1998–99 Ulster Rugby season

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1998–99 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Harry Williams
Captain(s)Mark McCall, David Humphreys, Dean Macartney
Most appearancesGary Longwell, Justin Fitzpatrick, David Humphreys, Simon Mason, Gary Leslie (15 each)
Top scorerSimon Mason (213)
Most triesStephen McKinty, Jan Cunningham, Andy Ward (5 each)
League(s)Heineken Cup (Champions)
IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd of 4)
1st kit
2nd kit
← 1997–98 1999–2000 →

In Ulster Rugby's fourth season since the advent of professionalism, they were champions of the Heineken Cup, and finished second in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship.

Harry Williams was appointed as Director of Rugby, signing a three-year full time contract, starting on 1 July when he resigned as principal of Holywood Primary School. A former prop for Malone and Bangor, Williams had coached Bangor to Ulster League and Cup titles in the 1980s. He was Ulster's coach for four years from 1987, and had led them to four unbeaten seasons in the Interprovincial Championship. He was part of the Irish development squad coaching team for their tour of New Zealand in 1993, and was Ireland A coach for three years. Most recently, he was coach of Dublin side Bective Rangers for 18 months, before resigning for family reasons at the end of 1998.[1] Former Ireland fullback Colin Wilkinson was assistant coach, and Harry Brennan was strength and conditioning coach.[2]: 41 

Warren Gatland, the new Ireland coach, led a drive by the IRFU to bring Irish players who had signed contracts with English clubs back to Ireland. Ulster were strengthened by the return of out-half David Humphreys and centre Mark McCall from London Irish, centre Jonathan Bell and hooker Allen Clarke from Northampton, and lock Mark Blair from Edinburgh, but locks Paddy Johns and Jeremy Davidson rejected the IRFU approach, Johns staying at Saracens, Davidson moving from London Irish to Castres.[2]: 16–22, 81–82  Two English-born Irish internationals were also signed: fullback Simon Mason from Richmond, and prop Justin Fitzpatrick from London Irish.[3]: 46, 70 

The IRFU announced that the Irish provinces would have squads of 30 players, most of whom would be full-time professionals, for the coming season.[4] The IRFU Ulster Branch signed 19 full-time players for the 1998–99 season, including Jonathan Bell, Justin Fitzpatrick, Allen Clarke, David Humphreys, Simon Mason,[5]: p. 34–35  Maurice Field, Denis McBride, Stephen Ritchie, James Topping and Gary Longwell, while younger players like Robin Morrow and Sheldon Coulter were signed to part-time contracts.[6]: p. 67 

Mark McCall was named as captain, but sustained a career-ending injury in a friendly against Glasgow on 28 September.[2]: 55–56 

Ulster's Heineken Cup campaign started with a draw against Edinburgh, followed by a heavy defeat away to Toulouse. When the players reacted with relief that the scoreline was not as extreme as the 108–16 defeat Toulouse had recently inflicted on Ebbw Vale, Williams was furious.[2]: 67–71  Training was revamped: where previously the team had trained in the early mornings and evenings to accommodate part-time players, daytime sessions were introduced for full-time professionals, with one evening session a week for the part-timers.[2]: 78–79  Ulster defeated Ebbw Vale, and then Toulouse at home, in front of Ravenhill's biggest crowd for several years,[2]: 88–90  and were unbeaten for the remainder of the pool stage. With Ebbw Vale beating Toulouse 19–11 at home in their final game, Ulster topped the pool with an away win over Edinburgh.[2]: 98–107 

They drew Toulouse at home in the quarter-finals. In the second half, with Ulster narrowly in the lead, flanker Andy Ward received word that his wife had gone into labour, and left the field, replaced by Derek Topping. Toulouse almost took the lead, if not for a late try-saving tackle on Michel Marfaing by David Humphreys, who injured his shoulder in the process. Bryn Cunningham replaced him, and Ulster held on to win.[2]: 115–126  This was followed by a home semi-final against Stade Francais, with Ravenhill's capacity increased to 20,000 with temporary stands.[6]: 68  It featured a memorable try from Humphreys – from his own 22, he chipped the ball forward to Sheldon Coulter, who passed it back to Humphreys to run it in from the halfway line – as well as five penalties, a conversion and a drop goal from Simon Mason, in a 33–27 victory.[2]: 137–146  In the final, held at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, Ulster defeated Colomiers 21–6 to become the first Irish side to lift the Heineken Cup.

Squad[]

Ulster Rugby squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

  • Ireland Stephen McKinty
  • Ireland Andy Ward
  • Ireland Tony McWhirter
  • Ireland Dean Macartney
  • Ireland Stuart Duncan
  • Ireland Derek Topping
  • Ireland Eric Miller
  • Ireland Kevin McKee
  • Ireland Chris McCarey

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Stephen Bell
  • Ireland Andrew Matchett

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

  • Ireland Jan Cunningham
  • Ireland James Topping
  • Ireland Sheldon Coulter
  • Ireland Andy Park
  • Ireland Jonathan Davis
  • Ireland Neil McCluskey

Fullbacks

  • Ireland
  • Ireland Robin Morrow
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. Small text denotes players who only appeared in friendlies.

