2017–18 Ulster Rugby season

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Ulster Rugby
2017–18 season
Head CoachJono Gibbes
Director of RugbyLes Kiss
CaptainRory Best
Pro144th in Conference B
European Rugby Champions Cup3rd in Pool 1
Top try scorerAll: Craig Gilroy (11)
Top points scorerAll: John Cooney (225)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2016–17 2018–19 →

The 2017–18 season was Ulster's 24th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Jono Gibbes' only season as head coach. Rory Best was captain. They competed in the inaugural Pro14 (successor competition to the Pro12) and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

After the departure of Neil Doak, Jono Gibbes joined Ulster as head coach,[1] with Dwayne Peel joining him as assistant coach,[2] replacing Allen Clarke, who had left to join the coaching staff at Ospreys.[3] Aaron Dundon joined as scrum coach,[4] with Niall Malone remaining as skills coach.

Out-half Paddy Jackson and centre Stuart Olding were charged with rape and suspended from playing pending trial[5] (both would be acquitted, but have their contracts revoked).[6] Australian out-half Christian Lealiifano was signed on a five-month loan to cover.[7] Rory Best was restored to the captaincy.[8] The IRFU had blocked South African scrum-half Ruan Pienaar extending his contract as part of their restrictions on foreign players,[9] and he left for Montpellier. John Cooney was signed from Connacht to replace him.[10] Other new arrivals were two South Africans, prop Schalk van der Merwe, signed from the Southern Kings, and loose forward Jean Deysel, signed from the Sharks. Back row forward Roger Wilson retired, lock Conor Joyce and centre Mark Best moved to Jersey Reds, hooker Johnny Murphy went to Rotherham Titans, and lock John Donnan, flankers Lorcan Dow and Stephen Mullholand, and prop Ricky Lutton were released.

After a poor run of form, with eighteen tries conceded in four matches over the Christmas period,[11] Director of Rugby Les Kiss left in January, with Gibbes assuming all coaching responsibility of the team for the remainder of the season.[12] Ulster finished third in Pool 1 of the Champions Cup, failing to qualify for the knockout stage. They finished fourth of seven in Conference B of the Pro14, failing to qualify for the playoffs, and having to beat Ospreys in a playoff to qualify for next season's Champions Cup. Gibbes cut short his contract at the end of the season.[13] Former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll described the province as "a bit of a basket case", facing "Administration issues, senior players retiring, the well documented court case, now no number 10 to build the team around, no coach next year, struggling for Champions Cup rugby next season."[14]

Academy flanker Nick Timoney had a breakthrough season, making twenty appearances and scoring five tries. John Cooney was Ulster's leading scorer with 225 points; he was the Pro14's top scorer with 175 points, and made the Pro14 Dream Team. Wing Craig Gilroy was the team's leading try scorer with eleven. Lock Alan O'Connor was leading tackler with 226.[15] John Cooney was Ulster's Player of the Year.

This was fullback Charles Piutau's last season with Ulster: he moved to Bristol Bears at the end of the season. Wings Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble and flanker Chris Henry retired. Centre Jared Payne also retired as a player, and was appointed defence coach.

Staff[]

Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Shane Logan  Ireland
Director of Rugby Les Kiss  Australia
Operations Director Bryn Cunningham  Ireland
Head Coach Jono Gibbes  New Zealand
Assistant Coach Dwayne Peel  Wales
Scrum Coach Aaron Dundon  New Zealand
Skills Coach Niall Malone  Ireland
Head of Strength & Conditioning Jonny Davis  Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach Kevin Geary  Ireland

Squad[]

Senior squad[]

Ulster Rugby squad[25][26]

Props

Hookers

Locks


Back row


Scrum-halves

  • Ireland John Cooney (25 apps, 22 starts, 226 pts)
  • Ireland Aaron Cairns (promoted from academy, 8 apps, 5 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland Paul Marshall (10 apps, 3 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland David Shanahan (5 apps, 1 start)
  • Ireland Johnny Stewart (4 apps, 1 start)

Fly-halves

Centres

  • Ireland Stuart McCloskey (25 apps, 25 starts, 35 pts)
  • Ireland Luke Marshall (16 apps, 12 starts)
  • Ireland Darren Cave (17 apps, 10 starts, 22 pts)
  • Ireland Callum Patterson (6 apps, 6 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland Stuart Olding (no apps)
  • Ireland Jared Payne (no apps)

