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.

Events[edit]

Personnel changes[edit]

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.

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.[11] Wing Robert Baloucoune and scrum-half Graham Curtis joined later in the season.[12]

Season[edit]

After a poor run of form, with eighteen tries conceded in four matches over the Christmas period,[13] Director of Rugby Les Kiss left in January, with Gibbes assuming all coaching responsibility of the team for the remainder of the season.[14] 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.[15] 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."[16]

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.[17] 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[edit]

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[edit]

Senior squad[edit]

Ulster Rugby squad[30]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(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.[31][32]
  • 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").[33]

Academy squad[edit]

Position[34] 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[35]

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.[36]

Ulster 'A'[edit]

The following players, other than players from the senior squad and academy, appeared for Ulster 'A' this season.

Players used by Ulster 'A'

Props

  • Ireland Michael Cromie
  • Ireland Johnny Simpson

Back row


Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Michael Stronge

Centres

Wings

European Rugby Champions Cup[edit]

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 Ulster Ireland 19–9 England Wasps Kingspan Stadium  
19:45 Try: Stockdale 54' m
McCloskey 56' m
Pen: Cooney (1/2) 14'
Lealiifano (2/2) 69', 74'
 Report[37]
Highlights 		Pen: Daly (1/1) 3'
Gopperth (2/2) 40', 46'
 Attendance: 15,291
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Kyle McCall, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Robbie Diack, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew, 17. Callum Black, 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 64),
19. Matthew Rea, 20. Clive Ross (for Deysel 64),
21. Paul Marshall (for Cooney 64), 22. Peter Nelson, 23. Tommy Bowe (for L. Marshall 68).

22 October 2017 (1 BP) La Rochelle France 41–17 Ireland Ulster Stade Marcel-Deflandre  
16:15 Try: Sinzelle 2' c
Vito 50' c
Gourdon 59' c
Aguillon 62' c
Eaton 65' c
Con: Lamb (1/1) 3'
Balès (2/2) 51', 60'
Goillot (2/2) 64', 66'
Pen: Balès (2/2) 22', 27'
 Report[38]
Highlights 		Try: Lealiifano 9' c
Bowe 69' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/1) 10'
Pen: Lealiifano (1/1) 15'
 Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Alan O'Connor,
6. Iain Henderson, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Sean Reidy,
9. Paul Marshall, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Tommy Bowe, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Darren Cave, 14. Andrew Trimble,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rory Best (for Herring 61), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 70), 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 52),
19. Robbie Diack (for O'Connor 56), 20. Matty Rea (for Reidy 67),
21. John Cooney (for Lealiifano 47), 22. Luke Marshall (for Cave 64), 23. Jacob Stockdale (for Trimble 52).

10 December 2017 Harlequins England 5–17 Ireland Ulster Twickenham Stoop  
13:00 Try: Sinckler 49' m
 Report[39]
Highlights 		Try: Stockdale 25' m
Pen: Cooney (4/5) 5', 61', 65', 78'
 Attendance: 8,327
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (FFR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Iain Henderson, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Tommy Bowe, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew, 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 70), 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 63),
19. Matty Rea, 20. Chris Henry (for Treadwell 51),
21. Paul Marshall, 22. Peter Nelson, 23. Louis Ludik (for Bowe 47).

15 December 2017 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 52–24 England Harlequins (1 BP) Kingspan Stadium  
19:45 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[40]
Highlights 		Try: Smith 13' m
Walker 29' c
Chisholm 58' m
Ward 66' c
Con: Smith (2/4) 30', 67'
 Attendance: 15,646
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Iain Henderson, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Louis Ludik, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 34-44, 52), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 41), 18. Ross Kane (for Herbst 41),
19. Matty Rea (for Treadwell 68), 20. Sean Reidy (for Timoney 55),
21. Paul Marshall (for Cooney 75), 22. Peter Nelson (for Stockdale 65), 23. Andrew Trimble (for Piutau 60).

13 January 2018 Ulster Ireland 20–13 France La Rochelle (1 BP) Kingspan Stadium  
13:00 Try: Best 27' m
Stockdale 34' m
Timoney 44' c
Con: Cooney (1/3) 45'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 49'
 Report[41]
Highlights 		Try: Balès 42' c
Con: Balès (1/1) 43'
Pen: Balès (2/2) 8', 15'
 Attendance: 15,004
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rory Best, 3. Rodney Ah You,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Louis Ludik, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Best 72), 17. Kyle McCall (for Black 57), 18. Ross Kane (for Ah You 63),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Rea 57), 20. Chris Henry (for Reidy 63),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Jonny McPhillips (for Lealiifano 72), 23. Darren Cave (for Gilroy 26).

