2000–01 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Harry Williams
Captain(s)David Humphreys
Most appearancesJustin Fitzpatrick, Gary Longwell, Andy Ward, Tony McWhirter, Brad Free, David Humphreys, Ryan Constable, James Topping (12 each)
Top scorerDavid Humphreys (148)
Most triesJames Topping (6)
League(s)Heineken Cup (4th in pool)
IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd)
← 1999–2000 2001–02 →

The 2000–01 season was Ulster Rugby's sixth since the advent of professionalism, and their third under coach Harry Williams. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship. Williams announced in August 2000 that he would leave at the end of the season.[1]

The IRFU rejected a proposal for a Celtic League involving three of the Irish provinces, two Scottish super-districts and seven Welsh clubs, each playing 22 matches. The IRFU argued that the structure proposed would add too many games and leave provincial players unable to play for their clubs, and made a counter-proposal of an eleven-game season, which the Welsh and Scottish unions rejected.[2] Discussions continued,[3] and a format was finally agreed for the following season.[4]

They were bottom of their pool in the Heineken Cup, failing to qualify for the knockout stage. They finished second in the Interprovincial Championship, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. The average crowd at Interprovincial matches was 7,000, comparing favourably to 3,000 in the English first division.[5] Tyrone Howe was Ulster's Player of the Year, and was selected for the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Player transfers

Squad

Ulster Rugby squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

  • South Africa Grant Henderson
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.

    2000–01 Heineken Cup

    Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
    Wales Cardiff 640218135182146368
    England Saracens 640214131174140348
    France Toulouse 621319154171182−115
    Ireland Ulster 61141121−10146205−593
    6 October 2000
    19:15
    Ulster Ireland32 – 23Wales Cardiff
    Try: Constable
    Howe
    Con: Humphreys (2)
    Pen: Humphreys (5)
    Drop: Humphreys    		Report[14]Try: Jenkins
    Morgan
    Con: Jenkins (2)
    Pen: Jenkins (3)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 12,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Nelson, 20), Mark Blair (for Johns, 61), Clem Boyd (for Best, 65).


    15 October 2000
    15:00
    Saracens England55 – 25Ireland Ulster
    Try: Hill (2)
    McRae
    Luger (3)
    Con: Castaignède (5)
    Pen: Castaignède (5)    		Report[15][16]Try: Stewart
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (6)
    Vicarage Road
    Attendance: 11,258
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Derek Topping, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Johns, 40). Chris McCarey (for D. Topping, 68), Sheldon Coulter (for Stewart, 79).


    22 October 2000
    15:00
    Toulouse France35 – 35Ireland Ulster
    Try: Pelous
    Labit
    Fillol
    Desbrosse
    Con: Marfaing (3)
    Pen: Marfaing (3)    		Report[17]Try: Free
    Howe
    J. Bell
    J. Topping
    Con: Humphreys (3)
    Pen: Humphreys (3)
    Stadium Municipal
    Attendance: 14,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Ryan Constable, 13. Jonny Bell 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Shane Stewart (for Constable, 40), Clem Boyd (for Best, 40), Paul Shields (for Weir, 72).


    27 October 2000
    19:30
    Ulster Ireland25 – 29France Toulouse
    Try: Ward
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (6)    		Report[18]Try: Desbrosse
    Servat
    Con: Delaigue
    Marfaing
    Pen: Delaigue (5)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 12,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Russell, 16).


    12 January 2001
    19:05
    Cardiff Wales42 – 16Ireland Ulster
    Try: Robinson (2)
    Jenkins
    Quinnell
    Con: Jenkins (2)
    Pen: Jenkins (5)
    Drop: Jenkins    		Report[19]Try: J. Topping (2)
    Pen: Humphreys (2)
    Cardiff Arms Park
    Attendance: 10,500
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Stan McDowell.


