1995–96 Ulster Rugby season

First provincial professional playing season October 2023 October 2023 1995–96 Ulster Rugby season Ravenhill Stadium 12,500 Brian Bloomfield Bill Harbinson Mark McCall (111) James Topping (7) Heineken Cup (3rd in pool)IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd of 5) 1994–95 _collar _borderonwhite _band_white FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FF0000 1996–97 The 1995–96 season was Ulster Rugby's first season under professionalism. Brian Bloomfield was in his second season as coach.Jim Stokes, "Future looks bleak for Ulster side", Belfast Telegraph, 29 December 1995 Stephen Blake-Knox was the new chairman of selectors, replacing Dick Milliken; the other selectors were Bloomfield, Dermott Dalton, Philip Rainey and Nigel Carr.Jim Stokes, "Bloomfield backs Euro challenge", Belfast Telegraph, 1 September 1995 35-year-old Malone RFC centre Bill Harbinson, who first played for Ulster in 1986, was captain,Micheal McGeary, "Skipper's role fits the Bill", Sunday Life, 19 November 1995 in his final season before retirement from the game.Jim Stokes, "Bill's final Ulster curtain", Belfast Telegraph, 21 December 1995 They played six representative matches, defeating Griqualand West, New Zealand Federation U23 and New South Wales, and losing to a Côte Basque Select XV, the Combined Services and Edinburgh District. They finished second behind Leinster in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship. They were one of three Irish provinces entered into the inaugural Heineken Cup, losing both their pool matches against Cardiff and Bègles-Bordeaux. Lock Jeremy Davidson, hooker Allen Clarke, out-half David Humphreys and wing James Topping made their debuts for Ireland this season. Background On 26 August, rugby union was declared open to professionalism. At this stage the Irish provinces were still representative teams, not professional clubs.Peter O'Reilly, "Ulster coach warns on power balance", The Sunday Tribune, 22 September 1996 Many involved in the game were concerned that domestic clubs could not afford to pay players, who could be lost to professional teams in England.Jim Stokes, "IRFU tackle 'pro' issue", Belfast Telegraph, 28 August 1995 In September, the IRFU confirmed that, for this season, only senior international players would be paid,Jim Stokes, "International players only to 'cash in'", Belfast Telegraph, 12 September 1995 with a one-year moratorium on payment for club and provincial players.Jimmy Davidson, "Market forces takes strangle hold on rugby", Belfast Telegraph, 4 November 1995 Up to 35 Ireland players would be offered £26,000 contracts for the 1996 Five Nations Championship.Jim Stokes, "Irish international players to pocket £26,000", Belfast Telegraph, 23 October 1995 That squad included Ulster players Jonathan Bell, Allen Clarke, Jeremy Davidson, Maurice Field, David Humphreys, Paddy Johns, Denis McBride and Mark McCall. As the situation developed, match fees became available for Heineken Cup and Interprovincial matches, with players who appeared in all six matches in line to receive almost £3,000.Tyrone Howe, "Local game needs a professional outlook", Belfast Telegraph, 13 January 1996 The inaugural Heineken Cup was launched in the summer of 1995 on the initiative of the Five Nations Committee to provide a new level of cross border competition.http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/37_74.php European Rugby Cup : History ERC 21 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070208134810/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/37_74.php 8 February 2007 Twelve sides representing Ireland, Wales, Italy, Romania and France competed in four pools of three with the group winners going directly into the semi-finals.http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/79_119.php European Rugby Cup : Heineken Cup History 1995/96 ERC 21 