21 January 2018 (1 BP) Wasps England 26–7 Ireland Ulster Ricoh Arena  
15:15 Try: Thompson 10' c
Cruse 31' c
Le Roux 46' m
Cooper-Woolley 55' c
Con: Cipriani (3/4) 11', 32', 56'
 Report[42]Highlights Try: Reidy 23' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 24'
 Attendance: 13,124
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Kyle McCall, 2. Rory Best, 3. Rodney Ah You,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Iain Henderson, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Darren Cave, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Best 56), 17. Andrew Warwick (for McCall 54), 18. Wiehahn Herbst (for Ah You 50),
19. Matty Rea (for Treadwell 56), 20. Chris Henry (for Timoney 65),
21. David Shanahan (for Lealiifano 72), 22. Jonny McPhillips (for Ludik 32), 23. Rob Lyttle (for Stockdale 17).

Pro14[edit]

Main article: 2017–18 Pro14
2017–18 Pro14 tables view · watch · edit · 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 -[43]
  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 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 42–19 South Africa Cheetahs Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 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[44]
Highlights 		Try: Blommetjies 15' c
Mapimpi 20' c
Petersen 49' m
Con: Small-Smith (2/3) 17', 22'
 Attendance: 14,448
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Kyle McCall, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Robbie Diack, 5. Alan O'Connor,
6. Jean Deysel, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Marcell Coetzee,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Tommy Bowe, 14. Andrew Trimble,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 68'), 17. Callum Black (for McCall 68'), 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 60'),
19. Matthew Rea (for O'Connor 60'), 20. Sean Reidy (for Coetzee 51'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 75'), 22. Peter Nelson (for Lealiifano 51'), 23. Darren Cave (for Piutau 68').

9 September 2017 (1 BP) Benetton Italy 14–21 Ireland Ulster Stadio Comunale di Monigo  
18:05 Try: Ruzza 64' c, McKinley 70' c
Con: McKinley (2/2) 65', 72'
 Report[45]
Highlights 		Try: Trimble (2) 8' c, 23' c
Stockdale 60' c
Con: Cooney (3/3) 9', 24', 61'
 Attendance: 2,600
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Robbie Diack, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matthew Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Tommy Bowe, 14. Andrew Trimble,
15. Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 61'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 50'), 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 61'),
19. Pete Browne (for Treadwell 73'), 20. Chris Henry (for Deysel 49'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 65'), 22. Peter Nelson (for Lealiifano 61'), 23. Luke Marshall (for Trimble 49').

15 September 2017 Ulster Ireland 27–20 Wales Scarlets (1 BP) Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 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[46]
Highlights 		Try: McNicholl 60' c
J. Davies 67' c
Con: Halfpenny (2/2) 62', 68'
Pen: Halfpenny (2/2) 3', 57'
 Attendance: 12,712
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Kyle McCall, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Alan O'Connor,
6. Matthew Rea, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Sean Reidy,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Andrew Trimble,
15. Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 57'), 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 66'),
19. Robbie Diack (for Treadwell 58'), 20. Clive Ross (for Henry 66'),
21. Paul Marshall (for Cooney 70'), 22. Peter Nelson (for Stockdale 72'), 23. Tommy Bowe (for Ludik 51').

22 September 2017 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 52–25 Wales Dragons Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 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[47]
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'
 Attendance: 12,291
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Kyle McCall, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Rodney Ah You,
4. Robbie Diack, 5. Alan O'Connor,
6. Clive Ross, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. Paul Marshall, 10. Peter Nelson,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Darren Cave, 14. Tommy Bowe,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 49'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for McCall 41'), 18. Wiehahn Herbst,
19. Iain Henderson (for O'Connor 58'), 20. Matty Rea (for Ross 52'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Brett Herron (for Cave 52'), 23. Rob Lyttle (for Piutau 49').