    19 January 2001
    19:30
    Ulster Ireland13 – 21England Saracens
    Try: Humphreys
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (2)    		Report[20]Try: Shanklin
    McRae
    Hill
    Con: McRae (3)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 13,500
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Paddy Johns, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Ryan Constable, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. James Topping, 15. Stan McDowell. Replacements: Niall Malone (for J. Bell, 47), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 48), Stephen Bell (for Free, 48), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 58), Clem Boyd (for Best, 60), Sheldon Coulter (for McDowell, 80).

    2000-01 IRFU Interprovincial Championship

    Team P W D L F A BP Pts Status
    651015199123 Champions; qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
    6303144119315 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
    6213109111212 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
    610510017515

    Top three teams qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.

    1 September 2000
    Ulster Ulster16-21Munster Munster
    Try: Ward
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (3)    		Report[21]Pen: O'Gara (5)
    Drop: O'Gara (2)
    Ravenhill
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Paddy Johns, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson.


    9 September 2000
    Connacht Connacht15-39Ulster Ulster
    Try: Lee
    Elwood
    Con: Elwood
    Pen: Elwood    		Report[22]Try: Nelson
    Johns
    J. Bell
    J. Topping
    Stewart
    Con: Humphreys (4)
    Pen: Humphreys (3)
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Longwell, 60), Shane Stewart (for Henderson, 63), Stephen Bell (for Free, 71), Derek Topping (for Ward, 74)


    15 September 2000
    Leinster Leinster19-6Ulster Ulster
    Try: Hickie
    Con: McHugh
    Pen: McHugh (2)
    Dempsey    		Report[23]Pen: Humphreys (2)
    Donnybrook
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 40), Shane Stewart (for Henderson, 67), Stephen Bell (for Free, 75).
    22 September 2000
    Ulster Ulster26-13Leinster Leinster
    Try: J. Bell
    Ward
    Con: Humphreys (2)
    Pen: Humphreys (4)    		Report[24]Try: McHugh
    Con: McHugh
    Drop: O'Driscoll
    Ravenhill
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Nelson, 59), Stephen Bell (for Free, 63), Shane Stewart (for J. Topping, 77).


    29 September 2000
    Munster Munster29-21Ulster Ulster
    Try: Crotty
    Horgan
    Con: O'Gara (2)
    Pen: O'Gara (5)    		Report[25]Try: Free
    J. Topping
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (3)
    Thomond Park
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Shane Stewart, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 64), Mark Blair (for Johns, 71), Clem Boyd (for Best, 71), Stephen Bell (for Free, 76).


    3 November 2000
    Ulster Ulster36-22Connacht Connacht
    Try: J. Topping
    Blair (2)
    Humphreys
    Ward
    Con: Humphreys (4)
    Pen: Humphreys    		Report[26]Try: O'Connor
    Munn
    Schoemann
    Con: Munn (2)
    Pen: Munn
    Ravenhill
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Simon Best (for Boyd, 32), Paddy Johns (for Longwell, 40), Paul Shields (for Weir, 50), Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 62), Neil Doak (for Free, 67).

    Friendlies

    5 August 2000
    Ulster Ireland31-12England Leicester Tigers
    Try: Topping
    Malone
    Coulter
    McWhirter
    B. Cunningham
    Con: Malone (2)
    Humphreys    		Report[27]Try: Howard
    Reeves
    Con: Meenan
    Omagh Academicals RFC
    Referee: Gareth Doyle
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Simon Best, Richie Weir, John Campbell, Aidan Kearney, Chris McCarey, Derek Topping, Stephen Bell, Niall Malone, Sheldon Coulter, Seamus Mallon, Bryn Cunningham.
    11 August 2000
    Coventry England0-64Ireland Ulster
    Report[28]Try: McWhirter
    Stewart
    Topping (3)
    Penalty try
    Humphreys
    Coulter
    Howe
    Con: Humphreys (7)
    Coundon Road Stadium
    Referee: M. Fox
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Simon Best, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Justin Fitzpatrick (for Best, 45'), Niall Malone (for Cunningham, 56'), Richie Weir (for Clarke, 60'), John Campbell (for BOyd, 67') Seamus Mallon (for Humphreys, 70'), Derek Topping (for Nelson, 70').
    11 August 2000
    Ulster Ireland37-11Scotland Edinburgh Reivers
    Try: Free (2)
    Stewart (2)
    Nelson
    Topping
    Con: Humphreys (2)
    Pen: Humphreys    		ReportTry: Tom Weir
    Pen: Duncan Hodge (2)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 6,000
    Referee: M. Fox
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Richie Weir (for Clarke, 8') Derek Topping (for Ward, 8-19', for McWhirter, 48') Paddy Johns (for Blair, 24-36') Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick, 69') Sheldon Coulter (for Howe, 78')

