2023–24 Ulster Rugby season

The 2023–24 season is Ulster Rugby's 30th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. It is Dan McFarland's sixth season as head coach.

Ulster Rugby
2023–24 season
Head CoachDan McFarland
Operations DirectorBryn Cunningham
CaptainIain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipTBC
European Rugby Champions CupTBC
Top try scorerAll: Tom Stewart, Jacob Stockdale (2)
Top points scorerAll: Nathan Doak, Tom Stewart, Jacob Stockdale (10)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2022–23 2024–25 →

Events

Personnel changes

Signings announced for next season include South African prop Steven Kitshoff, from the Stormers,[1] flanker Dave Ewers, from Exeter Chiefs,[2] and former Munster prop James French.[3] Five academy players joined 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.[4] After a successful trial in pre-season, Clontarf tighthead prop Ben Griffin was signed on a development contract in August.[5] Former Leinster, Connacht and Jersey Reds prop Greg McGrath joined as injury cover in October.[6]

Flanker Jordi Murphy[7] and out-half Ian Madigan[8] retired. Lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan left for Montauban.[9] Wings Rob Lyttle[10] and Craig Gilroy[11] announced they would leave at the end of the season. Hooker Declan Moore and scrum-half Michael McDonald moved to Connacht on a season-long loan.[12] Also departing were Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Gareth Milasinovich, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Rory Sutherland.[13]

Eleven players joined the academy: props Cameron Doak, Jack Boal and Jacob Boyd; hookers Zac Solomon and Henry Walker; lock Charlie Irvine; back rowers Josh Stevens and Tom Brigg; and outside backs Ethan Graham, Lukas Kenny and Ben McFarlane.[14]

Iain Henderson's central contract with the IRFU was due to expire after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and there was speculation that he might move abroad. He signed an extension in 2023, keeping him with Ulster and Ireland for a further two seasons.[15]

3G pitch

In May 2023 Ulster submitted a planning application to install a 3G artificial turf pitch at Ravenhill.[16] Planning permission was granted by Belfast City Council in late June,[17] and work began in late July.[18]

U20 World Championship

Four Ulster players featured for Ireland in the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship: locks Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes, flanker James McNabney and fullback Rory Telfer.[19] Ireland made the final, which they lost 50-14 to France.[20]

World Cup

Seven Ulster players were named in Andy Farrell's initial 42-man Ireland squad, to be reduced to 33 for the Rugby World Cup: locks Iain Henderson and Kieran Treadwell, hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart, prop Tom O'Toole, centre Stuart McCloskey and wing Jacob Stockdale.[21]

In Ireland's three warm-up matches, Henderson captained the side against Italy and Samoa; Herring started against Italy and appeared off the bench against England and Samoa, scoring two tries; McCloskey started against Italy and Samoa, and scored a try; Stockdale started against Italy and Samoa and assisted a try; O'Toole started against Italy and came off the bench against Samoa; Stewart made his international debut from the bench against Italy, and his first international start against Samoa.[22][23][24] Henderson, Herring, O'Toole and McCloskey were named in the Ireland World Cup squad.[25]

In the World Cup pool stage, Ireland went unbeaten, topped Pool B, and qualified for the quarter-finals. Rob Herring started and scored a try against Romania, and came off the bench against Tonga, scoring another try; Tom O'Toole came off the bench against Romania; Iain Henderson came off the bench against Romania, Tonga and South Africa, and started and scored a try against Scotland; and Stuart McCloskey came off the bench against Scotland.[26][27][28][29] Henderson started in the quarter-final defeat to New Zealand.[30]

Ulster Women

Murray Houston, former head coach of University of Glasgow Women RFC, was appointed head coach of Ulster Women, replacing Neill Alcorn, who had taken up a new post with the IRFU. Assisting him were former Ireland women's internationals Kathryn Dane as contact skills coach, Grace Davitt as backs coach and Amy Davis as technical skills coach, and men's player Eric O'Sullivan as scrum coach.[31]

Ulster Women won their first interprovincial match since December 2012 by defeating Connacht 36–14 in third/fourth place playoff of the Interprovincial Championship.[32]

Pre-season

Ulster's first pre-season friendly was against Leinster at Navan R.F.C. on 22 September, which Leinster won 38–21.[33] They played a second friendly against Benetton in Treviso, which the hosts won 24–22.[34] They faced Glasgow Warriors at GAA ground Breffni Park in Cavan on 7 October,[35] winning 19–14.[36]

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

The below squad reflects the confirmed joiners and leavers for the 2023–24 season. Amendments to the squad will be made as-and-when announcements are confirmed by the province.