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070315181143/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/79_119.php 15 March 2007 English and Scottish teams did not take part in the inaugural competition.https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/mar/30/rugbyunion.gdnsport3 Big boys plan for more lucrative Heineken Cup Paul Rees 30 March 2006 The Guardian 21 March 2007 London The IRFU confirmed that Ireland would enter provincial teams, as their clubs were unlikely to be strong enough for the competition."Ireland confirm Euro entry", Belfast Telegraph, 22 August 1995 They were initially offered two places, but Tom Kiernan, Ireland's representative on the organising committee, was able to secure a third. The three places would go to the top three teams in the 1994 IRFU Interprovincial Championship, Munster, Ulster and Leinster.Jim Stokes, "Ulster to face Cardiff?", Belfast Telegraph, 29 August 1995 Events Jonathan Bell, who had impressed with Ireland in the World Cup, was offered contracts to play rugby league by both Sheffield and Halifax, but turned them down to remain available for Ireland, with a long-term goal of selection for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in two years' time. The former Ballymena player, now studying at Loughborough University, had signed for Northampton but remained available for Ulster.Alex George, "Jonathan plumps for union game!", News Letter, 26 July 1995 Other Ulster players who featured for Ireland at the World Cup were Paddy Johns, Denis McBride, Maurice Field and Davy Tweed.Mark Jones, "Irish try, try and try again", Sunday Life, 28 May 1995Kieran Rooney, "Irish brawn stifles Japan", Irish Independent, 1 June 1995Kieran Rooney, "Irish mission accomplished", Irish Independent, 5 June 1995David Walsh, "A team without belief", Sunday Independent, 11 June 1996 Ulster's campaign started in August with a tour to Capbreton, France, to play a Côte Basque Select XV. The French side picked up Ulster's travel and accommodation expenses, in recompense for a scheduled game which was called off at the last minute the previous season when Côte Basque were unable to field a team.Alex George, "Ulster lads find form in S Africa", News Letter, 25 July 1995 Stephen Blake-Knox, the new chairman of selectors, had a limited panel of players to select from, with twelve regular players declaring themselves unavailable.Alex George, "Ulster's 'no-go' list reaches 12!", News Letter, 2 August 1995 With Simon Booth on honeymoon, Richard Mackey was selected at tighthead prop, with Gary Leslie at loosehead in place of the injured Gary Bell, and Allen Clarke kept his place at hooker. Jeremy Davidson and Gary Longwell made up the second row. New Zealand-born flanker Bruce Cornelius replaced David Erskine, who missed the tour for a job interview, in the back row alongside Kevin McKee and Roger Wilson. Neil Doak, who had made his Ulster debut in February, was selected at scrum-half, with David Humphreys at out-half. Bill Harbinson captained the side, lining up in the centres with Jonathan Bell. Two new faces on the wings were Jan Cunningham, replacing the injured Tyrone Howe, and James Topping, with Stan McDowell playing fullback."Doak gets Ulster call-up", Sunday Independent, 13 August 1995Jim Stokes, "Jan in Ulster tour call-up", Belfast Telegraph, 17 August 1995"Ulster changes", Irish Examiner, 25 October 1995Jim Stokes, "Bruce called up for Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 21 August 1995 On 1 October Ulster played touring South African provincial side Griqualand West. Davy Tweed came in to the second row alongside Jeremy Davidson. Paddy Johns was named at number 8, with Stephen McKinty and Denis McBride on the flanks. With David Humphreys unavailable after moving to Oxford University, Mark McCall was selected at out-half. Jonathan Bell was unavailable with a hamstring injury, so Ireland international