    Ulster Rugby Awards

    The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 24 May 2001. Winners were:[29]

    References

    1. ↑ "Williams to quit as Ulster coach", BBC Sport, 31 August 2000
    2. ↑ Tony Ward, "IRFU says no to plans for new Celtic League", Irish Independent, 14 March 2000
    3. ↑ Kieran Rooney, "Celtic League looming large in rugby horizon", Irish Independent, 18 August 2000
    4. ↑ "Celtic League gets green light to kick off in August", Evening Herald, 31 May 2001
    5. ↑ Barry Coughlan, "Doubts remain about benefits of Celtic League", Irish Examiner, 4 October 2000
    6. ↑ "Prop Boyd forced to retire", BBC Sport, 4 November 2003
    7. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Campbell signed up to replace Veitayaka [sic]", Belfast Telegraph, 10 May 2000
    8. ↑ Gavin Mairs, "Retiring Ulster ace gets a big vote of thanks", Belfast Telegraph, 4 July 2008
    9. ↑ "The joy of being free of injury", Irish Times, 26 October 2000
    10. ↑ "Brad Free to play for Ireland", Irish Independent, 29 October 1997
    11. ↑ Richard Bullick, "Ulster sign Springboks", News Letter, 23 June 2000
    12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jonathan McConnell, "Ulster recruit South Africans", ESPN Scrum, 23 June 2000
    13. ↑ Gavin Mortimer, "The ten biggest flops in the Top 14", Rugby World, 18 December 2013
    14. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Rugby: Super Ulster right back in business", Belfast Telegraph, 5 July 2008
    15. ↑ Ian Malin, "Gallic genius triggers Luger", The Guardian, 16 October 2000
    16. ↑ "Saracens too strong for Ulster", BBC Sport, 15 October 2000
    17. ↑ "Ulster earn remarkable draw", BBC Sport, 22 October 2000
    18. ↑ EPCR Stats
    19. ↑ "RUGBY UNION: POOR ULSTER KEPT AT AN ARMS LENGTH; Cardiff 42 Ulster 16: Champions of 1999 are European flops in Cardiff.." The Free Library. 2001 MGN LTD 26 Feb. 2022
    20. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Plenty of heart but it's a Sarri send-off", Belfast Telegraph, 20 January 2001
    21. ↑ Jim Stokes, "O'Gara steals the show", Belfast Telegraph, 2 September 2000
    22. ↑ Kieran Rooney, "Ulster leave Connacht stranded", Sunday Independent, 10 September 2000
    23. ↑ "Ace predator Hickie strikes for Leinster", Irish Independent, 16 September 2000
    24. ↑ Tony Ward, "Humphreys leads Ulster to victory", Irish Independent, 23 September 2000
    25. ↑ Barry Coughlan, "Munster dig deep for great victory", Irish Examiner, 30 September 2000
    26. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Classy Ulster sink brave Connacht", Irish Independent, 4 November 2000
    27. ↑ Richard Buckley, "Ulster on the Maul", Sunday Life, 6 August 2000
    28. ↑ "Coventry find Ulster in try-scoring mood", Belfast Telegraph. 12 August 2000
    29. ↑ "Honours for Howe and Longwell", BBC Sport, 25 May 2001
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