Latest news with #UlsterRugby
The 42
4 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Niall Annett leaving Bath to take up coaching job with Ulster
NIALL ANNETT IS leaving Bath to take up a coaching role with Ulster, his home province. The 34-year-old hooker began his career with Ulster in 2011 before moving to Worcester Warriors in 2014. Annett, a former captain of the Ireland U20 team, joined Bath from Worcester in 2022 and has made 23 appearances this season. He came off the bench in the final quarter this month when Bath beat Lyon in the Champions Cup final. Advertisement Annett, as well as provincial pathway coach Jonathon Graham, have been appointed as Ulster's new elite player development officers. Both Annett and Graham will focus on developing forwards, with Annett specialising in set piece work and scrummaging, according to Ulster. In 2021 Annett completed the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award, the highest qualification achievable while playing professionally. Bath's head of rugby Johann van Graan said: 'I first met Niall on his podcast, and he made an immediate impression on me. 'Niall joined our journey on day one, July 11, 2022, and has made a massive contribution across the last three years on and off the field. 'He is tough to beat, and he will make a fantastic coach. Niall is a family man, and I wish them the very best.' Annett said: 'The Rec will always hold a special place in our hearts. Claire and I came here with a little baby girl, and now we're leaving with a little woman (with a lovely English accent) and as a family will have memories that will last a lifetime. 'To all the players, staff, and everyone behind the scenes – thanks so much. It's been a pleasure being part of the club. I've loved every minute. 'We as a family are very excited to be coming back home to Belfast and starting a new chapter with Ulster Rugby. 'I've had some brilliant playing experiences and been part of some great clubs in my playing career and I'm now eager to apply that knowledge into coaching and challenge myself. 'I'm excited to work alongside all the quality existing coaches and players and help develop talent throughout Ulster Rugby.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
No 'quick fix' for Ulster struggles
Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham says the "rebuild and reshaping" of the the province is heading in the right direction but that patience will be required to see "significant change".Richie Murphy's side finished 14th in the United Rugby Championship (URC) last season and failed to qualify for the Champions Cup for the first time in their history. Their Test representation was limited through the November series and Six Nations, while they will not provide any players for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this however, says he believes there is a group of young players with a "very high ceiling" and that it is imperative Ulster have structures in place to ensure that in "three or four years' time" they are providing "seven or eight" players to an Ireland match-day squad."It's never a quick-fix when you've a reset and a rebuild and you're less than a year in," Cunningham told BBC Sport NI."I don't think anyone in their right mind would think it'll be a quick fix and we'll be going out and winning the URC next season. We'll be going out with that objective."This is about the development of a core that we believe has a high ceiling."After the season, Cunningham said there have "open and honest conversations" about the side's failings last season with "uniform agreement" on what needs to improve."Will there be pain? There could well but we also believe that we're moving in the right direction," he added. Ulster have already initiated change in their coaching group and playing squads for next such as John Cooney, Alan O'Connor, Kieran Treadwell and Andy Warwick are among those moving on, while the province have recruited Australian international Angus Bell on a short-term deal and Northampton Saints' number eight Juarno attack coach Mark Sexton will join the ticket at Kingspan Stadium, with Willie Faloon already in situ after he stepped in for defensive specialist Jonny Bell during last season. Away from playing and coaching personnel, Cunningham feels it is vital that Ulster define a "clear identity" for the organisation."It's easy to reflect and say we're miles off, we're not capable of performing against the top table sides," said Cunningham who was part of the squad when Ulster won the European Cup in 1999. "We showed on occasions that we can and that's what we have to get back towards."Part of the building blocks we have to get in place is a very clear identity and culture of what we're about as a club. "What that leads towards is a level of consistency that we've not had."While asking Ulster fans to "stick with" the province during the downturn, Cunningham said he is "confident" in the direction. "My hope is it's not going to take 10 years. My hope is that we see significant change in a two to three-year period."You can never dispute the amount that people want it. We're passionate about the province."