Maurice Field joined Bill Harbinson in the centres, and former international fullback Colin Wilkinson was drafted into the team, despite having retired from representative rugby two years previously, on the basis of his club form for Malone.Kieran Rooney, "Six of the best for Ulster", Irish Independent, 25 October 1995Jim Stokes, "Emergency call for Colin", Belfast Telegraph, 30 October 1995 James Topping scored three tries and Wilkinson scored two drop goals in a convincing 54–10 win.Jim Stokes, "Ulster point the way in solid style", Belfast Telegraph, 2 November 1995 They next faced a touring New Zealand Federation under-23 side on 9 November. Although originally scheduled as an Ulster Development match, Ulster decided to field their senior team after their development side was badly beaten by Natal Emerging.Jim Stokes, "Ulster Seniors face young All Blacks", Belfast Telegraph, 2 November 1995 Stephen Ritchie came in for his provincial debut at hooker. Gary Longwell returned alongside Jeremy Davidson in the second row, and Bruce Cornelius and Kevin McKee came back into the back row with Stephen McKinty. Michael Rainey started alongside Maurice Field in the centres, with Graham McCluskey and debutant Andy Park on the wings. Park scored the opening try in a scrappy win.Jim Stokes, "Ritchie ready to grab his chance", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 1995Jim Stokes, "Scrappy Ulster in night of toil", Belfast Telegraph, 10 November 1995 For the match against the Combined Services on 14 November, Simon Booth was selected ahead of Richard Mackey at loosehead prop. Tweed and Longwell made up the second row with Conelius, McKee and McKinty making up the back row. Andrew Matchett came in for Neil Doak at scrum-half, Darryl Callaghan made his provincial debut at out-half, with Mark McCall moved to centre alongside Harbinson, and fellow debutant Robin Morrow came in for Wilkinson at fullback.Jim Stokes, "Ulster backs against wall", Belfast Telegraph, 14 November 1995 The Services team included former Ulster and Ireland lock Brian McCall, now a major in Britain's UN peacekeeping forces in Bosnia.Jim Stokes, "Services will give Ulster a tough battle", Belfast Telegraph, 13 November 1995 Ulster were well beaten, with only a late try by Stephen Ritchie making the scoreline look respectable."A bridge too far for Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 15 November 1995 Ulster opened their Interprovincial campaign at home against defending champions Munster on 25 November.Jim Stokes, "Tough test for Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 24 November 1995 Richard Mackey and Allen Clarke were restored to the front row. Jeremy Davidson returned to partner Davy Tweed in the second row after making his Ireland debut against Fiji. McBride and Stuart Duncan were on the flanks, with Paddy Johns at number 8. Mark McCall moved back to out-half, with Maurice Field returning to partner Harbinson in the centres, Jan Cunningham and James Topping back on the wings, and Jonathan Bell returning to the team at fullback.Jim Stokes, "Munster battle for debutant Davidson", Belfast Telegraph, 20 November 1995Jim Stokes, "Duncan gets his due reward", Belfast Telegraph, 23 November 1995 Ulster won 14–10 in an uninspiring encounter,David Walsh, "Munster Capitulation", Sunday Independent, 26 November 1995 with Richard Mackey scoring the winning try 12 minutes from time.Micheal McGeary, "Seconds out for Munster", Sunday Life, 26 November 1995 Sale loose forward David Erskine had been declared ineligible for Ulster by the IRFU, as he was not born in Ireland and was no longer resident there.Jim Stokes, "Erskine's left out in the cold", Belfast Telegraph, 10 November 1995 He won his appeal against the decision,Micheal McGeary, "Erskine Back in the Frame", Sunday Life, 12 November 1995 and was selected at number 8 for Ulster's opening Heineken Cup match