Ulster Rugby squad[41][lower-alpha 1]

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 2023–24 season as listed on List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy squad
Ulster Rugby academy squad[14]

Props

  • Ireland Jack Boal (1)
  • Ireland Jacob Boyd (1)
  • Ireland Cameron Doak (1)
  • Ireland George Saunderson (3)
  • Ireland Scott Wilson (2)

Hookers

  • Ireland Zac Solomon (1)
  • England Henry Walker* (1)

Locks

  • Ireland Joe Hopes (2)
  • Ireland Charlie Irvine (1)

Back row

  • Ireland Tom Brigg (1)
  • Ireland Lorcan McLaughlin (2)
  • Ireland James McNabney (2)
  • Ireland Josh Stevens (1)

Scrum-halves

  • None currently named

Fly-halves

  • Ireland James Humphreys (3)

Centres

  • None currently named

Back three

  • Ireland Ethan Graham (1)
  • Ireland Lukas Kenny (1)
  • Ireland Ben McFarlane (1)
  • Ireland Rory Telfer (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
    Main article: 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup

    Pool B
    P Team P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
    1 France Toulouse 000000000000
    2 Wales Cardiff Rugby 000000000000
    3 England Bath 000000000000
    4 France Racing 92 000000000000
    5 England Harlequins 000000000000
    6 Ireland Ulster 000000000000
    9 December 2023 Bath England v Ireland Ulster The Recreation Ground  
    15:15
    16 December 2023 Ulster Ireland v France Racing 92 Ravenhill Stadium  
    20:00
    13 January 2024 Ulster Ireland v France Toulouse Ravenhill Stadium  
    20:00
    20 January 2024 Harlequins England v Ireland Ulster Twickenham Stoop  
    13:00

    2023–24 United Rugby Championship
    Main article: 2023–24 United Rugby Championship
    2023–24 United Rugby Championship
    Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
    1South Africa Bulls11006321+4293105
    2Scotland Glasgow Warriors11004325+1873105
    3Ireland Munster11003421+1353105
    4Ireland Connacht11003426+844105
    5Ireland Ulster11004036+466105
    6South Africa Stormers11003533+245105
    7Scotland Edinburgh11002217+512004
    8Italy Benetton11002322+123004
    9South Africa Lions10013335–254112
    10Italy Zebre Parma10013640–466112
    11Wales Cardiff10012223–132011
    12Wales Dragons10011722–521011
    13Wales Ospreys10012634–844101
    14South Africa Sharks10012134–1335000
    15Ireland Leinster10012543–1837000
    16Wales Scarlets10012163–4239000
    If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[42]
    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 play-off places and earn a place in the 2024–25 European Champions Cup

    Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2024–25 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.

      2023–24 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield Pools
      Ireland Irish Shield
      Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
      1Ireland Connacht000000000000
      2Ireland Leinster000000000000
      3Ireland Munster000000000000
      4Ireland Ulster000000000000
      Italy Scotland Scottish/Italian Shield
      Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
      1Italy Benetton000000000000
      2Scotland Edinburgh000000000000
      3Scotland Glasgow Warriors000000000000
      4Italy Zebre Parma000000000000
      South Africa South African Shield
      Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
      1South Africa Stormers11003533+245105
      2South Africa Lions10013335–254112
      3South Africa Bulls000000000000
      4South Africa Sharks000000000000
      Wales Welsh Shield
      Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
      1Wales Cardiff000000000000
      2Wales Dragons000000000000
      3Wales Ospreys000000000000
      4Wales Scarlets000000000000
      If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[43]
      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 currently leading the regional shield. Upon the conclusion of the regular season, these teams win their respective regional shields.
        21 October 2023 (2 BP) Zebre Parma Italy 36-40 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi  
        13:00 Try: Licata (2) 4' 13'
        Pani 22'
        Gregory 40'
        Gesi (2) 41' 70'
        Con: Prisciantelli (3) 5' 14' 23'
        		 Report[44]
        Match centre
        Player of the match:
        Kieran Treadwell
        Highlights        		 Try: Flannery 9'
        Lowry 16'
        Stockdale (2) 28' 60'
        Stewart (2) 52' 66'
        Con: Doak (5) 11' 17' 29' 53' 68'
        		 Referee: Adam Jones
        Ulster:

