1999–2000 Ulster Rugby season

Professional provincial Rugby Union playing season October 2023 October 2023 1999–2000 Ulster Rugby season Ravenhill Stadium 12,500 Harry Williams David Humphreys Gary Longwell, Eric Miller, Simon Mason (12 each) Simon Mason (145) Tyrone Howe (4)Spencer Bromley (4) Heineken Cup (4th in pool)IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd) 1998–99 2000–01 The 1999–2000 season was Ulster Rugby's fifth season under professionalism, and Harry Williams's second season as head coach. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship. Ahead of the new season, Williams signed Paddy Johns, Simon Best, Niall Malone, Tyrone Howe, Spencer Bromley and Riaz Fredericks to full-time contracts. Mark McCall retired as a player, and was appointed assistant coach.Gerry Thornley, "Ulster bid to continue their roll by recruiting heavily", Irish Times, 31 July 1999 In the Heineken Cup, Ulster finished bottom of their pool. They came second in the Interprovincial Championship, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. Tony McWhirter was Ulster's Player of the Year. Plans for a Celtic League, featuring the Irish provinces alongside teams from Scotland and Wales, were mooted. This would give the provinces a 12-game league schedule, alongside six Interpros and at least six Heineken Cup matches, and mean contracted players would no longer be available for their All-Ireland League clubs, but play exclusively for their provinces. This plan would not materialise for another few seasons.Jim Stokes, "Different League beckons as Irish get set to cash in", Belfast Telegraph, 21 December 1999 Player transfers Players in IRE rugby union Simon Best from ENG Newcastle ENG Spencer Bromley from ENG HarlequinsBrendan Fanning, "Gatland geared up for bout of double vision", Sunday Independent, 1 August 1999 RSA Riaz Fredericks from Hong Kong Hong Kong sevens team IRE rugby union Tyrone Howe from ENG Newbury"Tyrone to hang up his boots", Ulster Rugby, archived 21 December 1995 IRE rugby union Paddy Johns from ENG Saracens"Johns departs to play for Ulster", Watford Observer, 20 March 1999 IRE rugby union Niall Malone from ENG Worcester IRE rugby union Dion O'Cuinneagain from ENG Sale"'He was told he was too small for the Springboks, like me' - Former Ireland captain on Stander", The 42, 13 February 2016 Fiji Joeli Veitayaki from NZL Northland"Fijian linking up with Ulster", ESPN, 27 October 1999 Players out IRE rugby union Mark McCall (retired) IRE rugby union Stan McDowell (out of contract) IRE rugby union Andy Park (out of contract) Squad Ulster Rugby squadProps IRE rugby union Simon Best IRE rugby union Justin Fitzpatrick IRE rugby union Rab Irwin IRE rugby union Lewis Johnston IRE rugby union Gary Leslie Fiji Joeli Veitayaki Hookers IRE rugby union Allen Clarke IRE rugby union Richard Weir Locks IRE rugby union Mark Blair IRE rugby union Paddy Johns IRE rugby union Gary LongwellBack row IRE rugby union Stephen McKinty IRE rugby union Tony McWhirter IRE rugby union Eric Miller IRE rugby union Dion O'Cuinneagain IRE rugby union Derek Topping IRE rugby union Andy Ward Scrum-halves IRE rugby union Stephen Bell IRE rugby union Mark Edwards IRE rugby union Andrew Matchett Fly-halves IRE rugby union David Humphreys (c)Centres IRE rugby union Jonny Bell IRE rugby union Jan Cunningham RSA Riaz Fredericks IRE rugby union Tyrone Howe IRE rugby union Niall Malone Wings ENG Spencer Bromley IRE rugby union James Topping IRE rugby union Sheldon Coulter Fullbacks IRE rugby union Simon Mason (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.Squad Season record Competition Played Won Drawn Lost PF PA PD TF TA 1999-2000 Heineken Cup 6 0 0 6 71 179 -108 4 20 IRFU Interprovincial Championship 6 3 0 3 186 129 57 18 8 Total 12 3 0 9 257 308 -51 22 28 1999–2000 Heineken Cup 1999–2000 Heineken Cup Pool 3 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts WAL Llanelli65011789152866610 ENG Wasps65011697163996410 FRA Bourgoin620414140140162−224 Ireland rugby union Ulster6006420−1671179−1080 20 November 1999 19:30 Bourgoin FRA 26 – 12 Report"French make Ulster fry", Sunday Life, 21 November 1999Match centre IRE rugby union Ulster BalueGlas Péclier (2) Péclier (4) Mason 4 Stade Pierre Rajon, Bourgoin-Jallieu 7,000 L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Niall Malone, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Simon Best (for Veitayaki), Tyrone Howe (for Malone), Mark Edwards (for Bell), Mark Blair (for Longwell), Derek Topping (for O'Cuinneagain). 