Warriors Scotland17-11Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
      Try: Valianu 17'
      Dempsey 63'
      F. Brown 74'
      Con: Weir 76'      		Report[107]
      Match centre      		Try: Sheridan 28'
      Pen: Doak 41'
      Cooney 82'
      Scotstoun Stadium
      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
      12:00
      (2 BP) Sharks South Africa24-31Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
      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'
      Kings Park Stadium
      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 Wales20-42Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
      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'
      Cardiff Arms Park
      Attendance: 6,728
      Referee: Hollie Davidson
      Ulster 'A' 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 Ireland32-23South Africa Bulls
      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'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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 Ireland40-19Wales Dragons
      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'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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 Ireland28-14Scotland Edinburgh
      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'
      Kingspan Stadium
      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
      19:35
      Ulster Ireland10-15Ireland Connacht
      Try: O'Connor 63'
      Con: Cooney 65'
      Pen: Cooney 20'      		Report[114]
      Match Centre      		Pen: Carty (5) 24' 33' 40' 44' 75'
      Ravenhill Stadium
      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.[75]

      Friendlies
      2 September 2022
      Ulster Ireland31-12England Exeter Chiefs
      Try: Madigan
      Lyttle
      Andrew
      Marshall
      Stockdale
      Con: Flannery (2)
      Doak      		Report[115]Try: Schickerling
      Norey
      Con: Skinner
      Kingspan Stadium
      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, Alan O'Connor, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones, Nathan Doak, Billy Burns, Jacob Stockdale, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, John Andrew, Gareth Milsinovich, Rory Telfer, Conor McKee.


      Ulster 'A'
      16 September 2022
      Leinster 'A' Ireland28-12Ireland Ulster 'A'
      Try: Adams
      Daly
      Leane
      Cosgrave
      Con: Lynch (2)
      Tector (2)      		Report[116]Try: McCormick
      Solomon
      Con: McKee
      Templeville Road
      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' Ireland19-15England Ealing Trailfinders 'A'
      Try: Izuchukwu
      McCormick
      Gibson
      Con: Gibson (2)      		Report[117]Try: Douglas-Bridge
      Dugmore
      Con: Lancaster
      Pen: Lancaster
      Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt
      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' England26-31Ireland Ulster 'A'
      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'
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      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' Ireland26-19Ireland Munster 'A'
      Try: Moxham
      Sexton
      Shanahan
      Graham
      Con: Flannery
      Madigan (2)      		Report[120]Try: (3) scorers TBC
      Con: Butler (2)
      IRFU High Performance Centre, Dublin
      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

      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. "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. 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
      16. "Emerging Ireland: Ulster flanker David McCann joins squad for tour", BBC Sport, 26 September 2022
      17. "Ulster produce dominant display to start season with win over Connacht", United Rugby, 17 September 2022
      18. "Ulster overcome battling Scarlets in Llanelli thriller", United Rugby, 24 September 2022
      19. "Leinster triumph over Ulster in top-of-the-table clash in Belfast", United Rugby, 30 September 2022
      20. "Ulster bounce back to cruise past Ospreys", United Rugby, 8 October 2022
      21. "Ulster make extra man count in narrow victory over Emirates Lions", United Rugby, 15 October 2022
      22. "United Rugby Championship: Ulster reveal 29 players and 13 staff were hit by illness which forced postponement", BBC Sport, 23 October 2022
      23. "Munster 14-15 Ulster: Visitors edge URC derby to earn first Thomond win since 2014", BBC Sport, 29 October 2022
      24. Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster to hand Rory Sutherland his debut off bench against Munster as James Hume returns from groin surgery", Belfast Telegraph, 29 October 2022
      25. "Autumn internationals: Wing Stockdale returns to 37-man Ireland squad for first time since July 2021", BBC Sport, 19 October 2022
      26. Michael Sadlier, "Ulster 36 Zebre Parma 15 ratings: Tom Stewart leads the way with two-try performance against Italians", Belfast Telegraph, 25 November 2022
      27. Johnny Watterson, "URC: Leinster turn around Ulster despite Cian Healy’s red card", The Irish Times, 3 December 2022.