        1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart (c), 3. Greg McGrath,
        4. Matty Rea, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
        6. Dave Ewers, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. David McCann,
        9. Nathan Doak, 10. Jake Flannery,
        11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Angus Curtis, 13. James Hume, 14. Michael Lowry,
        15. Will Addison.
        Replacements: 16. John Andrew (for Stewart 76'), 17. Callum Reid (for Warwick 49'), 18. James French (for McGrath 50'), 19. Cormac Izuchukwu (for Matty Rea 50'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Marcus Rea 50'), 21. David Shanahan (for Doak 76'), 22. Billy Burns (for Flannery 55'), 23. Stewart Moore (for Hume 3-11', for Curtis 40').

        29 October 2023 Ulster Ireland v South Africa Bulls Ravenhill Stadium  
        17:00
        4 November 2023 Connacht Ireland v Ireland Ulster Galway Sportsgrounds  
        19:35
        10 November 2023 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Munster Ravenhill Stadium  
        19:35
        17 November 2023 Ulster Ireland v South Africa Lions Ravenhill Stadium  
        19:35
        25 November 2023 Glasgow Warriors Scotland v Ireland Ulster Scotstoun Stadium  
        19:35
        2 December 2023 Ulster Ireland v Scotland Edinburgh Ravenhill Stadium  
        17:15
        22 December 2023 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
        19:35
        1 January 2024 Leinster Ireland v Ireland Ulster RDS Arena  
        17:15
        18 February 2024 Ospreys Wales v Ireland Ulster Swansea.com Stadium  
        15:00
        2 March 2024 Ulster Ireland v Wales Dragons Ravenhill Stadium  
        19:35
        23 March 2024 Sharks South Africa v Ireland Ulster Kings Park Stadium  
        13:00
        30 March 2013 Stormers South Africa v Ireland Ulster Cape Town Stadium  
        17:15
        19 April 2024 Ulster Ireland v Wales Cardiff Ravenhill Stadium  
        19:35
        26 April 2024 Ulster Ireland v Italy Benetton Ravenhill Stadium  
        19:35
        11 May 2024 Scarlets Wales v Ireland Ulster Parc y Scarlets  
        15:05
        18 May 2024 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Leinster Ravenhill Stadium  
        19:35
        1 June 2024 Munster Ireland v Ireland Ulster Thomond Park  
        17:15

        Friendlies
        22 September 2023 Leinster Ireland 38–21 Ireland Ulster Navan R.F.C.  
        18:30 Try: H. Byrne
        Turner (2)
        Brownlee
        Barron
        A. Osborne
        Con: H. Byrne
        Prendergast (3)
        		 Report[33][45] Try: McCann
        Sexton
        Reid
        Con: Shanahan
        Doak (2)
        Ulster:

        1. Callum Reid, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. James French, 4. Harry Sheridan, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. David McCann, 9. Dave Shanahan, 10. Billy Burns, 11. Michael Lowry, 12. Jude Postlethwaite, 13. Stewart Moore, 14. Rory Telfer, 15. Will Addison. Replacements: Nick Timoney, John Andrew, Ben Griffin, Matty Rea, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, Reuben Crothers, Lorcan McLoughlin, Conor McKee, Nathan Doak, Robert Baloucoune, Aaron Sexton, Ben Carson, Angus Curtis, Ethan McIlroy, Shea O'Brien.

