2005–06 Ulster Rugby season

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2005–06 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Mark McCall
Captain(s)Simon Best, Justin Harrison[1]
Top scorerDavid Humphreys (267)
Most triesTommy Bowe (11)
League(s)Heineken Cup (3rd in pool)
Celtic League (Champions)
← 2004–05 2006–07 →

In the 2005–06 season, Ulster were Celtic League champions for the first time. This was their eleventh season under professionalism, and their second under head coach Mark McCall. They also competed in the Heineken Cup.

In pre-season, Gary Longwell replaced Maurice Field as head of the academy.[2] Scrum-half Neil Doak retired as a player and became a High Performance Coach with the academy.[3] Flanker and captain Andy Ward also retired.[4] New signings included Australian international lock Justin Harrison,[5] and Irish-qualified New Zealand-born scrum-half Isaac Boss.[6] Prop Justin Fitzpatrick returned from Castres Olympique.[7]

Ulster finished top of the table in the Celtic League. Tommy Bowe was the league's top try scorer with ten. David Humphreys was second top points scorer with 229, and second leading marksman with 81 successful goal kicks. Justin Harrison was joint top of the appearances table with 20.[8] In the Heineken Cup, they finished third in Pool 4, failing to qualify for the knockout stage.

Players who made their debuts this season include flanker Stephen Ferris,[9] prop Declan Fitzpatrick,[10] centre Andrew Trimble,[11] and lock Ryan Caldwell,[10] Andrew Trimble was Ulster's Player of the Year, and IRUPA Newcomer of the Year. Neil Best won the IRUPA Unsung Hero award.[12]

Staff[]

Position[13] Name Nationality
Director of Coaching Mark McCall  Ireland
Assistant Coach (forwards) Allen Clarke  Ireland
Assistant Coach (defence) Neil Kelly  England

Squad[]

Senior squad[]

Ulster Rugby squad[14][18]

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.

2005–06 Heineken Cup[]

Main article: 2005–06 Heineken Cup

Pool 4[]

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff TB LB Pts
France Biarritz (2) 6 5 0 1 24 10 +14 182 93 +89 4 0 24
England Saracens 6 4 0 2 12 13 −1 128 129 −1 1 0 17
Ireland Ulster 6 3 0 3 15 13 +2 126 111 +15 2 0 14
Italy Benetton Treviso 6 0 0 6 13 28 −15 104 207 −103 2 1 3
21 October 2005
19:30
Ulster Ireland 27–0 Italy Benetton Treviso
Try: Wilson 20'
N. Best 57'
McMillan 75'
Maggs
Con: David Humphreys (2) 20', 75'
Pen: David Humphreys 6'
 Report[20][21]
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,252
Referee: Jean-Pierre Matheu
Ulster lineup
29 October 2005
16:00
Biarritz France 33–19 Ireland Ulster
Try: Badabé (2) 1', 14'
Bălan 4'
Gobelet 73'
Con: Yachvili (2) 15', 73'
Pen: Yachvili (2) 40', 65'
Drop: Peyrelongue 80' +5'
 Report[22][23] Try: N. Best 18'
S. Best 59'
Pen: David Humphreys (3) 7', 32', 68'
Parc des Sports Aquil
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse
Ulster lineup
9 December 2005
19:30
Ulster Ireland 19–10 England Saracens
Try: R. Best 78'
Con: David Humphreys 79'
Pen: David Humphreys (4) 25', 55', 71', 77'
 Report[24][25] Try: Jackson 14'
Con: Jackson 15'
Pen: Jackson 61'
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,300
Referee: Eric Darriere
Ulster lineup
17 December 2005
13:00
Saracens England 18–10 Ireland Ulster
Try: Skirving 3'
Yates 40' +4'
Con: Jackson 4'
Pen: Jackson (2) 67', 80' + 5'
 Report[26] Try: Bowe 5'
Con: David Humphreys 6'
Pen: David Humphreys 78'
Vicarage Road
Attendance: 8,571
Referee: Joël Jutge
Ulster lineup
13 January 2006
19:30
Ulster Ireland 8–24 France Biarritz
Try: Best 5'
Pen: David Humphreys 51'
 Report[27] Try: Bobo 30'
Bălan 62'
Con: Yachvili 62'
Pen: Yachvili (3) 11', 72' 79'
Drop: Peyrelongue 80' + 1'
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,300
Referee: Dave Pearson
Ulster lineup
21 January 2006
16:00
Benetton Treviso Italy 26–43 Ireland Ulster
Try: (2) 39', 40' +3'
Williams 42'
Palmer 67'
Con: (3) 39', 40' + 3', 67'
 Report[28] Try: Maxwell (3) 3', 21', 33'
Trimble (2) 52', 79'
Wallace 60'
Con: Steinmetz (5) 4', 22', 34', 52' 79'
Pen: Steinmetz 41'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Ulster lineup

