2021–22 Ulster Rugby Season
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The 2021–22 season is Ulster Rugby's 28th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They are competing in the inaugural
United Rugby Championship The United Rugby Championship (URC) is an annual rugby union competition involving professional teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. The current name was adopted in 2021 when the league expanded to include four South Afr ...
(successor competition to the Pro14) and the
European Rugby Champions Cup The European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is an annual rugby union tournament organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). It is the top-tier competition for clubs who compete in a pre ...
. It is
Dan McFarland Dan McFarland (born 10 April 1972) is an English rugby union coach and former player. He has been head coach of Ulster Rugby since 2018. He played loosehead prop for Richmond, Stade Français and Connacht, retiring in 2006. He was forwards co ...
's fourth season as head coach. The major new signing was South African number eight
Duane Vermeulen Daniel Johannes "Duane" Vermeulen (born 3 July 1986) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national rugby union team, South Africa national team and Ulster Rugby in the United Rugby Champion ...
. Ulster finished third in the URC, and second in the Irish Shield, winning a home quarter-final against
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
, qualifying for the semi-finals and for next season's Champions Cup. Lock Alan O'Connor won the URC Tackle Machine award, and flanker
Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.James Hume were named in the league's Dream Team. Ulster won all four of their pool games in the Champions Cup, finishing second and qualifying for a two-legged round of sixteen playoff against
Toulouse Toulouse ( , ; oc, Tolosa ) is the prefecture of the French department of Haute-Garonne and of the larger region of Occitania. The city is on the banks of the River Garonne, from the Mediterranean Sea, from the Atlantic Ocean and from Par ...
, which they lost by an aggregate score of 49-50. Fullback
Michael Lowry Michael Lowry (born 13 March 1953) is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) since 1987, currently for the Tipperary constituency. He previously served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1 ...
was nominated for European Player of the Year and made his debut for
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
.


Staff


Player transfers


Players in

*
Mick Kearney Mick Kearney (born 29 March 1991) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Irish side Ulster in the United Rugby Championship. His primary position is lock, though he has also played as a flanker. Career Club Kearney, who is or ...
from Zebre Parma ''(short-term deal)'' *
Duane Vermeulen Daniel Johannes "Duane" Vermeulen (born 3 July 1986) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national rugby union team, South Africa national team and Ulster Rugby in the United Rugby Champion ...
from
Bulls Bulls may refer to: *The plural of bull, an adult male bovine *Bulls, New Zealand, a small town in the Rangitikei District Sports *Bucking bull, used in the sport of bull riding *Bulls (rugby union), a South African rugby union franchise operated ...
* Declan Moore from
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
''(short-term loan)''


Players out

* Hayden Hyde from academy to Harlequins academy * Bruce Houston from academy to Heriot's Rugby Club * Adam McBurney to
Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
*
Alby Mathewson Albert Samuel "Alby" Mathewson (born 13 December 1985) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half. Early life and education Mathewson was born in Hastings, New Zealand. He first attended Havelock North High School but switch ...
''released'' * Kyle McCall ''released'' * Matt Faddes to
Otago Otago (, ; mi, Ōtākou ) is a region of New Zealand located in the southern half of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council. It has an area of approximately , making it the country's second largest local government reg ...
*
Bill Johnston Bill or Billy Johnston may refer to: * Bill Johnston (cricketer) (1922–2007), Australian cricketer * Bill Johnston (golfer) (1925–2021), American golfer and golf course architect * Bill Johnston (tennis) (1894–1946), American tennis champion * ...
to Ealing Trailfinders


