2002–03 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Alan Solomons
Captain(s)Andy Ward
Most appearancesNeil Doak (15)
Top scorerDavid Humphreys (128)
Most triesNeil Doak (3)
Tyrone Howe (3)
Neil McMillan (3)
League(s)Heineken Cup (3rd in pool)
Celtic League (semi-finalists)

The 2002–03 season was Ulster Rugby's eighth under professionalism, and their second under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League. No IRFU Interprovincial Championship was held this season.

In the Celtic League, they finished third in Pool A, qualifying for the playoffs. They beat Glasgow in the quarter-finals, but lost to Munster in the semi-finals. In the Heineken Cup, they finished third in Pool 6, missing out on the knockout stage. Bryn Cunningham was Ulster's Player of the Year. Flanker Neil McMillan won the IRUPA Young Player of the Year award.[1]

Staff

Position Name Nationality
Chief Executive Michael Reid  Ireland
Director of Rugby Alan Solomons  South Africa
Team manager John McComish  Ireland
Forwards coach Adrian Kennedy  Ireland
Backs coach Mark McCall  Ireland
Assistant conditioning coach John McCloskey  Ireland
Physiotherapist Gareth Robinson  Ireland
Director of Elite Player Development Allen Clarke  Ireland

Pre-season

Squad

Ulster Rugby squad[9]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

  • Ireland James Topping (12 apps, 12 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland Tyrone Howe (8 apps, 8 starts, 15 pts)
  • Ireland Scott Young (8 apps, 5 starts, 5 pts)
  • Ireland Sheldon Coulter (8 apps, 5 starts)

Fullbacks

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.[9]

    2002–03 Heineken Cup

    Pool 6

    Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
    England Northampton Saints 6402211011172110628
    France Biarritz Olympique 6402145913873658
    Ireland Ulster 6402880116106108
    Wales Cardiff 600662620782151370
    13 October 2002
    16:30
    Northampton Saints England32 9Ireland Ulster
    Try: Dawson
    Leslie
    Con: Grayson (2)
    Pen: Grayson (5)
    Report[10]Pen: Humphreys (2)
    Doak
    Franklin's Gardens
    Attendance: 9,481
    Referee: A. Lambardi
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Adam Larkin (for Humphreys, 50)
    18 October 2002
    19:05
    Ulster Ireland25 6Wales Cardiff
    Try: Young
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (5)
    Drop: Humphreys
    Report[11][12]Pen: Harris (2)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 11,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Scott Young (for Howe, 9), Neil Best (for McWhirter, 59), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 65), Adam Larkin (for Bell, 75), Kieran Campbell (for Stewart, 79)
    6 December 2002
    19:15
    Ulster Ireland13 9France Biarritz
    Try: Topping
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (2)
    Report[13][14]Pen: Yachvili (2)
    Drop: Peyrelongue
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 11,650
    Referee: Chris White
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Andy Ward (c), 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Adam Larkin (for Constable, 2), Sheldon Coulter (for Bell, 80)
    14 December 2002
    15:00
    Biarritz France25 20Ireland Ulster
    Try: Isaac
    Couzinet
    Cassin
    Con: Yachvili (2)
    Pen: Yachvili (2)
    Report[15][16]Try: J. Cunningham
    Ward
    Con: Doak (2)
    Pen: Doak (2)
    Parc des Sports Aquil
    Attendance: 8,000
    Referee: D. Pearson
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Andy Ward (c), 9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Sheldon Coulter (for Bell, 4), Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick, 61), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 61), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 61), Tony McWhirter (for McMillan, 61)
    11 January 2003
    14:45
    Cardiff Wales21 33Ireland Ulster
    Try: Walne, Allen
    Con: Robinson
    Pen: Robinson (3)
    Report[17][18]Try: McMillan (2)
    penalty try
    Con: Humphreys (3)
    Pen: Humphreys (2)
    Drop: B. Cunningham
    Cardiff Arms Park
    Attendance: 4,000
    Referee: R. Goodcliffe
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Paul Shields (for Sexton), Russell Nelson (for McWhirter)
    17 January 2003
    19:05
    Ulster Ireland16 13England Northampton Saints
    Try: McMillan
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Doak
    Drop: Humphreys (2)
    Report[19][20]Try: Cohen
    Con: Grayson
    Pen: Grayson (2)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 12,500
    Referee: Joel Dume
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Justin Fitzpatrick (for Best, 61), Russell Nelson (for McWhirter, 69)