2005-06 Celtic League[]

Main article: 2005–06 Celtic League
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Ireland Ulster 20 15 1 4 510 347 +163 49 31 3 2 75
2 Ireland Leinster 20 14 0 6 545 427 +118 59 45 8 2 74
3 Ireland Munster 20 12 0 8 439 372 +67 49 42 7 3 66
4 Wales Cardiff Blues 20 11 0 9 475 389 +86 51 38 6 5 63
5 Scotland Edinburgh Gunners 20 11 0 9 418 415 +3 48 45 5 3 60
6 Wales Llanelli Scarlets 20 10 1 9 418 402 +16 49 37 3 4 57
7 Wales Ospreys 20 11 0 9 381 409 −28 33 38 1 2 55
8 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 20 7 0 13 355 456 −101 40 51 2 7 45
9 Scotland Border Reivers 20 7 0 13 386 501 −115 39 59 1 7 44
10 Ireland Connacht 20 6 0 14 325 466 −141 28 51 1 4 37
11 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 20 5 0 15 371 439 −68 39 47 2 7 37
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)

Due to the uneven number of participating teams, each team had two free weekends and were awarded 4 match points each time.

Source: RaboDirect PRO12 Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
9 September 2005
19:10
Cardiff Blues Wales 22–25 Ireland Ulster
Try: Morgan
Con: Robinson
Pen: Robinson (5)
 Report[29] Try: Bowe
Con: David Humphreys
Pen: David Humphreys (5)
Drop: David Humphreys
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,784
Referee: Rob Dickson
Ulster lineup
16 September 2005
19:30
Ulster Ireland 30–23 Scotland Edinburgh Gunners
Try: Bowe
Trimble
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (6)
 Report[30] Try: Dewey
Leonelli
Con: Paterson (2)
Pen: Paterson (2)
Drop: Paterson
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,799
Referee: Phil Fear
Ulster lineup
24 September 2005
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 19–22 Ireland Ulster
Try: Gough
Con: Warlow
Pen: Warlow (3)
Drop: Warlow
 Report[31] Try: N. Best (2)
Trimble
Con: Wallace (2)
Pen: Wallace
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,112
Referee: Malcolm Changleng
Ulster lineup


1 October 2005
17:30
Leinster Ireland 30–23 Ireland Ulster
Try: Hickie
Potts
Con: Contepomi
Pen: Contepomi (6)
 Report[32] Try: Wallace
Best
Con: David Humphreys (2)
Pen: David Humphreys (3)
Donnybrook
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Olan Trevor
Ulster lineup
7 October 2005
19:10
Ulster Ireland 36–10 Ireland Connacht
Try: R. Best
Bowe
Topping
McCullough
Trimble
Con: Humphreys (2)
Cunningham
Wallace
Pen: Cunningham
 Report[33] Try: Matthews
Con:
Pen: Warwick
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,546
Referee: Alain Rolland
Ulster lineup
15 October 2005
19:30
Border Reivers Scotland 0–27 Ireland Ulster
Report[34] Try: Topping
N. Best
Boss
Con: Humphreys (3)
Pen: Humphreys (2)
Netherdale
Attendance: 1,857
Referee: Phil Fear
Ulster lineup
4 November 2005
19:10
Ulster Ireland 12–20 Wales Ospreys
Pen: Steinmetz (4)
 Report[35] Try: Spice
Pen: Connor (4)
Drop: Connor
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,310
Referee: Ian Heard
Ulster lineup
3 December 2005
19:10
Munster Ireland 17–20 Ireland Ulster
Try: D. Wallace
Flannery
Con: O'Gara (2)
Drop: O'Gara
 Report[36] Try: Bowe
Andrew Trimble
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (2)
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Alain Rolland
Ulster lineup
26 December 2005
17:00
Ulster Ireland 19–24 Ireland Leinster
Try: Bowe
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (4)
 Report[37] Try: D'Arcy
Dempsey
Con: Contepomi
Pen: Contepomi (4)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,300
Referee: George Clancy
Ulster lineup
31 December 2005
14:00
Connacht Ireland 22–12 Ireland Ulster
Try:

