Foundation (1868–1879) A number of clubs were operating in Ulster prior to the foundation of the
Irish Rugby Football Union and the Ulster branch. The
Belfast-based
North of Ireland F.C., founded in 1868, was the earliest club to operate in the province. Clubs from this era still in existence include
Dungannon and
Queen's University. The first Irish inter-provincial game took place in 1875 between Ulster and
Leinster, with Ulster being the victors. In 's first international match, which was played in 1875 against , eight Ulster-based players took part. Rugby in Ulster at this time was mostly overseen by the Irish Football Union, with the Northern Football Union of Ireland controlling the game in
Belfast. The two unions amalgamated in 1879, with the provincial branches of Ulster, Leinster and
Munster being founded as part of the terms of this arrangement. The final Irish provincial side,
Connacht, was founded in 1885.
Amateur era (1879–1995) During the amateur era Irish players primarily played for their respective clubs, with provincial games effectively treated as Irish trial matches. The provincial teams were also used to provide competitive club opposition for touring international sides. Inter-provincial games were played on an irregular basis but starting in the 1946–47 season, the provinces played against each other in the annual
Irish Interprovincial Championship. Ulster won the title unbeaten in 1969 and 1970, and finished second, losing only once, in 1971. He was succeeded by Maurice Crabbe, under whom Ulster shared the title in 1972, came third in 1973, and won it in 1974. George Spotswood then led Ulster to a shared title in 1975, an unbeaten championship in 1976, and another shared title in 1976. Under Cecil Watson, Ulster came third in 1978 and fourth in 1979, and came third in 1980 under Matt Gillen, before form began to return under
Willie John McBride, who led them to second place in 1981 and a shared title in 1982. Their most sustained period of success began under
Jimmy Davidson. In his first season, 1983, Ulster finished third, before he led them to three straight undefeated championships in 1984–86. Harry Williams succeeded him, and under him Ulster shared the title in 1987 and won three straight undefeated titles in 1988–90. Then Davy McMaster led Ulster to two undefeated titles in 1991 and 1992, and a shared title in 1991. Under these three coaches, Ulster won or shared ten Interprovincial Championships in a row. Brian Bloomfield was the final coach of the amateur era, coming joint second in 1994.
Professional success (1999–2006) After rugby union was declared open to professionalism in 1995, the IRFU gradually developed the provincial sides as professional teams. The
Heineken Cup was launched in 1995 to provide a new level of European cross-border competition, and Ulster, coached by Harry Williams and captained by
David Humphreys, became the first Irish team to win it in the
1998–99 season, beating French side
US Colomiers 21–6 in the final at
Lansdowne Road in
Dublin. The
Celtic League, featuring all four Irish provinces plus teams from Scotland and Wales, was launched in 2001. From 2001 to 2004, the Ulster team was coached by
Alan Solomons, a former assistant coach of the
Springboks and head coach of
The Stormers and
Western Province in his native
South Africa. Solomons coached Ulster to a three-year unbeaten home record in the Heineken Cup. In the 2003–04 season, Ulster finished second in the Celtic League, only overtaken by
Llanelli on the final day of the campaign. Two of Ulster's most impressive achievements in this period were a 33–0 win over English giants
Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup in January 2004, and winning the inaugural
Celtic Cup on 20 December 2003, beating
Edinburgh in a rain-soaked
Murrayfield final. Solomons was succeeded by
Mark McCall, former captain of the province and a member of Ulster's Heineken Cup winning squad, with former teammate
Allen Clarke as his assistant, and Ulster's unbeaten home run in Europe was extended to four years. Dominant forward play by Australian lock
Justin Harrison, New Zealand-born Irish scrum-half
Isaac Boss, and a rapid maturing of a youthful home-grown three-quarter line made Ulster champions of the
2005–06 Celtic League. On the last day of the season, the title came down between Ulster and
Leinster, before being decided in Ulster's favour by a 40-metre David Humphreys drop goal against
Ospreys.