Wings

  • Ireland Jacob Stockdale (19 apps, 18 starts, 50 pts)
  • Ireland Craig Gilroy (12 apps, 12 starts, 55 pts)
  • Ireland Tommy Bowe (18 apps, 11 starts, 15 pts)
  • Ireland Andrew Trimble (12 apps, 9 starts, 30 pts)
  • Ireland Rob Lyttle (promoted from academy, 6 apps, 2 starts, 20 pts)
  • Ireland David Busby (promoted from academy, 2 apps)
  • Ireland Jack Owens (promoted from academy, no apps)

Fullbacks

  • New Zealand Charles Piutau (22 apps, 22 starts, 15 pts)
  • South Africa Louis Ludik* (24 apps, 19 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland Peter Nelson (10 apps, 3 starts, 20 pts)
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.[27][28]
  • Internationally capped players in bold
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*
  • Irish Provinces are currently limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player").[29]

Academy squad[]

Players joining the academy this year were out-half Michael Lowry and centre James Hume, from RBAI's three-time Schools' Cup-winning team; prop Tom O'Toole from Campbell College; lock/back row Matthew Dalton, from BRA, hooker Alexander Clarke (son of former Ulster hooker and assistant coach Allen Clarke), from Ballymena Academy; flanker Joe Dunleavy, from City of Derry R.F.C.; lock John McCusker, from Rainey Old Boys R.F.C.; lock Jack Regan; flanker Greg Jones and prop Eric O'Sullivan.[30] Wing Robert Baloucoune and scrum-half Graham Curtis joined later in the season.[31]

Position[32] Name Nationality
Head Coach Kieran Campbell  Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach Matthew Maguire  Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach Matthew Godfrey  Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach Amy Davis  Ireland
Representative Team Performance Manager Michael Black  Ireland
Talent Development Officer Jonny Gillespie  Ireland
Elite Player Development Officer/Head Coach Ulster 'A' Alex Codling  Ireland
Elite Player Development Officer James Topping  Ireland
Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach David Drake  Ireland
Ulster Rugby Academy squad[33]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

  • None
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players, 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.[34]

European Rugby Champions Cup[]

Main article: 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
France La Rochelle (5) 6 4 0 2 156 121 +35 18 17 3 1 20
England Wasps 6 3 0 3 154 121 +33 21 15 4 1 17
Ireland Ulster 6 4 0 2 132 118 +14 15 15 1 0 17
England Harlequins 6 1 0 5 106 188 –82 15 22 2 1 7
13 October 2017
19:45
Ulster Ireland 19–9 England Wasps
Try: Stockdale 54' m
McCloskey 56' m
Pen: Cooney (1/2) 14'
Lealiifano (2/2) 69', 74'
 Report[35]
Highlights 		Pen: Daly (1/1) 3'
Gopperth (2/2) 40', 46'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 15,291
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Ulster lineup


22 October 2017
16:15
(1 BP) La Rochelle France 41–17 Ireland Ulster
Try: Sinzelle 2' c
Vito 50' c
Gourdon 59' c
62' c
Eaton 65' c
Con: Lamb (1/1) 3'
(2/2) 51', 60'
(2/2) 64', 66'
Pen: (2/2) 22', 27'
 Report[36]
Highlights 		Try: Lealiifano 9' c
Bowe 69' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/1) 10'
Pen: Lealiifano (1/1) 15'
Stade Marcel-Deflandre
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Ulster lineup


10 December 2017
13:00
Harlequins England 5–17 Ireland Ulster
Try: Sinckler 49' m
 Report[37]
Highlights 		Try: Stockdale 25' m
Pen: Cooney (4/5) 5', 61', 65', 78'
Twickenham Stoop
Attendance: 8,327
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (FFR)
Ulster lineup


15 December 2017
19:45
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland 52–24 England Harlequins (1 BP)
Try: McCloskey 17' c
Gilroy 43' c
Piutau 55' m
O'Connor 61' c
Cooney 71' c
Trimble 79' c
Con: Cooney (5/6) 18', 45', 62', 72', 80'
Pen: Cooney (4/4) 4', 9', 33', 50'
 Report[38]
Highlights 		Try: Smith 13' m
Walker 29' c
Chisholm 58' m
Ward 66' c
Con: Smith (2/4) 30', 67'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 15,646
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
Ulster lineup