Squad


Academy squad


Events


Pre-season

Former assistant coach Dwayne Peel left in the off-season to become head coach of Scarlets. Skills coach Dan Soper was promoted to assistant, and
Craig Newby Craig Alan Newby (born 27 July 1979) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. Newby spent the bulk of his career in New Zealand, playing for Otago, the Highlanders, North Harbour and the Blues. He had a short stint with Newcastle Falco ...
joined as the new skills coach. Gavin Hogg, formerly rugby development officer, became the new academy manager, assisted by
Willie Faloon Willie Faloon (born 30 September 1986) is a rugby union coach and former player from Northern Ireland. His main position was at flanker and he primarily played at openside. Since 2021, he has been an Elite Performance Development Officer with t ...
as elite performance development officer. After the departure of
Marcell Coetzee Marcell Cornelius Coetzee (born 8 May 1991) is a South African rugby football, rugby union player who plays for South African side the Blue Bulls. He plays as a Flanker (rugby union), flanker. South Africa Coetzee made his debut in Super Rugb ...
last season, Ulster attempted to sign Fijian forward
Leone Nakarawa Lieutenant Leone Nakarawa (born 2 April 1988) is a Fijian rugby union, rugby union footballer and Olympic gold medalist. He plays as a Lock (rugby union), Second-Row forward for RC Toulonnais, Toulon and represents the Fiji national rugby union ...
, but the move fell through following a medical report. As the season began, Ulster announced the signing of South African number 8
Duane Vermeulen Daniel Johannes "Duane" Vermeulen (born 3 July 1986) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national rugby union team, South Africa national team and Ulster Rugby in the United Rugby Champion ...
, who would join the squad in November after the autumn internationals. Other new arrivals were lock
Mick Kearney Mick Kearney (born 29 March 1991) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Irish side Ulster in the United Rugby Championship. His primary position is lock, though he has also played as a flanker. Career Club Kearney, who is or ...
, signed from Zebre Parma, and hooker Declan Moore, signed from
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
as short-term injury cover. Departing were hooker Adam McBurney to
Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
, Matt Faddes to
Otago Otago (, ; mi, Ōtākou ) is a region of New Zealand located in the southern half of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council. It has an area of approximately , making it the country's second largest local government reg ...
, and out-half
Bill Johnston Bill or Billy Johnston may refer to: * Bill Johnston (cricketer) (1922–2007), Australian cricketer * Bill Johnston (golfer) (1925–2021), American golfer and golf course architect * Bill Johnston (tennis) (1894–1946), American tennis champion * ...
to Ealing Trailfinders, making his loan move last season permanent. Fullback
Louis Ludik Louis Ludik (born 8 October 1986) is a South African rugby union player who played for Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams from the island of Ireland. They compete in the United Rugby Champions ...
retired. Scrum-half
Alby Mathewson Albert Samuel "Alby" Mathewson (born 13 December 1985) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half. Early life and education Mathewson was born in Hastings, New Zealand. He first attended Havelock North High School but switch ...
and prop Kyle McCall were released, and academy centre Hayden Hyde moved to Harlequins' academy. Lock
Iain Henderson William Iain Henderson (born 21 February 1992) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays lock for Ulster, Ireland, and the British and Irish Lions. He has been the captain of Ulster since the 2019, and first captained Ireland in 2021 ...
was selected for the
2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa The 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa was an international rugby union tour that took place in South Africa in July and August 2021. The British & Irish Lions, a team selected from players eligible to represent England, Ireland, Scot ...
. He didn't play in any of the tests, but made four appearances, including starting against
Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
and captaining the side against the Sharks. Centre James Hume, wing
Robert Baloucoune Robert Baloucoune (born 19 August 1997) is an Irish rugby union player who plays on the wing for United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup side Ulster, and internationally for Ireland Early career Baloucoune was born in Enniskille ...
and flanker
Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
debuts in the summer international against the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
in July, and uncapped fullback
Michael Lowry Michael Lowry (born 13 March 1953) is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) since 1987, currently for the Tipperary constituency. He previously served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1 ...
trained with the Ireland squad for the summer internationals. Ulster played two friendlies, home and away, against
Saracens file:Erhard Reuwich Sarazenen 1486.png, upright 1.5, Late 15th-century Germany in the Middle Ages, German woodcut depicting Saracens Saracen ( ) was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek language, Greek and Latin writings, to refer ...
. The home match was played at the Kingspan on 3 September 2021, the away match at the
Honourable Artillery Company The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is a reserve regiment in the British Army. Incorporated by royal charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII, it is the oldest regiment in the British Army and is considered the second-oldest military unit in the w ...
grounds in London on 9 September 2021.