Decline (2006–2010) Ulster started the
2006–07 season well, including beating
Toulouse 30–3 in the Heineken Cup. But this form did not continue, they were eliminated from the competition early, and finished fifth in the Celtic League. Back row forward
Roger Wilson was Player of the Year. The team began the
2007-08 season with a poor run of results, and Mark McCall resigned in November following Ulster's embarrassing 32–14 home defeat to Gloucester in the opening round of the
2007–08 Heineken Cup. Assistant coach
Steve Williams took temporary charge, and
Matt Williams took charge in February, but failed to turn the season around, with Ulster finishing 9th in the 10 team Celtic League. Centre
Darren Cave made his debut from the academy. At the end of the season wing
Tommy Bowe, who was named Player of the Year, left for
Ospreys. Roger Wilson went to
Northampton Saints. Out-half
David Humphreys retired, and was appointed the province's Director of Operations. The
following season out-half
Ian Humphreys, David's younger brother, was signed from
Leicester Tigers. Ulster finished third in their Heineken Cup group and eighth in the Celtic League, and Williams resigned. Hooker
Rory Best was Player of the Year. For the
2009-10 season a new management structure was put in place, with David Humphreys as director of rugby and Brian McLaughlin as head coach, assisted by
Jeremy Davidson and
Neil Doak. Centre
Nevin Spence made his debut from the academy. The season saw an improvement in Ulster's Heineken Cup form, including their first away win in England against
Bath, but they finished eighth in the Celtic League. Flanker
Chris Henry was Player of the Year. At the end of the season, scrum-half
Isaac Boss left for
Leinster, and prop
Justin Fitzpatrick retired.
Revival (2010–2014) The
2010-11 season saw significant improvement. Ulster signed key players including
2007 Rugby World Cup winning Springboks
Ruan Pienaar and
Johann Muller. Out-half
Paddy Jackson. and centre
Luke Marshall made their debuts from the academy. Ulster made the semi-finals of the Celtic League and the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. Ruan Pienaar was Player of the Year. New signings for the
2011-12 season included prop
John Afoa and utility back
Jared Payne. Academy lock
Iain Henderson made his senior debut. Ulster reached the
Heineken Cup final, losing to
Leinster at
Twickenham. The Celtic League had been renamed the
Pro12 after the addition of two Italian teams, and Ulster finished sixth. Brian McLaughlin was replaced as head coach by
Mark Anscombe. Flanker
Chris Henry was Player of the Year. New signings for the
2012–13 season included back row forward
Nick Williams from the now defunct
Aironi, wing
Tommy Bowe, returning from his four-year stay at the
Ospreys, back row forward
Roger Wilson, returning from
Northampton Saints, and Irish-qualified South African hooker
Rob Herring, initially on a six-month trial. Out-half
Ian Humphreys left for
London Irish. Centre
Nevin Spence died in an accident at the family farm. Ulster started the season with 13 consecutive wins in all competitions, the longest unbeaten run in their history. They finished top of their group in the Heineken Cup, qualifying for the quarter-finals, where they lost to
Northampton Saints. They finished top of the table in the Pro12, earning a home semi-final, in which they defeated
Scarlets 27–16 in the last match before the old grandstand was demolished. The redevelopment of Ravenhill meant the final against
Leinster had to be played at the
RDS Arena in Dublin. Leinster won 24–18. Lock
Alan O'Connor made his debut from the academy this season. Wing
Andrew Trimble was Player of the Year. The
2013–14 season proved trophyless again. For the first time, Ulster won all their Heineken Cup group games, with away victories against
Montpellier and
Leicester Tigers being the highlight. They were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage with a 17–15 home defeat to Saracens. The Pro12 season was racked with inconsistency and Ulster finished the league season in fourth place. This set up an away semi-final with Leinster, and for the fourth time in four seasons the season was ended by their old foes with a 13–9 defeat. Centre
Stuart McCloskey and prop
Andrew Warwick made their debuts from the academy. Andrew Trimble was Player of the Year for the second year running. The season ended with the retirements of captain
Johann Muller, centre
Paddy Wallace, and flanker
Stephen Ferris. Director of Rugby
David Humphreys also left the province to take up a similar position at
Gloucester Rugby. Following Humphreys' departure, Mark Anscombe was sacked by the province and was replaced by Ireland defence coach
Les Kiss on an interim basis.
