Ulster let a play-off place slip away from them last season. Don’t expect them to repeat the same mistake.
Ulster seems to be on the upside. Despite a dramatic decline in the United Rugby Championship last season, they still reached the final of the Challenge Cup (where they lost to the brilliant Montpellier), and appear to have the personnel for a sustained play-off challenge this year. Stuart McCloskey looks set to be at the center of the action, after the veteran center had the season of his life last year.
Below, The world of rugby outlines Ulster’s prospects heading into the new season. We’ll also be running guides for everything United Rugby Championship and Gallagher PREM sides in preparation for the big kick-off.
Ulster Discussions
Ulster’s Great Revolution derailed last season as they plunged into the URC. In the final of the Challenge Cup, they remained in search of the first trophy in the last 20 years, only to be defeated by Montpellier.
Richie Murphy’s side were pushing for a draw at home in the play-offs after beating Zebre at the end of March. Then they imploded, failing to win any of their last four games.
At home to the Stormers, Nathan Doak went from hero in a save attempt to a last-minute penalty try. That 38-38 tie, and late Kyle Rowe a result which saw Glasgow win 26-22 in Belfast, cost Ulster a place in the play-offs and doom them to this season’s Challenge Cup.
Positive things? Ulster played some wonderful rugby for long periods last season and fielded ten players for Ireland Nations Championship squad. I Joe Schmidtthe former Ireland and Wallabies boss, has joined in a consultancy capacity as a coach development adviser, a new role focused on developing the coaching pathway in the province.
A key player
Stuart McCloskey won every player of the year award for Ulster and Ireland. The 34-year-old has scored just two tries but has chipped in with ten assists throughout the campaign. He also led the way in Six Nations with 18 dominant contacts and eight turnovers won.
The man dubbed the ‘Irish Fridge’ by the French media was sorely missed in the final season after injuring his hamstring.
Stuart McCloskey was in excellent form for club and country last season (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
One to watch
Matthew Devine reunites with Murphy, his old Ireland U20 coach, and arrives in Ulster with big ambitions. Devine was highly touted for years but left Connacht after becoming frustrated with a lack of meaningful minutes. He will battle Doak for the number 9 jersey and will back himself to make an impact.
Trainer box
Murphy retained the coaching services of Mark Sexton, Willie Faloon and Dan Soper. But Clarke Dermody, formerly of the Highlanders, takes over from Jimmy Duffy as forwards coach.
Ulster Prediction 2026-27
No pain in Ulster this time. They will make great progress in the URC – top four is a realistic goal.
Ulster 2026-27 quotas
16-1
Vital statistics
Ulster won the fewest penalties last season (11) and took the fewest handballs (373).
New signing Matthew Devine could make a big impact from scrum-half (Paul Phelan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Signing Ulster
- Matthew Devine (Connacht)
- Chay Mullins (Connacht)
- Eduardo Bello (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- Eli Snyman (Benetton)
- Jamie Benson (Harlequins)
- Ben Donnell (Cardiff)
- Keynan Knox (Nevers)
- Daniel Hawkshaw (Clontarf)
- Marton Moloney (Exeter Chiefs)
Ulster ddepartures
- Angus Bell (Waratahs)
- Werner Kok (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- James Humphreys
- (Ealing Trailfinders)
- Matthew Dalton (Kobelco Kobe Steelers)
- Bryan O’Connor (released)
- Rory McGuire (published)
- John Andrew (released)
- Ben Moxham (released)
- Dave Shanahan (released)
- Sean Reffell (published)
- Marcus Rea (released)
- Lorcan McLoughlin (released)
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