2002–03 Ulster Rugby season

2002–03 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Alan Solomons
Captain(s)Andy Ward
Most appearancesNeil Doak (15)
Top scorerDavid Humphreys (128)
Most triesNeil Doak (3)
Tyrone Howe (3)
Neil McMillan (3)
League(s)Heineken Cup (3rd in pool)
Celtic League (semi-finalists)
← 2001–02 2003–04 →

The 2002–03 season was Ulster Rugby's eighth under professionalism, and their second under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League. No IRFU Interprovincial Championship was held this season.

In the Celtic League, they finished third in Pool A, qualifying for the playoffs. They beat Glasgow in the quarter-finals, but lost to Munster in the semi-finals. In the Heineken Cup, they finished third in Pool 6, missing out on the knockout stage. Bryn Cunningham was Ulster's Player of the Year. Flanker Neil McMillan won the IRUPA Young Player of the Year award.[1]

Staff

[edit]
Position Name Nationality
Chief Executive Michael Reid  Ireland
Director of Rugby Alan Solomons  South Africa
Team manager John McComish  Ireland
Forwards coach Adrian Kennedy  Ireland
Backs coach Mark McCall  Ireland
Assistant conditioning coach John McCloskey  Ireland
Physiotherapist Gareth Robinson  Ireland
Director of Elite Player Development Allen Clarke  Ireland

Pre-season

[edit]

Squad

[edit]
Ulster Rugby squad[10]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

  • Ireland James Topping (12 apps, 12 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland Tyrone Howe (8 apps, 8 starts, 15 pts)
  • Ireland Scott Young (8 apps, 5 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland Sheldon Coulter (8 apps, 5 starts)

Fullbacks

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.[10]

2002–03 Heineken Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2002–03 Heineken Cup

Pool 6

[edit]
Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
England Northampton Saints 6 4 0 2 21 10 11 172 110 62 8
France Biarritz Olympique 6 4 0 2 14 5 9 138 73 65 8
Ireland Ulster 6 4 0 2 8 8 0 116 106 10 8
Wales Cardiff 6 0 0 6 6 26 −20 78 215 −137 0
13 October 2002
16:30 		Northampton Saints England 32 – 9 Ireland Ulster Franklin's Gardens  
Try: Dawson
Leslie
Con: Grayson (2)
Pen: Grayson (5)
 Report[11] Pen: Humphreys (2)
Doak
 Attendance: 9,481
Referee: A. Lambardi
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c),
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Adam Larkin (for Humphreys, 50)

18 October 2002
19:05 		Ulster Ireland 25 – 6 Wales Cardiff Ravenhill  
Try: Young
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (5)
Drop: Humphreys
 Report[12][13] Pen: Harris (2)
 Attendance: 11,000
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c),
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Scott Young (for Howe, 9), Neil Best (for McWhirter, 59), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 65),
Adam Larkin (for Bell, 75), Kieran Campbell (for Stewart, 79)

6 December 2002
19:15 		Ulster Ireland 13 – 9 France Biarritz Ravenhill  
Try: Topping
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (2)
 Report[14][15] Pen: Yachvili (2)
Drop: Peyrelongue
 Attendance: 11,650
Referee: Chris White
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Andy Ward (c),
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c),
11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Adam Larkin (for Constable, 2), Sheldon Coulter (for Bell, 80)

14 December 2002
15:00 		Biarritz France 25 – 20 Ireland Ulster Parc des Sports Aquil  
Try: Isaac
Couzinet
Cassin
Con: Yachvili (2)
Pen: Yachvili (2)
 Report[16][17] Try: J. Cunningham
Ward
Con: Doak (2)
Pen: Doak (2)
 Attendance: 8,000
Referee: D. Pearson
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Andy Ward (c),
9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin,
11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Sheldon Coulter (for Bell, 4), Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick, 61), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 61),
Mark Blair (for Longwell, 61), Tony McWhirter (for McMillan, 61).

