The 2001–02 season was Ulster Rugby's seventh under professionalism, and their first under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup, the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, and the inaugural Celtic League. Flanker Andy Ward was captain.Gavin Mairs, "New leader Ward can take Ulster back to the future", Belfast Telegraph, 1 August 2001
Solomons, former assistant coach of South Africa and the Western Stormers, was appointed in January to succeed Harry Williams in June. Mark McCall remained assistant coach.Pat Nugent, "Ulster appoint new Director of Coaching", RTÉ, 8 January 2001 Former Springboks assistant coach Phil Mack, who had worked with Solomons with the Stormers, was appointed fitness advisor in place of Mike Bull."Mack appointed to fitness role", Ulster Rugby, archived 12 July 2001
Hooker Allen Clarke retired from playing and was named Director of Elite Player Development, establishing Ulster's first academy programme,, DJCoilRugby, 12 June 2020 based at the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland. The first intake consisted of fourteen players.Gavin Mairs, "Ulster blow as injury rules out Tyrone", Belfast Telegraph, 7 August 2001
The Irish, Scottish and Welsh unions agreed a format for the inaugural Celtic League in May 2001. It would involve all four Irish provinces, two teams from Scotland and nine from Wales, organised in two conferences. It would kick off on 18 August, with the final scheduled for 15 December."Celtic League gets green light to kick off in August", Evening Herald, 31 May 2001 Celtic league fixtures between Ulster and Leinster, and between Munster and Connacht, would count towards this year's IRFU Interprovincial Championship. The remaining Interprovincial fixtures would take place in April 2002.Aidan Corr, "Munster face into a hectic season", Limerick Chronicle, 24 July 2001
In the Celtic League, Ulster finished second in Pool A, qualifying for the playoffs. They beat Neath in the quarter-final, but lost to Munster in the semi-final. David Humphreys was the league's leading scorer with 122 points, and the "leading marksman" with 39 successful goal kicks.Statzone , Pro12 Rugby, retrieved 2 June 2022 In the Heineken Cup, they finished second in Pool 2, missing out on the knockout stage. They finished second in the Interprovincial Championship, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. David Humphreys was Ulster's Player of the Year. Lock Gary Longwell made his 100th appearance for Ulster in October 2001."No change for Ulster", BBC Sport, 2 October 2001
Player transfers
Players in David Allen from Easts"Ulster on the Brink of a great season", Belfast Telegraph, 17 July 2001 Robby Brink from Western ProvinceAmanda Fennelly, "Ulster finalise 2001-02 squad", RTÉ, 17 July 2001 Kieran Campbell from London IrishShane Murray, "Ulster announce two signings", RTÉ, 25 April 2001 Mark Crick from New South WalesBrendan Fanning, "New twist for Crick", Irish Independent, 3 March 2002 Bryn Cunningham from Dungannon RFC Jeremy Davidson from Castres"Davidson signs for Ulster", ESPN, 23 May 2001 Leopoldo de Chazal from Tucumán"Ulster unveil Puma prop", ESPN, 13 September 2001 Aidan Kearney from UCD"Ulster announce bulk of squad", ESPN, 19 March 2001 Adam Larkin from Castres Matt McCullough from Ballymena R.F.C. Matt Sexton from Canterbury"Ulster Sign Sexton", Irish Rugby, 6 December 2001 Paddy Wallace from UCD Scott Young from Ballymena R.F.C.