away to Cardiff on 28 November, in place of Paddy Johns. Gary Longwell replaced Davy Tweed, who was unable to get time off from his job with Northern Ireland Railways, in the second row.Jim Stokes, "Erskine ready to prove a point", Belfast Telegraph, 27 November 1995Jim Stokes, "Ulster pair pull out of Welsh showdown", Belfast Telegraph, 27 November 1995"We'll pay the price for miserly attitude", Evening Echo, 27 November 1995 Ulster were beaten 46–6. Cardiff, in common with other Welsh sides, had adopted the relatively new tactic of lifting in the lineout; Irish teams had not, and Ulster players were unable to deal with it.Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh, "How Ulster endured a real nightmare start in Europe before 1999 Heineken Cup success", Belfast Telegraph 17 September 2020 The following weekend, they went to Galway to play Connacht in the Interprovincial Championship on 2 December. Paddy Johns returned at number 8, and Davy Tweed was back in the second row alongside Jeremy Davidson.Jim Stokes "O'Sullivan's men must not be taken for granted", Belfast Telegraph, 1 December 1995 They won 27–9, based on the hard work of Johns, Duncan and McBride in the back row,John O'Sullivan, "Ulster bounce back from Cardiff Mauling", Sunday Independent, 3 December 1995 and Tweed's dominance in the lineout.John Fallon, "Connacht are a cakewalk for Ulster", Sunday Life, 3 December 1995 On 9 December Ulster made nine changes to the side to play Edinburgh District at home. Stephen Ritchie came in for Allen Clarke at hooker, David Scott for Gary Leslie at tighthead prop, and Gary Longwell for Davy Tweed in the second row. The whole back row was rested, with Kevin McKee, Stephen McKinty and David Erskine replacing Denis McBride, Stuart Duncan and Paddy Johns. Andrew Matchett came in for Neil Doak at scrum-half, Andy Park for Jan Cunningham on the wing, and Colin Wilkinson returned at fullback in place of Jonathan Bell.Jim Stokes, "Ulster make sweeping changes", Belfast Telegraph, 6 December 1995 They lost 23–24, with all of Ulster's points being scored by Mark McCall."Mark and Ulster lose out at last", Sunday Life, 10 December 1995 Clarke, Leslie, Davidson, Tweed, McBride, Duncan, Johns, Topping and Bell returned, and Matchett and Park retained their places, for Ulster's second and final match in the Heineken Cup, at home to Bègles-Bordeaux on 13 December.Jim Stokes, "McCall is fightin' fit", Belfast Telegraph, 11 December 1995 The game was close until the final five minutes, when, at 16–22, McBride was stopped short of the try line. Soon after, Bègles-Bordeaux's Sebastien Loubsens intercepted an Ulster pass, leading to a try by Julien Berthe that put the French side too far ahead to catch. The match finished 16–29.Jim Stokes, "Ulster's festive gift to Begles", Belfast Telegraph, 14 December 1995 Ulster finished bottom of the pool, failing to make the semi-finals. Toulouse went on to become the first European cup winners, beating Cardiff in extra time in front of a crowd of 21,800 at Cardiff Arms Park. Jan Cunningham returned for the Interpro against the Irish Exiles on 16 December,Jim Stokes, "Hooker Clarke has silenced the critics", Belfast Telegraph, 15 December 1995 which Ulster dominated, winning 29–3, and setting up a championship decider against Leinster on 23 December.Micheal McGeary, "Ulster swat Exiles", Sunday Life, 17 December 1997 Leinster won their first Interprovincial title for twelve years with a 31–3 win at Donnybrook.Micheal McGeary, "Ulster stuffed", Sunday Life, 24 December 1995 The starting XV was unchanged.Jim Stokes, "Bell and Clarke are clear for title decider", Belfast Telegraph, 20 December 1995 Paul Wallace scored the opening try after fifteen seconds, and Leinster raced to a 22–0 lead in the first twenty minutes. Ulster had plenty of possession, with Paddy Johns coming close to scoring on two occasions before half-time, but