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1996–97 Ulster Rugby season

1996–97 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Tony Russ
Captain(s)Denis McBride
Top scorerStuart Laing (59)
Most triesStuart Duncan (3)
James Topping (3)
League(s)Heineken Cup (4th in pool)
IRFU Interprovincial Championship (3rd of 4)
Team kit
← 1995–96 1997–98 →

The 1996–97 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's second season under professionalism, during which they competed in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship and the Heineken Cup.

In June 1996, Ulster hired former Leicester Tigers coach Tony Russ on a five-year contract as their Director of Rugby. He would coach the Ulster senior team, organise strategy, and help develop the game from schools to senior level, working closely with IRFU Director of Rugby Ray Southam.[1]

At this stage the Irish provinces were still representative teams, not professional clubs. However, Ulster were now offering contracts and match fees for Heineken Cup and Interprovincial matches, although these contracts sometimes conflicted with players contracted to clubs in England.[2] English clubs were prepared to release their Irish players for the Heineken Cup, but not for the Interprovincial Championship,[3] but clubs in England and Wales were unhappy at having to compete against representative teams from Ireland in the Heineken Cup.[4] Out-half David Humphreys and lock Jeremy Davidson defied their club, London Irish, by competing in the Heineken Cup for Ulster,[5] but were unavailable for Ulster's match against Australia as it clashed with London Irish's league match against Wasps. In Humphreys' absence, Ulster called on former Scotland "A" international Stuart Laing.[6]

Ulster finished third in the Interprovincial Championship, and fourth in their pool in the Heineken Cup. In November, Russ quit to join English second division club Waterloo F.C.,[7] unhappy that after eight games, he would not be able to work with his Ulster players again for six months.[8]: 11  Clive Griffiths was lined up to take over, but withdrew for family reasons.[9] Davy Haslett, a geography teacher at Royal Belfast Academical Institution and assistant coach on the 1997 Ireland A rugby union tour of Oceania,[8]: 10–11  was named as coach for the 1997–98 season in June.[10]

Ulster players selected for Ireland for the 1997 Five Nations Championship were: Jonny Bell, Allen Clarke, Jeremy Davidson, Maurice Field, David Humphreys, Paddy Johns, Denis McBride and James Topping. Jeremy Davidson was selected for the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa.

Players selected

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.

1996–97 Heineken Cup

Main article: 1996–97 Heineken Cup

Pool 3

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
France Brive 4 4 0 0 13 8 5 106 65 41 8
England Harlequins 4 3 0 1 20 8 12 131 95 36 6
Wales Neath 4 2 0 2 10 16 –6 83 109 –26 4
Ireland Ulster 4 1 0 3 6 10 –4 75 87 –12 2
Scotland Caledonia 4 0 0 4 13 20 –7 117 156 –39 0
13 October 1996 Caledonia Scotland 34-41 Ireland Ulster McDiarmid Park  
14:30 Try: Shepherd
Rouse
Grimes
Con: Shepherd (2)
Pen: Shepherd (4)
Drop: Newton
 Report[5][11] Try: Humphreys (2)
Cunningham (2)
McKinty
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (2)
Laing
Drop: Humphreys
 Attendance: 2,400
Referee: J. C. Gastou
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie,
4. Paddy Johns, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Sheldon Coulter, 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping,
15. Robin Morrow.
Replacements: Neil McCluskey, for Coulter, 30 mins), Stuart Laing, for Field, 73 mins)

16 October 1996
19:00 		Ulster Ireland 15–21 England Harlequins Ravenhill  
Pen: Humphreys (4)
Drop: Humphreys
 Report[12][13] Try: Watson
O'Leary
Con: Carling
Pen: Carling (2)
 Attendance: 8,000
Referee: I. Ramage
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie,
4. Paddy Johns, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. James Topping, 13. Sheldon Coulter, 14. Neil McCluskey,
15. Robin Morrow.
Replacements: John Patterson (for McBride).

26 October 1996
14:30 		Neath Wales 15–13 Ireland Ulster The Gnoll  
Try: Williams
Gerrard
Con: Davies
Pen: Davies
 Report[14] Try: Matchett
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (2)
 Attendance: 2,000
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Maurice Field, 13. Mark McCall, 14. James Topping,
15. Robin Morrow.

2 November 1996
14:30 		Ulster Ireland 6–17 France Brive Ravenhill  
Pen: Humphreys
Drop: Humphreys
 Report[15]
Highlights 		Try: Duboisset
Carrat
Viars
Con: Venditti
 Attendance: 3,500
Referee: H. Lewis
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie,
4. Paddy Johns, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Maurice Field, 13. Mark McCall, 14. James Topping,
15. Robin Morrow.

1996–97 IRFU Interprovincial Championship

Main article: IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Team P W D L F A BP Pts Status
3 3 0 0 117 92 - 12 Champions; qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup
3 1 0 2 88 92 - 4 Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup
3 1 0 2 81 89 - 4 Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup
3 1 0 2 77 90 - 4 Qualified for 1997–98 European Challenge Cup

Top three teams qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.

21 September 1996 Ulster Ulster 25-35 Leinster Leinster Ravenhill  
Try: Ritchie
Duncan
Topping
Con: Laing (2)
Pen: Laing (2)
 Preview[16]
Report[17] 		Try: McKenna (2)
Jameson
Spicer
Con: Governey (3)
Pen: Governey (3)
 Referee: L. Mayne
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Clem Boyd,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Charlie Simpson,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Stephen Bell, 10. Stuart Laing,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Mark McCall, 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping,
15. Robin Morrow.