13 January 2018
13:00
Ulster Ireland 20–13 France La Rochelle (1 BP)
Try: Best 27' m
Stockdale 34' m
Timoney 44' c
Con: Cooney (1/3) 45'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 49'
 Report[39]
Highlights 		Try: Balès 42' c
Con: Balès (1/1) 43'
Pen: Balès (2/2) 8', 15'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 15,004
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Ulster lineup


21 January 2018
15:15
(1 BP) Wasps England 26–7 Ireland Ulster
Try: Thompson 10' c
Cruse 31' c
Le Roux 46' m
Cooper-Woolley 55' c
Con: Cipriani (3/4) 11', 32', 56'
 Report[40]Highlights Try: Reidy 23' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 24'
Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 13,124
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
Ulster lineup

Pro14[]

Main article: 2017–18 Pro14
2017–18 Pro14 Tables · · · discuss
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (SF) 21 15 1 5 614 366 +248 81 38 12 2 76
2 Ireland Munster (SF) 21 13 1 7 568 361 +207 78 42 10 5 69
3 South Africa Cheetahs (QF) 21 12 0 9 609 554 +55 75 68 10 5 63
4 Wales Cardiff Blues 21 11 0 10 502 482 +20 56 59 5 5 54
5 Wales Ospreys 21 9 0 12 390 487 −97 44 60 5 3 44
6 Ireland Connacht 21 7 0 14 445 477 −32 53 54 5 6 39
7 Italy Zebre 21 7 0 14 408 593 –185 50 78 4 4 36
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Ireland Leinster (CH) 21 14 1 6 601 374 +227 83 46 10 2 70
2 Wales Scarlets (RU) 21 14 1 6 528 365 +163 69 43 9 3 70
3 Scotland Edinburgh (QF) 21 15 0 6 494 375 +119 62 44 7 1 68
4 Ireland Ulster (PO) 21 12 2 7 538 482 +56 68 61 8 2 62
5 Italy Benetton 21 11 0 10 415 451 −36 51 55 6 5 55
6 Wales Dragons 21 2 2 17 378 672 −294 43 94 4 4 20
7 South Africa Southern Kings 21 1 0 20 378 829 −451 48 119 4 3 11
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[41]
  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 competed in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup
(excluding South African teams who are ineligible)
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup, including the winner of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference
Yellow background indicates the loser of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference, that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Plain background indicates teams that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners.

