Ulster

Image source, Inpho

New Ulster signing Ben Donnell said a motivating factor in his move to the province was the chance to force his way into the Ireland set-up and play international rugby.

The 26-year-old is Irish-qualified through his Belfast-born father and as well as the chance to discover where his father grew up, he is aiming to catch Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's eye at his new club.

"My dad being from here, I wanted to see what Belfast was like and what it was like for him growing up here, but also I'm Irish-qualified and it gives me the chance to play international rugby," he told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy.

"At Cardiff I wasn't Welsh-qualified so no matter how well I played I couldn't play international rugby there, so that is what attracted me.

"The club as well, I played here before the 3G pitch was in and it was packed and the atmosphere was amazing so that was another exciting thing that drew me in."

Donnell represented England at U18 and U20 level and had spells at London Irish and Gloucester Rugby, before joining Cardiff in 2023.

He was a regular feature in the United Rugby Championship with the Welsh side, who finished sixth last year, three places ahead of Ulster.

Donnell added that Richie Murphy's side must aim to return to the top eight in the URC this season and try to atone for their Challenge Cup final defeat against Montpellier.

"Top eight is the target as it always is. You want to play finals rugby and when you get top eight you never know what can happen," he added.

"They narrowly missed out last year and it would be good to go one better in Challenge Cup too."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

More than 100 days on from a chastening Challenge Cup final defeat by Montpellier, Ulster return to action on Friday with a pre-season against Edinburgh in the Scottish capital (19:45 BST).

There has been much change at Ulster this summer and Richie Murphy's line-up for Friday's hit-out reflects as much.

There is a new pair of new faces in the half-backs. Irish-qualified Jamie Benson, who arrived from Harlequins over the summer, starts at fly-half alongside scrum-half Matthew Devine, who was recruited from Connacht.

Devine was Murphy's starting nine during Ireland's Six Nations Under-20 Grand Slam campaign in 2022.

There are fresh faces further back, too. Daniel Hawkshaw, another of Murphy's Under-20 class four years ago, starts at inside centre while Chay Mullins is handed a first run-out on the right wing after joining from Connacht.

Aitzol Arenzana-King, who marked his senior debut with a try in a loss to Munster in April, starts on the left wing while the experienced Mike Lowry captains the side from full-back.

A primary focus for Ulster in their off-season dealings centred on bolstering Murphy's options up front with props Eduardo Bello and Martin Moloney signed and hooker Henry Walker elevated from the academy.

All three are on the bench on Friday alongside academy prop Flynn Longstaff and new signings Eli Snyman and Ben Donnell, who will strengthen Murphy's hand further back in the scrum.

"We're looking to see that we go really hard after our set-piece," said Ulster general manager Rory Best.

"If you want to be competitive at this level you have to have a strong set-piece. We know from last season that our attacking game is strong so we want to make sure that we can provide as perfect a ball as we can to let that backline play.

"In defence, we want to bring in abrasive people who are going to make an impact, slow the ball down for the opposition and speed it up for us.

"There's going to be some new additions, mostly up front, and hopefully the fans will come out and see a continuation of the evolution we saw last year."

Image source, Getty Images

Murphy is still without his Ireland squad members while Iain Henderson (hip), Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) are sidelined.

However, Ulster fans will be buoyed to see James McNabney in action on Friday after the 23-year-old back row missed the entire 2025-26 season with knee and ankle injuries.

Ulster return to Hive Stadium after beating Edinburgh 40-19 at the venue in March. The sides also meet in the United Rugby Championship opener in Belfast on 25 September after Ulster's second pre-season game at home to Ospreys on 13 September.

Ulster: Mike Lowry (capt); Chay Mullins, Ben Carson, Daniel Hawkshaw, Aitzol Arenzana-King; Jamie Benson, Matthew Devine; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom McAllister, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, David McCann.

Replacements: Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Martin Moloney, James McNabney, Clark Logan, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Jed Findlay, Jack Murphy.

