Chris Henry commits future to Ulster

Posted on Oct 21, 2011 in Irish Rugby, Pro12, RaboDirect Pro 12, RaboDirect Pro12, Ulster

Ulster Rugby today announced that back row forward Chris Henry has signed a two year contract extension keeping him at the club until at least June 2014.

The once-capped Ireland international joined Ulster on a development contract in 2006 before signing his first professional contract with the Province in 2007/08.

Henry made 29 appearances for Ulster last season, more than any other player with the exception of Pedrie Wannenburg who also made 29. His role as a key member of the team which reached the Magners League play off and the Heineken Cup quarter finals was recognised with a nomination for ‘Player of the Year’ at the Ulster Rugby Awards last May.

This season, Henry was handed the captaincy by Brian McLaughlin in the absence of Rory Best and Johann Muller who were on World Cup duty for Ireland and South Africa respectively.

On signing the extension, Chris said:

“I’m delighted to have signed the extension. It’s something you have to think about hard but as far as I’m concerned I’ve had an absolute blast in my last couple of seasons at Ulster and this is where I want to be.

“I’ve dealt with Brian for a long time now since we worked together at Ulster Schools’ and I’ve built up a good relationship with him and the rest of the coaching staff as well. I’m very comfortable being here and I get on really well with everybody. It’s a really tightly knit group of players and coaches, and it’s a great working environment. I’m very excited to have got the contract signed and it allows me to concentrate solely on rugby for the next three years.

“In the last couple of years the team have definitely improved and moved forward. Our success last year has really given us motivation to carry that forward and without a doubt I want to win some silverware in my career and that’s hopefully where Ulster are moving forward to.”

Commenting on Ulster’s poor recent run of results he said:

“We started really well with our first three games and obviously it’s very difficult when you lose a certain number of games in a row and confidence is down. But we’ve got a lot of internationals coming back from the World Cup and we’ve got a really exciting team and we’ve just got to keep our confidence. Personally I’m really looking forward to the next run of games and hopefully getting some good results.”

Ulster Director of Rugby is delighted Chris has committed his long term future to the club:

“We are very happy to have secured Chris’ services beyond the end of this season until 2014. Over the past couple of years Chris has developed into a key member of the Ulster team and his ability to play in a number of positions across the back row had been invaluable to the squad and the coaching staff.

“In the modern game, player durability is becoming a vital part of player recruitment and Chris has been consistently available for selection throughout the last few seasons.

As one of our senior players, Chris has captained the team throughout the World Cup period and we are delighted that he has committed his future to Ulster Rugby.”

Jared makes debut for Ulster against Cardiff

Posted on Sep 14, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

New signing Jared Payne is in line to make his Ulster debut this Friday against Cardiff Blues after he was named in the preliminary 29 man squad by Brian McLaughlin.

The New Zealander arrived in Belfast last week and has quickly settled within the squad. The versatile player will offer McLaughlin a few options as he can operate on the wing, at fullback or in the centre.

Ulster made it two wins from their opening two games after a hard fought win over Aironi over the weekend. They will now look to repeat last season’s feat of winning their first three games of the campaign.

Ulster have won all eight home matches they have played at Ravenhill in 2011 but will face a stern test of their credentials against an in-form Cardiff. The Welsh side sit top of the pile in the RaboDirect PRO12 having brushed aside Edinburgh and Treviso to register two bonus point wins.

Forwards
Paddy McAllister, Callum Black, Jerry Cronin, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, John Burns, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Mike McComish, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack

Backs
Paul Marshall, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Ian Whitten, Luke Marshall, Nevin Spence, Darren Cave, Jared Payne, Conor Gaston, Craig Gilroy, Adam D’Arcy

Ulster bank junior cup draw

Posted on Aug 24, 2011 in Age Grade Rugby, Irish Rugby

The draw for the first round of the Ulster Bank Junior Cup was made by IRFU President John Hussey and Chairman of the Domestic Game Stephen Hilditch in the IRFU offices on Lansdowne Road today.

Defending champions Crosshaven, the first Munster club to win the title, have been drawn away to Ulster side Cooke in the opening round. Last season’s beaten finalists Monivea will make the trip to Skerries while previous winners Tullamore have been drawn at home to Kilfeacle.

The Ulster Bank Junior Cup has proved hugely popular with clubs and supporters and the cup finals have provided some dramatic rugby action since the competition began.

A number of previous winners have gone on to gain promotion to the Ulster Bank League including Rainey OB, Seapoint, Navan and City of Derry.

Ulster Bank Junior Cup 1^st Round, Saturday October 22nd
Tullamore V Kilfeacle
Portadown V Westport
Coolmine V Tralee
Coleraine V Tuam
Skerries V Monivea
Academy V Richmond
Cooke V Crosshaven
Dundalk V Ballina

2^nd Round – November 26^th
Semi Finals – February 4^th
Final – February 18^th

Canadian international stays at Albion

Posted on Jun 21, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Influential captain Sean-Michael Stephen has committed his future to Plymouth Albion.

The Canadian international is the latest player to sign a new deal at Brickfields.

Stephen joined Albion in 2008 and took over skippering the side last year.

His performances in 2010/11 saw him win The Herald readers’ Albion player of the year award and also earn a recall to the Canada squad.

Stephen featured in Canada’s autumn internationals and was named in their Churchill Cup squad, but had to pull out due to a back injury he picked up towards the end of last season."

It is important we have players of proven quality who want to stay with the club," said Albion’s chairman of rugby Graham Dawe.

Meanwhile, Albion have added young Ulster-born hooker David McGregor to their squad for the 2011/12 season.

The 21-year-old, who can also play flanker, spent last season at Albion’s Championship rivals Rotherham.

"Davy is a young guy who is prepared to back himself to try and get into the squad on a regular basis," added Dawe.

Ulster confirms pre-season schedule

Posted on Jun 10, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Ulster Rugby today confirmed its pre-season friendly schedule for 2011-12.

Ulster will take on French Top 14 side Bayonne on Wednesday 10^th August as part of a five day pre-season training camp in the south of France. The match will be played at Bayonne’s  Parc des Sports Jean Dauger with an 8pm kickoff.

Bayonne, who finished in 7^th place in the 10/11 Top 14 Championship recently announced that they have recruited All-Black Joe Rokocoko on a two year deal from the Auckland Blues.

Ulster’s home pre-season friendly will be played against Harlequins at Ravenhill on Friday 26^th August with a 7.30pm kick off. Harlequins recently defeated Stade Francais in the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup finished in seventh place in the Aviva Premiership last season.

Tickets for the home pre-season friendly will go on sale from Monday 4th July although 2011/12 season ticket holders are reminded that this game is included in the package

The competitive season gets underway the following weekend with the first RaboDirect Pro12 game scheduled for the weekend of the 2/3/4^th September.