Leinster defended strongly, and only conceded one Mark McCall penalty.David Walsh, "Christmas cheer for the boys in blue", Sunday Independent, 24 December 1995 Allen Clarke, Davy Tweed, Jeremy Davidson, Denis McBride, Paddy Johns, Jonathan Bell and Maurice Field were selected for Ireland's tour to the USA in January 1996."Surprise call for Tweed", Irish Independent Sports Supplement, 18 December 1995 David Humphreys, who had now joined London Irish, was recalled for Ulster's home match against New South Wales on 6 February. Bill Harbinson had retired from representative rugby, so Mark McCall moved to centre alongside Maurice Field, Colin Wilkinson returned at fullback, and Davy Tweed came in to the second row in place of the injured Jeremy Davidson.Jim Stokes, "Ulster return for fly-half Humphreys", Belfast Telegraph, 31 January 1996Jim Stokes, "McCall aims to make mark", Belfast Telegraph, 5 February 1995 Humphreys led Ulster to a 40–33 victory in front of the Ireland management team.Jim Stokes, "Tourists dance to Ulster tune", Belfast Telegraph, 7 February 1996 David Humphreys and Allen Clarke made their Ireland debuts in the 1996 Five Nations Championship. Paddy Johns, Jeremy Davidson, Denis McBride, Jonathan Bell, Maurice Field and Mark McCall also appeared for Ireland in the tournament."Scots destroy les Miserables", Sunday Life, 21 January 1996Nigel Ballantine, "Awful Irish at rock bottom!" Sunday Life, 18 February 1996Micheal McGeary, "Ireland douse dragon's fire", Sunday Life, 3 March 1996Micheal McGeary, "Brave Irish sent packing", Sunday Life, 17 March 1996 Players selected Ulster Rugby squadProps IRE rugby union Simon Booth, Ballymena IRE rugby union Gary Leslie, Dungannon IRE rugby union Richard Mackey, Malone IRE rugby union David Scott, NIFC Hookers IRE rugby union Allen Clarke, Northampton IRE rugby union Stephen Ritchie, Ballymena IRE rugby union Richard Weir, QUB Locks IRE rugby union Simon Crawford, NIFC IRE rugby union Jeremy Davidson, Dungannon IRE rugby union Gary Longwell, Ballymena IRE rugby union Murtagh Rea, Malone IRE rugby union Davy Tweed, BallymenaBack row NZL Bruce Cornelius, Instonians IRE rugby union Stuart Duncan, Malone IRE rugby union David Erskine, Sale IRE rugby union Paddy Johns, Dungannon IRE rugby union Denis McBride, Malone IRE rugby union Kevin McKee, Instonians IRE rugby union Stephen McKinty, Bangor IRE rugby union Roger Wilson,Note: not the Roger Wilson who played for Ulster from 2003 to 2008, and from 2011 to 2017. Instonians Scrum-halves IRE rugby union Stephen Bell, Malone IRE rugby union Neil Doak, NIFC IRE rugby union Andrew Matchett, Ballymena Fly-halves IRE rugby union Darryl Callaghan, Dungannon IRE rugby union David Humphreys, Ballymena IRE rugby union Mark McCall, BangorCentres IRE rugby union Maurice Field, Malone IRE rugby union Bill Harbinson, Malone (c) IRE rugby union Michael Rainey, Ballymena Wings IRE rugby union Colin Christie, NIFC IRE rugby union Jan Cunningham, TCD IRE rugby union Crawford Dobbin, NIFC IRE rugby union Graeme McCluskey, Instonians IRE rugby union Andy Park, NIFC IRE rugby union Stephen Smyth, City of Derry IRE rugby union James Topping, Ballymena Fullbacks IRE rugby union Jonny Bell, Northampton IRE rugby union Stan McDowell, Dungannon IRE rugby union Robin Morrow, QUB IRE rugby union Colin Wilkinson, Malone (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 1995-96 Heineken Cup 2 0 0 2 22 75 -53 2 9 IRFU Interprovincial Championship 4 3 0 1 73 53 20 6 4 Representative 6 3 0 3 188 132 56 21 17 Total 12 6 0 6 281 260 21 29 30 Heineken Cup 1995–96 Heineken Cup Pool 2 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPtsStatus WAL Cardiff21107166020403Advanced to the semi-finals FRA Bègles-Bordeaux21106334330133Eliminated IRE rugby union Ulster2002211−92275−530 28 November 1995 19:15 Cardiff WAL 46–6 IRE rugby union Ulster ReportKieran Rooney, "Quick-fire Cardiff leave Ulster trailing in wake", Irish Independent, 29 November 1995Match centre HallJohnDaviesMoore (2) Davies (5) Davies (2) McCall (2) Cardiff Arms Park 3,600 Gerald Borreani L Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Jeremy Davidson, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride, 8. David Erskine, 9. Neil Doak, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping, 15. Jonny Bell. Replacement: Roger Wilson (for McBride, 77 mins). 