    2002-03 Celtic League

    Pool A

    Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
    1Ireland Munster 7601227129+9825124028
    2Scotland Edinburgh 7601231145+8624132127
    3Ireland Ulster 7502173111+621591122
    4Wales Neath 7403153121+3215121118
    5Wales Llanelli 7304191168+2323163217
    6Wales Swansea 7304177212−3518223116
    7Wales Ebbw Vale 7106140226−861627105
    8Wales Caerphilly 7007144324−1801742213

    Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:

    • 4 points for a win
    • 2 points for a draw
    • 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus)
    • 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
    Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage.
    Source: RaboDirect PRO12
    30 August 2002
    19:15
    Ebbw Vale Wales0 – 19Ireland Ulster
    Report[21]Try: Wallace
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (4)
    Eugene Cross Park
    Referee: Dave Pearson
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Warren Brosnihan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Paddy Wallace. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Davidson, 30), Justin Fitzpatrick (for S. Best, 67)
    6 September 2002
    19:30
    Ulster Ireland18 – 19Scotland Edinburgh
    Pen: Wallace (6)Report[22]Try: Laney
    Con: Laney
    Pen: Laney (3)
    Drop: Hodge
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 7,500
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Tony McWhirter, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Russell Nelson 9. Neil Doak, 10. Paddy Wallace, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Justin Fizpatrick (for S. Best, 21) Neil Best (for McMillan, 21)
    14 September 2002
    14:30
    Swansea Wales38 – 10Ireland Ulster
    Try: K. Morgan
    Robinson
    Gibbs
    Payne
    Con: A. Thomas (3)
    Pen: A. Thomas (4)
    Report[23]Try: Howe
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys
    St Helen's
    Attendance: 2,500
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Russell Nelson 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Jonny Bell (c), 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Neil Best (for Brosnihan, 39-40; for Nelson, 40), Paddy Wallace (for Humphreys, 55) Ryan Constable (for Bell, 60), Kieran Campbell (for Sexton, 60) Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick, 62) Tony McWhirter (for Davidson, 65-78)
    20 September 2002
    19:30
    Ulster Ireland17 – 13Wales Neath
    Try: B. Cunningham
    Howe
    Con: Doak (2)
    Pen: Doak
    Report[24]Try: S. Williams
    Con: Jarvis
    Pen: Jarvis (2)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 9,500
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson (C), 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Neil Best (for McWhirter, 74), Jan Cunningham (for Stewart, 80)
    27 September 2002
    19:35
    Ulster Ireland26 – 17Ireland Munster
    Try: Doak (2)
    Con: Doak (2)
    Pen: Doak (2)
    Report[25]Try: Lawler
    Pen: Staunton (2)
    Drop: Staunton
    Holland
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 6,000
    Referee: P. Adams
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson (C), 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Scott Young (for Topping, 34), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 54), Paddy Johns (for Davidson, 58), Shane Stewart (for Bell, 74) Neil Best (for Brosnihan, 80)
    5 October 2002
    14:30
    Caerphilly Wales15 – 67Ireland Ulster
    Try: Chiltern (2)
    Con: McLaughlin
    Pen: McLaughlin
    Report[26][27]Try: Neil Best (2)
    Howe
    Brosnihan
    McWhirter
    Stewart
    Bell
    Sexton
    Con: Humphreys (6)
    Pen: Humphreys (5)
    Virginia Park
    Attendance: 750
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Scott Young, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Shane Stewart (for Constable, 7), Neil Best (for Fitzpatrick, 50), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 55), Kieran Campbell (for Doak, 60), Paul Shields (for McMillan, 32-40, for Sexton, 60), Adam Larkin (for Bell, 65)
    25 October 2002
    19:35
    Ulster Ireland16 – 9Wales Llanelli
    Try: Doak
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys
    Drop: Humphreys
    Report[28]Pen: Jones (3)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 10,500
    Referee: John Hogg
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Scott Young, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Sheldon Coulter (for Topping, 39), Neil Best (for McWhirter, 74)

