2025–26 Ulster Rugby season

Ulster Rugby
2025–26 season
Head coachRichie Murphy
Chief executiveHugh McCaughey
CaptainIain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipTBC
Challenge CupTBC
Home colours
Away colours
← 2024–25 2026–27 →

The 2025–26 season will be Ulster's 32nd season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Richie Murphy's second season as head coach of the men's senior team. New signings include South African loose forward Juarno Augustus from Northampton Saints, and Australian international prop Angus Bell. They will compete in the United Rugby Championship and the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Events

Personnel changes

Assistant coach Dan Soper moved from assistant coach to a new transition and development role.[1] Former Connacht attack coach Mark Sexton joined as backs coach. Willie Faloon is defence and contact skills coach.[2] Niall Annett and Jonathon Graham were appointed Elite Player Development Officers.[3]

South African loose forward Juarno Augustus joined from Northampton Saints.[4] Three new props signed: tighthead Rory McGuire, from Leinster; Irish-qualified loosehead Sam Crean, who had previous spent some time at Ulster on loan, from Saracens;[5] and Australian international loosehead Angus Bell will join Ulster in December, on sabbatical from the Waratahs.[6] Academy locks Joe Hopes and Charlie Irvine joined the senior squad on development deals, to become senior deals in 2026, and out-half James Humphreys moved from a development contract to a senior one,[7] as did prop Scott Wilson and back rowers James McNabney and Lorcan McLoughlin, while academy out-half Jack Murphy was upgraded to a senior contract.[8] Six players joined the academy: hooker Connor Magee, props Tom McAllister and Flynn Longstaff, out-half Daniel Green, and wings Josh Gibson and Aitzol Arenzana-King.[9]

Lock Kieran Treadwell left to join Harlequins.[10] Scrum-half John Cooney joined French club Brive.[11] Flanker Reuben Crothers retired.[12] Lock Alan O'Connor left to become head of rugby development at Ballymena Academy.[13] Prop Andrew Warwick retired from professional rugby and returned to Ballymena RFC;[14] Prop Corrie Barrett, flanker Matty Rea and scrum-half Michael McDonald were released, along with academy players Rory Telfer, Zac Solomon, Jack Boal, Cameron Doak and Ben McFarlane.[15] Out-half Aidan Morgan left by mutual consent,[16] and signed for Toyota Verblitz.[17]

International callups

Seven Ulster players, lock Cormac Izuchukwu, prop Tom O'Toole, hooker Tom Stewart, flanker Nick Timoney, centre Stuart McCloskey, scrum-half Nathan Doak and wing Jacob Stockdale, were named in the Ireland men's squad for the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal. Three more players, flanker James McNabney, centre Jude Postlethwaite and wing Zac Ward, were called up as training panellists,[18] and prop Scott Wilson was called up as injury cover.[19] McNabney sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training.[20]

Izuchukwu, Timoney, Stockdale and McCloskey started against Georgia on 5 July, with Stewart appearing from the bench. Timoney scored a try in a 34-5 victory, but Stockdale was taken off with an arm injury.[21] McCloskey started, and scored a try, with Stewart, O'Toole and Izuchukwu coming off the bench in a 106-7 victory against Portugal on 12 July.[22]

Four Ulster players were named in the Ireland squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup: hooker Neve Jones, back row Brittany Hogan, prop Sadhbh McGrath and lock Fiona Tuite.[23] McGrath and Hogan were named to start the first warm-up match against Scotland on 2 August, with Jones and Tuite on the bench.[24] McGrath scored a try in a 27-21 victory.[25] Jones, Tuite and Hogan were named to start, with McGrath and Claire Boles on the bench, for the second warm-up match against Canada on 9 August.[26] Boles, Hogan, Jones, McGrath and Tuite were all named in the World Cup squad.[27]

Sponsorship

Ulster's principal sponsor, following the end of their deal with Kingspan, is Antrim-based manufacturing company SAM Mouldings.[28] Following a stadium naming deal, Ravenhill will be known as Affidea Stadium.[29]