Season

Ulster won their first four matches of the URC season. Hooker
Bradley Roberts Bradley Roberts is a rugby union player who plays as a hooker for United Rugby Championship side Dragons RFC. He was called up to play international rugby for Wales in 2021. Roberts was born in Durban, South Africa where he attended Durban Prep ...
made his first competitive start, and scored a try in the season opener at home to
Glasgow Warriors Glasgow Warriors are a professional rugby union side from Scotland. The team plays in the United Rugby Championship league and in the European Professional Club Rugby tournaments. In the 2014–15 season they won the Pro12 title and became t ...
. Scrum-half John Cooney went off injured in the first half, replaced by 19-year-old
Nathan Doak Nathan Doak (born 17 December 2001) is an Irish rugby union player who plays scrum-half for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. The son of the former Ulster scrum-half and head coach Neil Doak, he wa ...
, who scored a try and three conversions. With Cooney missing, Doak started in the away win against Zebre Parma and the home wins against Benetton and
Lions The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult ...
, and continued to impress. Hooker
Rob Herring Rob Herring is an English former professional motocross racer and current film industry stuntman. Herring began his racing career in South Africa after his father emigrated there from the United Kingdom. He returned to the U.K. at the age of 17 a ...
made his 200th appearance for Ulster against Benetton. Fullback
Will Addison William Joseph Addison (born 20 August 1992) is an English-born Irish rugby union player who plays as a utility back for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup, and internationally for Ireland. A product of th ...
sustained a fracture to his lower leg in the October match against the Lions. Ulster's winning run was halted by a defeat away to
Connacht Connacht ( ; ga, Connachta or ), is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, Conmhaícne, and Delbhn ...
at the Aviva Stadium on 23 October."Report , Connacht 36 Ulster 11"
Ulster Rugby, 23 October 2021 Club competition then took a break for the
Autumn internationals The autumn internationals, November internationals, end-of-year tests, and spring internationals/tour for Australia and New Zealand, are men's rugby union Test matches that are contested around November each year. It is organised by World Rugby. Te ...
. Lock
Iain Henderson William Iain Henderson (born 21 February 1992) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays lock for Ulster, Ireland, and the British and Irish Lions. He has been the captain of Ulster since the 2019, and first captained Ireland in 2021 ...
came on as a replacement for
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
in the 60-5 win over
Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
, and started in the 29-20 victory over
New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
, with hooker
Rob Herring Rob Herring is an English former professional motocross racer and current film industry stuntman. Herring began his racing career in South Africa after his father emigrated there from the United Kingdom. He returned to the U.K. at the age of 17 a ...
coming off the bench. Henderson and wing
Robert Baloucoune Robert Baloucoune (born 19 August 1997) is an Irish rugby union player who plays on the wing for United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup side Ulster, and internationally for Ireland Early career Baloucoune was born in Enniskille ...
started, with prop Tom O'Toole and flanker
Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
. Centres James Hume and
Stuart McCloskey Stuart McCloskey (born 6 August 1992) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays centre for Ulster Rugby, and has six caps for Ireland. He has been Ulster's player of the year twice, and has twice been named on the Pro14 Dream Team. H ...
were named in the 38-man squad, but did not make an appearance. Hooker
Bradley Roberts Bradley Roberts is a rugby union player who plays as a hooker for United Rugby Championship side Dragons RFC. He was called up to play international rugby for Wales in 2021. Roberts was born in Durban, South Africa where he attended Durban Prep ...
was called up for
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
, and made his international debut from the bench against
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
. After the break, John Cooney returned to action for a 20-10 away win over
Leinster Leinster ( ; ga, Laighin or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, situated in the southeast and east of Ireland. The province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige. Following the 12th-century Norman invasion of Ir ...
, with the back row of
Marcus Rea Marcus Rea (born 8 September 1997) is an Irish rugby union player who plays in the back row for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup. He was captain at Ballymena Academy, and captained the Ulster under-19 te ...
,
Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.David McCann Dave or David McCann may refer to: * David McCann (cyclist) (born 1973), Irish racing cyclist * Dave McCann (Canadian football) (1889–1959), Canadian Football League player, official, coach, and executive * Dave McCann (sportscaster), evening ...
impressing, but this was followed by a disappointing away loss to
Ospreys The osprey (''Pandion haliaetus''), , also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor reaching more than in length and across the wings. It is brown o ...
,"Report , Ospreys 19 Ulster 13"
Ulster Rugby, 4 December 2021 in which wing