1 September 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland 42–19 South Africa Cheetahs
Try: Bowe 18' m
O'Connor 26' c
McCloskey 29' c
Piutau 32' m
Ludik 41' m
Nelson 74' c
Con: Cooney (2/5) 27', 30'
Nelson (1/1) 75'
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 8', 55'
 Report[42]
Highlights 		Try: Blommetjies 15' c
Mapimpi 20' c
Petersen 49' m
Con: Small-Smith (2/3) 17', 22'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 14,448
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
9 September 2017
18:05
(1 BP) Benetton Italy 14–21 Ireland Ulster
Try: Ruzza 64' c, McKinley 70' c
Con: McKinley (2/2) 65', 72'
 Report[43]
Highlights 		Try: Trimble (2) 8' c, 23' c
Stockdale 60' c
Con: Cooney (3/3) 9', 24', 61'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 2,600
Referee: (WRU)
15 September 2017
19:35
Ulster Ireland 27–20 Wales Scarlets (1 BP)
Try: Stockdale 63' m
Andrew 75' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/1) 77'
Pen: Cooney (4/4) 18', 31', 33', 51'
Lealiifano (1/1) 71'
 Report[44]
Highlights 		Try: McNicholl 60' c
J. Davies 67' c
Con: Halfpenny (2/2) 62', 68'
Pen: Halfpenny (2/2) 3', 57'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 12,712
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
22 September 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland 52–25 Wales Dragons
Try: McCloskey 2' m
Nelson 11' c
Penalty try 19'
Timoney (2) 24' c, 48' c
Herbst 28' c
Stockdale 43' m
Shanahan 62' c
Con: Nelson (4/6) 12', 25', 29', 49'
Herron (1/1) 63'
 Report[45]
Highlights 		Try: Buckley 34' c
Blacker 56' c
Talbot-Davies 79' m
Con: Jones (1/1) 34'
O'Brien (1/2) 57'
Pen: Jones (2/2) 6', 15'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 12,291
Referee: (WRU)
30 September 2017
15:35
Zebre Italy 27–23 Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Licata 47' c
Bellini 52' c
Giammarioli 71' c
Con: Canna (1/1) 49'
Violi (2/2) 53', 73'
Pen: Canna (2/4) 3', 21'
 Report[46]
Highlights 		Try: Trimble 16' c
Cave 78' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 18'
Cave (1/1) 78' c
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 32', 39', 62'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 3,100
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
6 October 2017
19:35
Ulster Ireland 16–8 Ireland Connacht
Try: Stockdale 56' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 56'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 28', 44', 53'
 Report[47]
Highlights 		Try: McCartney 35' m
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 49'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 14,363
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
28 October 2017
18:30
Ulster Ireland 10–25 Ireland Leinster
Try: Reidy 27' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/1) 28'
Pen: Lealiifano (1/1) 6'
 Report[48]
Highlights 		Try: Larmour 15' c
L. McGrath (2) 58' m, 78' c
Con: R. Byrne (1/2) 15'
Marsh (1/1) 78'
Pen: R. Byrne (2/3) 30', 37'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,631
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
4 November 2017
15:00
(2 BP) Southern Kings South Africa 36–43 Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: B. Klaasen (2) 3' m, 62' c
Penxe (2) 6' c, 73' c
Makase 28' c
Con: Zono (3/4) 7', 29', 63'
Coleman (1/1) 74'
Pen: Zono (1/1) 23'
 Report[49]
Highlights 		Try: Reidy 18' m
Andrew (2) 26' m, 49' m
Cooney 53' c
Trimble 68' c
Ross 72' c
Diack 75' c
Con: Cooney (1/4) 54'
Lealiifano (3/3) 69', 72', 76'
Wolfson Stadium
Attendance: 2,836
Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
24 November 2017
19:05
Ulster Ireland 23–22 Italy Benetton (1 BP)
Try: Bowe 17' c
Trimble 77' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 18'
Lealiifano (1/1) 78'
Pen: Cooney (2/3) 22', 31'
Lealiifano (1/1) 63'
 Report[50]
Highlights 		Try: Barbieri 55' c
Con: Allan (1/1) 57'
Pen: Allan (4/5) 4', 12', 38', 51'
Banks (1/1) 72'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 14,544
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
1 December 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Dragons Wales 32–32 Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Screech 19' c
Hewitt (2) 27' m, 77' m
Belcher 66' m
O'Brien 71' c
Con: Henson (2/5) 20', 72'
Pen: Henson (1/1) 24'
 Report[51]
Highights 		Try: Gilroy (2) 9' m, 54' c
Penalty try 32'
L. Marshall 41' m
Lealiifano 80' m
Con: Lealiifano (1/4) 56'
Pen: Lealiifano (1/1) 4'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,477
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
23 December 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 44–16 Ireland Ulster
Try: E. Masterson 2' m
Aki 7' c
O'Halloran 24' m
Dillane (2) 54' c, 75' c
Butler 59' c
Con: J. Carty (4/6) 8', 56', 61', 76'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 40', 47'
 Report[52]
Highlights 		Try: Gilroy 65' m
Lyttle 79' m
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 23', 32'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,629
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
1 January 2018
17:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland 24–17 Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Cave 57' c
Gilroy (2) 61' m, 73' c
Lyttle 79' m
Con: Cooney (2/4) 58', 74'
 Report[53]
Highlights 		Try: N. Scannell (2) 13' m, 24' m
Penalty try 33'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,594
Referee: (IRFU)
6 January 2018
17:35
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland 38–7 Ireland Ulster
Try: Larmour (2) 5' c, 66' m
B. Daly 15' m
McFadden (2) 47' c, 51' c
Sexton 81' c
Con: R. Byrne (3/4) 6', 48', 53'
Sexton (1/2) 82'
 Report[54]
Highlights 		Try: Stockdale 72' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 74'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 17,373
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
9 February 2018
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland 59–10 South Africa Southern Kings
Try: Gilroy (3) 6' c, 38' c, 54' m
McCloskey 17' c
McPhillips 42' c
Lyttle (2) 49' c, 58' m
Treadwell 73' c
Cave 76' c
Con: Cooney (7/9) 7', 18', 39', 43', 50', 74', 77'
 Report[55]
Highlights 		Try: H. Klaasen 70' c
Con: Van Rensburg (1/1) 70'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 13,759
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
16 February 2018
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland 16–17 Scotland Edinburgh
Try: Cooney 8' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 9'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 42', 55', 66'
 Report[56]
Highlights 		Try: Harries 33' c
Carmichael 62' c
Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/2) 35', 63'
Drop: Weir (1/1) 80'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 14,497
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
24 February 2018
19:35
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales 34–10 Ireland Ulster
Try: Nicholas 43' c
Conbeer 57' c
Asquith 64' c
Beirne 76' c
Con: Jones (4/4) 44', 58', 65', 76'
Pen: Jones (2/2) 9', 55'
 Report[57]
Highlights 		Try: McCloskey 2' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 3'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 50'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,941
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
24 March 2018
15:15
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues Wales 35–17 Ireland Ulster
Try: Evans 1' c
Scully 12' c
Dacey 56' m
D. Lewis 80' c
Con: Evans (4/5) 2', 13', 62', 80'
Pen: Evans (2/2) 40', 70'
 Report[58]
Highlights 		Try: Shanahan 78' m
Pen: Cooney (4/5) 5', 38', 45', 52'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,763
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
6 April 2018
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland 20–32 Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Weir 30' c
Penalty try 57'
Con: Weir (1/1) 31'
Pen: Weir (2/2) 9', 15'
 Report[59]
Highlights 		Try: Cave 12' c
Piutau 19' m
Cooney 23' c
Henderson 78' c
Con: Cooney (3/4) 13', 25', 79'
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 50', 64'
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 4,989
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
13 April 2018
19:35
Ulster Ireland 8–0 Wales Ospreys
Try: Stockdale 79' m
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 6'
 Report[60]
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 13,267
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