McPhillips
Con: (2)
Pen:
Report[38] Pen: Humphreys (4)
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,100
Referee: Alan Lewis
Ulster lineup
7 January 2006
15:30
Ulster Ireland 25–23 Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Try: Humphreys
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (6)
 Report[39] Try: Hamilton
Morrison
Con: Parks (2)
Pen: Parks (3)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,487
Referee: Phil Fear
Ulster lineup
27 January 2006
19:30
Ulster Ireland 30–13 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Try: Howe
Maxwell
Con: Steinmetz
Pen: Steinmetz (6)
 Report[40] Try: James
Con: Davies (2)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,986
Referee: Peter Allan
Ulster lineup
17 February 2006
19:30
Edinburgh Gunners Scotland 23–31 Ireland Ulster
Try: Hodge
Penalty try
Con: Hodge (2)
Pen: Hodge (3)
 Report[41] Try: Maxwell (2)
Boss
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (4)
Murrayfield
Attendance: 3,559
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse
Ulster lineup
3 March 2006
19:35
Ulster Ireland 27–3 Ireland Munster
Try: Bowe
Steinmetz
McMillan
Wilson
Harrison
Con: Humphreys
 Report[42] Pen: Burke
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,300
Referee: Alain Rolland
Ulster lineup
25 March 2006
15:30
Ulster Ireland 24–17 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Try: Bowe
Humphreys
Cunningham
Con: Humphreys (3)
Pen: Humphreys
 Report[43] Try: Jones
Luscombe
Con: Warlow (2)
Pen: Warlow
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,546
Referee: Malcolm Changleng
Ulster lineup
15 April 2006
17:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland 18–27 Ireland Ulster
Con: Parks
Pen: Parks (2)
 Report[44] Try: Harrison
Boss
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (5)
Firhill
Attendance: 2,240
Referee: Tim Hayes
Ulster lineup
5 May 2006
21:00
Ulster Ireland 26–17 Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Wilson
Penalty try
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (4)
 Report[45] Try: Robinson
Pen: Macleod (4)
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,617
Referee: Andy Ireland
Ulster lineup


12 May 2006
19:30
Ulster Ireland 63–17 Scotland Border Reivers
Try: Bowe (2)
Wallace
Maxwell (2)
Wilson
Trimble (2)
Ferris
Con: Humphreys (6)
Pen: Humphreys (2)
 Report[46] Try: Moffat
Danielli
Con: MacRae (2)
Pen: MacRae
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,932
Referee: James Jones
Ulster lineup
19 May 2006
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 12–12 Ireland Ulster
Try: John (2)
Con: Evans
 Report[47] Try: Bowe
Maxwell
Con: Humphreys
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,425
Referee: Graeme Hannah
Ulster lineup
26 May 2006
19:10
Ospreys Wales 17–19 Ireland Ulster
Try: Spice
Vaughton
Con: Henson (2)
Pen: Henson
 Report[48] Try: McCullough
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (2)
Drop: Humphreys
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 10,316
Referee: David Changleng
Ulster lineup

Ulster Rugby Awards[]

The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel on 18 May 2006. Winners were:[49]

  • Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year: Andrew Trimble
  • Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year: Justin Harrison
  • UTV Young Player of the Year: Stephen Ferris
  • Northern Bank Schools Player of the Year: Stephen Douglas, RBAI
  • Kukri Sportswear Club of the Year: Rainey Old Boys
  • Calor Gas Youth Player of the Year: William Stewart, Ballyclare
  • Dorrington B. Faulkner Award: Ian Beggs, Carrickfergus
  • First Trust Club Player of the Year: Glenn Moore, QUB

References[]