Image source, BBC Sport NI

Ulster's new signing Eli Snyman said the chance to join Richie Murphy's side was "an opportunity I could not say no to."

Snyman joined the province from Italian side Benetton and became general manager Rory Best's first signing in January when he signed a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old will strengthen Ulster's options in the second row which also include Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes.

"I think it is a very proud club," Snyman told BBC Sport NI.

"It was an opportunity I could not say no to, and I am grateful to be and appreciative to be given this opportunity and hopefully I can make the most of it and do well with the boys.

"I just want to help add to the team where I can and help out."

Ulster's United Rugby Championship campaign starts on 25 September when they welcome Edinburgh to the Affidea Stadium.

Synman added that the future is "looking good" for the side who are aiming to bounce back from last season's disappointment when they failed to qualify for the Investec Champions Cup before losing the Challenge Cup final against Montpellier.

"There are a great number of very young, talented players here who are really hungry to play," he continued.

"They are pushing each other, and they are pushing all the older guys every day, so it is really difficult, but it is good.

"I think the future is certainly looking good for Ulster in terms of the number of really talented, young players."

Issy Todd
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship

Connacht (10) 10

Tries: Heaney, Deely

Ulster (24) 29

Tries: McKinley, Clenaghan 2, Marley, Sheerin Cons: Moyles 2

Ulster completed their Women's Interprovincial Championship campaign on a high with a third place finish, following a strong 29-10 victory over Connacht at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

After a narrow 15-10 defeat by the western province in the opening interpro in August, Murray Houston's side came out determined to rectify the result and two tries by Maebh Clenaghan in the first half, along with scores by Olivia McKinley and Niamh Marley, gave the visitors a strong lead at the break.

Connacht made a flying start when Aoife Heaney raced through multiple defenders to score after just a minute, following a quick pop pass from Anna McGann.

Ulster hit back almost immediately with McKinley crossing from close range after a patient spell of possession to get her second senior try with Abby Moyles adding the conversion.

Houston's side extended their lead through a powerful maul, with Maebh Clenaghan dotting down.

Connacht responded on 13 minutes through Maebh Deeley who missed her own conversion, but they would lose Ailish Quinn to the sin bin after a series of penalties.

Ulster took advantage as Maebh Clenaghan got over for her second try and following a superb 50:22 from Moyles, a fine move off the line-out resulted in Marley finishing to open a 24-10 lead at the break.

It was a scrappier second period with the only score coming five minutes from time as Sheerin collected a crossfield kick by Moyles to cement an impressive victory and a third-place finish for Ulster.

Connacht: Clara Barrett; Aoife Heaney, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Clare Gorman; Meabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly (co-capt); Ella Burns, Stacy Hanley, Lily Morris, Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey, Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn (co-capt), Jemima Adams Verling.

Replacements: Kara Mulcahy, Evie Kennedy, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Roisin Power, Emily Foley, Siofra Hession, Sarah Purcell.

Ulster: Ella Durkan; Katie Gilmour, Caitlin Crowe, Leah Irwin, Niamh Marley; Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy; Sarah Roberts, Maebh Clenaghan, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Olivia McKinley, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Claire Boles (capt).

Replacements: Emily Whittle, Sophie Barrett, Ava Fannin, Ellen Patterson, Stacey Sloan, Georgia Boyce, Siobhan Sheerin, Rebecca Mann.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss several months of the new season following hip surgery.

The 34-year-old, who won the last of his 86 Ireland caps against New Zealand in November, missed the end of the northern province's season through suspension.

A red card against the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC) resulted in a three-game ban that included the Challenge Cup final defeat by Montpellier in Bilbao.

The second row made his Ulster debut in April 2012 and first appeared for Ireland against South Africa in November of the same year.

A two-time tourist with the British and Irish Lions, he was named captain of his province following Rory Best's retirement in 2019.

Ulster start their URC season at home to Edinburgh on 25 September and Henderson is not head coach Richie Murphy's sole injury concern.

Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) have all also had surgery during the off-season and, according to the province, "are currently undergoing a period of rehabilitation".

Issy Todd
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

Ulster second row Fiona Tuite said her side "need to execute more" after their narrow 15-10 defeat against Connacht in the first round of their Interprovincial Championship.

The two sides were level after a tight first half, but a dominant second period from the Westerners helped them to victory.

Despite the home defeat, Tuite believes there were positives to take for her side.

"That was one of the feistiest Ulster performances we've had, particularly in opening games. Usually we leave it until the final, but that was incredible," she told BBC Sport NI.

"Connacht were brilliant. Their backs throw the ball so well and then Anna McGann just glides through to score tries.

"The girls put in a serious shift and I'm really proud of everything they did today. I'm looking forward to building again for next week."

Next up for Ulster is a trip to Musgrave Park to take on Munster on Saturday, 15 August and Tuite wants her side to be better in a number of areas as they hunt a first victory.

"We need to execute a bit more, particularly our lineout. When we get opportunities down towards the 22, we need to be more clinical," she added.

"Our defence today was incredible. We need to continue that. It's our new standard.

"If we focus on those areas and execute them, keep the defence where it is and play in the right areas, we'll be flying.

"We have wins in us. I think they're coming. We're on the brink of it. We have even more young girls coming through and hopefully our internationals will get a few more minutes next week."

Image source, Inpho

Ulster have added centre Daniel Hawkshaw and back row Martin Moloney to their squad ahead of the new United Rugby Championship season.

Hawkshaw, 24, played under Ulster head coach Richie Murphy with Ireland's Under-20s and won a Grand Slam in 2022.

He came through Connacht's academy and was also part of Ireland's Sevens programme.

Back row Moloney, 26, most recently had a two-year stint with Exeter Chiefs and came through Leinster's academy before he made the move to England in 2024.

Both players have signed one-year deals with Murphy's side.

Rory Best, Ulster's general manager, said he was "delighted" to welcome the pair to the Affidea Stadium.

"Both are talented players who have shown their potential and ability at club level," Best said.

"Both provide us with more depth options and competition for places as we prepare for the new season ahead."

Ulster start their new campaign at home to Edinburgh on 25 September.

Image source, Getty Images

The 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup fixture details have been confirmed.

Munster will open their Champions Cup campaign at home to Racing 92 on 17 October, a day after the 10th anniversary of Anthony Foley's death.

The province said it is in talks with Cork GAA about hosting the fixture at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Munster will also travel to Bristol Bears and holders Bordeaux-Begles before welcoming Gloucester to Thomond Park.

Beaten 2026 finalists Leinster begin their latest bid for a fifth title away to Clermont on 17 October.

They will host Sale Sharks and Pau at yet-to-be confirmed home venues before travelling to Leicester Tigers.

Connacht host Saracens on 17 October and travel to Exeter Chiefs before hosting six-time champions Toulouse in Galway. Their final game is away to La Rochelle.

In the Challenge Cup, Ulster face away games against Bayonne and Dragons and away ties with Zebre and Perpignan, with Richie Murphy's side hoping to go one better after losing this year's final to Montpellier.

Champions Cup fixtures (times BST & GMT)

Munster

17 October - Munster v Racing 92, TBC, 20:00

12 December - Bristol Bears v Munster, Ashton Gate, 20:00

10 January - Bordeaux-Begles v Munster, Stade Chaban Delmas, 16:15

16 January - Munster v Gloucester, Thomond Park, 17:30

Leinster

17 October - Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, Stade Marcel-Michelin, 15:15

12 December - Leinster v Sale Sharks, TBC, 17:30

9 January - Leinster v Pau, TBC, 17:30

16 January - Leicester Tigers v Leinster, Welford Road, 20:00

Connacht

17 October - Connacht v Saracens, Dexcom Stadium, 17:30

13 December - Exeter Chiefs v Connacht, Sandy Park, 13:00

9 January - Connacht v Toulouse, Dexcom Stadium, 20:00

16 January - La Rochelle v Connacht, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 17:30

Challenge Cup fixtures

Ulster

17 October - Zebre v Ulster, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 15:15

12 December - Ulster v Bayonne, Affidea Stadium, 13:00

10 January - Perpignan v Ulster, Stade Aime Giral, 13:00

16 January - Ulster v Dragons, Affidea Stadium, 15:15

Image source, Inpho

Ulster will face Cheetahs, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonnais and Zebre in pool one of the 2026-27 European Challenge Cup.