21 April 2018
18:05
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland 36–15 Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Try: Cooney 11' c
Timoney (2) 54' c, 82' m
Reidy 60' m
Con: Cooney (1/1) 12'
McPhillips (1/2) 56'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 4', 39', 40'
McPhillips (1/1) 68'
 Report[61]
Highlights 		Try: Gibbins (2) 21' c, 46' m
Con: Russell (1/2) 21'
Pen: Russell (1/1) 18'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 16,186
Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)
28 April 2018
17:35
Munster Ireland 24–24 Ireland Ulster
Try: Williams 1' c
Scott 26' c
Copeland 48' c
Con: Hanrahan (3/3) 2', 28', 49'
Pen: Hanrahan (1/1) 67'
 Report[62]
Highlights 		Try: McCloskey 4' c
Best (2) 32' c, 40' c
Con: McPhillips (3/3) 5', 34', 40'
Pen: McPhillips (1/1) 15'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 16,178
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Play-off for the 7th Champions Cup place[]

The South African teams cannot compete in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The top three eligible teams in each conference automatically qualify for following year's Champions Cup. The fourth ranked eligible team in each conference meet in a play-off match with the winner taking the seventh Champions Cup place.

Ulster had home advantage against Ospreys by virtue of finishing with the greater number of points accumulated during the PRO14 regular league (62, as opposed to Ospreys’ 44). The match was played on Sunday 20 May, at the Kingspan Stadium.[63]

20 May 2018
15:05
Ulster Ireland 35–17 Wales Ospreys
Try: Gilroy (2) 34' m, 41' c
Treadwell 52' c
Stockdale 72' c
Con: Cooney (3/4) 42', 53', 73'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 26', 64', 70'
 Report
Highlights 		Try: A. W. Jones 15' c
Dirksen 61' m
Biggar 77' m
Con: Biggar (1/3) 16'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 7,014
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

End of season awards[]

John Cooney was the competition's top scorer with 175 points, and was named at scrum-half on the Pro14 Dream Team.[64]

Ulster A[]

British and Irish Cup[]