  1. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Unlocking Justin Harrison", Belfast Telegraph, 8 July 2008
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Longwell set to tackle new challenge", Belfast Telegraph, 8 June 2005
  3. ^ "Doak announces representative retirement", ESPN, 5 April 2005
  4. ^ "Andy Ward announces retirement", ESPN, 19 January 2005
  5. ^ "Harrison Unveiled As New Ulster Signing", Irish Rugby, 1 August 2005
  6. ^ "Passion for Ireland leads Boss to sign with Ulster", New Zealand Herald, 18 February 2005
  7. ^ "Fitzpatrick signs three-year deal with Ulster", Irish Examiner, 15 March 2005
  8. ^ Statzone, Pro12 Rugby, retrieved 2 June 2022
  9. ^ "Stephen Ferris To Retire From Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 3 June 2014
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "Caldwell is handed Ulster debut", BBC Sport, 23 August 2005
  11. ^ "Topping returns to Ulster line-up", BBC Sport, 16 August 2005
  12. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Trimble and Best land IRUPA awards", Belfast Telegraph, 4 May 2006
  13. ^ Profiles - coaching management, Ulster Rugby, archived 19 May 2006
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "Celtic League 2005/06: Ulster", Irish Rugby, 2 September 2005
  15. ^ "Humph out of Welsh clash", Belfast Telegraph, 8 April 2005
  16. ^ Des Berry, "Whatever happened to the likely lads of '95?", Irish Independent, 27 November 2005
  17. ^ Chris McCann, "Seamus is in rugby heaven after move to 'Saints'", Derry Journal, 16 September 2005
  18. ^ Appearances and scoring stats from ItsRugby.co.uk
  19. ^ "Head in Ulster training camp call", BBC Sport, 3 August 2005
  20. ^ "Ulster Earn Bonus Point With Perfect Start", EPCR, 21 October 2005
  21. ^ "Ulster 27-0 Benetton Treviso", BBC Sport, 21 October 2005
  22. ^ [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/biarritz-olympique-v-ulster#report "Biarritz Olympique v Ulster", EPCR, 29 October 2005
  23. ^ "Biarritz 33-19 Ulster", BBC Sport, 29 October 2005
  24. ^ "Ulster v Saracens, EPCR, 9 December 2005
  25. ^ "Ulster 19-10 Saracens", BBC Sport, 9 December 2005
  26. ^ "Saracens Gain Revenge", EPCR, 17 December 2005
  27. ^ "Biarritz Break Ulster Home Run", EPCR, 13 January 2006
  28. ^ "Ulster Complete Pool Stage With Fine Win", EPCR, 21 January 2006
  29. ^ "Ulster end woeful away form with win", Pro12 Rugby, 7 September 2005
  30. ^ "Ulster go top as the Gunners stumble", Pro12 Rugby, 15 September 2005
  31. ^ "Ulster turn up the heat to douse Dragons", Pro12 Rugby, 20 September 2005
  32. ^ "Hickie try sinks Ulster", Pro12 Rugby, 1 October 2005
  33. ^ "Ulster win to go top", Pro12 Rugby, 7 October 2005
  34. ^ "Ulster ease to comfortable win", Pro12 Rugby, 15 October 2005
  35. ^ "Ospreys end Ulster's home record", Pro12 Rugby, 4 November 2005
  36. ^ "Ulster hold on for win", Pro12 Rugby, 3 December 2005
  37. ^ "O'Driscoll returns in Leinster victory", Pro12 Rugby, 26 December 2005
  38. ^ "Connacht outshine lacklustre Ulster", Pro12 Rugby, 31 December 2005
  39. ^ "Ulster edge out Glasgow Warriors", Pro12 Rugby, 7 January 2006
  40. ^ "Ulster cement top four spot", Pro12 Rugby, 27 January 2006
  41. ^ "Experienced Ulster take the points", Pro12 Rugby, 17 February 2006
  42. ^ "Bonus point win sees Ulster go top", Pro12 Rugby, 3 March 2006
  43. ^ "Ulster win takes them back to the top", Pro12 Rugby, 25 March 2006
  44. ^ "Ulster maintain title push", Pro12 Rugby, 15 April 2006
  45. ^ "Ulster maintain title push", Pro12 Rugby, 5 May 2006
  46. ^ "Ulster smash Reivers and go top", Pro12 Rugby, 12 May 2006
  47. ^ "Ulster denied glory at Stradey Park", Pro12 Rugby, 19 May 2006
  48. ^ "Humphreys drop snatches title for Ulster", Pro12 Rugby, 26 May 2006
  49. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Justin given a timely boost", Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 2006
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