Craig Gilroy Craig Gilroy (born 11 March 1991) is an Irish rugby union player who wing for Ulster, and is a former Ireland international. he was Ulster's player of the year in 2014–15, and was named in the Pro12 Dream Team twice. Born in Bangor, County D ...
made his 200th appearance for Ulster. Having been awarded development contracts at the start of the season, scrum-half
Nathan Doak Nathan Doak (born 17 December 2001) is an Irish rugby union player who plays scrum-half for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. The son of the former Ulster scrum-half and head coach Neil Doak, he wa ...
and wing
Ethan McIlroy Ethan McIlroy (born 10 August 2000) is an Irish rugby union player who plays wing or fullback for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. He attended Methodist College Belfast, playing fullback in the Meth ...
signed long-term senior contracts in December - Doak for four years, McIlroy for three. It was announced that Former head coach
Neil Doak Neil George Doak (born 21 June 1972) is a Northern Irish former cricketer and rugby union player. He currently works as a rugby union coach, and has served as attack and backs coach with English club side Worcester Warriors, and Georgia during t ...
would return to Ulster as elite player development officer for the academy in early 2022. Ulster opened their Champions Cup season on 11 December with an away win against Clermont, which marked
Duane Vermeulen Daniel Johannes "Duane" Vermeulen (born 3 July 1986) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national rugby union team, South Africa national team and Ulster Rugby in the United Rugby Champion ...
's debut for the province. The following weekend they defeated Northampton Saints at home, with fullback
Michael Lowry Michael Lowry (born 13 March 1953) is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) since 1987, currently for the Tipperary constituency. He previously served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1 ...
scoring two tries. The next two scheduled URC matches, Interpros at home to
Connacht Connacht ( ; ga, Connachta or ), is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, Conmhaícne, and Delbhn ...
on 26 December and
Leinster Leinster ( ; ga, Laighin or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, situated in the southeast and east of Ireland. The province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige. Following the 12th-century Norman invasion of Ir ...
on 1 January, were postponed because of
Covid-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...
cases. Ulster's next game was a tight away defeat to
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
,"Report , Munster 18 Ulster 13"
Ulster Rugby, 8 January 2022 before the Champions Cup resumed with an away win against Northampton Saints, which marked Nathan Doak's first European start,"Report , Northampton 20 Ulster 24"
Ulster Rugby, 16 January 2022 and a home win against Clermont, in which Ulster built up a 22-point lead before Clermont almost pulled it back with three late tries. These four pool victories earned Ulster a two-legged round of 16 tie against reigning champions
Toulouse Toulouse ( , ; oc, Tolosa ) is the prefecture of the French department of Haute-Garonne and of the larger region of Occitania. The city is on the banks of the River Garonne, from the Mediterranean Sea, from the Atlantic Ocean and from Par ...
.
Robert Baloucoune Robert Baloucoune (born 19 August 1997) is an Irish rugby union player who plays on the wing for United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup side Ulster, and internationally for Ireland Early career Baloucoune was born in Enniskille ...
, James Hume,
Michael Lowry Michael Lowry (born 13 March 1953) is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) since 1987, currently for the Tipperary constituency. He previously served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1 ...
,
Iain Henderson William Iain Henderson (born 21 February 1992) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays lock for Ulster, Ireland, and the British and Irish Lions. He has been the captain of Ulster since the 2019, and first captained Ireland in 2021 ...
,
Rob Herring Rob Herring is an English former professional motocross racer and current film industry stuntman. Herring began his racing career in South Africa after his father emigrated there from the United Kingdom. He returned to the U.K. at the age of 17 a ...
, Tom O'Toole and
Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.2022 Six Nations Championship The 2022 Six Nations Championship (known as the Guinness Six Nations for sponsorship reasons) was the 23rd Six Nations Championship, the annual rugby union competition contested by the national teams of England national rugby union team, England ...
on 19 January.
Bradley Roberts Bradley Roberts is a rugby union player who plays as a hooker for United Rugby Championship side Dragons RFC. He was called up to play international rugby for Wales in 2021. Roberts was born in Durban, South Africa where he attended Durban Prep ...
was called up for Wales. A depleted Ulster side, missing most of their internationals, defeated Scarlets at home on 28 January. Wing
Craig Gilroy Craig Gilroy (born 11 March 1991) is an Irish rugby union player who wing for Ulster, and is a former Ireland international. he was Ulster's player of the year in 2014–15, and was named in the Pro12 Dream Team twice. Born in Bangor, County D ...
, who received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle during the game, was later cited and banned for four matches. The home tie against Connacht was rescheduled for 4 February, on the eve of Ireland's opening match of the Six Nations against
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
