Person: Franco van der Merwe

Ulster close to full strength for Champions Cup opener

Ulster are hoping to field their best available team when they travel to France for the Pool 5 Champions Cup opener against Bordeaux-Begles.

Thu, 13 Oct, 2016

Tommy Bowe return eases impact of losing Charles Piutau

The loss of Charles Piutau through injury has been softened by Tommy Bowe’s return to the Ulster side for the first time this season for tonight’s derby with Connacht at the Sportsground.

Fri, 07 Oct, 2016

Ulster can stymie Glasgow’s flow, says Iain Henderson

Ulster will roll out their strongest available line-out when they visit 2015 Guinness Pro12 winners Glasgow tonight.

Fri, 23 Sep, 2016

John Muldoon: Eric Elwood key to Connacht rise

If Connacht manage to finish what they have started this season, by defeating Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground in Galway in eight days’ time, and then beat either Leinster or Ulster in the Pro12 final at Murrayfield a week later, there will be few who could begrudge John Muldoon his moment of glory

Fri, 13 May, 2016

Ulster head for lions’ den

Ospreys 26 Ulster 46: Ulster secured their place in the Guinness Pro12 play-offs after an entertaining 10-try match at the Liberty Stadium as Ospreys failed to qualify for next season’s European Champions Cup.

Mon, 09 May, 2016

Ospreys miss out on Europe but Ulster are headed for the play-offs

A 46-26 defeat saw Ospreys fail to qualify for the European Champions Cup next season, while victorious Ulster secured their place in the Guinness Pro12 play-offs in an entertaining 10-try match at the Liberty Stadium.

Sat, 07 May, 2016

Craig Gilroy returns as Ulster field strongest squad

The return of top try scorer Craig Gilroy is the only change for Ulster in this afternoon’s win or bust Guinness PRO12 Super Saturday shoot-out with the Champions Cup-chasing Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

Sat, 07 May, 2016

Les Kiss targets bonus point at Ospreys and a favour from Anthony Foley

“It’s massive, it really is, just as the win on Saturday last with Leinster was massive, and the players stood up and delivered.”

Thu, 05 May, 2016

Tommy Bowe’s first start of season as Ulster chase bonus

Tommy Bowe gets his first start of the season for Ulster when they travel to Zebre in the chase for a bonus-point win in the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi this afternoon.

Sat, 16 Apr, 2016

Ulster stop slump with hard-fought win over Connacht

Ulster 18 Connacht 10: For Ulster the misery of the a month which saw them slump to fifth ended in a hard-fought win in Belfast over a Connacht side which never took a backward step but was undone by injuries and some unforced errors.

Sat, 02 Apr, 2016

Paddy Jackson chalks up century for Ulster in crunch with Glasgow

Ireland’s Paddy Jackson will chalk up a century of appearances for Ulster in tonight’s Guinness Pro12 clash with champions Glasgow, (Scotstoun Stadium, 7.45pm, TG4).

Fri, 25 Mar, 2016

Cardiff’s late charge proves too much for Ulster

Cardiff Blues 23 Ulster 13: Cardiff scored two late tries to beat Ulster 23-13 at the Arms Park in the Guinness Pro12.

Mon, 29 Feb, 2016

Springbok starlet Marcell Coetzee signs three-year Ulster deal

Ulster have signed young Springbok back-row forward star Marcell Coetzee on a three-year deal, starting next season after the conclusion of the Super Rugby campaign where he will be representing the Sharks.

Fri, 12 Feb, 2016

Nigel Carolan names powerful Irish U20 side for daunting clash with Wales

Nigel Carolan has named an U20s side light on experience but heavy on physical punch for the opening Six Nations clash against Wales at Donnybrook tomorrow evening (7.35pm).

Thu, 04 Feb, 2016

Franco van der Merwe signs new Ulster deal

Ulster’s South African workhorse Franco van der Merwe has signed a one-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the Kingspan Stadium until June 2017.

Thu, 28 Jan, 2016

Luke Marshall: ‘Against Saracens, you’re on the money or else...’

Ireland centre Jared Payne returns to the Ulster starting line-up for this afternoon’s date with runaway Pool 1 leaders Saracens at Allianz Park. 

Sat, 16 Jan, 2016

Ulster v Toulouse - European Rugby Champions Cup - Pool 1 Round 3

Busy Franco van der Merwe would love a Munster scalp

Ulster’s Springbok lock Franco van der Merwe has only been in Ireland 18 months but fully understands the significance of this afternoon’s derby date with Munster.

Sat, 02 Jan, 2016

Andrew Trimble eyes victory on 200th appearance for Ulster against Munster

Ireland wing Andrew Trimble will reach a new milestone and etch out his own little bit of history tomorrow when he will becomes the first Ulster player to play 200 games when old foes Munster ride into town for an important Pro12 inter-provincial derby at the Kingspan Stadium.

Fri, 01 Jan, 2016

Confident Ulster can still reel in Saracens in Champions Cup, reckons Franco van der Merwe

Ulster’s all-action South African lock Franco van der Merwe is in no doubt the province are ready to step up to the plate as they prepare for the second leg of their back-to-back Champions Cup clash with four-time winners Toulouse.

