Ulster Rugby

Jacob Stockdale is back in full training after missing the majority of the last campaign

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Jonathan Bradley Opinion What Ulster and Dan McFarland must ponder with new United Rugby Championship season just one month away

While it may feel that Irish Rugby is still basking in the afterglow of the series victory in New Zealand and subsequent ascension to top spot in the world rankings, those from the four provinces who weren’t out making history have long been back in pre-season training.

Nichola Fryday is relishing the chance to inspire Ireland to success on a historic tour in Japan

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Ireland women out to set the record straight on tour in Japan and put turbulent times behind them

To begin the summer, Ireland’s men wrote a significant chapter in their rugby history. A Series victory over New Zealand undoubtedly proved to be their greatest-ever Tour.

Ulster’s Marcus Rea is ready to step up and take on key responsibilities within the squad

Marcus Rea is ready to shoulder big responsibilities in the Ulster side

For the first time since he first pulled on an Ulster jersey back in December last year, Duane Vermeulen will represent his country this weekend.

Ulster will start their season by hosting inter-provincial rivals Connacht at Ravenhill

League itinerary may well set Ulster up nicely, with three games at home to round off season a positive

Though merely viewing a set of published fixtures is no way to ascertain how a campaign might pan out, Ulster may well be reasonably content with two areas of next season’s United Rugby Championship schedule.

Ulster will play Connacht in their opening league match of the season at Ravenhill

Ulster start at home to Connacht and conclude with three Ravenhill matches as United Rugby Championship fixtures announced

Ulster will open their United Rugby Championship campaign with an Irish inter-pro derby against Connacht on the weekend of September 16-18 when Dan McFarland’s side host the westerners at Ravenhill.

Dan Tuohy was hit with two-year ban for taking an illegal substance

IRFU set to begin probe into former Ulster lock Dan Tuohy’s ban for drug misuse

The IRFU are believed to be looking into the details of Dan Tuohy’s two-year ban for taking an illegal substance handed down to the former Ulster and Ireland lock as his career finished up in France.

Ronan O’Gara will bring La Rochelle to Ravenhill in December

Ulster will be aiming to do the double over Ronan O’Gara in back-to-back battles with European champions La Rochelle

The order of fixtures for Ulster’s forthcoming European campaign will see Dan McFarland’s squad going head-to-head with reigning champions La Rochelle in rounds two and three of the competition.

Dan McFarland could lead Ulster into a Club World Cup

Ulster could take on elite from both north and south of the equator in proposed new Club World Cup

Ulster could find themselves in the running for a Club World Cup in a radical shake-up for the game which is believed to be on course to be rolled out in 2025.

Ulster’s Nick Timoney is tackled by Toulouse’s Dorian Aldegheri during the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16, second leg match at Ravenhill

Ulster to open Champions Cup campaign with trip to Sale Sharks as weekend dates confirmed

Ulster will begin their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a trip to the AJ Bell Stadium to face Sale Sharks on the weekend of December 9/10/11.

Scrum-half Michael McDonald is a confirmed new arrival at Ulster

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Michael McDonald faces fight to deliver for Ulster as he adds to competitive depth at scrum-half

In what seems to be a rather left-field move, Ulster have added scrum-half Michael McDonald to an already well-populated area in next season’s squad.

Leader and legend: There is no doubting Johnny Sexton’s credentials after he played a pivotal role in Ireland’s Series win over New Zealand

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Ireland's historic triumph in New Zealand gives clear view of squad's chances of making World Cup panel

Of the original 40-man Ireland squad selected by Andy Farrell, 38 played on tour in New Zealand, while another four late call-ups also featured to help bring the final tally up to 42.

Kieran Treadwell has made a big impression on Ireland's tour to New Zealand

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New-found enjoyment helping me hit heights on Ireland’s tour to New Zealand, says Ulster ace Kieran Treadwell

Not many people would have predicted Kieran Treadwell to be the breakout star of Ireland’s tour to New Zealand, but the Ulster lock has seriously enhanced his reputation as well as his standing in the pecking order.

Ulster's Kieran Treadwell was to the fore for Ireland

Ulster duo Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney help Ireland flex their muscles against Maori All Blacks

After Ireland’s Test side made history on Saturday, Andy Farrell’s midweek team were not to be outdone, securing their own significant victory on New Zealand soil.

Iain Henderson has travelled home after injury

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Jonathan Bradley Opinion With Andy Farrell overlooking domestic heroics, it’s in Ireland camp that Ulster stars must really deliver

When Ulster so decisively advanced past Munster in the URC Quarter-Finals some five weeks ago, it was put to the side’s head coach afterwards that such a performance could only bode well for his charges’ chances of playing a sizeable role on the national side’s tour of New Zealand.

James Hume needs an MRI scan on his injured groin

James Hume’s Ireland tour to New Zealand looks over as Ulster ace needs MRI scan

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has admitted it “doesn’t look great” for James Hume’s participation in the rest of the New Zealand tour with the Ulsterman requiring an MRI scan on his injured groin.

Steven Kitshoff is weighing up a move to Belfast after the World Cup

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Ulster closing in on deal for World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff to join after 2023 World Cup

Ulster are understood to be on the cusp of a considerable post-World Cup coup with Steven Kitshoff weighing up a switch to Belfast.

Ronan O’Gara is all smiles after La Rochelle’s defeat of Leinster in last season’s final

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Ulster hit by deja-vu after being handed difficult European Champions Cup path against Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle

Ulster could be forgiven for wondering if the ping-pong balls are taking the old idiom “if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best” a little too literally.

