Ulster

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Ulster will play their festive interprovincials against Munster and Connacht on 20 and 28 December respectively.

When the United Rugby Championship released their fixture list in May, the traditional Christmas derbies had been listed without dates or kick-off times.

Leinster will host Connacht at the Aviva Stadium on 21 December before Leo Cullen's men travel to Thomond Park to face Munster on 27 December.

In another change, Ulster's away game against the Lions in Johannesburg on 28 September will now kick off at 11:55 BST.

URC festive interprovincials

20 December: Ulster vs Munster, 19:35 BST

21 December: Leinster vs Connacht, 17:30 BST

27 December: Munster vs Leinster, 19:35 BST

28 December: Connacht vs Ulster, 19:35 BST

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster have confirmed that Ireland Sevens star Zac Ward will join the province's senior men's squad for an "extended trial" until the autumn international window.

Ballynahinch native Ward, 25, scored four tries for the Ireland Sevens side at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris, helping them finish sixth.

Ward's displays in the sevens code saw him named the men's sevens players' player of the year award at the Rugby Players Ireland awards in Dublin earlier this year.

“It’s great to be welcoming Zac into the squad, as we ramp up preparations for the new season," said Ulster head of rugby operations and recruitment Bryn Cunningham.

"Zac is coming off the back of a successful period playing with the national Sevens set-up, and we feel this is a good opportunity for him to bring his skills and qualities into the group in the weeks ahead.”

Ulster, who are preparing for their first full season under head coach Richie Murphy, have also signed former New Zealand Under-20 fly-half Aidan Morgan and South African wing Werner Kok during the off-season.

Ulster face Benetton and Exeter in pre-season friendlies before beginning their 2024-25 United Rugby Championship season at home to holders Glasgow on 21 September.

Ulster trailed 25-11 in the final ten minutes of their Women's Interprovincial Championship clash with Connacht at Kingspan Stadium but late tries from India Daley and Stacey Sloan, both converted by Vicky Irwin, rescued a draw.

Read more.

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Ulster Rugby fly-half Abby Moyles praised John Cooney for delivering a "very good kicking session" ahead of their second Women's Interprovincial fixture against Connacht on Saturday.

Both Moyles and Vicky Irwin took part in the session with scrum-half Cooney, who has won 11 caps for Ireland in preparation for the game which is live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website.

"We were doing a bit of kicking with him and he honed in on a few details around ball placement, and those little details make a big difference, so it was nice to have him there and it was a very good session," she told BBC Sport NI.

Moyles missed the opening game, a 29-22 defeat by Munster in Cork last weekend, but she insists that confidence is high in the group despite the loss.

"This year we have a drive as a team, we know we are good enough to take on anyone and win.

"I think the performance on Saturday shows that, there was one try in it, it was close," she explained.

"Last year we could see that we were building, and it was brilliant to get the win at the end [a 36-14 victory against Connacht in their last game] and from last year we realised it is in us to do it, so we don't go out there being afraid."

Ulster winger Megan Edwards was a latecomer to the game but soon found a home in "extremely inclusive" sport of rugby.

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Ulster wing Megan Edwards says the province might "surprise a few people" as they prepare for their opening Women's Interprovincial fixture against Munster in Cork on Saturday.

Murray Houston's side come into this season's championship off the back of ending an 11-year wait for an Interpro victory with an impressive 36-14 triumph over Connacht in last year's third/fourth-place play-off.

Now with a new confidence and the experience of winning, 33-year-old Edwards feels her side have the "talent" to be competitive in the series.

"We're under no illusions that it's going to be a tough game," Edwards told BBC Sport NI.

"It is Munster, they have won the championships before but I think we might throw in a few surprises.

"The talent within the Ulster squad is there and we've been building and building for a number of years now, it's about showcasing that talent on game day and our goal is to build on the win in Cork last season."

Women's Interpros - Fixtures and coverage details

10 August

• Munster v Ulster (14:30 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

• Leinster v Connacht (16:45 BST)

17 August

• Ulster v Connacht (14:30 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

• Munster v Leinster (16:45 BST)

24 August

• Connacht v Munster (14:30 BST)

• Ulster v Leinster (16:45 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

31 August

• Third/fourth play-off (14:30 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

• Final (16:45 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

Ulster Rugby is facing a deficit of between £2.5m and £3m, according to new chief executive Hugh McCaughey.

However, McCaughey expects Ulster to "break even within two to three seasons".

The former health trust chief executive explained that a plan is in place to deal with the province's financial issues.

Read more here.

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Hugh McCaughey is to remain as Ulster Rugby's chief executive until the end of 2025.

Former health trust chief McCaughey took over as Ulster interim CEO in March after Jonny Petrie left the position.

Ulster Rugby and the IRFU announced McCaughey's continuation in the post on Monday afternoon.

“We were confident that Hugh was the right person for us to bring in to lead the province at a challenging time last season, given his extensive organisational leadership experience and understanding of the game," said the chair of Ulster's management committee Paul Terrington.

"This extension of his contract is testimony to the progress made to-date."

McCaughey coached Ulster and Ireland players at youth level and was manager of Ulster Rugby and the Irish Sevens team at the 2009 World Cup.

“I have relished the challenges and opportunities that have come from leading Ulster Rugby since I took up the role of CEO in April, and I look forward to continuing to move the province forward over the course of the next season," said McCaughey after the announcement of his contract extension.

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Former Ulster and Ireland wing Craig Gilroy believes the northern province are in for an "exciting season" with 23-year-old fly-half Aidan Morgan among their new signings.

Billy Burns, who has been Ulster's first-choice number ten since arriving from Gloucester in 2018, joined Munster in the off-season with Morgan subsequently arriving at Kingspan Stadium from the Hurricanes.

"I'm excited to see what he brings," Gilroy told BBC Sport NI.

"He seems to be a real natural out-half.

"I was a really big fan of Billy Burns and I was sad to see Billy leaving. I think Munster are lucky to have him."

In a tumultuous campaign last season, Ulster finished sixth in the URC and were knocked out of the play-offs by Leinster at the quarter-final stage.

But, after head coach Richie Murphy arrived in March following the sacking of Dan McFarland, performances were improving as the year wore on.

"I've got full faith in Richie Murphy. I think he's a brilliant appointment," added Gilroy. "I think he'll take the guys forward.

"A few new signings in key positions, it's going to be an exciting season."

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Ulster Rugby have announced that forwards coach Roddy Grant has left his position "by mutual agreement".

Grant spent five years in the role with the Irish province.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said: "Roddy has given a lot to the club over the last five years and we would like to thank him for all his hard work that is set to stand by us as a squad in the seasons ahead.

"From a personal perspective, I really enjoyed working together at the end of last season. Roddy is a coach that gives it his all, and I know how much maintaining the highest standards means to him."

Grant commented: "I'm extremely proud of our work as forwards over the past five years".

"I feel that I leave with the pack in a better place than when I arrived, with the guys having built a very strong reputation as a forward pack.

"I gave it my all, and I went all in. Thankyou to all the players who gave everything and went all in for me too," added the Botswana-born former professional player.