30 September 2017 Zebre Italy 27–23 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi  
15:35 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[48]
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'
 Attendance: 3,100
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. John Andrew, 3. Rodney Ah You,
4. Pete Browne, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Luke Marshall, 13. Darren Cave, 14. Andrew Trimble,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Andrew 77'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 49'), 18. Wiehahn Herbst (for Ah You 49'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Browne 27'), 20. Nick Timoney (for Deysel 54'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 63'), 22. Peter Nelson, 23. Rob Lyttle.

6 October 2017 Ulster Ireland 16–8 Ireland Connacht Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Stockdale 56' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 56'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 28', 44', 53'
 Report[49]
Highlights 		Try: McCartney 35' m
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 49'
 Attendance: 14,363
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Iain Henderson, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Stuart McCloskey, 12. Jacob Stockdale, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Tommy Bowe,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 75'), 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 67'),
19. Robbie Diack (for O'Connor 50'), 20. Sean Reidy (for Henry 54'),
21. Paul Marshall, 22. Peter Nelson, 23. Louis Ludik (for Bowe 59').

28 October 2017 Ulster Ireland 10–25 Ireland Leinster Kingspan Stadium  
18:30 Try: Reidy 27' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/1) 28'
Pen: Lealiifano (1/1) 6'
 Report[50]
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'
 Attendance: 17,631
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rory Best, 3. Rodney Ah You,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Sean Reidy, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. Aaron Cairns, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Tommy Bowe,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Best 56'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 56'), 18. Ross Kane (for Ah You 74'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for O'Connor 62'), 20. Robbie Diack (for Deysel 16'),
21. Johnny Stewart (for Cairns 61'), 22. Peter Nelson (for Lealiifano 67'), 23. Louis Ludik (for McCloskey 70').

4 November 2017 (2 BP) Southern Kings South Africa 36–43 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Wolfson Stadium  
15:00 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[51]
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'
 Attendance: 2,836
Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. John Andrew, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Alan O'Connor,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Sean Reidy,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Andrew Trimble, 12. Darren Cave, 13. Louis Ludik, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Andrew 72'), 17. Callum Black (for Warwick 60'), 18. Ross Kane (for Herbst 36'),
19. Robbie Diack (for Rea 64'), 20. Clive Ross (for Hery 55'),
21. Johnny Stewart, 22. Peter Nelson, 23. Tommy Bowe.

24 November 2017 Ulster Ireland 23–22 Italy Benetton (1 BP) Kingspan Stadium  
19:05 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[52]
Highlights 		Try: Barbieri 55' c
Con: Allan (1/1) 57'
Pen: Allan (4/5) 4', 12', 38', 51'
Banks (1/1) 72'
 Attendance: 14,544
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. John Andrew, 3. Ross Kane,
4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Alan O'Connor,
6. Clive Ross, 7. Aaron Hall, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Peter Nelson,
11. Craig Gilroy, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Louis Ludik, 14. Tommy Bowe,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Andrew 52'), 17. Schalk van der Merwe (for Black 45'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Kane 52'),
19. Matthew Dalton (for Hall 70'), 20. Greg Jones (for Ross 34'),
21. Paul Marshall (for Cooney 53'), 22. Darren Cave (for Nelson 53'), 23. Andrew Trimble (for Bowe 74'.

1 December 2017 (1 BP) Dragons Wales 32–32 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Rodney Parade  
19:35 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[53]
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'
 Attendance: 4,477
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Schalk van der Merwe, 2. John Andrew, 3. Ross Kane,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Greg Jones, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. Paul Marshall, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Louis Ludik, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Tommy Bowe, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rory Best (for Andrew 52'), 17. Callum Black (for Van der Mwerwe 52'), 18. Andrew Warwick (for Kane 52'),
19. Matthew Dalton (for Treadwell 73'), 20. Chris Henry (for Jones 57'),
21. John Cooney (for P Marshall 53'), 22. Peter Nelson, 23. Andrew Trimble (for Ludik 76').

23 December 2017 (1 BP) Connacht Ireland 44–16 Ireland Ulster Galway Sportsgrounds  
19:35 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[54]
Highlights 		Try: Gilroy 65' m
Lyttle 79' m
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 23', 32'
 Attendance: 7,629
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. John Andrew, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Matthew Dalton, 5. Robbie Diack,
6. Iain Henderson, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Peter Nelson,
11. Andrew Trimble, 12. Darren Cave, 13. Louis Ludik, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Jacob Stockdale.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (for Andrew 48'), 17. Schalk van der Merwe, 18. Ross Kane (for Herbst 52'),
19. Matty Rea (for Diack 65'), 20. Clive Ross,
21. Paul Marshall (for Nelson 53'), 22. Johnny McPhillips, 23. Rob Lyttle (for Cooney 62').

