The 2008–09 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 15th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their only full season under head coach Matt Williams.
David Humphreys, who retired at the end of last season, was appointed to the newly created role of operations director, reporting to chief executive Michael Reid.Richard Mulligan, "New role for Humphreys at Ulster", News Letter, 5 June 2008 Peter Sharp joined as defence coach in August 2008.Gavin Mairs, "Peter has been Sharp man for Ulster: Matt", Belfast Telegraph, 11 December 2008 Current player Paul Steinmetz was appointed backs coach."Club Profiles - Team Management", Ulster Rugby, archived, 13 September 2008 Former Ulster players Jonny Bell and Niall Malone joined the academy as Elite Player Development Officers.Richard Mulligan, "'Old Hands' are back in the Ravenhill fold", News Letter, 14 August 2008
New signings included Humphreys' younger brother Ian, who had been playing for Leicester Tigers since 2005."Ulster's maverick out half: Ian Humphreys", The Front Row Union, 6 May 2020 Fijian winger Timoci Nagusa joined from Tailevu Knights."Ulster's flying Fijian: Timoci Nagusa", The Front Row Union, 2 May 2020
Ulster finished third in their Heineken Cup pool, and eighth in the Celtic League. One highlight of an otherwise disappointing season was a win over Munster at Thomond Park in January, the first time Munster had lost at home in European competition. Three of Ulster's five tries came from Ian Humphreys' assists. Ulster qualified for next season's Heineken Cup as one of Ireland's top three teams, finishing ahead of Connacht in the league. Matt Williams left by mutual consent at the end of the season."Williams resigns as Ulster coach", BBC Sport, 20 May 2009 Assistant coach Steve Williams also left after his contract was not renewed."Williams quits as Ulster rugby boss", Belfast Telegraph, 21 May 2009 For the following season, Ulster put a new management structure in place. Michael Reid was chief executive; David Humphreys was director of rugby, with overall responsibility for the senior team, the Ulster 'A' team (renamed the Ulster Ravens), the Ulster under-20s and the academy; and Brian McLaughlin was appointed head coach, assisted by forwards coaches Jeremy Davidson and Peter Sharp, and backs coach Neil Doak."McLaughlin Confirmed As New Ulster Coach", Irish Rugby, 23 June 2009
Rory Best was Ulster's Player of the Year, and flanker Stephen Ferris was selected for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Staff Position Name Nationality Chief executive officer Michael Reid Operations director David Humphreys Director or coaching Matt Williams Assistant coach (forwards) Steve Williams Defence Coach Peter Sharp Backs coach/player Paul Steinmetz Skills coach Neil Doak Scrum co-ordinator Reggie Corrigan Team manager David Millar Head of strength and conditioning Jonny Davis Medical co-ordinator Dr. David Irwin Assistant team doctor Dr. Michael Webb Head physiotherapist Gareth Robinson Physiotherapist Alan McCaldin Performance analyst Alex McCloy Resources manager Mick Ennis Team administration co-ordinator Sarah Sherry
Squad
Senior squad
Players in BJ Botha from Natal SharksRichard Mulligan, "Botha is a huge addition to Ulster squad", News Letter, 15 August 2008 Robbie Diack from StormersGavin Mairs, "Schifcofske can be best kicker since Mason: Matt", Belfast Telegraph, 29 July 2008 Ian Humphreys from Leicester Tigers Timoci Nagusa from Tailevu Knights"Ulster sign Fijian flyer", Planet Rugby, 30 July 2008 Ed O'Donoghue from Queensland Reds Filo Paulo from Malone (short-term injury cover)Richard Mulligan, "Williams lauds medical expertise", News Letter, 7 January 2009 Daniel Roach from New South Wales WaratahsRichard Mulligan, "Ulster sign young Australian prop", News Letter, 21 June 2008 Clinton Schifcofske from Queensland Reds Cillian Willis from Leinster
Promoted from academy T. J. AndersonGavin Mairs, "'It's like having your own personal coach by your side'", Belfast Telegraph, 8 October 2008 Mark McCreaGavin Mairs, "McCrea wants to cap new deal with Bourgoin victory", Belfast Telegraph, 11 January 2008
Players out Tim Barker to Castres"Ulster's Tim Barker reaches deal to join Castres", Irish Independent, 12 November 2007 Mark Bartholomeusz to PadovaRichard Mulligan, "End of the line for Ravenhill servants", News Letter, 6 May 2008 Neil Best to Northampton Saints Simon Best retired"Simon Best Announces His Retirement From Rugby", Irish Rugby, 25 February 2008 Tommy Bowe to Ospreys"Bowe to join Ospreys", Irish Times, 25 January 2008 Kieran Campbell to Connacht Niall Conlon released Kieran Hallett to Plymouth Albion Justin Harrison to Bath Rugby David Humphreys retired Adam Larkin retiredRichard Mulligan, "Changing of the guard and colours", News Letter, 19 May 2008 Matt Miles to Cambridge"Miles delighted to be back home", BBC Sport, 18 September 2008 Neil McMillan to Harlequins Grant Webb to Newport Gwent DragonsDragons line up Kiwi pair – icWales Roger Wilson to Northampton Saints
