2003–04 Ulster Rugby season

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2003–04 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Alan Solomons
Captain(s)Andy Ward
Top scorerDavid Humphreys (204)
Most triesTyrone Howe (12)
League(s)Heineken Cup (3rd in pool)
Celtic League (2nd)
Celtic Cup (champions)
← 2002–03 2004–05 →

The 2003–04 season was Ulster Rugby's ninth under professionalism, and their third under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup, the Celtic League and the inaugural Celtic Cup.

In the Celtic League, they finished second in the table. There were no playoffs. Tyrone Howe was the league's joint third leading try scorer with nine.[1] In the Heineken Cup, they came third in Pool 1, not qualifying for the knockout stage. They won the Celtic Cup, defeating Edinburgh in the final. James Topping became the only the second player, after Gary Longwell, to make 100 appearances for Ulster.[2] Tommy Bowe was named IRUPA Young Player of the Year.[3] Roger Wilson was Ulster's Player of the Year.

Head coach Alan Solomons and forwards coach Adrian Kennedy left at the end of the season to join Northampton Saints.[4] Backs coach Mark McCall was named as the new head coach.[5]

Staff[]

Position Name Nationality
Chief Executive Michael Reid  Ireland
Director of Rugby Alan Solomons  South Africa
Team manager John McComish  Ireland
Forwards coach Adrian Kennedy  Ireland
Backs coach Mark McCall  Ireland
Assistant conditioning coach John McCloskey  Ireland
Physiotherapist Gareth Robinson  Ireland

Squad[]

Senior squad[]

Ulster Rugby squad

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.[14]

2003–04 Heineken Cup[]

Main article: 2003–04 Heineken Cup

Pool 1[]

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff TB LB Pts
France Stade Français 6 4 0 2 11 8 3 134 80 54 1 1 18
England Leicester Tigers 6 3 0 3 17 10 7 137 115 22 3 0 15
Ireland Ulster 6 3 0 3 10 9 1 109 106 3 1 1 14
Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 6 2 0 4 5 16 −11 67 146 −79 0 1 9
7 December 2003
14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 24 – 15 Ireland Ulster
Try: Breeze, Montgomery
Con: Jarvis
 Report[15] Pen: Humphreys (5)
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,500
Ulster lineup
12 December 2003
19:30
Ulster Ireland 22 – 20 France Stade Français
Try: Wallace
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (5)
 Report[16] Try: Rabadan
Pen: Domínguez (4)
Drop:
Ravenhill
Attendance: 10,243
Referee: N Williams
Ulster lineup
11 January 2004
13:00
Ulster Ireland 33 – 0 England Leicester Tigers
Try: Howe, Ward (2),
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (3)
 Report[17]
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,300
Ulster lineup
17 January 2004
15:00
Leicester Tigers England 49 – 7 Ireland Ulster
Try: Lloyd (2), Back, Van der Westhuyzen, Johnson
Con: Vesty (3)
Pen: Vesty (6)
 Report[18][19] Try: Topping
Con: Humphreys
Welford Road
Attendance: 16,815
Ulster lineup
24 January 2004
16:00
Stade Français France 13 – 10 Ireland Ulster
Try: Marconnet
Con: Domínguez
Pen: Domínguez (2)
 Report[20][21] Try: Humphreys
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys
Stade Jean-Bouin
Attendance: 10,284
Ulster lineup
30 January 2004
19:45
Ulster Ireland 22 – 0 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Try: Shields, Humphreys, Howe
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys
Ravenhill
Attendance: 11,925
Referee: J Dume
Ulster lineup

2003-04 Celtic League[]

Main article: 2003–04 Celtic League
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Wales Llanelli Scarlets 22 16 1 5 597 385 +212 57 39 7 3 76
2 Ireland Ulster 22 15 0 7 617 363 +254 67 29 8 4 72
3 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 22 16 0 6 590 449 +141 59 41 7 1 72
4 Wales Celtic Warriors 22 14 0 8 560 451 +109 48 37 5 4 65
5 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys 22 11 1 10 582 512 +70 55 60 5 4 55
6 Wales Cardiff Blues 22 11 0 11 570 467 +103 73 54 7 3 54
7 Ireland Munster 22 10 0 12 422 456 −34 45 49 6 5 51
8 Ireland Leinster 22 9 1 12 523 580 −57 51 65 4 5 47
9 Ireland Connacht 22 8 2 12 479 550 −71 50 59 5 3 44
10 Scotland Edinburgh 22 9 0 13 454 622 −168 52 69 6 2 44
11 Scotland Glasgow 22 6 1 15 442 614 −172 52 61 3 3 32
12 Scotland Borders 22 4 0 18 363 750 −387 42 88 1 5 22

Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus)
  • 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
Source: RaboDirect PRO12 Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
5 September 2003
19:05
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 41–30 Ireland Ulster
Try: Tiueti, Durston, Henson (2)
Con: Connor (2), Henson
Pen: Connor (4), Henson
 Report[22][23] Try: , McCormack, Ward
Con: Wallace (3)
Pen: Wallace (3)
The Gnoll
Attendance: 4,250
Referee: Gregg Davies
Ulster lineup
12 September 2003
19:35
Ulster Ireland 33–6 Scotland Glasgow
Try: , ,
Con: Larkin (3)
Pen: Larkin (3)
 Report[24] Pen: Howarth
Drop: Moffat
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,000
Ulster lineup
26 September 2003
19:30
Ulster Ireland 37–18 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Try: Ward, , , Howe
Con: Larkin (4)
Pen: Larkin (3)
 Report[25] Try: , Baber
Con: Warlow
Pen: Warlow
Drop: Warlow
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,807
Referee: A. Ireland
Ulster lineup
10 October 2003
19:30
Munster Ireland 15–16 Ireland Ulster
Pen: Staunton (5)
 Report[26][27] Try: Mallon
Con: Larkin
Pen: Larkin (3)
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Nigel Owens
Ulster lineup
17 October 2003
19:30
Ulster Ireland 26–20 Wales Celtic Warriors
Try: Howe, Cunningham
Con: Larkin (2)
Pen: Larkin (4)
 Report[28][29] Try: Lewis
Pen: Jenkins (5)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,625
Referee: D. Changeleng
Ulster lineup
24 October 2003
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland 3–41 Ireland Ulster
Pen: Lee
 Report[30][31] Try: (3), Howe, Topping
Con: Larkin (5)
Pen: Larkin (2)
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,600
Ulster lineup
31 October 2003
19:30
Ulster Ireland 32–7 Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Cunningham (2)
Howe
Shields
Con: Larkin (3)
Pen: Larkin (2)
 Report[32] Try: Powell
Con: Robinson
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,256
Ulster lineup
8 November 2003
14:30
Connacht Ireland 31–20 Ireland Ulster
Try: Mostyn
Con: McHugh
Pen: Elwood (2)
McHugh (6)
 Report[33] Try: (2)
Con: Larkin (2)
Pen: Larkin (2)
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,950
Ulster lineup


28 November 2003
19:35
Ulster Ireland 46–5 Scotland Borders
Try: Cunningham
(2)
Ward
Shields
Con: Wallace (5)
Pen: Wallace (2)
 Report[34] Try: Walker
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,585
Ulster lineup


2 January 2004
19:35
Leinster Ireland 32–30 Ireland Ulster
Try: Contepomi
Costello
Con: O'Meara (2)
Pen: O'Meara (6)
 Report[35][36] Try: Howe
Steinmetz
Humphreys
Con: Humphreys (3)
Pen: Humphreys (3)
Donnybrook
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Nigel Owens
Ulster lineup
6 February 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 10–9 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Try: Cunningham
Con: Larkin
Pen: Larkin
 Report[37] Pen: Bowen (2)
Drop: Phillips
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,603
Ulster lineup


13 February 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 31–19 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Try: N. Best

Wallace
Brosnihan
Con: Larkin (4)
Pen: Larkin
 Report[38][39] Try:
Williams
Tiueti
Con: Henson
Tiueti
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,041
Referee: Rob Dickson
Ulster lineup
20 February 2004
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 27–25 Ireland Ulster
Try: A. Bulloch
Lamont
Lawson
Con: Howarth (3)
Pen: Howarth (2)
 Report[40][41] Try: N. Best

McCullough
Con: Wallace (2)
Pen: Larkin (2)
Hughenden
Attendance: 3,189
Ulster lineup
28 February 2004
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 27–19 Ireland Ulster
Try: Jarvis
Luscombe
Con: Montgomery
Pen: Montgomery (5)
 Report[42][43] Try: Wilson
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (4)
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,016
Ulster lineup
5 March 2004
19:35
Ulster Ireland 36–13 Ireland Munster
Try: Sexton
Wallace
McMillan

Con: Wallace (2)
Pen: Larkin (4)
 Report[44] Try: Murphy
Con: Lawler
Pen: Lawler (2)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,820
Ulster lineup


12 March 2004
19:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 0–28 Ireland Ulster
Try: Humphreys

McMillan
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (3)
 Report[45]
Brewery Field
Attendance: 2,000
Ulster lineup