1 January 2018 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 24–17 Ireland Munster (1 BP) Kingspan Stadium  
17:35 Try: Cave 57' c
Gilroy (2) 61' m, 73' c
Lyttle 79' m
Con: Cooney (2/4) 58', 74'
 Report[55]
Highlights 		Try: N. Scannell (2) 13' m, 24' m
Penalty try 33'
 Attendance: 17,594
Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Kyle McCall, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Rodney Ah You,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Greg Jones, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Darren Cave, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney, 17. Callum Black (for McCall, 40'), 18. Wiehahn Herbst (for Ah You 40'),
19. Robbie Diack (for Treadwell 75'), 20. Matty Rea (for Deysel 45'),
21. Paul Marshall, 22. Johnny McPhillips, 23. Andrew Trimble.

6 January 2018 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 38–7 Ireland Ulster RDS Arena  
17:35 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[56]
Highlights 		Try: Stockdale 72' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 74'
 Attendance: 17,373
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rory Best, 3. Rodney Ah You,
4. Pete Browne, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. Johnny Stewart, 10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Darren Cave, 14. Andrew Trimble,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Best 64'), 17. Kyle McCall (for Black 61'), 18. Wiehahn Herbst (for Ah You 47-73'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Browne 52'), 20. Nick Timoney (For Reidy 56'),
21. John Cooney (for J Stewart 52'), 22. Johnny McPhillips (for Lealiifano 55'), 23. Tommy Bowe (for Piutau 55-73').

9 February 2018 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 59–10 South Africa Southern Kings Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 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[57]
Highlights 		Try: H. Klaasen 70' c
Con: Van Rensburg (1/1) 70'
 Attendance: 13,759
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. John Andrew, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Andrew 55'), 17. Kyle McCall (for Warwick 55'), 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 55'),
19. Matthew Dalton (for Lyttle 59'), 20. Chris Henry (for Reidy 34'),
21. Johnny Stewart (for McPhillips 55'), 22. Darren Cave (for McCloskey 55'), 23. Louis Ludik (for Piutau 20').

16 February 2018 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 16–17 Scotland Edinburgh Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Cooney 8' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 9'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 42', 55', 66'
 Report[58]
Highlights 		Try: Harries 33' c
Carmichael 62' c
Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/2) 35', 63'
Drop: Weir (1/1) 80'
 Attendance: 14,497
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Sean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Tommy Bowe, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
16. Rob Andrew (for Herring 55'), 17. Kyle McCall (for Warwick 53'), 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 53'),
19. Matthew Dalton (for Treadwell 67'), 20. Chris Henry (for Deysel 56'),
21. Johnny Stewart, 22. Darren Cave, 23. David Busby.

24 February 2018 (1 BP) Scarlets Wales 34–10 Ireland Ulster Parc y Scarlets  
19:35 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[59]
Highlights 		Try: McCloskey 2' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 3'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 50'
 Attendance: 6,941
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. John Andrew, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Sean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Tommy Bowe, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Andrew Trimble,
15. Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Andrew 51'), 17. Kyle McCall (for Warwick 51'), 18. Rodney Ah You (for Herbst 62'),
19. Matthew Dalton, 20. Chris Henry (for Deysel 45'),
21. Paul Marshall (for Cooney 73'), 22. Peter Nelson (for Trimble 65'), 23. Darren Cave (for Marshall 67').

24 March 2018 (1 BP) Cardiff Blues Wales 35–17 Ireland Ulster Cardiff Arms Park  
15:15 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[60]
Highlights 		Try: Shanahan 78' m
Pen: Cooney (4/5) 5', 38', 45', 52'
 Attendance: 5,763
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Iain Henderson, 7. Clive Ross, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Herring 61') 17. Callum Black (for Warwick 71'), 18. Ross Kane (for Herbst 31'),
19. Matthew Dalton (for Treadwell 66'), 20. Matty Rea,
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 74'), 22. Peter Nelson (for McCloskey 74'), 23. Louis Ludik (for Marshall 62').