Staff

Position Name Nationality
Chief executive officer Hugh McCaughey Ireland
General manager Bryn Cunningham Ireland
Head coach Richie Murphy Ireland
Forwards coach Jimmy Duffy Ireland
Backs coach Mark Sexton Ireland
Defence and contact skills coach Willie Faloon Ireland
Development and transition coach Dan Soper New Zealand
Academy manager Gavin Hogg Ireland
Elite performance development officer Niall Annett Ireland
Elite performance development officer Jonathon Graham Ireland

Squad

Senior squad

The below squad reflects the confirmed joiners and leavers for the 2025–26 season. Amendments to the squad will be made as-and-when announcements are confirmed by the province.

Ulster Rugby squad[a]

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.
Italics denote academy players. ST denotes a short-term signing.
  1. ^ Taking into account signings and departures ahead of 2025–26 season as listed on List of 2025–26 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy squad

Ulster Rugby academy squad

Props

  • Ireland Jacob Boyd (3)
  • Ireland Flynn Longstaff (1)
  • Ireland Tom McAllister (1)

Hookers

  • Ireland Connor Magee (1)
  • England Henry Walker* (3)

Locks

  • Ireland James McKillop (2)

Back row

  • Ireland Tom Brigg (3)
  • Ireland Josh Stevens (3)
  • Ireland Bryn Ward (2)

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Clark Logan (2)

Out-halves

  • England Daniel Green* (1)

Centres

Back three

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.

United Rugby Championship

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Benetton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualifies for home URC quarter-final;
Qualification for the 2026–27 Champions Cup
2 Bulls 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Cardiff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Connacht 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Dragons 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualifies for URC quarter-final;
Qualification for the 2026–27 Champions Cup
6 Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Glasgow Warriors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Leinster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Lions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the 2026–27 Challenge Cup
10 Munster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Ospreys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Scarlets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 Sharks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 Stormers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 Zebre Parma 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: unknown. Source: UnitedRugby.com
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won 2) The difference between points for and points against 3) The number of tries scored 4) The most points scored 5) The difference between tries for and tries against 6) The fewest red cards received 7) The fewest yellow cards received.[30]


URC Irish Shield

2025–26 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield tables
Ireland Irish Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
1 Ireland Connacht — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2 Ireland Leinster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
3 Ireland Munster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
4 Ireland Ulster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[31]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received
Green background indicates teams currently leading the regional shield. Upon the conclusion of the regular season, these teams win their respective regional shields.

(S) : URC Shield champion

Fixtures

26 September 2025 Ulster Ireland v Wales Dragons Ravenhill Stadium  
20:05
3 October 2025 Edinburgh Scotland v Ireland Ulster Edinburgh Rugby Stadium  
20:05
11 October 2025 Ulster Ireland v South Africa Bulls Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
18 October 2025 Sharks South Africa v Ireland Ulster Kings Park Stadium  
15:00
25 October 2025 Lions South Africa v Ireland Ulster Ellis Park Stadium  
12:45
28 November 2025 Ulster Ireland v Italy Benetton Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
19 December 2025 Leinster Ireland v Ireland Ulster TBC  
19:45
27 December 2025 Connacht Ireland v Ireland Ulster The Sportsground  
17:30
2 January 2026 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Munster Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
24 January 2026 Scarlets Wales v Ireland Ulster Parc y Scarlets  
15:00
31 January 2026 Ulster Ireland v Wales Cardiff Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
28 February 2026 Ospreys Wales v Ireland Ulster TBC  
19:45
20 March 2026 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
28 March 2026 Zebre Parma Italy v Ireland Ulster Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi  
19:45
17 April 2026 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Leinster Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
25 April 2026 Munster Ireland v Ireland Ulster Thomond Park  
17:40
8 May 2026 Ulster Ireland v South Africa Stormers Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
15 May 2026 Ulster Ireland v Scotland Glasgow Warriors Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45

European Challenge Cup

Ulster have been drawn in Pool 3 of the 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup, alongside Cardiff, Cheetahs, Exeter Chiefs, Racing 92 and Stade Francais.[32] As Cardiff are the only fellow URC team in the pool, Ulster will play each of the other teams once.

EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Wales Cardiff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Home round of 16
2 South Africa Cheetahs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 England Exeter Chiefs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 France Racing 92 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Away round of 16
5 France Stade Français 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Ireland Ulster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: EPCR[33]
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.

Pool matches

5 December 2025   Ulster Ireland v France Racing 92 Ravenhill Stadium  
20:00
12 December 2025  Cardiff Wales v Ireland Ulster Cardiff Arms Park  
20:00
11 January 2026 Cheetahs South Africa v Ireland Ulster TBC  
16:15
17 January 2026 Ulster Ireland v France Stade Français Ravenhill Stadium  
13:00

Friendlies

12 September 2025   Ulster Ireland v Scotland Edinburgh Ravenhill Stadium  
19:35

Ulster Women

The Ulster women's squad was announced in May 2025. Murray Houston remained head coach. Hooker India Daley was named captain, and lock Brenda Barr vice-captain.[34] Three Ulster players, Brittany Hogan, Fiona Tuite and Sadhbh McGrath, were named in the Ireland preparation squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.[35]

Squad

Ulster Senior Women's Squad<[34][36]

Props

  • Ireland Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen/Railway Union)
  • Ireland Bronach Cassidy (Suttonians)
  • Ireland Ava Fannin (Blackrock)
  • Ireland Sophie McAlister (Ballymena)
  • Ireland Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke)
  • Ireland Aishling O'Connell (Cooke)

Hookers

  • Ireland Maebh Clenaghan (Cooke)
  • Ireland Sarah Roberts (Queen's University)
  • Ireland Megan Simpson (Cooke)
  • Ireland Emily Whittle (Blackrock)

Locks

  • Ireland Brenda Barr (Suttonians, vc)
  • Ireland Keelin Brady (Railway Union)
  • Ireland Lauren Darley (Queen's University)
  • Ireland Cara McLean (Larne)
  • Ireland Ellen Patterson (Cooke)

Back row

  • Ireland Rebecca Beacom (Enniskillen)
  • Ireland India Daley (Blackrock, c)
  • Ireland Katie Hetherington (Cooke)
  • Ireland Christy Hill (Cooke)
  • Ireland Moya Hill (Enniskillen)
  • Ireland Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere)
  • Ireland Stacey Sloan (Cooke)
  • Ireland Ruby Starrett (Queen's University)
  • Ireland Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere)

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Georgia Boyce (Cooke)
  • Ireland Rachael McIlroy (Suttonians)

Out-halves

  • Ireland Lauren Farrell-McCabe (Suttonians)
  • Ireland Abby Moyles (UL Bohemian)

Centres

  • Ireland Farrah Cartin McCloskey (Enniskillen)
  • Ireland Catherine Martin (Blackrock)
  • Ireland Kelly McCormill (Cooke)
  • Ireland Tara O'Neill (Cooke)
  • Ireland Siobhan Sheerin (Clogher Valley)

Back three

  • Ireland Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians)
  • Ireland Ciara Fitzsimmons (Queen's University)
  • Ireland Katie Gilmour (Cooke)
  • Ireland Niamh Marley (Cooke)
  • Ireland Erin McConalogue (Inishowen)
  • Ireland Sophie Meeke (Enniskillen)
  • Ireland Paige Smyth (Cooke)
  • Ireland Lucy Thompson (Cooke/Enniskillen)
(c) denotes the team captain, (vc) denotes the team vice-captain. Bold denotes internationally capped players.