13 December 1995 19:00 Ulster IRE rugby union 16–29 FRA Bègles-Bordeaux ReportKieran Rooney, "Brave Ulster denied", Irish Independent, 14 December 1995Match centre MatchettMcBride McCall (2) FauthouxBernat-SallesLoubsensBerthe FauthouxBerthe Ravenhill, Belfast 2,500 Derek Bevan L Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Davy Tweed, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride, 8. Paddy Johns, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Andy Park, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping, 15. Jonny Bell. IRFU Interprovincial Championship IRFU Interprovincial Championship Team P W D LFAPts Statusleft Leinster 4 4 0 0 133 53 16 Champions; qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cupleft Ulster 4 3 0 1 73 53 12 Qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cupleft Munster 4 2 0 2 91 58 8 Qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cupleft Exiles 4 1 0 3 71 113 4 left Connacht 4 0 0 4 51 142 0 Qualified for 1996–97 European Challenge Cup 25 November 1995 Ulster Ulster 14–10 Reporthttps://munsterrugby.ie/match-stats/?FixGuid=95UM5386 Ulster 14–10 Munster Munster Rugby 7 June 2019 Munster Munster Mackey McCall (3) Walsh Smith Smith Ravenhill, Belfast A. Lewis W Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Jeremy Davidson, 5. Davy Tweed, 6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride, 8. Paddy Johns, 9. Neil Doak, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping, 15. Jonny Bell. 2 December 1995 Connacht Connacht 9–27 Report Ulster Ulster Elwood (3) ToppingField McCall McCall (5) The Sportsground, Galway D. McHugh W Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Jeremy Davidson, 5. Davy Tweed, 6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride, 8. Paddy Johns, 9. Neil Doak, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping, 15. Jonny Bell. 16 December 1995 Ulster Ulster 29–3 ReportJohn O'Sullivan, "Gallagher gets no chance to prove himself", Sunday Independent, 17 December 1995 IRE rugby union Irish Exiles CunninghamTweedHarbinson McCall McCall (4) Corcoran Ravenhill, Belfast R. McDowell W Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Jeremy Davidson, 5. Davy Tweed, 6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride, 8. Paddy Johns, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping, 15. Jonny Bell. Replacements: Simon Booth (for Mackey, 59). 23 December 1995 Leinster Leinster 31–3 Report Ulster Ulster WallaceJamesonGavin McGowan (2) McGowan (4) McCall Donnybrook, Dublin C. White L Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Jeremy Davidson, 5. Davy Tweed, 6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Denis McBride, 8. Paddy Johns, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping, 15. Jonny Bell. Home attendance Domestic LeagueEuropean CupTotal League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance––––– 1995–96 Heineken Cup12,500 2,5002,5002,5002,500 Representative matches 26 August 1995 Côte Basque Select XV France 28–26 IRE rugby union Ulster Preview"Ulster's key French trial", Belfast Telegraph, 12 August 1995Report"Ulster lose in France", Sunday Life, 27 August 1995"Close run!", News Letter, 28 August 1995 (4) (4) ToppingDoak Humphreys (2) Humphreys (3) Humphreys Capbreton L Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Jeremy Davidson, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Bruce Cornelius, 7. Kevin McKee, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Jonny Bell, 14. James Topping, 15. Stan McDowell. 