1996–97 Ulster Rugby season

Provincial professional playing season October 2023 October 2023 1996–97 Ulster Rugby season Ravenhill Stadium 12,500 Tony Russ Denis McBride Stuart Laing (59) Stuart Duncan (3)James Topping (3) Heineken Cup (4th in pool)IRFU Interprovincial Championship (3rd of 4) _collar _borderonwhite _band_white FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FF0000 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."Ulster name pro director", Irish Independent, 5 June 1996 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."Reid's cautionary note on contracts", Belfast Telegraph, 23 March 1996 English clubs were prepared to release their Irish players for the Heineken Cup, but not for the Interprovincial Championship,Jim Stokes, "Time is right for a radical change", Ireland's Saturday Night, 24 August 1996 but clubs in England and Wales were unhappy at having to compete against representative teams from Ireland in the Heineken Cup.Peter O'Reilly, "Ulster coach warns on power balance", The Sunday Tribune, 22 September 1996 Out-half David Humphreys and lock Jeremy Davidson defied their club, London Irish, by competing in the Heineken Cup for Ulster,Bill Leith, "Rugby Union: Topping grabs spoils", The Independent, 13 October 1996 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."Ulster lose London Irish pair", The Irish Times, 14 November 1996 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.,Micheal McCleary, "Russ job! Rugby chief quits", Sunday Life, 17 November 1996 unhappy that after eight games, he would not be able to work with his Ulster players again for six months.Jonathan Bradley, The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby's 1999 European Champions, The Blackstaff Press, 201811 Clive Griffiths was lined up to take over, but withdrew for family reasons.Peter O'Reilly, "Contract jitters go on despite moves", The Sunday Tribune, 11 May 1997 Davy Haslett, a geography teacher at Royal Belfast Academical Institution and assistant coach on the 1997 Ireland A rugby union tour of Oceania,10-11 was named as coach for the 1997–98 season in June.Micheal McGeary, "Davy has a job", Sunday Life, 22 June 1997 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 squadProps IRE rugby union Richard Mackey, Malone IRE rugby union Gary Leslie, Dungannon IRE rugby union Clem Boyd, Currie Hookers IRE rugby union Stephen Ritchie, Ballymena Locks IRE rugby union Paddy Johns, Saracens IRE rugby union Jeremy Davidson, London Irish IRE rugby union Gary Longwell, Ballymena IRE rugby union Alan Robinson, Ballymena IRE rugby union Charlie Simpson, DungannonBack row IRE rugby union Stuart Duncan, Malone IRE rugby union Denis McBride, Malone IRE rugby union Stephen McKinty, Bangor IRE rugby union John Patterson, Dungannon Scrum-halves IRE rugby union Andrew Matchett, Ballymena IRE rugby union Stephen Bell, Dungannon IRE rugby union Kenton Hillman, Instonians Fly-halves IRE rugby union David Humphreys, London Irish SCO Stuart Laing, PortadownCentres IRE rugby union Sheldon Coulter, Ballymena IRE rugby union Maurice Field, Malone IRE rugby union Mark McCall, Dungannon Wings IRE rugby union Jan Cunningham, TCD IRE rugby union James Topping, Ballymena IRE rugby union Neil McCluskey, QUB Fullbacks IRE rugby union Robin Morrow, QUB (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 1996-97 Heineken Cup 4 1 0 3 75 87 -12 6 10 IRFU Interprovincial Championship 3 1 0 2 81 89 -8 8 8 Representative 1 0 0 1 26 39 -13 2 4 Total 8 2 0 6 182 215 -33 16 22 1996–97 Heineken Cup 1996–97 Heineken Cup Pool 3 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts FRA Brive4400138510665418 ENG Harlequins43012081213195366 WAL Neath42021016–683109–264 Ireland rugby union Ulster4103610–47587–122 SCO Caledonia40041320–7117156–390 13 October 1996 14:30 Caledonia SCO 34-41 Report"Humphreys points the way for Ulster", Irish Independent, 14 October 1996Match