      28. Paul McIntyre, "Ulster thrashed by Sale on opening weekend of Heineken Champions Cup", The Irish News, 12 December 2022
      29. "Ulster 29-36 La Rochelle: Irish province snatch bonus points as champions hold on", BBC Sport, 17 December 2022
      30. "Connacht 20 Ulster 22 ratings: Tom Stewart continues strong start to season as province finally get win on board", Belfast Telegraph, 23 December 2022
      31. "Round 12 Statmaster Preview", United Rugby, 5 January 2023
      32. Shane Donovan, "Ulster's Marty Moore to see surgeon after ACL injury confirmed", Irish Examiner, 10 January 2023
      33. "Match Report: Ulster 35 - 5 DHL Stormers", Ulster Rugby, 28 January 2023
      34. "Sheridan a surprise inclusion in Ulster team to face Sale in Heineken Cup", The Irish News, 21 January 2023
      35. "Six Nations: Uncapped Ulster hooker Tom Stewart called into Ireland squad", BBC Sport, 30 January 2023
      36. Neil Treacey, "Timoney and Frawley drafted into Ireland squad ahead of trip to Scotland", RTÉ Sport, 7 March 2023
      37. Ian Cameron, "Three players called up as Ireland lose another lock", Rugby Pass, 20 February 2023
      38. "Ireland Under-20s Advance To Semi-Finals As Pool Winners", Irish Rugby, 4 July 2023
      39. "Late Mangan Try Completes Impressive Ireland U-20 Win", Irish Rugby, 29 July 2023
      40. "United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 20-42 Ulster - Visitors move third with six-try win", BBC Sport, 4 March 2023
      41. "Match Report | Cardiff 20-42 Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 4 March 2023
      42. "Match Report: Ulster 32 - Vodacom Bulls 23", Ulster Rugby, 26 March 2023
      43. Paul McIntyre, "Stockdale and Herring hit milestones as Ulster eye URC semi-final spot", The Irish News, 5 May 2023
      44. "Tom Stewart named OFX Top Try Scorer in the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship Awards", United Rugby, 2 May 2023
      45. "Ulster's Tom Stewart wins Next-Gen Player of the Season accolade", The42, 10 May 2023
      46. "2022-23 Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards | Winners announced", Ulster Rugby, 1 June 2023
      47. "Ulster sign South Africa prop Steven Kitshoff on a three-year deal", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 2022
      48. Adam Kyriacou, "Dave Ewers: Ulster announce signing of Exeter Chiefs stalwart", Planet Rugby, 17 January 2023
      49. "'Looking forward to next chapter' - Jordi Murphy announces retirement". the42. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
      50. "Du renfort en deuxième ligne à Montauban". Rugbyrama.fr (in French). 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
      51. Jonathan Bradley, "I’m sad to be leaving Ulster at end of the season, admits winger Rob Lyttle", Belfast Telegraph, 11 April 2023
      52. "Craig Gilroy: Former Ireland wing to leave Ulster at the end of this season", BBC Sport, 18 April 2023
      53. "Declan Moore & Michael McDonald join Connacht", Connacht Rugby, 27 April 2023
      54. "Ulster secure young prospects to new deals", Ulster Rugby, 12 April 2023
      55. "Introducing Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Ulster's 'giant' new signing". Belfast Live. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
      56. "Ulster announce signing of Munster fly-half Jake Flannery on one-year deal". Belfast Telegraph. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
      57. "Irish-qualified McDonald to link-up with Ulster from Western Force", Ulster Rugby, 20 July 2022
      58. "Talented local player from City of Armagh RFC signs on with Ulster Rugby". Ulster Rugby. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
      59. "Ulster Recruit Reffell As Cooney And Addison Pen Extensions". Irish Rugby. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
      60. "Two more Worcester players find new clubs, including British Lion". Ruck.co.uk. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
      61. "Shanahan, Postlethwaite and Moxham commit to Ulster as Moore signs on". Ulster Rugby. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
      62. "ROSS KANE SIGNS FOR TRAILFINDERS". Ealing Trailfinders. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
      63. "Mick Kearney hangs up his boots", RTÉ Sport, 31 May 2022
      64. "Ex-Ireland and Lions prop Jack McGrath announces retirement at 33". The 42. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
      65. "DAVID O'CONNOR SIGNS PERMANENT DEAL". Ealing Trailfinders. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
      66. "Dragons announce signing of Wales hooker Bradley Roberts". Wales Online. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
      67. "Ulster Rugby locks in Senior Men’s squad for next season", Ulster Rugby, 30 May 2022
      68. Gareth Fullerton, "Ulster Rugby announce Academy squad including five new arrivals", Belfast Live, 20 July 2022
      69. "Match Preview: 1881 v Richmond Vikings, Sat 12th Feb 2022", Ampthill RUFC, 11 February 2022
      70. "Ampthill confirm final new signings!". Ampthill RUFC. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
      71. "Ulster Rugby Academy 2022/23 squad confirmed", Ulster Rugby, archived 20 July 2022
      72. Academy squad list
      73. "Six-try Sale thrash Ulster", EPCRugby, 11 December 2022
      74. "Superb second-half rally not enough for Ulster", EPCRugby, 17 December 2022