6 April 2018 Edinburgh Scotland 20–32 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Murrayfield Stadium  
19:35 Try: Weir 30' c
Penalty try 57'
Con: Weir (1/1) 31'
Pen: Weir (2/2) 9', 15'
 Report[61]
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'
 Attendance: 4,989
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rory Best, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Matthew Dalton, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Matty Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Darren Cave, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Best 74), 17. Tommy O'Hagan', 18. Rodney Ah You (for O'Toole 60'),
19. Alan O'Connor (for Dalton 46'), 20. Sean Reidy (for Reidy 72'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Angus Curtis, 23. Tommy Bowe (for Ludik 38'.

13 April 2018 Ulster Ireland 8–0 Wales Ospreys Kingspan Stadium  
19:35 Try: Stockdale 79' m
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 6'
 Report[62] Attendance: 13,267
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Ross Kane,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Robbie Diack, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Timoney 73'), 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Tom O'Toole,
19. Jack Regan (for Cooney 76'), 20. Chris Henry (for Diack 63'),
21. David Shanahan, 22. Darren Cave (for L Marshall 57'), 23. Craig Gilroy.

21 April 2018 (1 BP) Ulster Ireland 36–15 Scotland Glasgow Warriors Kingspan Stadium  
18:05 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[63]
Highlights 		Try: Gibbins (2) 21' c, 46' m
Con: Russell (1/2) 21'
Pen: Russell (1/1) 18'
 Attendance: 16,186
Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Ross Kane,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Nick Timoney, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Jean Deysel,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Louis Ludik,
15. Charles Piutau.
Replacements:
16. Rory Best (for Herring 61'), 17. Kyle McCall (for Warwick 54'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Kane 61'),
19. Kieran Treadwell, 20. Clive Ross (for Deysel 16'),
21. Paul Marshall (for Cooney 40'), 22. Angus Curtis (for McPhillips 72'), 23. Tommy Bowe (for L Marshall 69').

28 April 2018 Munster Ireland 24–24 Ireland Ulster Thomond Park  
17:35 Try: Williams 1' c
Scott 26' c
Copeland 48' c
Con: Hanrahan (3/3) 2', 28', 49'
Pen: Hanrahan (1/1) 67'
 Report[64]
Highlights 		Try: McCloskey 4' c
Best (2) 32' c, 40' c
Con: McPhillips (3/3) 5', 34', 40'
Pen: McPhillips (1/1) 15'
 Attendance: 16,178
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rory Best, 3. Ross Kane,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Iain Henderson,
6. Clive Ross, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoeny,
9. David Shanahan, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (for Best 69'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 55'), 18. Tom O'Toole (for Kane 64'),
19. Kieran Treadwell (for Henderson 22'), 20. Chris Henry (for Timoney 72'),
21. Paul Marshall (for Shanahan 45'), 22. Angus Curtis (for McCloskey 30'), 23. Tommy Bowe (for Gilroy 69').

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

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.[65]

20 May 2018 Ulster Ireland 35–17 Wales Ospreys Kingspan Stadium  
15:05 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[66]
Highlights 		Try: A. W. Jones 15' c
Dirksen 61' m
Biggar 77' m
Con: Biggar (1/3) 16'
 Attendance: 7,014
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
Ulster lineup:

1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Alan O'Connor, 5. Kieran Treadwell,
6. Robbie Diack, 7. Sean Reidy, 8. Nick Timoney,
9. John Cooney, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew (for Timoney 76'), 17. Andrew Warwick (for Black 23'), 18. Rodney Ah You,
19. Jack Regan, 20. Chris Henry (for Diack 62'),
21. David Shanahan (for Cooney 75'), 22. Darren Cave (for L Marshall 56'), 23. David Busby (for Ludik 18').

End of season awards[edit]

John Cooney was the competition's top scorer with 175 points, and was named at scrum-half on the Pro14 Dream Team.[67]

Friendlies[edit]

1 June 2017 Ulster Ireland 28–43 Barbarians Kingspan Stadium, Belfast[68]  
19:30 IST (UTC+01) Try: McCloskey 5' c
Keane 10' c
Patterson 34' c
O'Connor 42' c
Con: Wilson (1/1) 6'
Pienaar (2/2) 11', 35'
Herron (1/1) 43'
 Report[69] Try: Flynn 19' m
Nayacalevu (2) 23' c, 60' c
King (2) 31' m, 39' m
Penalty try 54' c
Tekori 77' c
Con: Agulla (1/3) 24'
Madigan (2/3) 54', 60'
Dusautoir (1/1) 78'
 Attendance: 15,500
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
17 August 2017 Ulster Ireland 15–26 Wasps Kingspan Stadium, Belfast  
Try: Browne
Patterson
Con: Nelson
Pen: Herron
 Report[70][71] Try: Hampson
McIntyre
Bassett
Cipriani
Con: Cipriani (3)