    Quarter final

    30 November 2002
    14:45
    Glasgow Scotland17 – 20Ireland Ulster
    Try: Steel
    Pen: Hayes (4)
    Report[29]Try: Shields
    Ward
    Con: Humphreys (2)
    Pen: Humphreys (2)
    Hughenden
    Attendance: 5,346
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Scott Young, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Paul Shields (for Sexton, 25), Andy Ward (for McWhirter, 47), Ryan Constable (for Stewart, 47)

    Semi-final

    3 January 2003
    19:35
    Munster Ireland42 – 10Ireland Ulster
    Try: Hayes
    Quinlan
    Kelly
    Mullins
    Galwey
    Con: O'Gara (3), Keane
    Pen: O'Gara (3)
    Report[30]Try: Humphreys
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys
    Thomond Park
    Attendance: 12,000
    Referee: H. Watkins
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Robbi Kempson, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 6. Warren Brosnihan, 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Adam Larkin, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Simon Best (for McMillan, 17), Jan Cunningham (for Larkin, 34), Scott Young (for B Cunningham, 48), Andy Ward (for McWhirter, 48), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 65), Kieran Campbell (for Doak, 76)

    Ulster Rugby Awards

    The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel on 15 May 2003. Winners were:[31]

    References

    1. Kieran Rooney, "Players' Player is Malcolm O'Kelly", Irish Independent, 9 May 2003
    2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Kempson finally signs", BBC Sport, 25 January 2002
    3. "Spence in Ulster call", BBC Sport, 22 September 2002
    4. "Former Bok retires from rugby", Irish Examiner, 6 September 2002
    5. Brendan Fanning, "New twist for Crick", Irish Independent, 3 March 2002
    6. Tony Ward, "Haslett signs for London Irish", Irish Independent, 19 December 2002
    7. "Paddy Johns Retires as Ulster Name New Squad", Irish Rugby, 26 January 2002
    8. "Brennan joins Toulouse", BBC Sport, 31 May 2002
    9. 1 2 "Ulster's 2002/3 squad", BBC Sport, 2 July 2002
    10. "Grayson kicks Saints to eighth home win in a row", The Guardian, 14 October 2002
    11. "Ulster too good for Cardiff", BBC Sport, 18 October 2002
    12. Gavin Mairs, "Ulster need a cutting edge", Belfast Telegraph, 19 October 2002
    13. "Topping try keeps Ulster hopes alive", Irish Independent, 7 December 2002
    14. "Ulster upset French champions", BBC Sport, 6 December 2002
    15. Micheal McGeary, "Ulster run out of luck", Sunday Life, 15 December 2002
    16. "Biarritz edge out Ulster", BBC Sport, 14 December 2002
    17. "Ulster edge past Cardiff", BBC Sport, 11 January 2003
    18. Micheal McGeary, "Ulster have it all to do", Sunday Life, 12 January 2002
    19. "Ulster win keeps slim hopes alive", BBC Sport, 17 January 2003
    20. "Victory just not enough for Ulster", Irish Independent, 18 January 2003
    21. "Scrappy victory for Ulster", BBC Sport, 30 August 2002
    22. Gavin Mairs "Last gasp agony for jaded Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 7 September 2002
    23. "Swansea's blistering pace exposes Ulster's deficiencies", Irish Independent, 15 September 2002
    24. "Ulster edge out Neath", BBC Sport, 20 September 2002
    25. "Doak one-man show just too much for Munster", Irish Independent, 28 September 2002
    26. Mark McAuley, "Over and rout... Ulster whip the Welsh boyos", Sunday Life", 6 October 2002
    27. "Ulster hammer Caerphilly", BBC Sport, 5 October 2002
    28. "Ulster sneak past Llanelli", BBC Sport, 25 October 2002
    29. "Ulster hang on for victory", BBC Sport, 30 November 2002
    30. "Fitzpatrick sees red as Munster waltz into final", Irish Independent, 4 January 2003
    31. Gavin Mairs, "Clarke lands Ulster rugby's personality of the year title", Belfast Telegraph, 16 May 2003
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