      75. "Ulster and La Rochelle to take place at empty Aviva Stadium". The Irish Times. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
      76. "Heartbreak for Ulster amid last-gasp Sclavi try", EPCRugby, 14 January 2023
      77. "Ulster advance after dramatic win over Sale", EPCRugby, 21 January 2023
      78. "Leinster overpower Ulster", EPCRugby, 1 April 2023
      79. "Leinster move through the gears to dismiss Ulster and march into last eight". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
      80. Competition Rule 3.1.4 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
      81. "McFarland hails Marshall as 'heartbeat of the team' as Ulster open campaign with derby win", The Irish News, 19 September 2022
      82. "URC Fantasy: Luke Marshall leads the way on opening weekend", United Rugby, 21 September 2022
      83. "URC team of the week: Ulster and Leinster lead the way", RTÉ, 19 September 2022
      84. "Scarlets Fixtures", WRU, 26 September 2022
      85. "URC Fantasy: John Cooney and Dan Sheehan lead the way in Round 2", United Rugby, 28 September 2022
      86. "URC team of the week: John Cooney and Dan Sheehan shine", RTÉ, 26 September 2022
      87. "All Fixtures & Results", Leinster Rugby, 2 October 2022
      88. "Ospreys Fixtures", WRU, 9 October 2022
      89. "URC Fantasy: Players get their kicks out of Johnny Sexton in Round 4", United Rugby, 12 October 2022
      90. "United Rugby Championship team of the week: Irish provinces impress", RTÉ, 10 October 2022
      91. "URC Fantasy: Francke Horn leads the way despite Emirates Lions defeat", United Rugby, 19 October 2022
      92. "United Rugby Championship team of the week: Munster and Ulster lead the way", RTÉ, 17 October 2022
      93. "Ulster cling on for narrow victory in tense Munster climax", United Rugby, 29 October 2022
      94. "Munster Rugby Fixtures & Results", Munster Rugby, 2 November 2022
      95. "URC Fantasy: Tom Stewart is top pick in Round 7", United Rugby, 2 November 2022
      96. "URC team of the week: Irish trio enjoy impressive away wins", RTÉ, 31 October 2022
      97. "Six-try Ulster surge to Zebre Parma victory in Belfast", United Rugby, 25 November 2022
      98. Ulster fixtures & results 2022-23, Pro12 Rugby
      99. "URC Fantasy: David Kriel double makes him top pick for Round 8", United Rugby, 30 November 2020
      100. "URC team of the week: Irish provinces back with a bang", RTÉ, 28 November 2022
      101. "Garry Ringrose inspires 14-man Leinster to victory over Ulster", United Rugby, 3 December 2022
      102. "All Fixtures & Results", Leinster Rugby, 5 December 2022
      103. "Tom Stewart brace helps Ulster hold off Connacht to claim dramatic derby win", United Rugby, 23 December 2022
      104. "Ben Healy's last-gasp converted try hands Munster narrow victory at Ulster", United Rugby, 1 January 2023
      105. "Benetton secure dramatic win over Ulster", United Rugby, 7 January 2023
      106. "Ulster Rugby 35-5 DHL Stormers", Ulster Rugby, 27 January 2023
      107. "Glasgow Warriors leave it late to get better of Ulster", United Rugby, 17 February 2023
      108. "Postponed Sharks v Ulster game rearranged for February", Ulster Rugby, 10 January 2023
      109. "Ulster return to winning ways at Cell C Sharks", United Rugby, 25 February 2023
      110. "Ulster stay on course for home quarter-final with bonus-point win at Cardiff", United Rugby, 4 March 2023
      111. "Stewart treble gives Ulster comeback win", United Rugby, 25 March 2023
      112. "Tom Stewart hat-trick leads Ulster to victory", United Rugby, 15 April 2023
      113. "Ulster secure second place in URC table after win over Edinburgh", United Rugby, 21 April 2023
      114. "Jack Carty boots Connacht into semi-finals after win at Ulster", United Rugby, 5 May 2023
      115. "Ulster 31-12 Exeter: Home side's youngsters and new men impress in pre-season win", BBC Sport, 2 September 2022
      116. Des Berry"MATCH REPORT – LEINSTER RUGBY ‘A’ 28 ULSTER RUGBY ‘A’ 12", Leinster Rugby, 16 September 2022
      117. Ulster Twitter account, Ealing Trainfinders Twitter account
      118. "Ulster A squad selected for visit of Ealing Trailfinders", Ulster Rugby, 15 December 2022
      119. "Ulster A squad chosen for trip to Ealing", Ulster Rugby, 5 January 2023
      120. "Match Report: Ulster A 26-19 Munster A", Ulster Rugby, 28 April 2023
      121. "Shanahan to captain Ulster A side against Munster", Ulster Rugby, 27 April 2023
      122. All Ireland League Division 1A 2022/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
      123. All Ireland League Division 1B 2022/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
      124. All Ireland League Division 2A 2022/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
      125. All Ireland League Division 2B 2022/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
      126. All Ireland League Division 2c 2022/23, FinalWhistle.ie, retrieved 25 September 2023
      127. Gareth Cauldwell, "Clogher Valley coach Bothwell wants to give play offs ‘a good crack’", Impartial Reporter, 25 February 2023
      128. Stephen Cauldwell, "Clogher Valley one step away from All Ireland rugby", Impartial Reporter, 6 April 2023
      129. "Photos: Clogher Valley RFC celebrate historic All-Ireland win", Belfast Live, 18 April 2023
      130. Michael Sadlier, "Ballynahinch win Senior Cup after strong second half performance against Queen’s", Belfast Telegraph, 8 May 2023
      This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.