Fri, 18 Dec, 2015

Ulster Rugby braced for bruiser in Belfast

Ulster are delicately managing their players through a potentially difficult season, as Director of Rugby Les Kiss starts with Rob Herring at hooker and captain in place of Rory Best for this evening’s crucial Guinness Pro12 clash with an in-form Edinburgh side at the Kingspan Stadium.

Fri, 04 Dec, 2015

Peter Jackson: Saracens are praying for Paris

Thierry Dusautoir will probably have heard of Vince Lombardi, the revered American football coach whose treasure-trove of homespun sayings includes one of striking relevance to the shattered captain of France: ‘’It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get back up.’’

Mon, 16 Nov, 2015

Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble on the wings for Ulster friendly

Ireland international wingers Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble start for Ulster in the pre-season game against Edinburgh at Goldenacre tonight (6:30).

Fri, 28 Aug, 2015

Neil Doak lays down Ulster challenge

When Ulster coach Neil Doak named 33 players in his matchday panel for tonight’s friendly with Leinster (7.30pm), he said he was throwing down a challenge in his squad.

Fri, 21 Aug, 2015

Doug Howlett looks to cast net wide

Doug Howlett remains hopeful that Munster will be able to source a replacement for Paul O’Connell from abroad.

Wed, 22 Jul, 2015

How do you replace the irreplaceable Paul O’Connell?

Paul O’Connell may be keeping quiet on his future but Anthony Foley knows it will not be with Munster and the head coach is making plans to bring in an overseas replacement for the departing Ireland captain.

Mon, 01 Jun, 2015

Ian Keatley needs to be Munster’s special K

Three key issues to decide the Pro12 final

Sat, 30 May, 2015

No shortage of incentives for Ulster in Glasgow

Ulster signalled its serious intent for tonight’s Guinness Pro12 semi-final at Glasgow Warriors by naming its strongest possible side.

Fri, 22 May, 2015

Ulster lose out on home semi-final as Glasgow stage fightback

Roared on by a sell-out crowd, Glasgow scored a come-back bonus point 32-10 win after they had trailed 10-6 to Ulster at half-time.

Sat, 16 May, 2015

Neil Doak rings changes for Ulster’s trip to Glasgow

Ulster head coach Neil Doak has decided that though a win in Glasgow this afternoon is both possible and rich with reward, he’ll put the Top Four play-offs at the top of his list of priorities.

Sat, 16 May, 2015

Irish provinces make major mark on Pro12 Dream Team

Munster back-row duo CJ Stander and Tommy O’Donnell are among a seven-strong contingent from the Irish provinces to have been voted onto the Guinness Pro12 Dream Team for this season but there is no representation from outgoing champions Leinster.

Tue, 12 May, 2015

Stuart McCloskey sees red as Ulster edge Edinburgh

Guiness Pro12

Sat, 21 Feb, 2015

Ulster see off Edinburgh in Pro12 match

Edinburgh 17 Ulster 20

Fri, 20 Feb, 2015

Gilroy's only 23, and he's set to win his 100th cap for Ulster

Craig Gilroy will become the youngest player to win 100 caps for Ulster when he lines out against Benetton Treviso at Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night, kick off 7.35pm.

Thu, 12 Feb, 2015

Ulster face trial in Toulon today

European Champions Cup Pool 3

Sat, 17 Jan, 2015

Payne set to make Ulster return in Treviso

Ireland’s Jared Payne returns to a strong Ulster’s match-day squad for tomorrow’s difficult Pro12 trip to Treviso.

Sat, 10 Jan, 2015

Leinster bounce back from Munster defeat with win over Ulster

Ian Madigan tallied up 19 points as the in-form fly-half masterminded Leinster’s 24-11 Guinness PRO12 derby win over Ulster at the RDS Arena.

Sat, 03 Jan, 2015

Leinster and Ulster both make changes for RDS match

Ulster have made four personnel changes and Leinster five for the PRO12 meeting between the two sides in the RDS tomorrow afternoon.

Fri, 02 Jan, 2015

Ulster hopes left hanging by a thread

Scarlets 22 Ulster 13

Mon, 15 Dec, 2014

Ulster fall in Wales

Scarlets 22 Ulster 13

Sun, 14 Dec, 2014

Marshall returns for crucial Scarlets clash

Ireland centre Luke Marshall returns to the midfield role as Ulster are forced to make three changes for their return visit to the Scarlets tomorrow.

Sat, 13 Dec, 2014

Ulster crisis as injured quintet set to miss Scarlets return

Ulster’s injury list grows by the week, with five players from last Saturday’s Champions Cup squad against the Scarlets likely to be sidelined for the return Pool 3 clash at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday.

Tue, 09 Dec, 2014

Awesome ’Cuddles’ cuts down Munster

Considering he had blown enough fuses in his time to put the lights out all over Limerick, Jamie Cudmore was always liable to leave Munster in a dark place.

Mon, 08 Dec, 2014

Best to start for Ulster against Munster who make five changes

Rory Best will start for Ulster against Munster in tomorrow's match at Thomond Park while Munster coach Anthony Foley has named a strong squad bolstered by a number of returning internationals.

Thu, 27 Nov, 2014

Cave makes it safe for Ulster

GUINNESS PRO12:

Sat, 22 Nov, 2014