2024–25 Ulster Rugby season

Ulster Rugby 2024–25 rugby season
Ulster Rugby
2024–25 season
Head CoachRichie Murphy
Operations DirectorBryn Cunningham
CaptainIain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipTBC
Champions CupTBC
Home colours
Away colours
← 2023–24 2025–26 →

The 2024–25 season will be Ulster Rugby's 31st season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Richie Murphy's first full season as head coach..

Events

Personnel changes

Richie Murphy, who joined as interim head coach last season following the departure of Dan McFarland, was confirmed as head coach on a two-year contract.[1] Skills coach Craig Newby left for Ealing Trailfinders.[2] Jimmy Duffy, former assistant coach at Connacht, Ireland under-20s and Western Force, joined as forwards coach.[3] Incumbent forwards coach Roddy Grant left by mutual consent.[4] Sam Dodge arrived as head of athletic performance/[5] Hugh McCaughey was confirmed as Chief Executive Officer until the end of 2025.[6]

Centre Angus Curtis retired partway through last season on medical advice after a series of concussions.[7] Prop Steven Kitshoff cut short his stay at Ulster and returned to the Stormers,[8] where he was joined by flanker Dave Ewers.[9] Out-half Billy Burns joined Munster on a one-year contract.[10] Centre Luke Marshall retired.[11] Utility back Will Addison signed for his former club, Sale Sharks.[12] Fullback Shea O'Brien, prop James French and flanker Greg Jones were released.[13]

New signings included wing Werner Kok from the Sharks,[14] and Irish-qualified out-half Aidan Morgan from the Hurricanes.[15] Scrum-half Michael McDonald returned from his season-long loan at Connacht.[16] Academy prop Scott Wilson, flankers Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney[17] and out-half James Humphreys[18] joined the senior squad on development contracts.

Seven players joined the academy: centres Sam Berman, Wilhelm de Klerk and Jonny Scott, scrum-half Clarke Logan, flankers James McKillop and Bryn Ward, and out-half Jack Murphy.[19] Prop George Saunderson left the academy after retiring from the game on medical grounds.[20]

Internationals

Six Ulstermen were named in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad for their two-match tour of South Africa in July 2024: Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and the uncapped Cormac Izuchukwu.[21] Nathan Doak was called up after Craig Casey was injured in the first test.[22] Herring and McCloskey appeared from the bench in the second test.

Friendlies

Two pre-season friendlies have been arranged, at home to Benetton on 7 September,[23] and away to Exeter Chiefs on 14 September 2024.[24] Ulster will also face Queensland Reds at home on 7 February 2025, as part of the Reds' European tour.[25]

Staff

Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Hugh McCaughey  Ireland
Operations director Bryn Cunningham  Ireland
Head coach Richie Murphy  Ireland
Assistant coach Dan Soper  New Zealand
Defence coach Jonny Bell  Ireland
Forwards coach Jimmy Duffy  Ireland
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 2024–25 season. Amendments to the squad will be made as-and-when announcements are confirmed by the province.[18]

Players in

  • Ireland James Humphreys[18]
  • Ireland Lorcan McLoughlin[17]
  • Ireland James McNabney[17]
  • Ireland Scott Wilson[17]

Players out

Ulster Rugby squad[a]

Props

Hookers

  • Ireland John Andrew
  • Ireland Rob Herring
  • Ireland James McCormick
  • Ireland Tom Stewart

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

  • Ireland Michael Lowry
(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 2024–25 season as listed on List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy squad

Players in


Players out

  • Ireland George Saunderson (retired on medical advice)[20]

Ulster Rugby academy squad[19]

Props

  • Ireland Jack Boal (2)
  • Ireland Jacob Boyd (2)
  • Ireland Cameron Doak (2)

Hookers

Locks

  • Ireland Joe Hopes (3)
  • Ireland Charlie Irvine (2)
  • Ireland James McKillop (1)

Back row

  • Ireland Tom Brigg (2)
  • Ireland Josh Stevens (2)
  • Ireland Bryn Ward (1)

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Clarke Logan (1)


Fly-halves

  • Ireland Jack Murphy (1)

Centres

  • Ireland Sam Berman (1)
  • South Africa Wilhelm de Klerk* (1)
  • Ireland Jonny Scott (1)

Back three

  • Ireland Rory Telfer (3)
  • Ireland Ethan Graham (2)
  • Ireland Lukas Kenny (2)
  • Ireland Ben McFarlane (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.