. Robert Baloucoune, Michael Lowry and Nick Timoney, who had not been selected for that game, were temporarily released from the Ireland camp back to Ulster. Baloucoune and Lowry started, Timoney came off the bench, and Baloucoune scored two tries, in a 32-12 victory. Hooker Declan Moore, who had joined Ulster as short-term injury cover from Munster, and had just agreed to a permanent move next season, unexpectedly made his debut after a last-minute injury to John Andrew, and scored a try. The following day, James Hume came off the bench in Ireland's 29-7 victory over Wales. Fullback
Michael Lowry Michael Lowry (born 13 March 1953) is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) since 1987, currently for the Tipperary constituency. He previously served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1 ...
was named on the long list for EPCR European Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, and made his debut for
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
against
Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
in the Six Nations on 27 February 2022. In February, lock David O'Connor joined Ealing Trailfinders until the end of the season, and academy centre Jude Postlethwaite signed a development contract, to be upgraded to a full senior contract after a year. Academy scrum-half Lewis Finlay signed for English Championship club
Ampthill Ampthill () is a town and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, between Bedford and Luton, with a population estimate of 8,100 (Mid year estimate 2017 from the ONS). It is administered bAmpthill Town Council The ward of Ampthill which also i ...
. Having beaten Leinster away in November, Ulster completed a rare double by defeating them at home on a rainy night in March. They then travelled to South Africa, losing narrowly to the
Stormers The Stormers (known for sponsorship reasons as the DHL Stormers) is a South African professional rugby union team based in Cape Town in the Western Cape that competes in the United Rugby Championship, a trans-hemispheric competition that also ...
in Cape Town after a late try by Callum Reid, which would have put Ulster ahead, was disallowed after TMO review. URC head of officials Tappe Henning later admitted the try should have stood. Alan O'Connor made his 150th appearance for Ulster against the Stormers. The following week, against the
Bulls Bulls may refer to: *The plural of bull, an adult male bovine *Bulls, New Zealand, a small town in the Rangitikei District Sports *Bucking bull, used in the sport of bull riding *Bulls (rugby union), a South African rugby union franchise operated ...
in
Pretoria Pretoria () is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the Executive (government), executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa. Pretoria straddles the Apies River and extends ...
,
Andrew Warwick Andrew Warwick is an Irish rugby union player who plays loosehead prop for Ulster Rugby. He started out playing for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League, while working as a lorry driver for his father's engineering firm. He was involved with Uls ...
made his 150th appearance as Ulster fell to a 34-16 defeat. The trip to South Africa saw centre Luke Marshall return to action after 16 months out with a knee injury. He came off the bench against the Stormers, and started, and scored, against the Bulls. Ulster won the away leg of their Champions Cup round of 16 tie against Toulouse 26-20, with Robert Baloucoune scoring a hat-trick after Toulouse wing Juan Cruz Mallia was shown an early red card."Baloucoune hat-trick as Ulster win at Toulouse"
European Professional Club Rugby, 9 April 2022 Taking a six-point lead into the second leg at home, they lost 30-23, going out of the competition 49-50 on aggregate."Toulouse edge thriller against Ulster"
EPCRugby.com, 16 April 2022 Flanker
Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.Springboks and Ulster flanker
Pedrie Wannenburg Pedrie Johannes Wannenburg (2 January 1981 – 22 April 2022) was a South African rugby union player. He last coached for Austin Elite Rugby in North American Major League Rugby. He played for Austin in 2018, Denver Stampede in the now defunct ...
was killed in a car accident in Texas in April. In the wake of the defeat at home to Toulouse, Ulster suffered their first home loss in the URC, at home to
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
."Munster survive Ulster fightback in Belfast to go third in URC standings"
URC, 22 April 2022 The followinging week, they ended their losing run by inflicting a first home league defeat on
Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
in a close contest,"Ulster cling on for valuable victory over Edinburgh"
URC, 30 April 2022 confirming their qualification for the quarter-finals. Two weeks later, they secured a home quarter-final by defeating the Sharks at home."Ulster secure home play-off with victory over Cell C Sharks in Belfast"
United Rugby Championship, 20 May 2022 They defeated
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
in the quarter-final at Ravenhill on 3 June,"Ulster storm into Final Four with five-try victory over Munster"
United Rugby Championship, 3 June 2022 earning a semi-final away to the
Stormers The Stormers (known for sponsorship reasons as the DHL Stormers) is a South African professional rugby union team based in Cape Town in the Western Cape that competes in the United Rugby Championship, a trans-hemispheric competition that also ...
. Alan O'Connor won the URC Tackle Machine award for the 2021-22 season, after making 195 tackles with a 97.5% success rate in that competition. Flanker
Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.James Hume were named in the URC Dream Team.