Main article: 2017–18 British and Irish Cup

Pool 5[]

Team P W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
Ireland Ulster A (Q) 6 5 0 1 143 111 32 3 0 23
England Cornish Pirates (Q) 6 4 0 2 162 86 76 3 0 19
Wales Scarlets Premiership Select 6 2 0 4 107 158 -51 1 1 10
England Hartpury College 6 1 0 5 124 180 -56 2 2 8
Source: Updated: 3 February 2018
Points breakdown:
*4 points for a win
*2 points for a draw
*1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
*1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
14 October 2017
14:30
Ulster A 24–18 Scarlets Premiership Select (BP)
Report
Rifle Park, Banbridge
Attendance: 600
Referee: Karl Dickson
22 October 2017
14:30
Cornish Pirates 23–14 Ulster A
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,074
Referee: Mike English
9 December 2017
14:30
(2BP) Hartpury College 24–29 Ulster A (BP)
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 375
Referee: Karl Dickson
16 December 2017
14:30
(BP) Ulster A 27 – 19 Hartpury College
Report
Eaton Park, Ballymena
Attendance: 450
Referee: Hamish Smales
12 January 2018
17:00
(BP) Ulster A 25 – 14 Cornish Pirates
Report
Shaw's Bridge, Belfast
Attendance: 781
Referee: Elgan Williams
20 January 2018
14:00
Scarlets Premiership Select 13 – 24 Ulster A
Report
Church Bank Playing Fields, Llandovery
Attendance: 50
Referee: Fergal Kirby

Quarter-final[]

31 March 2018
15:00
Bedford Blues England 16 – 10 Ireland Ulster A
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,323
Referee: Mike English

Ulster Rugby Awards[]

The Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the La Mon Hotel and Country Club, Castlereagh, on 10 May 2018. Winners were:[65]