2024–24 European Rugby Champions Cup

Pool 1

European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 1
Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 France Bordeaux 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Home Champions Cup round of 16.
2 England Exeter Chiefs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 England Leicester Tigers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Away Champions Cup round of 16.
4 South Africa Sharks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 France Toulouse 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Away Challenge Cup round of 16.
6 Ireland Ulster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: EPCR[27]
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
8 December 2024 Toulouse France v Ireland Ulster Stade Ernest Wallon  
16:15
14 December 2024 Ulster Ireland v France Bordeaux Ravenhill Stadium  
15:15
11 January 2025 Leicester Tigers England v Ireland Ulster Welford Road Stadium  
20:00
17 January 2025 Ulster Ireland v England Exeter Chiefs Ravenhill Stadium  
20:00

2024–25 United Rugby Championship

Table

2023–24 United Rugby Championship
 watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Italy Benetton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 South Africa Bulls 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Wales Cardiff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Ireland Connacht 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Wales Dragons 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Scotland Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Ireland Leinster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 South Africa Lions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Ireland Munster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Wales Ospreys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Wales Scarlets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 South Africa Sharks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 South Africa Stormers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 Ireland Ulster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 Italy Zebre Parma 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[28]
  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 in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Champions Cup

Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2025–26 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2025–26 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.

Fixtures

21 September 2024 Ulster Ireland v Scotland Glasgow Warriors Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
28 September 2024 Lions South Africa v Ireland Ulster Emirates Airline Park  
12:45
5 October 2024 Bulls South Africa v Ireland Ulster Loftus Versfeld Stadium  
15:00
12 October 2024 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
20:00
18 October 2024 Ulster Ireland v Wales Ospreys Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
26 October 2024 Cardiff Wales v Ireland Ulster Cardiff Arms Park  
29 November 2024 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Leinster Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
TBC Ulster Ireland v Ireland Munster Ravenhill Stadium  
TBC
TBC Connacht Ireland v Ireland Ulster The Sportsground  
TBC
26 January 2025 Ulster Ireland v ItalyZebre Parma Ravenhill Stadium  
17:30
15 February 2025 Benetton Italy v Ireland Ulster Stadio Monigo  
17:15
1 March 2025 Ulster Ireland v Wales Scarlets Ravenhill Stadium  
17:15
22 March 2025 Dragons Wales v Ireland Ulster Rodney Parade  
28 March 2025 Ulster Ireland v South Africa Stormers Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
19 April 2025 Leinster Ireland v Ireland Ulster Aviva Stadium  
19:35
26 April 2025 Ulster Ireland v South Africa Sharks Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35
9 May 2025 Munster Ireland v Ireland Ulster Thomond Park  
19:35
16 May 2025 Edinburgh Scotland v Ireland Ulster Rugby Edinburgh Rugby Stadium  
19:35

Friendlies

7 September 2024 Ulster Ireland v Italy Benetton Ravenhill Stadium  
17:00
14 September 2024 Exeter Chiefs England v Ireland Ulster Sandy Park  
17:00
7 February 2025 Ulster Ireland v Australia Queensland Reds Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35

Ulster Women

Staff

Position Name Nationality
Head coach Murray Houston  Scotland
Scrum and defence coach Eric O'Sullivan  Ireland
Backs coach Grace Davitt  Ireland
Team manager Marianne Breem  Ireland
Athletic development Kevin Gallagher  Ireland
Physio Naomi Hamilton  Ireland

Squad

Ulster Senior Women's Squad[29]

Forwards

  • Ireland Brenda Barr
  • Ireland Sophie Barrett
  • Ireland Megan Brodie
  • Ireland Bronach Cassidy
  • Ireland Maebh Clenaghan
  • Ireland India Daley
  • Ireland Ava Fannin
  • Ireland Christy Hill
  • Ireland Moya Hill
  • Ireland Brittany Hogan
  • Ireland Ellen Madden
  • Ireland Gemma McCamley
  • Ireland Sarah Murphy
  • Ireland Aishling O'Connell
  • Ireland Cara O'Kane
  • Ireland Lila O'Molloy
  • Ireland Ellen Patterson
  • Ireland Megan Simpson
  • Ireland Stacey Sloan
  • Ireland Ruby Starrett
  • Ireland Fiona Tuite

Backs

  • Ireland Kathryn Dane (c)
  • Ireland Megan Edwards
  • Ireland Lauren Farrell-McCabe
  • Ireland Vicky Irwin
  • Ireland Catherine Martin
  • Ireland Peita McAlister
  • Ireland Kelly McCormill
  • Ireland Rachael McIlroy
  • Ireland Sophie Meeke
  • Ireland Abby Moyles
  • Ireland Tara O'Neill
  • Ireland Lauren Patterson
  • Ireland Paige Smyth
  • Ireland Lucy Thompson
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.