2014–17 – the Les Kiss years The
2014–15 season was Ulster's first under director of rugby
Les Kiss and head coach
Neil Doak. The redeveloped Ravenhill, renamed the Kingspan Stadium, now had a capacity of 18,196.
Rory Best was named captain after the retirement of
Johann Muller. New signings included out-half
Ian Humphreys, returning from
London Irish, lock
Franco van der Merwe from the
Lions, outside back
Louis Ludik from
Agen, and flanker
Sean Reidy from
Counties Manukau. Wing
Craig Gilroy was named Player of the Year. In
2015–16, Ulster were knocked out of the Champions Cup at the group stage despite a memorable back to back win over Toulouse. They finished fourth in the Pro12 but reached the semi-finals, losing to
Leinster. Wing
Jacob Stockdale made his debut from the academy. Centre
Stuart McCloskey was Player of the Year. Before the
2016–17 season,
Nick Williams left for
Cardiff Blues and
Dan Tuohy for
Bristol Bears, and
Ian Humphreys retired. Ulster signed back row forward
Marcell Coetzee, fullback
Charles Piutau and lock
Kieran Treadwell. Academy flanker
Nick Timoney made his debut. Ulster finished the season bottom of their pool in the Heineken Cup, and fifth in the Pro12. Charles Piutau was Player of the Year.
2017–18 - the "basket case" season For the
2017–18 season, the Pro12 became the Pro14 with the addition of two South African teams. Head coach
Neil Doak's contract was not renewed and he was replaced by
Jono Gibbes. Assistant coach
Allen Clarke also left, replaced by
Dwayne Peel. All-time appearance holder
Roger Wilson retired, and scrum-half
Ruan Pienaar was blocked by the
IRFU from extending his contract.
John Cooney was signed from
Connacht to replace him. Before the season started, out-half
Paddy Jackson and centre
Stuart Olding were charged with rape and suspended from playing pending trial. Both would be acquitted, but have their contracts revoked. Australian out-half
Christian Lealiifano was signed on loan. Prop
Tom O'Toole made his debut from the academy. After a poor run of form over the Christmas period,
Les Kiss resigned as Director of Rugby, and Gibbes cut his contract short, leaving at the end of the season. Ulster finished third in their Champions Cup pool, and fourth in Conference B of the Pro14, failing to qualify for the playoffs and needing to win a playoff to qualify for the next season's Champions Cup. 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." Scrum-half John Cooney was named Player of the Year.
2018–24: the Dan McFarland years For the
2018–19 season Dan McFarland was brought in as the new head coach.
Jared Payne,
Tommy Bowe,
Andrew Trimble and
Chris Henry all retired, and
Charles Piutau left for
Bristol Bears. Out-half
Billy Burns was signed from
Gloucester, prop
Marty Moore from
Wasps, flanker
Jordi Murphy from
Leinster, and utility back
Will Addison from
Sale Sharks. Prop
Eric O'Sullivan, wing
Robert Baloucoune, centre
James Hume, fullback
Michael Lowry and flanker
Marcus Rea all made their debuts from the academy. Ulster finished the season as quarter-finalists in the Champions Cup, and semi-finalists in the Pro14, losing to
Glasgow Warriors.
Rory Best and
Darren Cave retired at the end of the season. Centre
Stuart McCloskey was Player of the Year for the second time. Lock
Iain Henderson was named captain for the
2019–20 season. Ulster were again quarter-finalists in the Champions Cup, going out to
Toulouse, and reached the final of the Pro14, losing to
Leinster. Centre
Stewart Moore and wing
Ethan McIlroy made their debuts from the academy, and scrum-half
John Cooney was Player of the Year for the second time. The
2020–21 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and games were played behind closed doors. Ulster finished second in Conference A of the Pro14, but failed to make the knockout stages of the Champions Cup and were entered into the
Challenge Cup. They progressed to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by
Leicester Tigers. The season's final competition was the
Pro14 Rainbow Cup, pitting the Pro14's European teams against the four South African teams who were leaving
Super Rugby. Ulster's form in this competition was poor, and they finished tenth in the European pool.