Staff

Ulster senior women's coaching staff[34]
Position Name Nationality
Head coach Murray Houston Scotland
Contact skills coach Neill Alcorn Ireland
Defence coach Eric O'Sullivan Ireland
Athletic development coach Kevin Gallagher Ireland
Team manager Marianne Breen Ireland
Physio Martin Dunlop Ireland

Friendlies

21 July 2025   Ulster Ulster 24-12 Connacht Connacht Enniskillen RFC  
Try: Sophie McAllister
Siobhan Sheerin
Ciara O'Donnell
Ciara Fitzsimons
Con: (2)
 Report[37] Try: (2)
Con: (1)
26 July 2025   Ulster Ulster 26-5 Leinster Leinster Portadown RFC  
Try: Stacey Sloan
Siobhan Sheerin
Georgia Boyce
Niamh Marley
Con: Lauren Farrell-McCabe (3)
 Report[38] Try: Teni Onigbode

IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series

The 2025 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series will be played between 10 and 30 August.[39]

10 August 2025   (1 BP) Leinster Leinster 37-21 Ulster Ulster Energia Park  
Try: Kathy Baker (2) 11' 53'
Emma Brogan (3) 17' 39' 78'
Jane Neill 32'
Jade Gaffney 44'
Con: Nikki Caughey 32'
 Report[40] Try: Siobhan Sheerin 34'
India Daley 38'
Sophie Barrett 48'
Con: Siobhan Sheerin (3) 35' 39' 48'
Cards: Brenda Barr Yellow card 51'
Ulster lineup:

1. Sarah Roberts, 2. Maebh Clenaghan, 3. Sophie Barrett,
4. Lauren Darley, 5. Brenda Barr,
6. Ruby Starrett, 7. Katie Hetherington, 8 India Daley (c),
9. Georgia Boyce, 10. Lauren Farrell-McCabe,
11. Paige Smyth, 12. Tara O'Neill, 13. Siobhan Sheerin, 14. Luce Thompson,
15. Niamh Marley.
Replacements:
16. Megan Simpson (for Clenaghan 56'), 17. Cara McLean (for Roberts 56'), 18. Ava Fannin (for Barrett 56'),
19. Rebecca Beacom, 20. Moya Hill (for Daley 40'),
21. Rachael McIlroy (for Boyce 47'), 22. Kelly McCormill (for O'Neill 63'), 23. Stacey Sloan (for Hetherington 63').

16/17 August 2025   Connacht Connacht 12-7 Ulster Ulster Rugby (1 BP) The Sportsground  
Try: Siobhan Sheerin
Con: Siobhan Sheerin
Cards: Brenda Barr Yellow card 		Report[41] Try: Faith Oviawe
Roisin Maher
Con: Éabha Nic Dhonnacha
Ulster lineup:

1. Sarah Roberts, 2. Maebh Clenaghan, 3. Ava Fannin,
4. Lauren Darley, 5. Brenda Barr,
6. Moya Hill, 7. Ruby Starrett, 8. India Daley (c),
9. Georgia Boyce, 10. Lauren Farrell-McCabe,
11. Niamh Marley, 12. Tara O'Neill, 13. Siobhan Sheerin, 14. Lucy Thompson,
15. Kate Farrell-McCabe.
Replacements:
16. Cara McLean, 17. Megan Simpson, 18. Sophie Barrett,
19. Rebecca Beacom, 20 Katie Hetherington,
21. Sophie Meeke, 22. Kelly McCormill, 23. Stacey Sloan.