11 January 2003
14:45 		Cardiff Wales 21 – 33 Ireland Ulster Cardiff Arms Park  
Try: Walne, Allen
Con: Robinson
Pen: Robinson (3)
 Report[18][19] Try: McMillan (2)
penalty try
Con: Humphreys (3)
Pen: Humphreys (2)
Drop: B. Cunningham
 Attendance: 4,000
Referee: R. Goodcliffe
Ulster lineup:

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c),
11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Paul Shields (for Sexton), Russell Nelson (for McWhirter).

17 January 2003
19:05 		Ulster Ireland 16 – 13 England Northampton Saints Ravenhill  
Try: McMillan
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Doak
Drop: Humphreys (2)
 Report[20][21] Try: Cohen
Con: Grayson
Pen: Grayson (2)
 Attendance: 12,500
Referee: Joel Dume
Ulster lineup:

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Justin Fitzpatrick (for Best, 61), Russell Nelson (for McWhirter, 69).

2002-03 Celtic League

[edit]
Main article: 2002–03 Celtic League

Pool A

[edit]
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Ireland Munster 7 6 0 1 227 129 +98 25 12 4 0 28
2 Scotland Edinburgh 7 6 0 1 231 145 +86 24 13 2 1 27
3 Ireland Ulster 7 5 0 2 173 111 +62 15 9 1 1 22
4 Wales Neath 7 4 0 3 153 121 +32 15 12 1 1 18
5 Wales Llanelli 7 3 0 4 191 168 +23 23 16 3 2 17
6 Wales Swansea 7 3 0 4 177 212 −35 18 22 3 1 16
7 Wales Ebbw Vale 7 1 0 6 140 226 −86 16 27 1 0 5
8 Wales Caerphilly 7 0 0 7 144 324 −180 17 42 2 1 3

Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus)
  • 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage.
Source: RaboDirect PRO12
30 August 2002 Ebbw Vale Wales 0 – 19 Ireland Ulster Eugene Cross Park  
19:15 Report[22] Try: Wallace
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys (4)
 Referee: Dave Pearson
Ulster lineup:

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Warren Brosnihan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
15. Paddy Wallace.
Replacements:
Mark Blair (for Davidson 30'), Justin Fitzpatrick (for S. Best 67').

6 September 2002 Ulster Ireland 18 – 19 Scotland Edinburgh Ravenhill  
19:30 Pen: Wallace (6)
 Report[23] Try: Laney
Con: Laney
Pen: Laney (3)
Drop: Hodge
 Attendance: 7,500
Ulster lineup:

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best,
4. Mark Blair, 5. Tony McWhirter,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Russell Nelson,
9. Neil Doak, 10. Paddy Wallace,
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Justin Fizpatrick (for S. Best 21') Neil Best (for McMillan 21').

14 September 2002 Swansea Wales 38 – 10 Ireland Ulster St Helen's  
14:30 Try: K. Morgan
Robinson
Gibbs
Payne
Con: A. Thomas (3)
Pen: A. Thomas (4)
 Report[24] Try: Howe
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys
 Attendance: 2,500
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Russell Nelson
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Jonny Bell (c), 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Neil Best (for Brosnihan 39-40'; for Nelson 40'), Paddy Wallace (for Humphreys 55'), Ryan Constable (for Bell 60'),
Kieran Campbell (for Sexton 60'), Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick 62'), Tony McWhirter (for Davidson 65-78').

20 September 2002 Ulster Ireland 17 – 13 Wales Neath Ravenhill  
19:30 Try: B. Cunningham
Howe
Con: Doak (2)
Pen: Doak
 Report[25] Try: S. Williams
Con: Jarvis
Pen: Jarvis (2)
 Attendance: 9,500
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Simon Best,
4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson (C),
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin,
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Neil Best (for McWhirter 74'), Jan Cunningham (for Stewart 80').

27 September 2002 Ulster Ireland 26 – 17 Ireland Munster Ravenhill  
19:35 Try: Doak (2)
Con: Doak (2)
Pen: Doak (2)
 Report[26] Try: Lawler
Pen: Staunton (2)
Drop: Staunton
Holland
 Attendance: 6,000
Referee: P. Adams
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson (C),
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin,
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Scott Young (for Topping 34'), Paul Shields (for Sexton 54'), Paddy Johns (for Davidson 58'),
Shane Stewart (for Bell 74'), Neil Best (for Brosnihan 80').