Marcell Coetzee cut short his contract and left for the
Bulls before the end of the season. Academy players
Cormac Izuchukwu,
Nathan Doak,
David McCann,
Callum Reid and
Aaron Sexton all made their senior debuts this season. Lock
Alan O'Connor was Player of the Year. In
2021–22 the Pro14 became the
United Rugby Championship, with the addition of four new South African teams. Ulster made the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to the
Stormers in
Cape Town. In the Champions Cup, they made the knockout stage, but went out in a two-legged round of sixteen playoff against
Toulouse by an aggregate score of 50–49. Centre
James Hume was Player of the Year. New signings for the
2022-23 season included prop
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen. Lock
Harry Sheridan and centre
Jude Postlethwaite made their senior debuts. Despite a poor run of results in mid-season, Ulster made the knockout stage of the
Champions Cup, going out in the round of 16 to Leinster. They became the first European team in the URC to win all four league games against South African opposition, and secured a home quarter-final with a home win over the
Bulls in March, which they lost to
Connacht. Hooker
Tom Stewart was named Player of the Year after scoring 16 tries in the URC, a league record, and 17 tries in all competitions, an Ulster record. New signings for the
2023–24 season included prop
Steven Kitshoff and flanker
Dave Ewers. After a difficult first half of the season, McFarland left his position, to be replaced by assistant coach
Dan Soper until after the
Six Nations Under 20s Championship, after which
Ireland under-20 coach
Richie Murphy would take over until the end of the season. Chief Executive
Jonny Petrie left not long after, replaced on an interim basis by Hugh McCaughey. Murphy signed a two-year contract in May. Ulster finished sixth in the URC, going out in the quarter-finals to
Leinster, and went out of the Champions Cup at the pool stage, dropping into the Challenge Cup where they made the quarter-finals. Flanker
David McCann was Player of the Season. Prop
Scott Wilson made his debut from the academy.
2024 to present Before the
2024–25 season,
Richie Murphy's first full season in charge, there were significant changes. Out-half
Billy Burns left for
Munster; prop
Steven Kitshoff returned to the
Stormers, where he was joined by flanker
Dave Ewers; utility back
Will Addison signed for
Sale Sharks; and centre
Luke Marshall retired. New signings included wing
Werner Kok from the
Sharks and Irish-qualified out-half
Aidan Morgan from the
Hurricanes.
Ireland Sevens player of the year
Zac Ward, son of former Ulster captain
Andy Ward, joined Ulster on a trial basis.
Jimmy Duffy replaced
Roddy Grant as forwards coach, Sam Dodge joined as head of athletic performance, and skills coach
Craig Newby left for
Ealing Trailfinders. Ulster qualified for the round of 16 in the
Champions Cup, going out to
Bordeaux, and finished 14th in the
URC, failing to qualify for the playoffs or for next season's Champions Cup, being entered into the
EPCR Challenge Cup. There were further changes for the
2025–26 season. Following the end of Kingspan's sponsorship deal, Ulster's new shirt sponsor was SAM Mouldings, and Ravenhill was renamed the Affidea Stadium.
Willie Faloon replaced
Jonny Bell as defence coach, Mark Sexton was appointed backs and attack coach, and
Dan Soper moved to a new player development role.
Bryn Cunningham resigned as general manager, and was replaced by
Rory Best. Scrum-half
John Cooney left for
Brive, lock
Kieran Treadwell for
Harlequins, and prop
Andrew Warwick and lock
Alan O'Connor, among others, were released. South African number eight
Juarno Augustus joined from
Northampton Saints, and Australian international prop
Angus Bell was signed on sabbatical from the
Waratahs, to join the province in December. ==Previous season summaries==