        30 September 2023 Benetton Italy 24–22 Ireland Ulster Stadio Comunale di Monigo  
        18:00 Try: Bernasconi
        Ratave
        Umaga
        Izekor
        Con: Umaga (2)
        		 Report[34] Try: Timoney
        O'Brien
        McCann
        Carson
        Con: Flannery
        Ulster:

        1. Callum Reid, 2. John Andrew, 3. Andrew Warwick, 4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Harry Sheridan, 6. Matty Rea, 7. Reuben Crothers, 8. Nick Timoney, 9. Nathan Doak (c), 10. Jake Flannery, 11. Ethan McIlroy, 12. Angus Curtis, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Robert Baloucoune, 15. Shea O'Brien. Replacements: Cameron Doak, Tom Stewart, Ben Griffin, Kieran Treadwell, Joe Hopes, Dave Ewers, David McCann, Lorcan McLoughlin, David Shanahan, Conor McKee, Aaron Sexton, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Stewart Moore.

        7 October 2023 Ulster Ireland 19–14 Scotland Glasgow Warriors Breffni Park, Cavan  
        18:00 Try: Ewers
        Hume
        Stewart
        Con: Flannery (2)
        		 Report[36] Try: Dobie
        Hiddleston
        Con: Weir (2)
        Ulster:

        1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Tom Stewart (c), 3. Greg McGrath, 4. Matty Rea, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. David McCann, 9. Nathan Doak, 10. Jake Flannery, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Jude Postlethwaite, 13. James Hume, 14. Robert Baloucoune, 15. Will Addison. Replacements: John Andrew, Cameron Doak, Ben Griffin, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Conor McKee, Billy Burns, Stewart Moore, Harry Sheridan, Reuben Crothers, David Shanahan, Ethan McIlroy, Ben Carson, Ben Moxham, Shea O'Brien, Angus Curtis, Aaron Sexton.

        Ulster 'A'
        8 September 2023 Ulster 'A' Ulster 24–35 Connacht Connacht Ballynahinch RFC  
        15:00 Try: Sexton (2)
        Moxham
        Addison
        Con: Doak (2)
        		 Try: Daly
        Blade
        Penalty try
        De Buitléar
        Kilgallen
        Con: Carty (4)
        Ulster 'A':

        1. Callum Reid, 2. John Andrew, 3. Ben Griffin, 4. Cormac Izuchukwu, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Matty Rea, 7. Reuben Crothers, 8. Nick Timoney, 9. David Shanahan, 10. Angus Curtis, 11. Aaron Sexton, 12. Jude Postlethwaite, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Ethan McIlroy, 15. Shea O'Brien. Replacements: 16. Andrew Warwick, 17. Tom Stewart, 18. Paul Mullan, 19. Harry Sheridan, 20. Greg Jones, 21. Marcus Rea, 22. Nathan Doak, 23. Billy Burns, 24. Stewart Moore, 25. Will Addison.

        Ulster Development
        18 August 2023 Ulster Development Ulster 10–14 Ireland AIL Select XV Gibson Park, Belfast  
        Try: McLaughlin
        Montgomery
        		 Report[46] Try: Lamont
        Prinsloo
        Con: Doherty (2)
        Ulster Development:

        Ulster Development 1. Jack Boal, 2. Henry Walker, 3. Cameron Doak, 4. James McKillop, 5. Mark Lee, 6. Bryn Ward, 7. Josh Stevens, 8. Lorcan McLaughlin (c), 9. Ryan Davis, 10. Zach Quirke, 11. Ethan Graham, 12. Ben Gibson, 13. James Girvan, 14. Lukas Kenny, 15. Ben McFarlane. Replacements: 16. Zac Solomon, 17. Jacob Boyd, 18. Flynn Longstaff, 19. Scott Craig, 20. Conor Neary, 21. Adam Montgomery, 22. James Humphreys, 23. Rory Ellerby, 24. Henry Boyle, 25. Josh Eagleson.