5 October 2002 Caerphilly Wales 15 – 67 Ireland Ulster Virginia Park  
14:30 Try: Chiltern (2)
Con: McLaughlin
Pen: McLaughlin
 Report[27][28] Try: Neil Best (2)
Howe
Brosnihan
McWhirter
Stewart
Bell
Sexton
Con: Humphreys (6)
Pen: Humphreys (5)
 Attendance: 750
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Scott Young,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Shane Stewart (for Constable 7'), Neil Best (for Fitzpatrick 50'), Mark Blair (for Longwell 55'),
Kieran Campbell (for Doak 60'), Paul Shields (for McMillan 32-40', for Sexton 60'), Adam Larkin (for Bell 65').

25 October 2002 Ulster Ireland 16 – 9 Wales Llanelli Ravenhill  
19:35 Try: Doak
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys
Drop: Humphreys
 Report[29] Pen: Jones (3)
 Attendance: 10,500
Referee: John Hogg
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Scott Young, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Sheldon Coulter (for Topping 39'), Neil Best (for McWhirter 74').

Quarter final

[edit]
30 November 2002 Glasgow Scotland 17 – 20 Ireland Ulster Hughenden  
14:45 Try: Steel
Pen: Hayes (4)
 Report[30] Try: Shields
Ward
Con: Humphreys (2)
Pen: Humphreys (2)
 Attendance: 5,346
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Paul Shields (for Sexton 25'), Andy Ward (for McWhirter 47'), Ryan Constable (for Stewart 47').

Semi-final

[edit]
3 January 2003 Munster Ireland 42 – 10 Ireland Ulster Thomond Park  
19:35 Try: Hayes
Quinlan
Kelly
Mullins
Galwey
Con: O'Gara (3), Keane
Pen: O'Gara (3)
 Report[31] Try: Humphreys
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys
 Attendance: 12,000
Referee: H. Watkins
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson,
4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c),
11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Simon Best (for McMillan 17'), Jan Cunningham (for Larkin 34'), Scott Young (for B. Cunningham 48'),
Andy Ward (for McWhirter 48'), Paul Shields (for Sexton 65'), Kieran Campbell (for Doak 76').

Home attendance

[edit]
Domestic League European Cup Total
League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance
2002–03 Celtic League 4 8,375 10,500 6,000 2002–03 Heineken Cup 3 11,717 12,500 11,000 68,650 9,807

Friendlies

[edit]
9 August 2002 Scottish Borders Scotland 0-31 Ireland Ulster Greenyards, Melrose  
Try: Ward
Davidson
Larkin
B. Cunningham
Con: Larkin (3)
 Report[32]
16 August 2002 Ulster Ireland 29-7 England Bedford Blues Ravenhill, Belfast  
Try: B. Cunningham (2)
Topping
Ward
Blair
Con: Larkin (2)
 Report[33] Try: Pritchard
Con: Pritchard
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, Matt Sexton, 3. Clem Boyd,
4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Russell Nelson, 8. Neil McMillan,
9. Kieran Campbell, 10. Adam Larkin,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Paul Shields (for Sexton 40'), Robbi Kempson (for Fitzpatrick 50'), Reece Spee (for Campbell 75'), Neil Best (for Nelson 80').

23 August 2002 Ulster Ireland 19-19 Scotland Glasgow Ravenhill, Belfast  
Try: Sexton
Young (2)
Con: Larkin (2)
 Report[34] Try: Hayes
Con: Hayes
Pen: Hayes (4)
Ulster lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Clem Boyd,
4. Tony McWhirter, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Warren Brosnihan, 8. Russell Nelson,
9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin,
11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Shane Stewart,
15. Bryn Cunningham.
Replacements:
Scott Young, Seamus Mallon, Kieran Campbell, Robbi Kempson, Paul Shields, Mark Blair, Robby Brink.

