| dbo:abstract
|
- The 2018-19 season was Ulster's 25th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Dan McFarland's first season as head coach. Rory Best was captain. They competed in the Pro14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup. After the resignation of Jono Gibbes, Dan McFarland was announced as Ulster's new head coach on 30 April 2018. Initially he was to serve his notice as Scotland's forwards coach and join Ulster in January 2019, with Simon Easterby to act as interim head coach until then. But in August, an agreement was reached with Scotland for McFarland to join Ulster before the new season. Jared Payne, who retired as a player at the end of last season, became the new defence coach. Banbridge head coach Dan Soper joined as skills coach. Shane Logan stepped down as Chief Executive in September 2018, with Jonny Petrie appointed as his successor. There were significant changes to the playing squad. Aside from Jared Payne, wings Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble, scrum-half Paul Marshall, and loose forwards Peter Browne, Jean Deysel and Chris Henry also retired. Also departing were fullback Charles Piutau to Bristol Bears, props Callum Black to Worcester Warriors, Rodney Ah You to Newcastle Falcons and Wiehahn Herbst to the Bulls, out-half Brett Herron to Jersey Reds, and centre Callum Patterson to the Cornish Pirates. Scrum-half Aaron Cairns, flanker Robbie Diack and prop Schalk van der Merwe were released. Out-half Paddy Jackson and centre Stuart Olding, whose contracts were terminated in the fallout from their trial and acquittal for rape, signed for Perpignan and Brive respectively. Rory Best remained captain. Ulster were in need of an experienced out-half after the end of Christian Lealiifano's loan period and Jackson's departure. In June they attempted to sign South African out-half Elton Jantjies, but were blocked by the IRFU, who insisted they needed to sign an Irish-qualified player. Leinster's Joey Carbery and Ross Byrne were talked about, but Carbery opted to sign for Munster and Byrne stayed at Leinster. On 18 July, Billy Burns, who qualified for Ireland through his Irish grandfather, was signed from Gloucester. Other new arrivals were prop Marty Moore, signed from Wasps; flanker Jordi Murphy, from Leinster; utility back Will Addison, from Sale Sharks; wing Henry Speight, from the Brumbies; and, in a short-term loan deal, lock Ian Nagle, from Leinster. Academy players who made their debut for the senior team this season were prop Eric O'Sullivan, wings Robert Baloucoune and Angus Kernohan, centre James Hume, fullback Michael Lowry and flanker Marcus Rea. Former academy prop Tommy O'Hagan also made his senior debut. In the Pro14, Ulster finished second in Conference B, qualifying for the playoffs and next season's Champions Cup. They defeated Connacht in the quarter-final, but lost to Glasgow Warriors in the semi-final. Ulster led the league in defence. Scrum-half John Cooney and centre Stuart McCloskey made the Pro14 Dream Team. They finished second in Pool 4 of the Champions Cup, making the quarter-finals, where they lost to Leinster. Wing Jacob Stockdale was nominated for European Player of the Year. John Cooney was leading scorer with 142 points. Hooker Rob Herring was leading try scorer with eight. Flanker Nick Timoney was leading tackler with 303, just ahead of number eight Marcell Coetzee with 301. Stuart McCloskey was Ulster's Player of the Year. Captain and hooker Rory Best and centre Darren Cave retired at the end of the season. (en)
|