1998–99 Heineken Cup[]

Main article: 1998–99 Heineken Cup

Pool 3[]

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
Ireland Ulster 6 4 1 1 23 20 3 197 168 29 9
France Toulouse 6 4 0 2 31 11 20 234 103 131 8
Scotland Edinburgh Reivers 6 2 1 3 21 14 7 179 146 33 5
Wales Ebbw Vale 6 1 0 5 11 41 −30 114 307 −193 2
18 September 1998
19:30
Ulster Ireland 38 – 38 Scotland Edinburgh
Try: , , (2)
Con: (3)
Pen: (4)
 Report[7] Try: Mayer, Roxburgh, Murray (2)
Con: Hodge (3)
Pen: Hodge (3)
Drop: Hodge
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,000
Ulster lineup


26 September 1998
17:00
Toulouse France 39 – 3 Ireland Ulster
Try: Ntamack (2), Desbrosse, ,
Con: Delaigue, (2)
Pen: , Delaigue
 Report[8][9] Pen:
Les Sept Deniers
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: D. Bevan
Ulster lineup


10 October 1998
14:30
Ebbw Vale Wales 28 – 61 Ireland Ulster
Try: Penalty try
, Taumalolo
Con: Hayward (2)
Pen: Hayward (2)
 Report[10][11] Try: J. Bell, Humphreys (2), , , ,
Con: (7)
Pen: (4)
Eugene Cross Park
Attendance: 2,000
Ulster lineup


16 October 1998
19:30
Ulster Ireland 29 – 24 France Toulouse
Try: , ,
Con:
Pen: (4)
 Report[12][9] Try: , Cazalbou (2)
Con: (2), Delaigue
Ravenhill
Attendance: 10,000
Ulster lineup


30 October 1998
19:30
Ulster Ireland 43 – 18 Wales Ebbw Vale
Try: , , , , , Ward,
Con: (4)
 Report[13][14] Try: , Faletau
Pen: Strange,
Ravenhill
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: F. Maciello
Ulster lineup


8 November 1998
15:00
Edinburgh Scotland 21 – 23 Ireland Ulster
Try: Stanger, Murray
Con: Chalmers
Pen: Chalmers (3)
 Report[15]
Highlights 		Try: ,
Con: (2)
Pen: (3)
Myreside[16]
Attendance: 4,000
Ulster lineup

Quarter-final[]

11 December 1998
19:15
Ulster Ireland 15 – 13 France Toulouse
Pen: (3)
Drop: Humphreys (2)
 Report[17][9] Try: Pelous
Con:
Pen: Delaigue (2)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 11,500
Referee: B. Campbell
Ulster lineup

Semi-final[]

9 January 1999
13:00
Ulster Ireland 33–27 France Stade Francais
Try: , Humphreys
Con:
Pen: (5)
Drop: , Humphreys
 Report[18][19]
Highlights 		Try: Juillet (2), Lièvremont
Con: Dominguez (3)
Pen: Dominguez (2)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: J. Fleming
Ulster lineup

Final[]

Main article: 1999 Heineken Cup Final
30 January 1999
14:45
Ulster Ireland 21–6 France Colomiers
Pen: (6)
Drop: Humphreys
 Report
full match on video 		Pen: Labit,
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 49,000
Referee: (Wales)
Ulster lineup

1998–99 IRFU Interprovincial Championship[]

Main article: IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Team P W D L F A BP Pts Status
Munster Munster 6 4 0 2 125 92 2 18 Champions; qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Ulster Ulster 6 3 0 3 137 119 3 15 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Leinster Leinster 6 3 0 3 135 136 2 14 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Connacht Connacht 6 2 0 4 95 145 3 11

Top three teams qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.

14 August 1998
Leinster Leinster 14-34 Ulster Ulster
Try: Horgan,
Pen: McGowan (2)
 Report[20] Try: Ward (2), ,
Con: (4)
Pen: (2)
Ulster lineup


22 August 1998
Connacht Connacht 21-18 Ulster Ulster
Try: Duignan (2),
Con: Elwood (3)
 Report[21][22] Try: , Ward
Con:
Pen: (2)
Ulster lineup


4 September 1998
Ulster Ulster 29-12 Munster Munster
Try: ,
Con: (2)
Pen: (5)
 Report[23] Pen: Keane (4)
Ulster lineup


11 September 1998
Ulster Ulster 11-35 Leinster Leinster
Try:
Pen: (2)
 Report[24] Try: (2), , , Hickie
Con: McGowan (2)
Pen: McGowan (2)
Ulster lineup