23 August 2025   Ulster Ulster v Munster Munster Ravenhill Stadium  

Finals

30 August 2025   v Energia Park  

References

  1. ^ Adam McKendry, "New role will help bridge the gap with Ulster’s next generation of stars: Dan Soper", Belfast Telegraph, 22 January 2025
  2. ^ "Ulster Rugby confirm Senior Men’s coaching structure for 2025/26", Ulster Rugby, 12 February 2025
  3. ^ "Ulster Rugby confirm new EPDO coaches", Ulster Rugby, 29 May 2025
  4. ^ a b "Northampton back row Augustus to join Ulster in 2025", BBC Sport, 26 November 2024
  5. ^ a b c "Ulster bolster front-row reserves with two prop signings". Rugby Pass. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Wallaby international prop Angus Bell signs for Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 21 May 2025
  7. ^ a b c Adam McKendry, "Ulster tie down three ‘exciting prospects’ to new deals as former lock makes return", Belfast Telegraph, 16 January 2025
  8. ^ a b "Ulster Rugby confirm Senior Men’s squad for 2025/26", Ulster Rugby, 22 May 2025
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "Ulster Rugby Academy confirmed for 2025/26", Ulster Rugby, 4 June 2025
  10. ^ a b "Ulster lock Treadwell to make Harlequins return", BBC Sport, 30 January 2025
  11. ^ a b "John Cooney to leave Ulster for France at end of season", RTÉ Sport, 17 March 2025
  12. ^ a b Keith Bailie, "'It was my greatest honour to represent my community': Ulster forward retires aged 23", Belfast Telegraph, 16 April 2025
  13. ^ Adam McKendry, "Former Ulster lock takes up new schools coaching role following departure from province", Belfast Telegraph, 25 June 2025
  14. ^ a b "Warwick Goes Back To His Playing Roots With Ballymena". Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Ulster Rugby confirm eight senior players to leave at end of season", Ulster Rugby, 22 April 2025
  16. ^ "Fly-half Morgan to leave Ulster after one season", BBC Sport, 21 May 2025
  17. ^ a b Ned Lester, "Mark Tele'a one of three Kiwis recruited by Steve Hansen's Toyota Verblitz", Rugby Pass, 1 August 2025
  18. ^ Cian Tracey, "Seven Ulster players named in Paul O’Connell’s Ireland squad for summer tour", Belfast Telegraph, 4 June 2025
  19. ^ "Stockdale out of Portugal game with shoulder injury", BBC Sport, 7 July 2025
  20. ^ "McNabney set for extended spell out with ACL injury", BBC Sport, 19 June 2025
  21. ^ "Tommy O’Brien scores two tries on debut as makeshift Ireland ease past Georgia", Rugby Pass, 5 July 2025
  22. ^ "Ireland rack up eye-watering scoreline against Portugal in Lisbon", Rugby Pass, 12 July 2025
  23. ^ "Bemand Names Ireland’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Preparation Squad", Irish Rugby, 29 May 2025
  24. ^ "Ireland Team Named For Clash With Scotland", Irish Rugby, 31 July 2025
  25. ^ "Five-Try Ireland Finish On Top Against Scotland", Irish Rugby, 2 August 2025
  26. ^ "4 Ulster players named in Ireland squad to face Canada in warm-up friendly", Ulster Rugby, 7 August 2025
  27. ^ "Ireland's Squad Named For Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025", Irish Rugby, 11 August 2025
  28. ^ Adam McKendry, "Ulster Rugby confirm local manufacturer to take over from Kingspan as principal sponsor", Belfast Telegraph, 25 March 2025
  29. ^ "Ulster Rugby Announces Long-Term Stadium Naming Rights Partnership with Affidea", Ulster Rugby, 3 July 2025
  30. ^ "Competition rules – United Rugby Championship". United Rugby Championship. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  31. ^ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  32. ^ "EPCR Challenge Cup 2025/26 pool stage draw in full | EPCR Challenge Cup". www.epcrugby.com. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  33. ^ "Pool Tables | EPCR Challenge Cup". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  34. ^ a b c "Daley named Ulster skipper for 2025-26 campaign", BBC Sport, 29 May 2025
  35. ^ "Three Ulster players named in Ireland's Women's Rugby World Cup preparation squad", Ulster Rugby, 29 May 2025
  36. ^ Ulster women squad list, Ulster Rugby, archived 5 August 2025
  37. ^ John McMurtry, "Representative Friendly: Ulster 24 Connacht 12 Women Provincial", The Front Row Union, 21 July 2025
  38. ^ John McMurtry, "Representative Friendly: Ulster 26 Leinster 5 Womens Friendly", The Front Row Union, 28 July 2025
  39. ^ "2025 Women’s Interprovincial Championship | Tickets Now Available", Ulster Rugby, 8 July 2025
  40. ^ "Baker And Brogan The Scoring Stars For Leinster Against Ulster", Irish Rugby, 10 August 2025
  41. ^ Dave Mervyn, "Ulster Women fall to Inter-Pro defeat after gutsy second-half Connacht fightback", Belfast Telegraph, 17 August 2025
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