26 March 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 37–0 Scotland Edinburgh
Try: Howe (2)
Larkin
Sexton
Wallace
Con: Larkin (3)
Pen: Larkin (2)
 Report[46]
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,328
Ulster lineup
3 April 2004
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales 19–15 Ireland Ulster
Try: Shanklin (2)
Williams
Con: Robinson
Harris
 Report[47] Try: Brosnihan
S. Best
Con: Humphreys
Drop: Humphreys
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Gregg Davies
Ulster lineup


16 April 2004
19:35
Ulster Ireland 42–27 Ireland Connacht
Try: Bowe
Ward
Wallace
McMillan

Con: Humphreys (4)
Pen: Humphreys (3)
 Report[48] Try:
McPhillips
Con: McHugh
Pen: McHugh (3)
[[McHugh|Hewitt]] (2)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,286
Ulster lineup


30 April 2004
19:30
Borders Scotland 15–19 Ireland Ulster
Try: Fairley

Con: Vili
Pen: Vili
 Report[49] Try: S. Best
N. Best
Pen: Humphreys (2)
Drop: Humphreys
Netherdale
Attendance: 1,200
Ulster lineup
7 May 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 28–6 Ireland Leinster
Try: Howe (2)
Humphreys
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (3)
 Report[50][51] Pen: O'Meara (2)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Nigel Williams
Ulster lineup
14 May 2004
19:35
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 23–16 Ireland Ulster
Try: Watkins
Pen: Jones (5)
Drop: Jones
 Report[52] Try: McMillan
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (3)
Stradey Park
Attendance: 10,000
Ulster lineup

Celtic Cup[]

Main article: Celtic Cup (rugby union)

Quarter-final[]

3 October 2003
Ulster Ireland 23 (3 tries) - 23 (2 tries) Ireland Leinster
Try: Penalty try
Howe
N. Best
Con: Larkin
Pen: Larkin (2)
 Report[53][54][55] Try: O'Riordan
Brown
Con: Leek (2)
Pen: Leek (3)
Ulster lineup

Semi-final[]

15 November 2003
Glasgow Scotland 13-20 Ireland Ulster
Try: Morrison
Con: Howarth
Pen: Parks
Drop: Parks
 Report[56][57] Try:
Pen: Larkin (4)
Drop: Larkin
Glasgow
Referee: H. Watkins
Ulster lineup

Final[]

20 December 2003
14:30 GMT
Edinburgh Scotland 21–27 Ireland Ulster
Try: Simon Webster
Derrick Lee
Mike Blair
Con: Chris Paterson (3/3)
 Report[58][59] Try: Neil Best

Con: David Humphreys (1/2)
Pen: David Humphreys (5)
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Attendance: 17,174
Referee: (Wales)
Ulster lineup

Ulster Rugby Awards[]

The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel on 20 May 2004. Winners were:[60]

  • Ulster Rugby personality of the year: Alan Solomons
  • Ulster player of the year: Roger Wilson
  • Club Ulster supporters' player of the year: Andy Ward
  • Schools player of the year: John McCall, Royal School, Armagh
  • Coach of the year: Kenny Hooks, Royal School, Armagh
  • Club of the year: Belfast Harlequins
  • Team of the year: Belfast Harlequins 2nd XV
  • Youth player of the year: Neville Farr, Banbridge RFC
  • Dorrington B. Faulkner Award: Brian Banks
  • Merit award: Bob Montgomery and Brian Elliott, Ravenhill grounds staff
  • Media liaison of the year: John Dickson, Ballynahinch RFC

References[]