3 October 1998
Munster Munster 31-9 Ulster Ulster
Try: Lacey, Horgan, Foley, Galwey
Con: Lynch
Pen: Lynch (3)
 Report[25] Pen: (2)
Drop: Humphreys
Ulster lineup


23 October 1998
Ulster Ulster 36-6 Connacht Connacht
Try: Ward, , Topping, Clarke,
Con: (4)
Pen:
Report[26] Pen: (2)
Ravenhill
Referee: David McHugh
Ulster lineup

Friendlies[]

6 June 1998
Spanish Barbarians Spain 57-34 Ireland Ulster
Report[27] Try: McCullough, McKee, McCarey, Coulter
Con: McCullough (4)
Pen: Park (2)
Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian
Referee: Inaki Atorrasagasti
Ulster lineup


10 August 1998
Ulster Ireland 50-5 Morocco Morocco
Try: J. Cunningham (2), McCall, McDowell, Bell, Park, Humphreys (2)
Con: Mason (5)
 Report[28] Try: Amina
Ravenhill
Referee: David McHugh
Ulster lineup


28 August 1998
Ulster Ireland 32-15 Scotland Glasgow
Try: McWhirter, Matchett
Con: Mason (2)
Pen: Mason (5)
Drop: Humphreys
 Report[29]
Ravenhill
Referee: David McHugh
Ulster lineup

Ulster Rugby Awards[]

The IRFU Ulster Branch Awards ceremony was held on 27 May 1999 at the Balmoral Conference Centre. Winners were:[30]

  • Player of the year:
  • Guinness personality of the year: David Humphreys
  • Northern Bank coach of the year:
  • Renault schools player of the year: Bryan Young, Ballymena Academy
  • Calor Gas youth player of the year: David Cantley, Dromore
  • First Trust club of the year: Dungannon RFC
  • Dorrie B. Faulker Award: Joe Eagleson, competitions secretary

References[]

  1. ^ Jim Stokes, "Williams takes charge", Belfast Telegraph, 4 February 1998
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Jonathan Bradley, The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby's 1999 European Champions, The Blackstaff Press, 2018
  3. ^ Bruce McKendry, Champions: The Players' Story, IRFU, 1999
  4. ^ Brendan Fanning, "Celtic Cup is Irish sides' best chance of success", Sunday Independent, 1 March 1998
  5. ^ Bruce McKendry, Champions: The Players' Story, IRFU Ulster Branch, 1999
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Patrick McCarry, The New Breed: Irish Rugby's Professional Era, Mercier Press, 2015
  7. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ulster drop vital point in dramatic opening tie", Belfast Telegraph, 19 September 1998
  8. ^ Richard Stevenson, "Second best all round", Sunday Life, 27 September 1998
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Chance to remember a lost time", Irish Times, 20 October 2000
  10. ^ "Flawless Mason inspires Ulster", Sunday Life, 11 October 1998
  11. ^ "Rugby Union: Ulster's forwards lay foundations for success", The Independent, 12 October 1998
  12. ^ Jim Stokes, "Salute brave hearts of Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 17 October 1998
  13. ^ Jim Stokes, "A victory romp but no rhythm", Belfast Telegraph, 31 October 1998
  14. ^ Gerry Thornley, "Ward Drives Ulster On", The Irish Times, 31 October 1998
  15. ^ Jim Stokes, "Sheldon 'n dusted: Coulter drives Ulster into Euro quarters", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 1998
  16. ^ "Easter Road put in the frame as new home for Gunners". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  17. ^ Jim Stokes, "Oh la, la, magical Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 12 December 1998
  18. ^ Brendan Fanning, "Euro dream lives on", Sunday Independent, 10 January 1999
  19. ^ Chris Hewett, "Rugby Union: Ulster revel in magic of Europe", The Independent, 11 January 1999
  20. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Ulster off to a flier", Sunday Life, 16 August 1998
  21. ^ "Duignan does it for the West", Sunday World, 23 August 1998
  22. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Chastened Shadows", Sunday Life, 23 August 1998
  23. ^ Kieran Rooney, "Ward leads Ulster to top", Irish Independent, 5 September 1998
  24. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ulster take a pasting", Belfast Telegraph, 12 September 1998
  25. ^ Barry Roche, "Munster pack most powerful of punches", Sunday Tribune, 4 October 1998
  26. ^ Jim Stokes, "Bell and Ward in top gear", Belfast Telegraph, 24 October 1998
  27. ^ "No pain but gain for Coulter class", Belfast Telegraph, 8 June 1998
  28. ^ Jim Stokes, "McWhirter points way", Belfast Telegraph, 11 August 1998
  29. ^ Jim Stokes, "Matchett stakes claim for Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 29 August 1998
  30. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ulster toasts master Mason", Belfast Telegraph, 28 May 1999
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