Future

Signings reported for next season include: *Irish-qualified flanker Sean Reffell from
Saracens file:Erhard Reuwich Sarazenen 1486.png, upright 1.5, Late 15th-century Germany in the Middle Ages, German woodcut depicting Saracens Saracen ( ) was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek language, Greek and Latin writings, to refer ...
. *Hooker Declan Moore, who initially joined from
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
as short-term injury cover, has signed with Ulster for the next two seasons. *Lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan from French club
Nevers Nevers ( , ; la, Noviodunum, later ''Nevirnum'' and ''Nebirnum'') is the prefecture of the Nièvre Departments of France, department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regions of France, region in central France. It was the principal city of the ...
. *Fullback Shea O'Brien from City of Armagh RFC, on a development contract. *Out-half
Jake Flannery Jake Flannery (born 7 June 1999) is an Irish rugby union player for United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup, Champions Cup side Ulster Rugby, Ulster. He plays as either a Rugby union positions#Fly-half, fly-half or Rugby unio ...
from
Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...
. *Tighthead prop
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen Jeffery Latu Toomaga-Allen (born 19 November 1990) is a rugby union footballer who plays as a tighthead prop for Samoa, and for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship. He previously played for Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and the Hurricanes ...
from
Wasps A wasp is any insect of the narrow-waisted suborder Apocrita of the order Hymenoptera which is neither a bee nor an ant; this excludes the broad-waisted sawflies (Symphyta), which look somewhat like wasps, but are in a separate suborder. T ...
Departures next season include: *Defence coach
Jared Payne Jared Benjamin Payne (born 13 October 1985) is a retired rugby union centre who played for Ulster and the Ireland national team. He was a member of the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, but did not play a test match. Since his ...
will leave at the end of the season. Former Ulster and Ireland centre, and current Worcester Warriors defence coach, Jonathan Bell, will replace him. *Hooker
Bradley Roberts Bradley Roberts is a rugby union player who plays as a hooker for United Rugby Championship side Dragons RFC. He was called up to play international rugby for Wales in 2021. Roberts was born in Durban, South Africa where he attended Durban Prep ...
to Dragons."Dragons sign Bradley Roberts four days after Hibbard retirement"
RugbyPass, 25 January 2022 *Prop Jack McGrath, flanker
Sean Reidy Sean Reidy (born 10 May 1989) is a New Zealand-born Irish rugby union player who played flanker for Ulster Rugby from 2014 to 2022, and has two caps for Ireland. Born in Auckland, New Zealand,Brendan Crossan"Century man Sean Reidy ready for Dr ...
and locks David O'Connor and
Mick Kearney Mick Kearney (born 29 March 1991) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Irish side Ulster in the United Rugby Championship. His primary position is lock, though he has also played as a flanker. Career Club Kearney, who is or ...
(released).Neil Treacy
"McGrath and Reidy among five Ulster departures"
RTÉ Sport, 26 May 2022 *Prop Ross Kane to Ealing Trailfinders.


2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup


Pool stage


Round of 16


2021–22 United Rugby Championship


Quarter-final


Semi-final


Ulster 'A'


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulster
2021-22 Increment or incremental may refer to: *Incrementalism, a theory (also used in politics as a synonym for gradualism) *Increment and decrement operators, the operators ++ and -- in computer programming *Incremental computing *Incremental backup, wh ...
2021–22 in Irish rugby union 2021–22 United Rugby Championship by team 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup by team