26 November 1999 19:30 Ulster IRE rugby union 6 – 19 ReportJim Stokes, "Now it's uphill all the way", Belfast Telegraph, 27 November 1999Match centre ENG London Wasps Mason (2) Green Logan Logan (4) Ravenhill, Belfast 12,000 L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Niall Malone (for J. Bell, 39), Derek Topping (for Miller, 40), Tyrone Howe (for Malone, 42), Gary Longwell (for Johns, 78). 10 December 1999 19:30 Ulster IRE rugby union 6 – 29 ReportJim Stokes, "Ulster's Complete Collapse", Belfast Telegraph, 11 December 1999Match centre WAL Llanelli Mason (2) WyattFinua Jones (2) Jones (5) Ravenhill, Belfast 8,000 Steve Lander L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Mark Edwards, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Dion O'Cuinneagain (for McWhirter, 22), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 27), Stephen Bell (for Edwards, 54), Gary Longwell (for Johns, 68), Tyrone Howe (for J. Topping, 77), Niall Malone (for Mason, 78). 18 December 1999 14:40 Llanelli WAL 20 – 3 ReportMicheal McGeary, "Over and out", Sunday Life, 19 December 1999Match centre IRE rugby union Ulster WyattDavies Jones (2) Jones (2) Mason Stradey Park, Llanelli 3,000 L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Derek Topping, 8. Eric Miller, 9. Mark Edwards, 10. Niall Malone, 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Simon Best (for Veitayaki), Stephen McKinty (for Miller). 9 January 2000 15:00 London Wasps ENG 49 – 17 ReportJim Stokes, "Ulster's Sprit Returns", Belfast Telegraph, 10 January 2000Alan Levinson, "Ulster stung by seven-try Wasp attack", Irish Independent, 10 January 2000Match centre IRE rugby union Ulster Logan (2)ReedHendersonKingShelbourneScrace HumphreysMason Mason (2) Mason Loftus Road, London 5,000 L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Eric Miller, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Riaz Fredericks, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Gary Longwell (for Blair, 78). 14 January 2000 19:30 Ulster IRE rugby union 27 – 36 ReportJim Stokes, "Ulster's campaign draws to bitter end", Belfast Telegraph, 15 January 2000Match centre FRA Bourgoin Howe (2) Mason Mason (5) BoyetCoux (2)GlasRaschi Boyet Ravenhill, Belfast 6,000 L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Eric Miller, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Riaz Fredericks, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Tony McWhirter (for Miller, 40), Mark Blair (for Ward, 55), Simon Best (for Veitayaki, 68), Jan Cunningham (for J. Topping, 70). 1999–2000 IRFU Interprovincial Championship IRFU Interprovincial Championship left 1999–00 Munster (21)Team P W D LFA BPPts Statusleft Munster 6 6 0 0 242 103 5 29 Champions; qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cupleft Ulster 6 3 0 3 186 129 3 15 Qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cupleft Leinster 6 2 0 4 145 137 2 10 Qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cupleft Connacht 6 0 0 6 85 289 1 1 Qualified for 2000–01 European Challenge Cup 7 August 1999 Connacht Connacht 9-50 Report"Ulster go wild out west", Sunday Life, 8 August 1999 Ulster Ulster Elwood (3) J. ToppingMcWhirterCunninghamO'CuinneagainHoweClarke Mason (3) Mason (3) The Sportsground, Belfast M. White W Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Longwell, 59), Eric Miller (for McWhirter, 59), Riaz Fredericks (for Howe, 66), Niall Malone (for Humphreys, 66), Simon Best (for Leslie, 71). 13 August 1999 Leinster Leinster 15-26 ReportJim Stokes, "Dion to Ulster's rescue", Belfast Telegraph, 14 August 1999 Ulster Ulster Everitt (5) HoweMason Mason (2) Mason (3) Humphreys Donnybrook, Dublin W Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Eric Miller, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Tony McWhirter (for Miller, 48), Riaz Fredericks (for Cunningham, 58), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 60), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 83). 