Season reviews[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Jono Gibbes to become head coach". ulsterrugby.com. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Dwayne Peel joins Ulster backroom team as assistant coach". BBC Sport. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Clarke leaving Ulster", EPCR, 20 March 2017
  4. ^ "Dundon joins Ulster coaching staff". Planet Rugby. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  5. ^ "IRFU Suspend Paddy Jackson & Stuart Olding After Being Charged By The PSNI", Pundit Arena, 25 July 2017
  6. ^ "Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding's contracts revoked", BBC News, 14 April 2018
  7. ^ Beth Newman, "Lealiifano on loan to Ulster", Rugby Xplorer, 22 August 2017
  8. ^ "Rory Best confirmed as Ulster captain for 2017/18 season", Belfast Telegraph, 29 August 2017
  9. ^ Tom Hamilton, "IRFU rules force Springboks star Ruan Pienaar to leave Ulster", ESPN, 31 August 2016
  10. ^ "Ulster Sign John Cooney From Connacht", The Runner Sports, 16 January 2017
  11. ^ Ulster Rugby: Who did what 2017-18, The Front Row Union, 25 June 2018
  12. ^ "Les Kiss to Leave Ulster Rugby". Richard Finlay. Ulster Rugby. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  13. ^ "La Rochelle confirm former Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes will become Director of Rugby on four-season deal", Irish Independent, 4 June 2018
  14. ^ "Brian O'Driscoll: Ulster a 'basket case' at the moment", BBC Sport, 23 April 2018
  15. ^ "Ulster Rugby: Who did what 2017-18", The Front Row Union, 25 June 2018
  16. ^ "Ulster sign Springbok Arno Botha and Connacht scrum-half John Cooney". BBC Sport. 16 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Prop Van der Merwe the latest to sign up for Kiss revolution". Belfast Telegraph. 7 March 2017.
  18. ^ "Deysel signs for Ulster". Planet Rugby. 30 May 2017.
  19. ^ "Pro14: Ulster sign Australia fly-half Christian Lealiifano on five-month deal". BBC Sport. 21 August 2017.
  20. ^ "Ulster to host Barbarians at Kingspan Stadium". BBC Sport. 10 March 2017.
  21. ^ "FIVE MORE PLAYERS CONFIRMED FOR 17/18". Jersey Reds. 13 April 2017.
  22. ^ "Jersey Reds: Matt Rogerson, Mark Best and Rory Bartle join Championship side". BBC Sport. 3 May 2017.
  23. ^ "JONNY MURPHY SIGNS IN AT CLIFTON LANE". Titans Rugby. 17 May 2017.
  24. ^ "Pienaar signs for Montpellier". Planet Rugby. 13 June 2017.
  25. ^ Johnny Morton, "Ulster Rugby confirm their 46-man squad for the 2017/18 season", Belfast Live, 5 July 2017
  26. ^ Appearances and scoring stats from ItsRugby.co.uk
  27. ^ "Ulster First Team". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Squad confirmed for 2019/20 season". Ulster Rugby. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  29. ^ "Not all rules are made to be broken". Irish Independent. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2018. Ireland's set-up demands a maximum of five NIEs - one of whom is a project player
  30. ^ Michael Sadlier, "Ulster recruit school stars for Academy fast-tracking", Belfast Telegraph, 29 July 2017
  31. ^ Gareth Fullerton, "Ulster Rugby Academy names 19-man squad for new season", Belfast Live, 25 July 2018
  32. ^ "Academy Management", Ulster Rugby, archived 27 October 2017
  33. ^ "Academy Squad", Ulster Rugby, archived 2 November 2017
  34. ^ "Academy Squad". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  35. ^ "Ulster Rugby 19 Wasps 9" EPCR, 13 October 2017
  36. ^ "La Rochelle 41 Ulster 17", EPCR, 22 October 2017
  37. ^ "Harlequins 5 Ulster Rugby 17", EPCR, 10 December 2017
  38. ^ "Ulster Rugby 52 Harlequins 24", EPCR, 15 December 2017
  39. ^ "Ulster Rugby 20 La Rochelle 13", EPCR, 13 January 2018
  40. ^ "Wasps 26 Ulster Rugby 7", EPCR, 21 January 2018
  41. ^ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  42. ^ Barnes, Daniel. "Ulster power their way past Toyota Cheetahs". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  43. ^ Tomas, Fiona. "Ulster secure hard-fought win over valiant Benetton". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  44. ^ Peat, Charles. "Ulster clinch dramatic late victory over Scarlets". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  45. ^ Barnes, Daniel. "Ruthless Ulster march on with Dragons triumph". GuinenssPro14. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  46. ^ Eddison, Paul. "Zebre come from behind to stun Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  47. ^ Bennett, Charlie. "Sublime Stockdale inspires Ulster against Connacht". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  48. ^ Bennett, Charlie. "McGrath the star as Leinster see off Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  49. ^ Brooker, Jimmy. "Diack late show snatches victory for Ulster over Southern Kings in classic". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  50. ^ Talbot-Smith, Charlie. "Cardiff hold on to give Connacht the Blues". Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  51. ^ Lawson, Ross. "Last-gasp Lealiifano secures dramatic draw for Ulster against Dragons". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  52. ^ Eddison, Paul. "Connacht on fire to see off Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  53. ^ Talbot-Smith, Charlie. "Ulster fightback stuns Munster at the Kingspan". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  54. ^ Peat, Charlie. "Larmour dazzles as six-try Leinster cruise past Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  55. ^ Bennett, Charlie. "Gilroy scores hat-trick as Gibbes era gets off to a flyer at Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  56. ^ Lawton, Andrew. "Last-minute Weir drop goal gives Edinburgh win over Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  57. ^ Lawton, Andrew. "Scarlets come from behind to secure stylish bonus point win over Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  58. ^ Talbot-Smith, Charlie. "Evans stars as Blues make it five in a row". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  59. ^ Dore, Rich. "Henderson late show seals crucial bonus-point win for Ulster". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  60. ^ Booker, Jimmy. "Late Stockdale try seals Ulster win over valiant Ospreys". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  61. ^ Bennett, Charlie. "Timoney late show keeps Ulster's hopes alive". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  62. ^ Lawson, Ross. "Best double not enough as Ulster held to Munster draw". GuinnessPro14. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  63. ^ "Confirmed: Ulster Rugby face Ospreys for 7th Champions Cup Play-Off". Pro14. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  64. ^ Lawton, Andrew (20 August 2018). "Winners Celebrated at 2018 Guinness PRO14 Awards in Glasgow". Guinness PRO14.
  65. ^ "Cooney scoops three awards at Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards Dinner", Ulster Rugby, 10 May 2018
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