27 December 2002 Ulster XV Ireland 48-12 Scotland Ireland Celtic Warriors XV Gibson Park, Belfast  
Try: Davidson
Blair
McMillan
Coulter
Topping
J. Cunningham
N. Best
Con: Doak (4)
 Report[35] Try: Moir
Callaghan
Con: Longstaff
Ulster lineup:

1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Justin Fitzpatrick,
4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson,
6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter,
9. Neil Doak, 10. Kieran Campbell,
11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Sheldon Coulter, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping,
15. Scott Young.
Replacements:
Neil Best (for Constable 40'), Roger Wilson (for Doak 58'), Paul Shields (for Sexton 60'), Simon Best (for Kempson 60').[36]

Ulster Rugby Awards

[edit]

The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel on 15 May 2003. Winners were:[37]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kieran Rooney, "Players' Player is Malcolm O'Kelly", Irish Independent, 9 May 2003
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Kempson finally signs", BBC Sport, 25 January 2002
  3. ^ "Spence in Ulster call", BBC Sport, 22 September 2002
  4. ^ "OC in Profile: Dave Allen (OC 1996)", OCA Magazine, 27 October 2022
  5. ^ "Former Bok retires from rugby", Irish Examiner, 6 September 2002
  6. ^ Brendan Fanning, "New twist for Crick", Irish Independent, 3 March 2002
  7. ^ Tony Ward, "Haslett signs for London Irish", Irish Independent, 19 December 2002
  8. ^ "Paddy Johns Retires as Ulster Name New Squad", Irish Rugby, 26 January 2002
  9. ^ "Brennan joins Toulouse", BBC Sport, 31 May 2002
  10. ^ a b "Ulster's 2002/3 squad", BBC Sport, 2 July 2002
  11. ^ "Grayson kicks Saints to eighth home win in a row", The Guardian, 14 October 2002
  12. ^ "Ulster too good for Cardiff", BBC Sport, 18 October 2002
  13. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Ulster need a cutting edge", Belfast Telegraph, 19 October 2002
  14. ^ "Topping try keeps Ulster hopes alive", Irish Independent, 7 December 2002
  15. ^ "Ulster upset French champions", BBC Sport, 6 December 2002
  16. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Ulster run out of luck", Sunday Life, 15 December 2002
  17. ^ "Biarritz edge out Ulster", BBC Sport, 14 December 2002
  18. ^ "Ulster edge past Cardiff", BBC Sport, 11 January 2003
  19. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Ulster have it all to do", Sunday Life, 12 January 2002
  20. ^ "Ulster win keeps slim hopes alive", BBC Sport, 17 January 2003
  21. ^ "Victory just not enough for Ulster", Irish Independent, 18 January 2003
  22. ^ "Scrappy victory for Ulster", BBC Sport, 30 August 2002
  23. ^ Gavin Mairs "Last gasp agony for jaded Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 7 September 2002
  24. ^ "Swansea's blistering pace exposes Ulster's deficiencies", Irish Independent, 15 September 2002
  25. ^ "Ulster edge out Neath", BBC Sport, 20 September 2002
  26. ^ "Doak one-man show just too much for Munster", Irish Independent, 28 September 2002
  27. ^ Mark McAuley, "Over and rout... Ulster whip the Welsh boyos", Sunday Life, 6 October 2002
  28. ^ "Ulster hammer Caerphilly", BBC Sport, 5 October 2002
  29. ^ "Ulster sneak past Llanelli", BBC Sport, 25 October 2002
  30. ^ "Ulster hang on for victory", BBC Sport, 30 November 2002
  31. ^ "Fitzpatrick sees red as Munster waltz into final", Irish Independent, 4 January 2003
  32. ^ Richard Mulligan, "Borders are no match for White Knights", News Letter, 10 August 2002
  33. ^ Richard Bullick, "Ulster get rid of summer cobwebs", News Letter, 17 August 2002
  34. ^ Richard Bullick, "Last-gasp Scots deny Ulster win", News Letter, 24 August 2002
  35. ^ "Rugby: Injury overshadows game", Belfast Telegraph, 28 December 2002
  36. ^ Richard Bullick, "Injuries mar Ulster's not-so-friendly victory", News Letter, 28 December 2002
  37. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Clarke lands Ulster rugby's personality of the year title", Belfast Telegraph, 16 May 2003
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