  1. ^ Statzone, Pro12 Rugby, retrieved 2 June 2022
  2. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Topping in line to hit Ulster century", Belfast Telegraph, 31 Match 2004
  3. ^ "Tommy Bowe - IRUPA Young Player of the Year", Ulster Rugby, 20 May 2004, archived 5 June 2004
  4. ^ "Solomons Leaving Ulster", Irish Rugby, 16 February 2004
  5. ^ "McCall gets call to coach Ulster", The Irish Times, 23 March 2004
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Gavin Mairs, "Rugby: New faces on show as Ulster slip into gear", Belfast Telegraph, 4 July 2008
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ulster sign Connacht duo", BBC Sport, 23 April 2003
  8. ^ "Moore signs for Ulster", BBC Sport, 30 August 2003
  9. ^ "Steinmetz heading for Ulster", BBC Sport, 8 July 2003
  10. ^ "Blair to quit Ulster", RTÉ, 10 April 2003
  11. ^ Jim Stokes, "Davidson forced to retire", BBC Sport, 2 May 2003
  12. ^ Barry Coughlan, "Castres deal lures Fitzpatrick from Ulster", Irish Examiner, 4 April 2003
  13. ^ "AIL Finals Previews", The Irish Times, 10 May 2003
  14. ^ "Ulster's 2002/3 squad", BBC Sport, 2 July 2002
  15. ^ "Ulster are left with a mountain to climb", Daily Telegraph, 8 December 2003
  16. ^ "Ulster's rousing rally cry", Irish Independent, 13 December 2003
  17. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Wisdom of Solomons in finest hour", Belfast Telegraph, 12 January 2004
  18. ^ "Leicester 49-7 Ulster", BBC Sport, 17 January 2004
  19. ^ Eddie Butler, "Tiger bows out with a roar", Irish Independent, 18 January 2004
  20. ^ "Stade Francais 13-10 Ulster", BBC Sport, 24 January 2004
  21. ^ Michael Streeter, "Dominguez kicks break Ulster hearts", Sunday Independent, 25 January 2004
  22. ^ "Ospreys soar on debut", BBC Sport, 5 September 2003
  23. ^ "Henson class blows away Ulster defence", Belfast Telegraph, 6 September 2003
  24. ^ "Ulster back in form with crushing win over Glasgow", Irish Examiner, 13 September 2003
  25. ^ Michael Sadlier, "Ulster slay Dragons but crisis on horizon", Belfast Telegraph, 27 September 2003
  26. ^ "Munster lose to Ulster in Musgrave", Munster Rugby, 10 October 2003
  27. ^ "Larkin's late strike prove vital", Irish Independent, 11 October 2003
  28. ^ "Ulster edge out Warriors", BBC Sport, 17 October 2003
  29. ^ Ciaran Donaghy, "Rugby: Sweet 16", Belfast Telegraph, 18 October 2003
  30. ^ Ciaran Donaghy, "Constable on the beat", Sunday Life, 26 October 2003
  31. ^ "Ulster rout Edinburgh", BBC Sport, 24 October 2003
  32. ^ "Impressive Ulster out score Cardiff by four tries to one", Wales Online, 1 November 2003
  33. ^ "Connacht Break Ulster'S Winning Run", Pro12 Rugby, 8 November 2003
  34. ^ "Ulster blitz the Borders", BBC Sport, 28 November 2003
  35. ^ "Leinster edge out Ulster", BBC Sport, 2 January 2004
  36. ^ Kieran Rooney, "O'Meara flawless as Lions hang on", Irish Independent, 3 January 2004
  37. ^ "Ulster 10-9 Scarlets", BBC Sport, 6 February 2004
  38. ^ "Ulster 31-19 Ospreys", BBC Sport, 13 February 2004
  39. ^ "Ulster 31 Ospreys 19", Irish Independent, 14 February 2004
  40. ^ "Glasgow 27-25 Ulster", BBC Sport, 20 February 2004
  41. ^ "Ulster let it slide", Irish Independent, 21 February 2004
  42. ^ "Dragons 27-19 Ulster", BBC Sport, 28 February 2004
  43. ^ Match Centre, Pro12 Rugby, 28 February 2004
  44. ^ "Ulster Bounce Back", Pro12 Rugby, 5 March 2004
  45. ^ "Ulster Maintain Title Charge", Pro12 Rugby, 12 March 2004
  46. ^ "Ulster Gun Down Edinburgh To Stay On Top", Pro12 Rugby, 26 March 2004
  47. ^ "Blues Dent Ulster Hopes", Pro12 Rugby, 3 April 2004
  48. ^ "Ulster Fight Back To Retain Ravenhill Record", Pro12 Rugby, 16 April 2004
  49. ^ "Ulster Win Keeps Them On Target", Pro12 Rugby, 30 April 2004
  50. ^ "Ulster'S Win Keeps Title Hopes Alive", Pr12 Rugby, 7 May 2004
  51. ^ "Stylish Ulster miss out on bonus point", Irish Independent, 8 May 2004
  52. ^ "Scarlets Crowned Celtic Champions", Pro12 Rugby, 14 May 2004
  53. ^ "Ulster Win Through On Try Count", Pro12 Rugby, 3 October 2003
  54. ^ "Ulster earn countback win", BBC Sport, 3 October 2003
  55. ^ Kieran Rooney, "Ulster try count downs Leinster", Irish Independent, 4 October 2003
  56. ^ "Ulster edge out Glasgow", BBC Sport, 14 November 2003
  57. ^ "Constable's try decisive as Ulster net final spot", Irish Independent, 15 November 2003
  58. ^ "Ulster hold on for victory", BBC Sport, 20 December 2003
  59. ^ Brendan Fanning, "Humphreys king of Celtic warriors", Sunday Independent, 21 December 2003
  60. ^ "Emotional end to Ulster season", Belfast Telegraph, 21 May 2004
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