        AIL Select:

        1. David Braden (Omagh), 2. Dan O'Neill (Rainey Old Boys), 3. Joe Charles (Ballynahinch), 4. Adam McNamee (Malone) 5. Robert Sproule (Omagh), 6. Adam Lamont (Ballymena), 7. Dave Cave (Malone), 8. Bradley Luney (Ballynahinch), 9. Rhys O'Donnell (Instonians), 10. Robbie Johnston (QUB), 11. Dylan Nelson (City of Armagh), 12. Mark Best (Ballynahinch), 13. Bevan Prinsloo (Instonians) 14. Curtis Henry (Ballymena), 15. Adam Doherty (Banbridge). Replacements: 16. Sam Green (Malone), 17. Lawson Porter (Malone), 18. James Leary (Bangor), 19. John McCusker (Rainey Old Boys), 20. Cameron Steenson (Dungannon), 21. Robin Sinton (Banbridge), 22. Lewis Finlay (City of Armagh), 23. Pierce Crowe (Ballymena), 24. Glen Faloon (City of Armagh), 25. Matthew Montgomery (Dungannon), 26. Ross Taylor (City of Armagh), Mark Keane (Instonians).

        25 August 2023 Bury St Edmunds RUFC England 24–35 Ulster Ulster Development Stadium Greene King  
        Try: Wilson
        McKillop
        Carson
        C. Doak
        Girvan
        Con: Humphreys (5)
        Ulster Development:

        1. George Saunderson, 2. Zac Solomon, 3. Scott Wilson, 4. James McKillop, 5. Mark Lee, 6. Bryn Ward, 7. Reuben Crothers, 8. Lorcan McLaughlin (c), 9. Conor McKee, 10. James Humphreys, 11. Ethan Graham, 12. Ben Carson, 13. Rory Ellerby, 14. Lukas Kenny, 15. Ben McFarlane. Replacements: 16. Henry Walker, 17. Jack Boal, 18. Cameron Doak, 19. Adam Montgomery, 20. Charlie Irvine, 21. James McNabney, 22. Ryan Davies, 23. Zach Quirke, 24. James Girvan, 25. Rory Telfer.

        8 September 2023 Ulster Development Ulster 0–56 Connacht Connacht Eagles Ballynahinch RFC  
        17:30
        Ulster Development:

        1. George Saunderson, 2. Zac Solomon, 3. Scott Wilson, 4. Joe Hopes, 5. Charlie Irvine, 6. James McNabney, 7. Josh Stevens, 8. Lorcan McLaughlin, 9. Conor McKee, 10. James Humphreys, 11. Ethan Graham, 12. Ben Carson, 13. Rory Ellerby, 14. Lukas Kenny, 15. Rory Telfer. Replacements: 16. Henry Walker, 17. Jack Boal, 18. Cameron Doak, 19. James McKillop, 20. Mark Lee, 21. Ryan Davies, 22. Bryn Ward, 23. Zach Quirke, 24. Henry Boyle, 25. Ben Gibson, 26. Ben McFarlane, 27. James Girvan, 28. Jacob Boyd.

        15 September 2023 Munster Development Munster 21–17 Ulster Ulster Development Limerick  
        15:00 Try: Long (2)
        McSweeney
        Con: B. O'Connor (2)
        C. O'Connor
        		 Try: Walker
        Solomon
        C. Doak
        Con: Rogers
        Ulster Development:

        1. Jacob Boyd, 2. Henry Walker, 3. Flynn Longstaff, 4. James McKillop, 5. Joe Hopes (c), 6. Mark Lee, 7. Josh Stevens, 8. Bryn Ward, 9. Ryan Davies, 10. Eamonn Rogers, 11. Ethan Graham, 12. Ben Carson, 13. Rory Ellerby, 14. Lukas Kenny, 15. Ben McFarlane. Replacements: 16. Zac Solomon, 17. Jack Boal, 18. Cameron Doak, 19. James McNabney, 20. Adam Montgomery, 21. Olly Smyth, 22. Josh Eagleson, 23. Henry Boyle, 24. James Girvan.

