2000–01 Ulster Rugby season
The 2000–01 season was Ulster Rugby's sixth since the advent of professionalism, and their third under coach Harry Williams. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship. Williams announced in August 2000 that he would leave at the end of the season.[1]
| Ground(s) | Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach(es) | Harry Williams | ||
| Captain(s) | David Humphreys | ||
| Most appearances | Justin Fitzpatrick, Gary Longwell, Andy Ward, Tony McWhirter, Brad Free, David Humphreys, Ryan Constable, James Topping (12 each) | ||
| Top scorer | David Humphreys (148) | ||
| Most tries | James Topping (6) | ||
| League(s) | Heineken Cup (4th in pool) IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd) | ||
| |||
The IRFU rejected a proposal for a Celtic League involving three of the Irish provinces, two Scottish super-districts and seven Welsh clubs, each playing 22 matches. The IRFU argued that the structure proposed would add too many games and leave provincial players unable to play for their clubs, and made a counter-proposal of an eleven-game season, which the Welsh and Scottish unions rejected.[2] Discussions continued,[3] and a format was finally agreed for the following season.[4]
They were bottom of their pool in the Heineken Cup, failing to qualify for the knockout stage. They finished second in the Interprovincial Championship, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. The average crowd at Interprovincial matches was 7,000, comparing favourably to 3,000 in the English first division.[5] Tyrone Howe was Ulster's Player of the Year, and was selected for the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Player transfers
Players in |
Players out
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Squad
| Ulster Rugby squad | ||
|---|---|---|
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Props
Hookers
Locks |
Back row
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves |
Centres
Wings
Fullbacks
|
| (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. |
2000–01 Heineken Cup
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cardiff |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 182 | 146 | 36 | 8 |
 Saracens |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 174 | 140 | 34 | 8 |
 Toulouse |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 171 | 182 | −11 | 5 |
 Ulster |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 21 | −10 | 146 | 205 | −59 | 3 |
| 6 October 2000 19:15 |
| Ulster | 32 – 23 | Cardiff |
| Try: Constable Howe Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (5) Drop: Humphreys | Report[12] | Try: Jenkins Morgan Con: Jenkins (2) Pen: Jenkins (3) |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 12,000 |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Nelson, 20), Mark Blair (for Johns, 61), Clem Boyd (for Best, 65).
| 15 October 2000 15:00 |
| Saracens | 55 – 25 | Ulster |
| Try: Hill (2) McRae Luger (3) Con: Castaignède (5) Pen: Castaignède (5) | Report[13][14] | Try: Stewart Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (6) |
| Vicarage Road Attendance: 11,258 |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Derek Topping, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Johns, 40). Chris McCarey (for D. Topping, 68), Sheldon Coulter (for Stewart, 79).
| 22 October 2000 15:00 |
| Toulouse | 35 – 35 | Ulster |
| Try: Pelous Labit Fillol Desbrosse Con: Marfaing (3) Pen: Marfaing (3) | Report[15] | Try: Free Howe J. Bell J. Topping Con: Humphreys (3) Pen: Humphreys (3) |
| Stadium Municipal Attendance: 14,000 |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Ryan Constable, 13. Jonny Bell 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Shane Stewart (for Constable, 40), Clem Boyd (for Best, 40), Paul Shields (for Weir, 72).
| 27 October 2000 19:30 |
| Ulster | 25 – 29 | Toulouse |
| Try: Ward Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (6) | Report[16] | Try: Desbrosse Servat Con: Delaigue Marfaing Pen: Delaigue (5) |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 12,000 |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Russell, 16).
| 12 January 2001 19:05 |
| Cardiff | 42 – 16 | Ulster |
| Try: Robinson (2) Jenkins Quinnell Con: Jenkins (2) Pen: Jenkins (5) Drop: Jenkins | Report[17] | Try: J. Topping (2) Pen: Humphreys (2) |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 10,500 |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Stan McDowell.
| 19 January 2001 19:30 |
| Ulster | 13 – 21 | Saracens |
| Try: Humphreys Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (2) | Report[18] | Try: Shanklin McRae Hill Con: McRae (3) |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 13,500 |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Paddy Johns, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Ryan Constable, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. James Topping, 15. Stan McDowell. Replacements: Niall Malone (for J. Bell, 47), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 48), Stephen Bell (for Free, 48), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 58), Clem Boyd (for Best, 60), Sheldon Coulter (for McDowell, 80).