centre IRE rugby union Ulster ShepherdRouseGrimes Shepherd (2) Shepherd (4) Newton Humphreys (2)Cunningham (2)McKinty Humphreys (2) Humphreys (2)Laing Humphreys McDiarmid Park, Perth 2,400 J. C. Gastou W 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 IRE rugby union 15–21 ReportJim Stokes, "Defiant Ulster lose to late Harlequins try", Irish Independent, 17 October 1996Jim Stokes, "Salute brave Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 17 October 1996Match centre ENG Harlequins Humphreys (4) Humphreys WatsonO'Leary Carling Carling (2) Ravenhill, Belfast 8,000 I. Ramage L 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 WAL 15–13 Report"Ulster rue missed chances as Neath steal it", Sunday Independent, 27 October 1996Match centre IRE rugby union Ulster WilliamsGerrard Davies Davies Matchett Humphreys Humphreys (2) The Gnoll, Neath 2,000 L 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 IRE rugby union 6–17 Report"Ulster challenge fades tamely", Sunday Independent, 3 November 1996Match centreHighlights FRA Brive Humphreys Humphreys DuboissetCarratViars Venditti Ravenhill, Belfast 3,500 H. Lewis L 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. Replacement: John Patterson. 1996–97 IRFU Interprovincial Championship IRFU Interprovincial Championship Team P W D LFA BPPts Statusleft Munster 3 3 0 0 117 92 - 12 Champions; qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cupleft Leinster 3 1 0 2 88 92 - 4 Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cupleft Ulster 3 1 0 2 81 89 - 4 Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cupleft Connacht 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 PreviewJim Stokes, "Ulster seek sweet revenge", Belfast Telegraph, 20 September 1996ReportPeter O'Reilly, "Leinster pack steamrolls ahead", The Sunday Tribune, 22 September 1996 Leinster Leinster RitchieDuncanTopping Laing (2) Laing (2) McKenna (2)JamesonSpicer Governey (3) Governey (3) Ravenhill, Belfast L. Mayne L 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 ReportSean Diffley, "Connacht falter with the winning post in sight", Sunday Independent, 29 September 1996 Connacht Connacht DuncanLaingTopping Laing Laing (5) CareyElwood Elwood Elwood (5) Elwood Ravenhill, Belfast B. Smith W 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 ReportMichael McGeary, "Ulster fall short", Sunday Life, 6 October 1996 Ulster Ulster DineenGalwey Begley Begley (3) McIvorKeene DuncanCoulter Laing Laing (4) Thomond Park, Limerick A. Lewis L 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 LeagueEuropean CupTotal League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance––––– 1996–97 Heineken Cup25,750 8,0003,50011,5005,750 Representative matches 16 November 1996 Ulster IRE rugby union 26-39 ReportMicheal McGeary, "Brave Ulster", Sunday Life, 17 November 1996 Australia Australia ToppingPenalty try Laing (2) Laing (2) EalesRoffCampesePenalty try Burke BurkeKnox Ravenhill, Belfast K. Macartney L 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 IRE rugby union 17-43 ReportNeil McKay, "All change in rugby's new world", Sunday Life, 25 August 1996 ENG London Irish RitchieHillmanField Coulter HumphreysNewingtonFloodWoodsBishop (2)Richardson Humphreys (5) Ravenhill, Belfast L 3 September 1996 Ballymena IRE rugby union 5-20 ReportJim Stokes, "Ballymena expose Ulster's gaping void", Belfast Telegraph. 4 September 1996 IRE rugby union Ulster Beattie LongwellRitchieMatchett Laing Laing Eaton Park, Ballymena W 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 IRE rugby union 17-47 ReportAlex George, "Ulster too strong for Dungannon", News Letter, 7 September 1996 IRE rugby union Ulster SandfordMcCaugheyDunn Blair McDowellMcKinty (2)Topping (2)LongwellMcWhirter Laing (6) Stevenson Park, Dungannon W 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 1996-97 Category:1996–97 in Irish rugby union Category:1996–97 Heineken Cup