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Ulster seven will be determined to leave impression on Ireland’s New Zealand tour to boost World Cup hopes

Few are underestimating the challenge that awaits Ireland as they undertake a three-Test, five-game tour of New Zealand. At the end of a long season, and half the world away from home, there is arguably no greater challenge for a touring team.

At odds: Stuart McCloskey has excelled for Ulster, but not earned a spot in the Ireland squad

Stuart McCloskey may leave Ulster over latest Ireland snub, warns Stephen Ferris

Former Ulster hero Stephen Ferris admits he is bemused by Stuart McCloskey’s continued absence from the international scene, after the 29-year-old centre was left out of the travelling party for next month’s Test series with New Zealand despite another stellar season in provincial colours.

James Hume lands double top at the Ulster Rugby Awards

In-form James Hume was the big winner at the Heineken 2021/22 Ulster Rugby Awards with the centre scooping up a prize double.

Billy Burns isn’t being pushed for his place in the starting Ulster line-up

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How Ulster can make sure they are not left empty-handed again after another season of heartbreaking trophy woe

It's all a rather familiar tale; Ulster get into position to seemingly challenge for silverware and then come up short when making their mark in the knockout stages is beckoning them. Michael Sadlier looks at just where things went wrong (again) and what possible fixes might be made for next season.

Ulster ace Duane Vermeulen has allowed the Bulls to pick his brain

Ulster ace Duane Vermeulen may be key to Bulls’ United Rugby Championship title hopes, while Bangor native Mark McCall eyes further glory with Saracens

While Ulster’s head coach Dan McFarland said after last week’s semi-final defeat that he’d not be watching today’s URC showpiece conclusion between the Bulls and the Stormers, the northern province will have at least one interested observer when silverware is handed out in Cape Town.

Jonathan Bradley Opinion Dan McFarland knows he must deliver a trophy for Ulster after penning new deal

When asked to speak of his coaching influences, Dan McFarland frequently cites examples from further afield than the rugby world.

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland signs new contract extension to remain with province until 2025

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has signed a new extended contract to remain with the province until at least 2025.

Ulster’s Billy Burns is tackled during defeat in Cape Town

Ulster Rugby Round Up: Time for a season review as Ulster's year ends with Stormers heartbreak in Cape Town

The Ulster Rugby Round Up returns for the final time this season and unfortunately it’s a season review episode after Ulster’s campaign ended with defeat to the DHL Stormers in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals.

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Ulster need better game management to shake off nearly men tag and end trophy wait, says Tommy Bowe

Former Ulster star Tommy Bowe believes game management is the missing ingredient for the province to shed their decade-long tag as “nearly men”.

Stuart McCloskey may have paid the price for a lack of versatility

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Ulster trio Stuart McCloskey, John Cooney and Billy Burns may have pulled on Ireland shirt for last time after latest omission

After unveiling the 40-man panel that will head to New Zealand later this month for a three-game Test series, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell reflected upon the potential historic nature of the trip.

Jonathan Bradley Opinion What Ulster and Dan McFarland must ponder with new United Rugby Championship season just one month away

Ireland women out to set the record straight on tour in Japan and put turbulent times behind them

Marcus Rea is ready to shoulder big responsibilities in the Ulster side

League itinerary may well set Ulster up nicely, with three games at home to round off season a positive

Ulster start at home to Connacht and conclude with three Ravenhill matches as United Rugby Championship fixtures announced

IRFU set to begin probe into former Ulster lock Dan Tuohy’s ban for drug misuse

Ulster will be aiming to do the double over Ronan O’Gara in back-to-back battles with European champions La Rochelle

Ulster could take on elite from both north and south of the equator in proposed new Club World Cup

Ulster to open Champions Cup campaign with trip to Sale Sharks as weekend dates confirmed

Michael McDonald faces fight to deliver for Ulster as he adds to competitive depth at scrum-half

Ireland's historic triumph in New Zealand gives clear view of squad's chances of making World Cup panel

New-found enjoyment helping me hit heights on Ireland’s tour to New Zealand, says Ulster ace Kieran Treadwell

Ulster duo Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney help Ireland flex their muscles against Maori All Blacks

Jonathan Bradley Opinion With Andy Farrell overlooking domestic heroics, it’s in Ireland camp that Ulster stars must really deliver

James Hume’s Ireland tour to New Zealand looks over as Ulster ace needs MRI scan

Ulster closing in on deal for World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff to join after 2023 World Cup

Ulster hit by deja-vu after being handed difficult European Champions Cup path against Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle

Ulster seven will be determined to leave impression on Ireland’s New Zealand tour to boost World Cup hopes

Stuart McCloskey may leave Ulster over latest Ireland snub, warns Stephen Ferris

James Hume lands double top at the Ulster Rugby Awards

How Ulster can make sure they are not left empty-handed again after another season of heartbreaking trophy woe

Ulster ace Duane Vermeulen may be key to Bulls’ United Rugby Championship title hopes, while Bangor native Mark McCall eyes further glory with Saracens

Jonathan Bradley Opinion Dan McFarland knows he must deliver a trophy for Ulster after penning new deal

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland signs new contract extension to remain with province until 2025

Ulster Rugby Round Up: Time for a season review as Ulster's year ends with Stormers heartbreak in Cape Town

Ulster need better game management to shake off nearly men tag and end trophy wait, says Tommy Bowe

Ulster trio Stuart McCloskey, John Cooney and Billy Burns may have pulled on Ireland shirt for last time after latest omission

Ulster skipper Iain Henderson has no regrets after backing their maul to take them to the final

Tony Ward Opinion Ireland have to keep the bigger picture in mind as Stormers and Bulls lay down a marker

Jonathan Bradley Opinion Points win prizes and Ulster’s failure to get over the line is a recurring theme