1 November 1995 Ulster IRE rugby union 54–10 Report"Ulster thrash the tourists", Irish Independent, 2 November 1995 South Africa Griqualand West Topping (3)WilkinsonMcKintyCunninghamPenalty try McCall (5) McCall Wilkinson (2) RossBuys Ravenhill, Belfast W Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Davy Tweed, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Denis McBride, 8. Paddy Johns, 9. Neil Doak, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. James Topping, 15. Colin Wilkinson. 9 November 1995 Ulster IRE rugby union 25–8 Report"Ulster fail to impress", Irish Independent, 10 November 1995 New Zealand New Zealand Federation U23 ParkDoakFieldMackey McCall McCall McKearney Mathie Ravenhill, Belfast D. Henderson W Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Bruce Cornelius, 7. Kevin McKee, 8. Stephen McKinty, 9. Neil Doak, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Graeme McCluskey, 12. Michael Rainey, 13. Maurice Field, 14. Andy Park, 15. Colin Wilkinson. 14 November 1995 Ulster IRE rugby union 20–30 ReportAlex George, "Services too strong for Ulster", News Letter, 15 November 2015Jim Stokes, "Ulster backs against wall", Belfast Telegraph, 14 November 1995 UK Combined Services ParkRitchie McCall (2) McCall (2) BrammerGlasgowMooreCross Worral (2) Worral (2) Ravenhill, Belfast P. O'Brien L Ulster lineup: 1. Simon Booth, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Davy Tweed, 6. Bruce Cornelius, 7. Kevin McKee, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Darryl Callaghan, 11. Graeme McCluskey, 12. Mark McCall, 13. Bill Harbinson (c), 14. Andy Park, 15. Robin Morrow. Replacement: Stuart Duncan (for Wilson). 9 December 1995 Ulster IRE rugby union 23–24 ReportJim Stokes, "Ulster make sweeping changes", Belfast Telegraph, 6 December 1995 Scotland Edinburgh District McCall McCall (6) MatherPenalty try Donaldson Donaldson (3) Lang Ravenhill, Belfast L Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Stephen Ritchie, 3. David Scott, 4. Murtagh Rea, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Kevin McKee, 8. David Erskine, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Andy Park, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. Graeme McCluskey, 15. Colin Wilkinson. 6 February 1996 Ulster IRE rugby union 40–33 ReportKieran Rooney, "Humphreys Stakes Claim", Irish Independent, 7 February 1996 Australia New South Wales HumphreysMcCallTopping (2)Cunningham Humphreys (3) Humphreys HumphreysWilkinson GavinO'KaneBondHarvey Wallace (2) Wallace (3) Ravenhill, Belfast A. Lewis W Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Davy Tweed, 5. Paddy Johns, 6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Kevin McKee, 8. Stephen McKinty, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Maurice Field, 13. Mark McCall, 14. James Topping, 15. Colin Wilkinson. Replacement: Gary Longwell (for Duncan). Friendlies 6 September 1995 Ballymena R.F.C. IRE rugby union 11–27 Report"Ulster ease home", Belfast Telegraph, 7 September 1995"Sport in brief", News Letter, 7 September 1995Alex George, "All change at Eaton Park clash", News Letter, 6 September 1995Alex George, "Wilkie returns to his exhuberant best", News Letter, 4 September 1995 IRE rugby union Ulster Matchett McAleese (2) DoakChristieDobbinRea McCall (2) McDowell Eaton Park, Ballymena B. Stirling W Ulster lineup: 1. Richard Mackey, 2.Richard Weir, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Murtagh Rea, 5. Simon Crawford, 6. Bruce Cornelius, 7. Roger Wilson, 8. Stephen McKinty, 9. Neil Doak, 10. Mark McCall, 11. Colin Christie, 12. Bill Harbinson (c), 13. Maurice Field, 14. Stephen Smyth, 15. Stan McDowell. Replacements: Stephen Bell (for Doak), Crawford Dobbin (for Christie). References 1995-96 Category:1995–96 in Irish rugby union Category:1995–96 Heineken Cup