Ulster Rugby squadAppearances and scoring stats from ItsRugby.co.ukProps BJ Botha (22 apps, 22 starts, 5 pts) Tom Court (22 apps, 11 starts, 5 pts) Justin Fitzpatrick (16 apps, 8 starts) Bryan Young (8 apps, 5 starts) Declan Fitzpatrick (3 apps, 2 starts) Daniel Roach (1 app) Jarlath Carey
Hookers
Rory Best (c) (20 apps, 19 starts) Nigel Brady (14 apps, 5 starts, 10 pts) Stuart Philpott (3 apps) Neil Hanna (1 app)
Locks Ed O'Donoghue (22 apps, 20 starts) Ryan Caldwell (21 apps, 18 starts) Matt McCullough (20 apps, 12 starts) Carlo Del Fava (15 apps, 7 starts) Filo Paulo (2 apps)Back row Robbie Diack* (20 apps, 19 starts) David Pollock (20 apps, 16 starts, 15 pts) Stephen Ferris (13 apps, 13 starts, 5 pts) Chris Henry (9 apps, 8 starts) Kieron Dawson (14 apps, 7 starts, 5 pts) T. J. Anderson (4 apps) Willie Faloon (1 app)
Scrum-halves Isaac Boss (23 apps, 16 starts, 10 pts) Cillian Willis (11 apps, 6 starts) Paul Marshall (7 apps, 4 starts, 5 pts)
Fly-halves Niall O'Connor (17 apps, 12 starts, 30 pts) Ian Humphreys (17 apps, 11 starts, 113 pts)Centres
Darren Cave (21 apps, 21 starts, 35 pts) Paddy Wallace (16 apps, 15 starts, 23 pts) Andrew Trimble (11 apps, 11 starts, 15 pts) Ian Whitten (8 apps, 5 starts) Paul Steinmetz (10 apps, 4 starts, 5 pts) Rob Dewey (7 apps, 3 starts) Seamus Mallon (no apps)
Wings
Simon Danielli (13 apps, 12 starts, 35 pts) Timoci Nagusa (13 apps, 10 starts, 20 pts) Mark McCrea (8 apps, 2 starts, 10 pts) Paul McKenzie (no apps)
Fullbacks Clinton Schifcofske (19 apps, 17 starts, 60 pts) Bryn Cunningham (13 apps, 9 starts, 5 pts) (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. Italics denotes academy players who appeared in the senior team. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.
Academy squad
Players in Nevin Spence Paddy McAllister Adam Macklin Ricky Andrew David McGregor Jonny Shiels
Players out Neil Simpson Pat Steenkamp Sam McDonald Mark Robinson Chris Quinn Owen McMurray Stephen Douglas
Position"Phoenix Ulster Rugby Academy", Ulster Rugby, archived 3 February 2009 Name Nationality High Performance Director Gary Longwell Elite Player Development Officer Jonny Bell Elite Player Development Officer Niall Malone Strength & conditioning coach Aaron Peck
Academy squadProps Paul Karayiannis (2) Adam Macklin (1) Paddy McAllister (1)
Hookers Stephen Douglas (3) David McGregor (1)
Locks James Sandford (2)Back row Willie Faloon (3)
Scrum-halves David Drake (3) Ian Porter (2)
Fly-halves noneCentres Ian Whitten (2) Jonny Shiels (1) Nevin Spence (1)
Wings Chris Cochrane (2) Tommy Seymour (2)
Fullbacks Ricky Andrew (1) Jamie Smith (2)
Season record Competition Played Won Drawn Lost PF PA PD TF TA 2008-09 Heineken Cup 6 2 1 3 113 134 -21 13 13 2008-09 Celtic League 18 7 0 11 298 331 -33 30 33 Total 24 9 1 14 411 465 -54 43 46
Heineken Cup
Pool 4 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTBLBPts Harlequins (3)650116124144115292022 Stade Français630313112131109221215 Ulster621313130113134−210111 Scarlets61141218−6124154−30028
Celtic League
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATry bonusLosing bonusPts1 Munster18140 4405257+148492361632 Edinburgh18110 7416296+120403065553 Leinster18111 6401270+131382042524 Ospreys18110 7397319 +78392835525 Scarlets18 90 9376395 −19414631406 Cardiff Blues18 81 9322361 −39313622387 Glasgow Warriors18 7011349375 −26364145378 Ulster18 7011298331 −33303326369 Newport Gwent Dragons18 7011305429−1242639143310 Connacht18 4014224460−23620541320Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Home attendance Domestic LeagueEuropean CupTotal League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance2008–09 Celtic League99,08513,5007,3682008–09 Heineken Cup39,329 10,3978,729109,7529,146
Friendlies
Ulster Rugby Awards The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 14 May 2009 at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast. Winners were:Richard Mulligan, "Ferris claims top accolade", News Letter, 15 May 2009
Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year: Stephen Ferris Rugby Writers Player of the Year: Stephen Ferris Ulster Player of the Year: Rory Best Young Ulster Player of the Year: Darren Cave Academy Player of the Year: Willie Faloon Schools' Player of the Year: Niall Annett, Methodist College Belfast Club of the Year: Ballynahinch RFC Club Player of the Year: Chris Stevenson, Ballynahinch RFC Youth Player of the Year: Stephen Irvine, Banbridge RFC Dorrington B. Faulkner Award: William Davidson, Armagh
References