2000-01 IRFU Interprovincial Championship
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 151 | 99 | 1 | 23 | Champions; qualified for next season's Heineken Cup | |
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 144 | 119 | 3 | 15 | Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup | |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 109 | 111 | 2 | 12 | Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup | |
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 100 | 175 | 1 | 5 | ||
Top three teams qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.
| 1 September 2000 |
Ulster  | 16-21 |  Munster |
| Try: Ward Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (3) | Report[19] | Pen: O'Gara (5) Drop: O'Gara (2) |
| Ravenhill |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Paddy Johns, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson.
| 9 September 2000 |
Connacht  | 15-39 | Ulster |
| Try: Lee Elwood Con: Elwood Pen: Elwood | Report[20] | Try: Nelson Johns J. Bell J. Topping Stewart Con: Humphreys (4) Pen: Humphreys (3) |
| Galway Sportsgrounds |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Longwell, 60), Shane Stewart (for Henderson, 63), Stephen Bell (for Free, 71), Derek Topping (for Ward, 74)
| 15 September 2000 |
Leinster  | 19-6 | Ulster |
| Try: Hickie Con: McHugh Pen: McHugh (2) Dempsey | Report[21] | Pen: Humphreys (2) |
| Donnybrook |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 40), Shane Stewart (for Henderson, 67), Stephen Bell (for Free, 75).
| 22 September 2000 |
| Ulster | 26-13 | Leinster |
| Try: J. Bell Ward Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (4) | Report[22] | Try: McHugh Con: McHugh Drop: O'Driscoll |
| Ravenhill |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Nelson, 59), Stephen Bell (for Free, 63), Shane Stewart (for J. Topping, 77).
| 29 September 2000 |
| Munster | 29-21 | Ulster |
| Try: Crotty Horgan Con: O'Gara (2) Pen: O'Gara (5) | Report[23] | Try: Free J. Topping Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (3) |
| Thomond Park |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Shane Stewart, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 64), Mark Blair (for Johns, 71), Clem Boyd (for Best, 71), Stephen Bell (for Free, 76).
| 3 November 2000 |
| Ulster | 36-22 | Connacht |
| Try: J. Topping Blair (2) Humphreys Ward Con: Humphreys (4) Pen: Humphreys | Report[24] | Try: O'Connor Munn Schoemann Con: Munn (2) Pen: Munn |
| Ravenhill |
Ulster lineup
- 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Simon Best (for Boyd, 32), Paddy Johns (for Longwell, 40), Paul Shields (for Weir, 50), Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 62), Neil Doak (for Free, 67).
Ulster Rugby Awards
The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 24 May 2001. Winners were:[25]
- Ulster Rugby player of the year: Tyrone Howe
- Supporters' Club player of the year: Tyrone Howe
- Guinness personality of the year: Gary Longwell
- Coach of the year: Willie Anderson, Dungannon RFC
- Schools player of the year: Glen Telford, RBAI
- Youth player of the year: Wayne Dougan, Banbridge RFC
- Club of the year: Clogher Valley
- PRO Award: Terry Jackson, Dungannon RFC
- Dorrington B Faulkner Memorial Award: Roy McGarvey, Coleraine
References
- "Williams to quit as Ulster coach", BBC Sport, 31 August 2000
- Tony Ward, "IRFU says no to plans for new Celtic League", Irish Independent, 14 March 2000
- Kieran Rooney, "Celtic League looming large in rugby horizon", Irish Independent, 18 August 2000
- "Celtic League gets green light to kick off in August", Evening Herald, 31 May 2001
- Barry Coughlan, "Doubts remain about benefits of Celtic League", Irish Examiner, 4 October 2000
- "Prop Boyd forced to retire", BBC Sport, 4 November 2003
- Jonathan McConnell, "Ulster recruit South Africans", ESPN Scrum, 23 June 2000
- Gavin Mairs, "Retiring Ulster ace gets a big vote of thanks", Belfast Telegraph, 4 July 2008
- "The joy of being free of injury", Irish Times, 26 October 2000
- "Brad Free to play for Ireland", Irish Independent, 29 October 1997
- Gavin Mortimer, "The ten biggest flops in the Top 14", Rugby World, 18 December 2013
- Jim Stokes, "Rugby: Super Ulster right back in business", Belfast Telegraph, 5 July 2008
- Ian Malin, "Gallic genius triggers Luger", The Guardian, 16 October 2000
- "Saracens too strong for Ulster", BBC Sport, 15 October 2000
- "Ulster earn remarkable draw", BBC Sport, 22 October 2000
- EPCR Stats
- "RUGBY UNION: POOR ULSTER KEPT AT AN ARMS LENGTH; Cardiff 42 Ulster 16: Champions of 1999 are European flops in Cardiff.." The Free Library. 2001 MGN LTD 26 Feb. 2022
- Jim Stokes, "Plenty of heart but it's a Sarri send-off", Belfast Telegraph, 20 January 2001
- Jim Stokes, "O'Gara steals the show", Belfast Telegraph, 2 September 2000
- Kieran Rooney, "Ulster leave Connacht stranded", Sunday Independent, 10 September 2000
- "Ace predator Hickie strikes for Leinster", Irish Independent, 16 September 2000
- Tony Ward, "Humphreys leads Ulster to victory", Irish Independent, 23 September 2000
- Barry Coughlan, "Munster dig deep for great victory", Irish Examiner, 30 September 2000
- Jim Stokes, "Classy Ulster sink brave Connacht", Irish Independent, 4 November 2000
- "Honours for Howe and Longwell", BBC Sport, 25 May 2001
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