        Ulster Women

        Staff
        Position Name Nationality
        Head coach Murray Houston  Scotland
        Contact skills coach Kathryn Dane  Ireland
        Backs coach Grace Davitt  Ireland
        Technical skills coach Amy Davis  Ireland
        Scrum coach Eric O'Sullivan  Ireland

        Squad
        Ulster Senior Women's Squad[47]

        Props

        • Ireland Megan Brodie
        • Ireland Bronach Cassidy
        • Ireland Ava Fanning
        • Ireland Sadhbh McGrath
        • Ireland Aishling O'Connell

        Hookers

        • Ireland Beth Cregan (c)
        • Ireland Maebh Clenaghan
        • Ireland Sarah Roberts
        • Ireland Megan Simpson

        Locks

        • Ireland Brenda Barr
        • Ireland Keelin Brady
        • Ireland Taryn Schutzler

        Back row

        • Ireland Sophie Barrett
        • Ireland India Daley
        • Ireland Chloe Donnan
        • Ireland Brittany Hogan
        • Ireland Gemma McCamley
        • Ireland Sarah Shrestha
        • Ireland Stacey Sloan
        • Ireland Fiona Tuite

        Scrum-halves

        • Ireland Laura Cairns
        • Ireland Rachael McIlroy
        • Ireland Amber Redmond

        Fly-halves

        • Ireland Toni McCartney
        • Ireland Amanda Morton
        • Ireland Abby Moyles

        Centres

        • Ireland Mya Alcorn
        • Ireland Peita McAlister
        • Ireland Kelly McCormill

        Wings

        • Ireland Megan Edwards
        • Ireland Emma Jordan
        • Ireland Maeve Liston
        • Ireland Niamh Marley
        • Ireland Lucy Thompson
        • Ireland Fern Wilson

        Fullbacks

        • Ireland Ella Durkan
        • Ireland Jill Stephens
        (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.

          2023-24 Women's Interprovincial Series
          Main article: IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series
          Team P W D L PF PA LP Pts
          1 3 2 0 1 59 18 3 11
          2 3 2 0 1 58 16 3 11
          3 3 2 0 1 54 87 1 9
          4 3 0 0 3 43 127 2 2
          12 August 2023 Ulster Ulster 14–41 Munster Munster Palace Grounds, Armagh  
          15:00 Try: Durkan
          Clenaghan
          Con: Durkan (2)
          		 Report[48] Try: Carroll (3)
          O'Halloran
          Ormond
          Boylan
          Heylmann
          Con: Flannery (3)
          Ulster:

          1. Sadhbh McGrath, 2. Beth Cregan (c), 3. Gemma McCamley, 4. Fiona Tuite, 5. Keelin Brady, 6. Chloe Donnan, 7. Maebh Clenaghan, 8. Sophie Barrett, 9. Laura Cairns, 10. Abby Moyles, 11. Megan Edwards, 12. Ella Durkan, 13. Kelly McCormill, 14. Niamh Marley, 15. Maeve Liston. Replacements: 16. Sarah Roberts, 17. Aisling O'Connell, 18. Taryn Schutzler, 19. Brenda Barr, 20. Amber Redmond, 21. Peita McAlister, 22. Toni Macartney, 23. Stacey Sloan.

          19 August 2023 Leinster Leinster 57–5 Ulster Ulster Energia Park, Dublin  
          13:00 Try: Haney (2)
          Corri
          Tarpey
          Campbell
          Clarke
          Boyne
          Whelan
          Wafer
          Con: O'Connor (5)
          O'Brien
          		 Report[49] Try: Marley
          Ulster:

          1. Gemma McCamley, 2. Beth Cregan (c), 3. Aisling O'Connell, 4. Keelin Brady, 5. Taryn Schutzler, 6. Sophie Barrett, 7. Maebh Clenaghan, 8. India Daly, 9. Laura Cairns, 10. Abby Moyles, 11. Maeve Liston, 12. Peita McAllister, 13. Kelly McCormill, 14. Niamh Marley, 15. Ella Durkan. Replacements: 16. Sarah Roberts, 17. Megan Simpson, 18. Ava Fannin, 19. Stacey Sloan, 20. Rachael McIlroy, 21. Megan Edwards, 22. Emma Jordan, 23. Toni Macartney.