2024–25 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series

Team P W D L PF PA BP Pts
1 1 1 0 0 29 22 2 5
2 1 1 0 0 38 19 1 5
3 1 0 0 1 22 29 2 2
4 1 0 0 1 19 38 0 0
10 August 2024 (1 BP) Munster Munster 29-22 Ulster Ulster (2 BP) Musgrave Park, Cork  
14:30 Try: McInerney (3)
Pearse
Ugwueru
Con: Flannery (2)
 Report[30] Try: O'Neill
Daley
Thompson
Hogan
Con: Irwin
Ulster lineup:

1. Gemma McCamley, 2. India Daley, 3. Sophie Barrett,
4. Brenda Barr, 5. Fiona Tuite,
6. Moya Hill, 7. Christy Hill, 8. Brittany Hogan,
9. Kathryn Dane, 10. Vicky Irwin,
11. Lauren Patterson, 12. Tara O'Neill, 13. Peita McAlister, 14. Sophie Meeke,
15. Lauren Farrell-McCabe.
Replacements:
16. Maebh Clenaghan, 17. Bronach Cassidy (for McCamley 40'), 18. Megan Brodie (for C. Hill 40+2-49', for Barrett 49-58'),
19. Cara O'Kane (for Tuite 49'), 20. Stacey Sloan (for M. Hill 62')),
21. Rachael McIlroy (for Dane 62'), 22. Paige Smith (for Patterson 62'), 23. Lucy Thompson (for Farrell-McCabe 43').

17 August 2024 Ulster Ulster v Connacht Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
14:30
24 August 2024 Ulster Ulster v Leinster Leinster Ravenhill Stadium  
14:30
2 September 2024 3rd v 4th Ravenhill Stadium  
14:30
2 September 2024 1st v 2nd Ravenhill Stadium  
16:45

References

  1. ^ "Ulster name Murphy permanent boss on two-year deal", BBC Sport, 13 May 2023
  2. ^ Adam McKendry, "Ulster backroom staff set for more change as coach to depart for Championship", Belfast Telegraph, 23 May 2024
  3. ^ "Duffy to join Ulster Rugby coaching set-up", Ulster Rugby, 28 May 2024
  4. ^ "Roddy Grant to depart Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 18 July 2024
  5. ^ "Pre-Season Focus | Sam Dodge", Ulster Rugby, 29 July 2024
  6. ^ Keith Bailie, "Hugh McCaughey to continue in role as CEO of Ulster Rugby", Belfast Telegraph, 5 August 2024
  7. ^ a b "Ulster Rugby confirms Angus Curtis’ retirement", Ulster Rugby, 26 January 2024
  8. ^ a b "Steven Kitshoff: Two-time World Cup winner to leave Ulster in the summer", BBC Sport, 5 April 2024
  9. ^ a b "EXPERIENCED EWERS JOINS DHL STORMERS". Stormers. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  10. ^ a b Shane Donovan, "Confirmed: Ulster out-half Billy Burns seals Munster move", irish Examiner, 19 March 2023
  11. ^ a b Keith Bailie, "Ulster centre confirms retirement after 15 seasons at Ravenhill", Belfast Telegraph, 8 April 2024
  12. ^ a b Neil Treacey, "Ulster's Will Addison confirms Sale Sharks return", RTÉ, 28 May 2024
  13. ^ a b c "Ulster confirm a nine-strong leavers list that includes Dave Ewers". Rugby Pass. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Werner Kok to become the first Ulster signing for 2024/25". Rugby Pass. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Ulster Rugby signs Irish-Qualified Morgan", Ulster Rugby, 27 May 2024
  16. ^ a b "Departing players & 24/25 squad confirmed", Connacht Rugby, 16 May 2024
  17. ^ a b c d "McNabney, Wilson and McLoughlin to continue their development at Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 3 April 2024
  18. ^ a b c "Ulster men for 2024/25 season are named", Ulster Rugby, 13 June 2024
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ulster Rugby Academy confirmed for 2024/25", Ulster Rugby, 14 June 2024
  20. ^ a b "Ulster Rugby confirm George Saunderson’s retirement", Ulster Rugby, 20 June 2024
  21. ^ "Six Ulstermen named in Ireland squad for South Africa Tour", Ulster Rugby, 18 June 2024
  22. ^ "Ireland Squad Update", Irish Rugby, 8 July 2024
  23. ^ "Benetton Rugby confirmed as opposition in Bank of Ireland home pre-season friendly", Ulster Rugby, 27 May 2024
  24. ^ "Ulster to face Exeter Chiefs in pre-season away fixture", Ulster Rugby, 14 May 2024
  25. ^ "Ulster to play Queensland Reds in Belfast friendly", BBC Sport, 18 June 2024
  26. ^ "Irish Prop James French Joins Cornish Pirates: A Boost For The Upcoming Season", Cornish Stuff, 6 July 2024
  27. ^ "Pool Tables | Investec Champions Cup". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  28. ^ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Ulster Senior Women's squad named ahead of 2024 Interpro Series", Ulster Rugby, 2 August 2024
  30. ^ "Hayes’ Munster Make Winning Start, But Ulster Fight Back For Two Bonus Points", Irish Rugby, 10 August 2024