2023–24 Ulster Rugby season

The 2023–24 season will be Ulster Rugby's 30th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They will compete in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. It will be Dan McFarland's sixth season as head coach.

Ulster Rugby
2023–24 season
Head CoachDan McFarland
Operations DirectorBryn Cunningham
CaptainIain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipTBC
European Rugby Champions CupTBC
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2022–23 2024–25 →

Events

Personnel changes

Signings announced for next season include South African prop Steven Kitshoff, from the Stormers,[1] and flanker Dave Ewers, from Exeter Chiefs.[2]

Flanker Jordi Murphy announced his retirement at the end of the 2022–23 season.[3] Lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan left for Montauban.[4] Wings Rob Lyttle[5] and Craig Gilroy[6] announced they would leave at the end of the season. Hooker Declan Moore and scrum-half Michael McDonald moved to Connacht on a season-long loan.[7] Also departing were Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Gareth Milasinovich, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Rory Sutherland.[8]

Five academy players joined the senior squad on development contracts: lock Harry Sheridan, scrum-half Conor McKee, hooker James McCormick, back row forward Reuben Crothers and centre Ben Carson.[9]

Staff
Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Jonny Petrie  Scotland
Operations director Bryn Cunningham  Ireland
Head coach Dan McFarland  England
Assistant coach Dan Soper  New Zealand
Defence coach Jonny Bell  Ireland
Forwards coach Roddy Grant  Scotland
Skills coach Craig Newby  New Zealand
Academy manager Gavin Hogg  Ireland
Elite performance development officer Willie Faloon  Ireland
Elite performance development officer Neil Doak  Ireland

Squad

Senior squad

The below squad reflects the confirmed joiners and leavers for the 2023–24 season. Amendments to the squad will be made as-and-when announcements are confirmed by the province.

Ulster Rugby squad[lower-alpha 1]

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.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
  1. Taking into account signings and departures ahead of 2023–24 season as listed on List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy squad
Ulster Rugby academy squad

Props

  • Ireland George Saunderson (3)
  • Ireland Scott Wilson (2)

Hookers

  • None currently named

Locks

  • Ireland Joe Hopes (2)

Back row

  • Ireland Lorcan McLaughlin (2)
  • Ireland James McNabney (2)

Scrum-halves

  • None currently named

Fly-halves

  • Ireland James Humphreys (3)

Centres

  • None currently named

Wings

  • None currently named

Fullbacks

  • Ireland Rory Telfer (2)
Number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Ulster Rugby website.

    2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup

    Fixtures for the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship have not yet been confirmed.

    2023–24 United Rugby Championship

    Pools and fixtures for the 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup have not yet been confirmed.

    References
    1. "Ulster sign South Africa prop Steven Kitshoff on a three-year deal", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 2022
    2. Adam Kyriacou, "Dave Ewers: Ulster announce signing of Exeter Chiefs stalwart", Planet Rugby, 17 January 2023
    3. "'Looking forward to next chapter' - Jordi Murphy announces retirement". the42. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
    4. "Du renfort en deuxième ligne à Montauban". Rugbyrama.fr (in French). 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
    5. Jonathan Bradley, "I’m sad to be leaving Ulster at end of the season, admits winger Rob Lyttle", Belfast Telegraph, 11 April 2023
    6. "Craig Gilroy: Former Ireland wing to leave Ulster at the end of this season", BBC Sport, 18 April 2023
    7. "Declan Moore & Michael McDonald join Connacht", Connacht Rugby, 27 April 2023
    8. "Ulster Rugby to thank departing players at Quarter-Final", Ulster Rugby, 4 May 2023
    9. "Ulster secure young prospects to new deals", Ulster Rugby, 12 April 2023
    10. Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster Rugby sign former All-Ireland shot put champion", Belfast Telegraph, 18 May 2023
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