Richie Murphy's side lost this year's final against Montpellier and are back in the second-tier European competition after finishing ninth in the United Rugby Championship table.

They have been drawn against French opposition again in Top 14 sides Bayonnais and Perpignan, who finished 12th and 13th in the division.

The province will also come up against South African side Cheetahs, who they beat in the group stage last year, as well as familiar URC opposition in Italian side Zebre and Welsh team Dragons.

In the Champions Cup, this year's beaten finalists Leinster will be up against French sides Clermont Auvergne and Pau as well as English teams Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks and fellow URC outfit Glasgow Warriors in Pool One.

Due to tournament rules, the URC champions will not play against Glasgow.

Connacht, who sneaked into the URC play-offs and qualified for the Champions Cup ahead of Ulster, have been handed a tough draw in Pool Two.

They will be up against Toulouse, Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle, Saracens, Exeter Chiefs and Lions, who they will not play.

Munster are in Pool Three and will take on back-to-back winners Bordeaux, Racing 92, English sides Bristol Bears and Gloucester and Stormers, who they won't face.

The pool stage of both the 2026-27 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will see the introduction of try-scoring bonus points awarded only to teams who cross at least three more times than their opponents – rather than for simply scoring four or more tries.

There will also be a change in qualification criteria for the last-16 stage with only three teams from each of the four pools going through automatically, with the remaining four last-16 spots allocated on the basis of table points collected.

Champions Cup draw

Pool 1: Leinster, Glasgow, Pau, Sale, Leicester, Clermont

Pool 2: Toulouse, Lions, Saracens, La Rochelle, Exeter, Connacht

Pool 3: Bordeaux-Begles, Stormers, Racing 92, Munster, Bristol, Gloucester

Pool 4: Northampton, Bath, Cardiff, Montpellier, Stade Francais, Bulls

Challenge Cup draw

Pool 1: Cheetahs, Ulster, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonne, Zebre

Pool 2: Treviso, Lyon, Newcastle, Sharks, Castres, Scarlets

Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh, Black Lion, Harlequins, Toulon, Vannes

Image source, Inpho

Ulster's dream of ending a 20-year wait for silverware was crushed in emphatic fashion as Montpellier produced a relentless display to win Friday's Challenge Cup final 59-26 in Bilbao.

The French side ran in nine tries to become the first team to score more than 50 points in a European final, condemning Ulster to another season in Europe's second tier.

When asked about the difference between the teams, Ulster boss Richie Murphy told BBC Sport NI: "A lot of power. I thought we started well going 7-0 up, a little mistake on an exit costs us seven points.

"We needed to get out ahead and we couldn't manage to do that. It was really difficult to play in the heat it cause a lot of slippy ball.

"We didn't want to make it a set piece game against one of the best teams in France and the world. We're a young side, we'll learn from this and move on. I can't fault the effort."

On his post-match message to the players, he added: "I haven't said too much in there really.

"We are two years into the club, we're moving in the right direction but it's tough, we can see areas around our scrum and line-out need to improve to compete at the top level."

Ulster winger Rob Baloucoune, who marked his return from injury with a well-taken try, said: ""Tough conditions coming into that as the first game back and the result is bitterly disappointing. We were looking to come out and come home with the cup and that wasn't the case.

"We knew they would be strong, they're second in the Top 14 and we came out strong, started well but let them into the game through easy mistakes.

"If you let a team like that into the game easily you're always going to be in the bad side of it."