2025–26 Ulster Rugby season

Ulster Rugby
2025–26 season
Head coachRichie Murphy
Chief executiveHugh McCaughey
CaptainIain Henderson
United Rugby ChampionshipTBC
Challenge CupTBC
← 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

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, props Andrew Warwick and 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.[13] Out-half Aidan Morgan left by mutual consent.[14]

Seven Ulster players, Cormac Izuchukwu, Tom O'Toole, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey, Nathan Doak and Jacob Stockdale, were named in the Ireland squad for the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal. Three more players, James McNabney, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward, were called up as training panellists.[15]

Ulster's principal sponsor, following the end of their deal with Kingspan, is Antrim-based manufacturing company SAM Mouldings.[16] Following a stadium naming deal, Ravenhill will be known as Affidea Stadium.[17]

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

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

Hookers

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

Locks

  • James McKillop (2)

Back row

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

Scrum-halves

  • Clark Logan (2)

Out-halves

  • 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.[18]


URC Irish Shield

2025–26 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield tables
Irish Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
1 Connacht — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2 Leinster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
3 Munster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
4 Ulster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[19]
  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 v Dragons Ravenhill Stadium  
20:05
3 October 2025 Edinburgh v Ulster Edinburgh Rugby Stadium  
20:05
11 October 2025 Ulster v Bulls Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
18 October 2025 Sharks v Ulster Kings Park Stadium  
15:00
25 October 2025 Lions v Ulster Ellis Park Stadium  
12:45
28 November 2025 Ulster v Benetton Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
19 December 2025 Leinster v Ulster TBC  
19:45
27 December 2025 Connacht v Ulster The Sportsground  
17:30
2 January 2026 Ulster v Munster Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
24 January 2026 Scarlets v Ulster Parc y Scarlets  
15:00
31 January 2026 Ulster v Cardiff Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
28 February 2026 Ospreys v Ulster TBC  
19:45
20 March 2026 Ulster v Connacht Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
28 March 2026 Zebre Parma v Ulster Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi  
19:45
17 April 2026 Ulster v Leinster Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
25 April 2026 Munster v Ulster Thomond Park  
17:40
8 May 2026 Ulster v Stormers Ravenhill Stadium  
19:45
15 May 2026 Ulster v 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.[20] 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 Cardiff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Home round of 16
2 Cheetahs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Exeter Chiefs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Racing 92 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Away round of 16
5 Stade Français 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Ulster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: EPCR[21]
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

5/6/7 December 2025   v  
12/13/14 December 2025  v  
9/10/11 January 2026 v  
16/17/18 January 2026 v  

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.[22] 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.[23]

Squad

Ulster senior women's squad[22]

Forwards

  • Brenda Barr (vc)
  • Sophie Barrett
  • Rebecca Beacom
  • Keelin Brady
  • Bronach Cassidy
  • Maebh Clenaghan
  • India Daley (c)
  • Ava Fannin
  • Katie Hetherington
  • Christy Hill
  • Moya Hill
  • Aishling O'Connell
  • Lauren Maginnes
  • Sophie McAlister
  • Cara McLean
  • Ellen Patterson
  • Sarah Roberts
  • Megan Simpson
  • Stacey Sloan
  • Ruby Starrett

Backs

  • Georgia Boyce
  • Farrah Cartin McCloskey
  • Lauren Farrell-McCabe
  • Katie Gilmour
  • Niamh Marley
  • Catherine Martin
  • Erin McConalogue
  • Kelly McCormill
  • Rachael McIlroy
  • Sophie Meeke
  • Abby Moyles
  • Tara O'Neill
  • Siobhan Sheerin
  • Paige Smyth
  • Lucy Thompson
(c) denotes the team captain, (vc) denotes the team vice-captain, bold denotes internationally capped players.

Staff

Ulster senior women's coaching staff[22]
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

IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series

The 2025 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series will be played between 10 and 30 August.[24]

10 August 2025   Leinster v Ulster Energia Park  
16/17 August 2025   Connacht v Ulster Rugby The Sportsground  
23 August 2025   Ulster v 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. ^ "Ulster lock Treadwell to make Harlequins return", BBC Sport, 30 January 2025
  11. ^ "John Cooney to leave Ulster for France at end of season", RTÉ Sport, 17 March 2025
  12. ^ Keith Bailie, "'It was my greatest honour to represent my community': Ulster forward retires aged 23", Belfast Telegraph, 16 April 2025
  13. ^ "Ulster Rugby confirm eight senior players to leave at end of season", Ulster Rugby, 22 April 2025
  14. ^ "Fly-half Morgan to leave Ulster after one season", BBC Sport, 21 May 2025
  15. ^ Cian Tracey, "Seven Ulster players named in Paul O’Connell’s Ireland squad for summer tour", Belfast Telegraph, 4 June 2025
  16. ^ Adam McKendry, "Ulster Rugby confirm local manufacturer to take over from Kingspan as principal sponsor", Belfast Telegraph, 25 March 2025
  17. ^ "Ulster Rugby Announces Long-Term Stadium Naming Rights Partnership with Affidea", Ulster Rugby, 3 July 2025
  18. ^ "Competition rules – United Rugby Championship". United Rugby Championship. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  19. ^ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  20. ^ "EPCR Challenge Cup 2025/26 pool stage draw in full | EPCR Challenge Cup". www.epcrugby.com. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Pool Tables | EPCR Challenge Cup". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  22. ^ a b c "Daley named Ulster skipper for 2025-26 campaign", BBC Sport, 29 May 2025
  23. ^ "Three Ulster players named in Ireland's Women's Rugby World Cup preparation squad", Ulster Rugby, 29 May 2025
  24. ^ "2025 Women’s Interprovincial Championship | Tickets Now Available", Ulster Rugby, 8 July 2025
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