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Former Ulster hooker to take up development role with province after retiring from playing
The 34-year-old brings down the curtain on his 14-year professional career that saw him play three seasons for his home province before moving to Worcester Warriors in 2014, for whom he made over 100 appearances, and then finish his career at Bath, as well as making one appearance for the Barbarians. Annett retires off the back of winning the Challenge Cup with Bath last week, coming off the bench as a substitute in their victory over Lyon in the Final, and could yet end the year by doing the double, with Johan van Graan's side guaranteed top seeding in the Premiership Play-Offs, which begin next weekend. As well as playing while in England, the former Methodist College student also progressed in his coaching ambitions by achieving his England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award in 2021, paving the way for him to take up his new role with Ulster. Annett delivered an emotional retirement post on X, and commented on returning to the province where it all started: 'We as a family are very excited to be coming back home to Belfast and starting a new chapter with Ulster Rugby. 'I've had some brilliant playing experiences and been part of some great clubs in my playing career and I'm now eager to apply that knowledge into coaching and challenge myself. "I'm excited to work alongside all the quality existing coaches and players and help develop talent throughout Ulster Rugby.' We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Annett will be joined in the role by Jonathon Graham, who has been promoted to the same position having previously been a provincial pathway coach with Ulster in which he pioneered the Talent ID programme within the province. 'I'm really excited to get stuck into this new role. Having been involved in the pathway for a number of years, I can see the talent coming through and my goal is to help prepare these players for senior rugby as much as possible,' commented Graham, who also coaches the Ulster Schools side. 'It's always a great source of pride to see players who come through the pathway play for the senior side and we want to develop the next generation of Ulster players.' Ulster's general manager Bryn Cunningham added: 'We are delighted that Niall and Jonny have taken up the opportunity to become our EDPOs. These roles are key in our strategy for the next few years, and we want to help deliver top-class coaching to our young forwards. 'It's great to welcome Niall back home, particularly as he brings significant set-piece expertise around the scrum and lineout, having been at the coalface for so many years in several high-performance environments. 'Jonny has been doing great work at Ulster Rugby over the past number of years, specifically within our age-grade coaching department and talent ID programme. "Both are ambitious coaches, with a real passion for nurturing talent and we look forward to seeing them both play a big part in developing the players of the future.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Daley named Ulster skipper for 2025-26 campaign
India Daley says it will be an "incredible honour" to captain Ulster in the 2025-26 hooker takes over the role from Irish international Kathryn Dane."Representing my home province has always meant a lot to me, so to now lead the team is something I'm really proud of," the 24-year-old told the Ulster Rugby website."I feel lucky to be part of such a special group who are building year on year."Two seasons ago, Ulster secured their first interprovincial victory since 2012, but last season finished bottom of the table with one draw and two defeats from their three matches and were then beaten by Connacht in the play-offs."We've got so much talent and potential in this squad, I want us to back ourselves every time we step onto the pitch," Daley added."We know that we are capable of more than what we have shown in recent seasons, and we want to prove that in the upcoming interpro campaign."With the Women's Rugby World Cup to take place in England during August and September, Irish internationals will not feature for their provinces this their absence, there are eight newcomers to the Ulster panel as they build towards their opener against Leinster on 10 August. Forwards Cara McLean, Ruby Starrett and Sophie McAlister, and backs Erin McConalogue, Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour and Siobhan Sheerin, are all included for the first time. Ulster squad 2025-26 Forwards: Aishling O'Connell, Ava Fannin, Brenda Barr (vice-captain), Bronach Cassidy, Cara McLean, Christy Hill, Ellen Patterson, India Daley (captain), Katie Hetherington, Keelin Brady, Lauren Maginnes, Maebh Clenaghan, Megan Simpson, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Ruby Starrett, Sarah Roberts, Sophie Barrett, Sophie McAlister, Stacey Abby Moyles, Catherine Martin, Erin McConalogue, Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour, Kelly McCormill, Lauren Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson, Niamh Marley, Paige Smyth, Rachael McIlroy, Siobhan Sheerin, Sophie Meeke, Tara O'Neill.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ulster announce more contracts and finalise squad for 2025-26
Ulster announced further contract news and revealed their finalised squad for the 2025-26 season on on from Wednesday's announcement that Australian prop Angus Bell would be joining the province later this year, the Irish province have confirmed contract renewals for Conor McKee, David Shanahan, Robert Baloucoune, Ethan McIlroy and Ben Jack Murphy, 20, moves onto a senior contract from the Academy following his impressive performances during the 2024-25 Wilson, Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney all progress as senior players, after their year as Development Irvine and Joe Hopes progress from the Ulster Rugby Academy into the senior side as they begin the season as Development 43-strong squad for next season will consist of 41 fully contracted senior players and Irvine and Hopes as development Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, said: "After a difficult 2024/25 campaign, we are looking forward to starting afresh and focusing on our pre-season preparations. "With new players being added to the group, and players becoming more experienced, we feel there is a good platform for us to build on."Mark Sexton [new backs coach] will bring new energy and ideas to our backline and Willie Faloon will benefit from getting time this summer to focus in on our defence and contact work."I'm confident in the ability of this squad to make sure we compete well in both the URC and the Challenge Cup next season." Ulster squad for 2025-26 season Iain Henderson (capt); John Andrew, Juarno Augustus, Rob Baloucoune, Angus Bell, Ben Carson, Sam Crean, Matthew Dalton, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Rob Herring, Joe Hopes, James Hume, James Humphreys, Charlie Irvine, Cormac Izuchukwu, Werner Kok, Michael Lowry, David McCann, James McCormick, Stuart McCloskey, Rory McGuire, Conor McKee, Ethan McIlroy, Lorcan McLoughlin, James McNabney, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham, Jack Murphy, Bryan O'Connor, Eric O'Suillivan, Tom O'Toole, Jude Postlethwaite, Marcus Rea, Sean Reffell, Callum Reid, David Shanahan, Harry Sheridan, Tom Stewart, Jacob Stockdale, Nick Timoney, Zac Ward, Scott Wilson.