Ulster A[edit]

British and Irish Cup[edit]

Main article: 2017–18 British and Irish Cup

Pool 5[edit]

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 Ulster A 24–18 Scarlets Premiership Select (BP) Rifle Park, Banbridge  
14:30 Try: Cairns
Dunleavy
Owens
Con: McPhillips (3)
Pen: McPhillips
 Report[72] Try: Prydie
Condy
Helps
Pen: Jones
 Attendance: 600
Referee: Karl Dickson
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Ross Kane (c),
4. Jack Regan, 5. Peter Browne,
6. Caleb Montgomery, 7. Aaron Hall, 8. Joe Dunleavy,
9. Aaron Cairns, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Angus Kernohan, 12. Rory Butler, 13. Callum Patterson, 14. David Busby,
15. Jack Owens.
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall, 17. Michael Cromie,
18. Matthew Dalton, 19. Greg Jones,
20. Johnny Stewart, 21. Brett Herron, 22. Michael Lowry.

22 October 2017 Cornish Pirates 23–14 Ulster A Mennaye Field  
14:30 Try: Cowan-Dickie (2) 48' 64'
Con: Cargill (2) 49' 65'
Pen: Cargill (3) 39' 76' 80'
 Report[73] Try: Gilroy 52'
Jones 77'
Con: Nelson (2) 53' 78'
 Attendance: 1,074
Referee: Mike English
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Schalk van der Merwe, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Ross Kane,
4. Jack Regan, 5. Matthew Dalton,
6. Clive Ross, 7. Aaron Hall, 8. Joe Dunleavy,
9. Johnny Stewart, 10. Peter Nelson,
11. David Busby, 12. Rory Butler, 13. Callum Patterson, 14. Craig Gilroy,
15. Jack Owens.
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall, 17. Jonny Simpson (for S. van der Merwe 70'),
18. Greg Jones (for Dalton 71'), 19. Caleb Montgomery (for Hall 53'),
20. Aaron Cairns (for Stewart 53'), 21. Rob Lyttle (for Owens 32'), 22. Johnny McPhillips (for Patterson 70').

9 December 2017 (2BP) Hartpury College 24–29 Ulster A (BP) College Stadium  
14:30 Try: Murphy 21'
Eves 32'
Cochrane 56'
Dyer 67')
Con: Evans (2) 33' 57'
 Report[74] Try: Dalton 13'
Patterson 42'
Lyttle 48'
McBurney 58'
Busby 80'
Con: McPhillips (2)
 Attendance: 375
Referee: Karl Dickson
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Tommy O'Hagan, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Peter Browne, 5. Matthew Dalton,
6. Clive Ross, 7. Aaron Hall, 8. Greg Jones,
9. Johnny Stewart, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. Rob Lyttle, 12. Rory Butler, 13. Callum Patterson, 14. David Busby,
15. Jack Owens.
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall, 17. Eric O'Sullivan,
18. John McCusker, 19. Marcus Rea,
20. Aaron Cairns, 21. David Shanahan, 22. Angus Kernohan.

16 December 2017 (BP) Ulster A 27 – 19 Hartpury College Eaton Park, Ballymena  
14:30 Try: McBurney (4)
Con: McPhillips (2)
Pen: McPhillips
 Report[75] Try: Dyer
Holden
Penalty try
Con: Perry
 Attendance: 450
Referee: Hamish Smales
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Tommy O'Hagan, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Peter Browne, 5. Matthew Dalton,
6. Clive Ross, 7. Aaron Hall, 8. Greg Jones (c),
9. Johnny Stewart, 10. Johnny McPhillips,
11. David Busby, 12. Brett Herron, 13. Jack Owens, 14. Angus Kernohan,
15. Rob Lyttle.
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall, 17. Eric O'Sullivan,
18. Caleb Montgomery, 19. Matthew Agnew,
20. David Shanahan, 21. Stewart Moore, 22. Aaron Cairns.