5 September 1999 Ulster Ulster 24-25 ReportJim Stokes, "Munster prove to be worthy champs", Belfast Telegraph, 6 September 1999 Munster Munster BromleyFredericks Mason Mason (3) Humphreys Mullins (2)Corkery O'Gara (2) O'Gara (2) Upper Malone, Belfast L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Eric Miller, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Richard Weir (for Clarke, 23), Tony McWhirter (for Miller, 55), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 50), Simon Best (for Leslie, 66), Riaz Fredericks (for Cunningham, 71). 29 October 1999 Munster Munster 36-19 ReportJim Stokes, "Ulster punished on Black Friday", Belfast Telegraph, 30 October 1999 Ulster Ulster O'NeillMullins O'Gara O'Gara (8) Topping Mason Mason (4) Musgrave Park, Cork L Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Riaz Fredericks, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Paddy Johns (for Blair, 46), Eric Miller (for O'Cuinneagain, 52), Lewis Johnston (for Best, 63), Jan Cunningham (for Topping, 72). 5 November 1999 Ulster Ulster 44-22 ReportJim Stokes, "Bromley powers Ulster to victory", Belfast Telegraph, 6 November 1999"Ulster earn Euro Place", Irish Independent, 6 November 1999 Connacht Connacht Bromley (2)BlairMcWhirterCunninghamWard Mason (4) Mason (2) SteffertMostyn Elwood Elwood Ravenhill, Belfast W Ulster lineup: 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Stephen McKinty (for Miller, 40), Gary Longwell (for Blair, 60), Niall Malone (for Humphreys, 67). 12 November 1999 Ulster Ulster 22-23 Report"Leinster snatch win to salvage some pride", Irish Examiner, 13 November 1999 Leinster Leinster Bromley Mason Mason (5) Hickie McHugh (6) Ravenhill, Belfast L Ulster lineup: 1. Rab Irwin, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Mark Edwards, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Niall Malone, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 52), Allen Clarke (for Humphreys, 55), Stephen Bell (for Edwards, 63) Home attendance Domestic LeagueEuropean CupTotal League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance––––– 1999–00 Heineken Cup38,667 12,0006,00026,0008,667 Friendlies 19 September 1999 Ulster Ulster 25-16 ReportJim Stokes, "Ireland get an Ulster fright", Belfast Telegraph, 20 September 1999 IRE rugby union Ireland XV Howe Mason Mason (3) JohnsO'CuinneagainMostynO'Driscoll Humphreys Humphreys Upper Malone, Belfast W Ulster lineup: 1. Gary Leslie, 2. Richie Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Derek Topping, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Mark Edwards, 10. Niall Malone, 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Riaz Fredericks, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Stephen Ritchie (for Weir, 78'), Rab Irwin (for Leslie, 19'), Charlie Simpson (for Blair, 79'), Stuart Duncan (for McKinty, 71'), Andrew Matchett (for Edwards, 66'), Bryn Cunningham (for Malone, 35'), Tyrone Howe (for Coulter, 40'). Ireland XV: 1. Peter Clohessy, 2. Keith Wood, 3. Paul Wallace, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Malcolm O'Kelly, 6. David Corkery, 7. Kieron Dawson, 8. Dion O'Cuinnegain, 9. Tom Tierney, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Matt Mostyn, 12. Kevin Maggs, 13. Brian O'Driscoll, 14. Justin Bishop, 15. Conor O'Shea. Replacements: Gordon D'Arcy (for O'Shea, 71'), Jonathan Bell (for O'Driscoll, 68'), Justin Fitzpatrick (for Clohessy, 71), Jeremy Davidson (for O'Kelly, 68'), Eric Miller (for Corkery, 63') Andy Ward (for Dawson, 63'). Ulster Rugby Awards The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 18 May 2000 at the La Mon House Hotel. Winners were:Jim Stokes, "Humphreys is 'Mr Personality'", Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 2000 Bank of Ireland Ulster player of the year: Tony McWhirter Guinness personality of the year: David Humphreys Reneault schools player of the year: Matt McCullough Calor Gas youth player of the year: Martin Miller, Coleraine First Trust club of the year: Ballymena R.F.C. Coach of the year: Mark McCall, Ballynahinch RFC Dorrie B. Faulkner Award: Jack Lewis, Civil Service Rugby Club References 1999-2000 Category:1999–2000 in Irish rugby union Category:1999–2000 Heineken Cup