          26 August 2023 Connacht Connacht 29–24 Ulster Ulster Galway Sportsgrounds  
          14:30 Try: Brady
          Fenton
          Ryder (2)
          O'Loughlin
          Con: Fowley (2)
          		 Report[50] Try: O'Connell
          Durkan
          Cregan
          Cassidy
          Con: Durkan (2)
          Ulster:

          1. Ava Fannin, 2. Beth Cregan (c), 3. Aisling O'Connell, 4. Keelin Brady, 5. Taryn Schutzler, 6. Sophie Barrett, 7. Maebh Clenaghan, 8. India Daly, 9. Laura Cairns, 10. Abby Moyles, 11. Niamh Marley, 12. Emma Jordan, 13. Kelly McCormill, 14. Maeve Liston, 15. Ella Durkan. Replacements: 16. Bronach Cassidy, 17. Megan Brodie, 18. Brittany Hogan, 19. Stacey Sloan, 20. Brenda Barr, 21. Rachael McIlroy, 22. Toni Macartney, 23. Megan Edwards.

          3rd-4th place playoff
          2 September 2023 Connacht Connacht 14-36 Ulster Ulster Musgrave Park, Cork  
          14:00 Try: McIlroy
          Daley
          Durkan
          Cregan
          Marley
          O'Connell
          Con: Durkan (3)
          		 Report[51] Try: Brady
          Dixon
          Con: Fowley (2)
          Ulster:

          1. Ava Fannin, 2. Beth Cregan (c), 3. Aisling O'Connell, 4. Keelin Brady, 5. Taryn Schitzler, 6. India Daley, 7. Maebh Clenaghan, 8. Brittany Hogan, 9. Rachael McIlroy, 10. Abby Moyles, 11. Niamh Marley, 12. Kelly McCormill, 13. Peita McAlister, 14. Maeve Liston, 15. Ella Durkan. Replacements: 16. Bronach Cassidy (for Cregan 71'), 17. Megan Simpson (for Brodie 71') 18. Megan Brodie (for O'Connell 29), 19. Stacey Sloan (for Hogan 40'), 20. Brenda Barr (for Sloan 71'), 21. Laura Cairns (for McIlroy 52'), 22. Toni Macartney (for Moyles 66'), 23. Megan Edwards (for Liston 71')

          Senior club rugby

          All-Ireland League
          Main article: All-Ireland League (rugby union)

          Ulster clubs competing in the All-Ireland League this season are:

          Ulster Rugby Premiership
          Main article: Ulster Senior League (rugby union)

          The Ulster Rugby Premiership ran in August and September 2023. Division 1 consisted of eight teams in two pools of four. Teams in each pool played each other once, and the winners of each pool played each other in the final on 16 September. The bottom two teams played in a playoff, the winner of which qualified for the Ulster Senior Cup, along with the other six Division 1 teams. The loser would be entered into the new Senior Shield. Division 2 consisted of five teams who played each other once. The team that finished top also qualified for the Senior Cup.[57]

          Final
          16 September 2023 Ballynahinch 38–17 City of Armagh Ballymacarn Park  
          Report[58] Referee: Stuart Douglas

          7th/8th place playoff
          16 September 2023 Ballymena 19–29 Banbridge Eaton Park  
          Report[59] Referee: Daniel Carson

          Division 2
          Team P W D L Pts Status
          1 4 4 0 0 18 Senior Cup
          2 4 3 0 1 16
          3 4 1 1 2 6
          4 4 1 0 3 5
          5 4 1 0 3 4

          Ulster Senior Cup
          Main article: Ulster Senior Cup (rugby union)
           
          		Round 1Round 2Round 3
           
          		          
           
          		23 September 2023
           
           
          		Malone8
           
          		 
           
          		City of Armagh19
           
          		 
           
          		23 September 2023
           
          		 
           
          		Queen's University40
           
          		 
           
          		Rainey Old Boys24
           
          		 
           
          		23 September 2023
           
          		 
           
          		Dungannon27
           
          		 
           
          		Banbridge36
           
          		 
           
          		23 December 2023
           
          		 
           
          		Ballynahinch
           
           
          		Instonians
           

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