12 January 2018 (BP) Ulster A 25 – 14 Cornish Pirates Shaw's Bridge, Belfast  
17:00 Try: Lyttle (2) 22' 75'
Andrew 26'
Z. McCall 44'
Con: Nelson 22'
Pen: Lyttle 68'
 Report Try: O'Meara 42'
Pen: May (3) 12' 36' 66'
 Attendance: 781
Referee: Elgan Williams
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Tommy O'Hagan, 2. John Andrew, 3. Ross Kane,
4. Peter Browne, 5. Clive Ross,
6. Caleb Montgomery, 7. Matthew Agnew, 8. Marcus Rea,
9. Johnny Stewart, 10. Peter Nelson,
11. Aaron Cairns, 12. Rory Butler, 13. Callum Patterson, 14. Rob Lyttle,
15. Jack Owens.
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall (for Andrew), 17. Eric O'Sullivan (for O'Hagan), 18. Tom O'Toole,
19. Azur Allison (for Rea),
20. David Shanahan, 21. Chris Swash, 22. Angus Kernohan (for Owens).

20 January 2018 Scarlets Premiership Select 13 – 24 Ulster A Church Bank Playing Fields, Llandovery  
14:00 Try: Baldwin
Con: Botica
Pen: Botica (2)
 Report[76] Try: Ross
Penalty try
Andrew
Con: Nelson (3)
Pen: Nelson
 Attendance: 50
Referee: Fergal Kirby
Ulster 'A' lineup:

1. Tommy O'Hagan, 2. John Andrew (c), 3. Tom O'Toole,
4. Peter Browne, 5. Clive Ross,
6. Caleb Montgomery, 7. Matthew Agnew, 8. Marcus Rea,
9. Johnny Stewart, 10. Peter Nelson,
11. Aaron Cairns, 12. Callum Patterson, 13. Luke Marshall, 14. Angus Kernohan,
15. Jack Owens.
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall, 17. Eric O'Sullivan,
18. Matthew Dalton, 19. Aaron Hall,
20. Greg Jones, 21. Michael Stronge, 22. Rory Butler.

Quarter-final[edit]

31 March 2018 Bedford Blues England 16 – 10 Ireland Ulster A Goldington Road  
15:00 Try: Lane
Con: Hooley
Pen: Hooley (3)
 Report Try: McBurney
Con: Nelson
Pen: Nelson
 Attendance: 2,323
Referee: Mike English
Ulster lineup:

1. Tommy O'Hagan, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Ros Kane (c),
4. Matthew Dalton, 5. Peter Browne,
6. Marcus Rea, 7. Clive Ross, 8. Greg Jones,
9. David Shanahan, 10. Peter Nelson,
11. Aaron Cairns, 12. Angus Curtis, 13. Callum Patterson, 14. Angus Kernohan,
15. Jack Owens.
Replacements:
16. Alexander Clarke, 17. Eric O'Sullivan, 18. Tom O'Toole,
19. Jack Regan, 20. Matthew Agnew,
21. Johnny Stewart, 22. James Hume.

Home attendance[edit]

Domestic League European Cup Total
League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance
2017–18 Pro14 12* 14,026 17,631 7,014 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup 3 15,314 15,646 15,004 214,247 14,283

Ulster Rugby Awards[edit]

The Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the La Mon Hotel and Country Club, Castlereagh, on 10 May 2018. Winners were:[77]

Season reviews[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Michael Sadlier, "Ulster recruit school stars for Academy fast-tracking", Belfast Telegraph, 29 July 2017
  12. ^ a b c Gareth Fullerton, "Ulster Rugby Academy names 19-man squad for new season", Belfast Live, 25 July 2018
  13. ^ Ulster Rugby: Who did what 2017-18, The Front Row Union, 25 June 2018
  14. ^ "Les Kiss to Leave Ulster Rugby". Richard Finlay. Ulster Rugby. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  15. ^ "La Rochelle confirm former Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes will become Director of Rugby on four-season deal", Irish Independent, 4 June 2018
  16. ^ "Brian O'Driscoll: Ulster a 'basket case' at the moment", BBC Sport, 23 April 2018
  17. ^ "Ulster Rugby: Who did what 2017-18", The Front Row Union, 25 June 2018
  18. ^ "Ulster sign Springbok Arno Botha and Connacht scrum-half John Cooney". BBC Sport. 16 January 2017.
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