Players out Stephen Bell to Bedford Blues John Campbell (released to reserve list)"Ulster axe winger Cunningham", BBC Sport, 19 September 2001 Allen Clarke (retired) Grant Henderson to SWD Eagles"Currie Cup Preview", ESPN, 30 August 2001 Dion O'Cuinneagain to Munster"Inside back: Where are they now?", Irish Independent, 31 October 2010
Squad Ulster Rugby squadAppearances and points not including friendliesProps Simon Best (17 apps, 17 starts, 5 pts) Justin Fitzpatrick (18 apps, 14 starts) Clem Boyd (11 apps, 3 starts) John Campbell (1 app) Bryan Young (2 apps) Leopoldo de Chazal
Hookers Paul Shields (15 apps, 15 starts, 10 pts) Mark Crick (4 apps) Nigel Brady (1 app, 1 start) Richard Weir (3 apps) Matt Sexton (1 app)
Locks Gary Longwell (15 apps, 13 starts, 5 pts) Paddy Johns (10 apps, 8 starts) Jeremy Davidson (12 apps, 7 starts) Mark Blair (10 apps, 5 starts, 10 pts) Aidan Kearney (1 app, 1 start) Matt McCullough (1 app)Back row Andy Ward (c) (16 apps, 16 starts, 25 pts) Tony McWhirter (16 apps, 14 starts, 5 pts) Russell Nelson (14 apps, 12 starts, 5 pts) Neil McMillan (12 apps, 5 starts, 5 pts) Warren Brosnihan (2 apps, 2 starts) David Allen* (2 apps, 1 starts) Robby Brink (1 app, 1 start) Mike Haslett (1 app)
Scrum-halves Neil Doak (14 apps, 14 starts, 15 pts) Brad Free* (4 apps, 2 starts, 5 pts) Kieran Campbell (4 apps, 1 starts)
Fly-halves David Humphreys (13 apps, 13 starts, 208 pts) Niall Malone (2 apps, 1 starts)Centres Jonny Bell (11 apps, 11 starts) Adam Larkin* (14 apps, 10 starts, 5 pts) Shane Stewart (7 apps, 6 starts, 5 pts) Ryan Constable (12 apps, 4 starts, 30 pts) Stan McDowell (1 app, 1 start)
Wings Tyrone Howe (16 apps, 16 starts, 20 pts) James Topping (10 apps, 10 starts, 10 pts) Sheldon Coulter (10 apps, 7 starts) Jan Cunningham (2 apps, 1 starts) Scott Young
Fullbacks Paddy Wallace (17 apps, 17 starts, 90 pts) Bryn Cunningham (7 apps, 5 starts, 5 pts) (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Season record Competition Played Won Drawn Lost PF PA PD TF TA 2001-02 Heineken Cup 6 4 0 2 196 142 54 11 6 2001-02 Celtic League 9 5 1 3 241 201 40 21 19 IRFU Interprovincial Championship 2 2 0 0 41 35 6 4 3 Total 17 11 1 5 478 378 100 26 18
2001–02 Heineken Cup
Pool 2 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts Stade Français 6501234192136414910 Ulster640217116196142548 Wasps6204990120186−664 Benetton Treviso 6105227−25102239−1372
2001-02 Celtic League
Pool A Table TeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTAPts 1 Leinster 7 7 0 0 281 114 +167 35 8 21 2 Ulster 7 4 1 2 194 157 +37 19 17 13 3 Glasgow 7 4 1 2 204 172 +32 25 17 13 4 Llanelli 7 4 0 3 175 123 +52 14 7 12 5 Swansea 7 3 0 4 124 158 −34 9 12 9 6 Bridgend 7 3 0 4 161 208 −47 17 25 9 7 Pontypridd 7 1 0 6 111 207 −96 8 25 3 8 Ebbw Vale 7 1 0 6 134 245 −111 13 29 3 Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage.Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Pool A Fixtures
Quarter final
Semi final
2001-02 IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Team P W D LFA BPPts Status 3 2 0 1 86 35 2 12 Champions; qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup 3 2 0 1 50 66 0 8 Qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup 3 1 1 1 64 48 1 7 Qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup 3 0 0 3 56 107 1 1 Qualified for 2002–03 European Challenge Cup
Celtic League pool matches between Irish provinces count towards the Interprovincial Championship.
Home attendance Domestic LeagueEuropean CupTotal League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance2001–02 Celtic League48,50012,0006,0002001–02 Heineken Cup311,833 13,00010,00069,5009,929
Friendlies
Ulster Rugby Awards The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 23 May 2002. Winners were:"Humphries doubles up", BBC Sport, 24 May 2002
Ulster player of the year: David Humphreys Ulster Supporters' Club player of the year: David Humphreys Guinness personality of the year: Paddy Wallace Ulster schools player of the year: Lewis Stevenson Coach of the year: Andre Bester, Belfast Harlequins Youth player of the year: Oisin Hennessey Club of the year: Ballynahinch RFC Dorrington B Faulker Memorial Award for services to rugby: Dick Hinds, formerly of Omagh Academy PRO/Media Prize: Terry Jackson, Dungannon RFC
Season reviews "Andy Ward's Thoughts On The Season", Ulster Rugby, 15 May 2002, archived 9 July 2002
References