28 September 1996 Ulster Ulster 32-27 Connacht Connacht Ravenhill  
Try: Duncan
Laing
Topping
Con: Laing
Pen: Laing (5)
 Report[18] Try: Carey
Elwood
Con: Elwood
Pen: Elwood (5)
Drop: Elwood
 Referee: B. Smith
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Clem Boyd,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Alan Robinson,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Stephen Bell, 10. Stuart Laing,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Mark McCall, 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping,
15. Robin Morrow.

5 October 1996 Munster Munster 27-24 Ulster Ulster Thomond Park  
Try: Dineen
Galwey
Con: Begley
Pen: Begley (3)
Drop: McIvor
Keene
 Report[19] Try: Duncan
Coulter
Con: Laing
Pen: Laing (4)
 Referee: A. Lewis
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Clem Boyd,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Alan Robinson,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Stephen Bell, 10. Stuart Laing,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Sheldon Coulter, 13. Mark McCall, 14. James Topping,
15. Robin Morrow.

Home attendance

Domestic League European Cup Total
League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance
– – – – – 1996–97 Heineken Cup 2 5,750 8,000 3,500 11,500 5,750

Representative matches

16 November 1996 Ulster Ireland 26-39 Australia Australia Ravenhill  
Try: Topping
Penalty try
Con: Laing (2)
Pen: Laing (2)
 Report[20] Try: Eales
Roff
Campese
Penalty try
Con: Burke
Pen: Burke
Knox
 Referee: K. Macartney
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Paddy Johns,
6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Stuart Laing,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Mark McCall, 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping,
15. Robin Morrow.

Friendlies

24 August 1996 Ulster Ireland 17-43 England London Irish Ravenhill  
Try: Ritchie
Hillman
Field
Con: Coulter
 Report[21] Try: Humphreys
Newington
Flood
Woods
Bishop (2)
Richardson
Con: Humphreys (5)
3 September 1996 Ballymena Ireland 5-20 Ireland Ulster Eaton Park  
Try: Beattie
 Report[22] Try: Longwell
Ritchie
Matchett
Con: Laing
Pen: Laing
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie,
4. Charlie Simpson, 5. Gary Longwell,
6. John Patterson, 7. Denis McBride (c), 8. Stephen McKinty,
9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Stuart Laing,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Sheldon Coulter, 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping,
15. Stan McDowell.
Replacement: Tony McWhirter (for McKinty).

6 September 1996 Dungannon Ireland 17-47 Ireland Ulster Stevenson Park  
Try: Sandford
McCaughey
Dunn
Con: Blair
 Report[23] Try: McDowell
McKinty (2)
Topping (2)
Longwell
McWhirter
Con: Laing (6)
Ulster lineup:

1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie,
4. K. Gallagher, 5. Charlie Simpson,
6. John Patterson, 7. Stephen McKinty, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. Stuart Laing,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Sheldon Coulter, 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping,
15. Stan McDowell.

References

  1. ^ "Ulster name pro director", Irish Independent, 5 June 1996
  2. ^ "Reid's cautionary note on contracts", Belfast Telegraph, 23 March 1996
  3. ^ Jim Stokes, "Time is right for a radical change", Ireland's Saturday Night, 24 August 1996
  4. ^ Peter O'Reilly, "Ulster coach warns on power balance", The Sunday Tribune, 22 September 1996
  5. ^ a b Bill Leith, "Rugby Union: Topping grabs spoils", The Independent, 13 October 1996
  6. ^ "Ulster lose London Irish pair", The Irish Times, 14 November 1996
  7. ^ Micheal McCleary, "Russ job! Rugby chief quits", Sunday Life, 17 November 1996
  8. ^ a b Jonathan Bradley, The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby's 1999 European Champions, The Blackstaff Press, 2018
  9. ^ Peter O'Reilly, "Contract jitters go on despite moves", The Sunday Tribune, 11 May 1997
  10. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Davy has a job", Sunday Life, 22 June 1997
  11. ^ "Humphreys points the way for Ulster", Irish Independent, 14 October 1996
  12. ^ Jim Stokes, "Defiant Ulster lose to late Harlequins try", Irish Independent, 17 October 1996
  13. ^ Jim Stokes, "Salute brave Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 17 October 1996
  14. ^ "Ulster rue missed chances as Neath steal it", Sunday Independent, 27 October 1996
  15. ^ "Ulster challenge fades tamely", Sunday Independent, 3 November 1996
  16. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ulster seek sweet revenge", Belfast Telegraph, 20 September 1996
  17. ^ Peter O'Reilly, "Leinster pack steamrolls ahead", The Sunday Tribune, 22 September 1996
  18. ^ Sean Diffley, "Connacht falter with the winning post in sight", Sunday Independent, 29 September 1996
  19. ^ Michael McGeary, "Ulster fall short", Sunday Life, 6 October 1996
  20. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Brave Ulster", Sunday Life, 17 November 1996
  21. ^ Neil McKay, "All change in rugby's new world", Sunday Life, 25 August 1996
  22. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ballymena expose Ulster's gaping void", Belfast Telegraph. 4 September 1996
  23. ^ Alex George, "Ulster too strong for Dungannon", News Letter, 7 September 1996
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