1998–99 Ulster Rugby season

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1998–99 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s) Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Harry Williams
Captain(s) Mark McCall, David Humphreys, Dean Macartney
Most appearances Gary Longwell, Justin Fitzpatrick, David Humphreys, Simon Mason, Gary Leslie (15 each)
Top scorer Simon Mason (213)
Most tries Stephen McKinty, Jan Cunningham, Andy Ward (5 each)
League(s) Heineken Cup (champions)
IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd of 4)
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1st kit
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← 1997–98 1999–2000 →

In Ulster Rugby's fourth season since the advent of professionalism, they were champions of the Heineken Cup, and finished second in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship.

Contents

Harry Williams was appointed as Director of Rugby, signing a three-year full time contract, starting on 1 July when he resigned as principal of Holywood Primary School. A former prop for Malone and Bangor, Williams had coached Bangor to Ulster League and Cup titles in the 1980s. He was Ulster's coach for four years from 1987, and had led them to four unbeaten seasons in the Interprovincial Championship. He was part of the Irish development squad coaching team for their tour of New Zealand in 1993, and was Ireland A coach for three years. Most recently, he was coach of Dublin side Bective Rangers for 18 months, before resigning for family reasons at the end of 1998. [1] Former Ireland fullback Colin Wilkinson was assistant coach, and Harry Brennan was strength and conditioning coach. [2] : 41 

Warren Gatland, the new Ireland coach, led a drive by the IRFU to bring Irish players who had signed contracts with English clubs back to Ireland. Ulster were strengthened by the return of out-half David Humphreys and centre Mark McCall from London Irish, centre Jonny Bell and hooker Allen Clarke from Northampton, and lock Mark Blair from Edinburgh, but locks Paddy Johns and Jeremy Davidson rejected the IRFU approach, Johns staying at Saracens, Davidson moving from London Irish to Castres. [2] : 16–22, 81–82  Two English-born Irish internationals were also signed: fullback Simon Mason from Richmond, and prop Justin Fitzpatrick from London Irish. [3] : 46, 70 

The IRFU announced that the Irish provinces would have squads of 30 players, most of whom would be full-time professionals, for the coming season. [4] The IRFU Ulster Branch signed 19 full-time players for the 1998–99 season, including Jonny Bell, Justin Fitzpatrick, Allen Clarke, David Humphreys, Simon Mason, [5] : p. 34–35  Maurice Field, Denis McBride, Stephen Ritchie, James Topping and Gary Longwell, while younger players like Robin Morrow and Sheldon Coulter were signed to part-time contracts. [6] : p. 67 

Mark McCall was named as captain, but sustained a career-ending injury in a friendly against Glasgow on 28 September. [2] : 55–56 

Ulster's Heineken Cup campaign started with a draw against Edinburgh, followed by a heavy defeat away to Toulouse. When the players reacted with relief that the scoreline was not as extreme as the 108–16 defeat Toulouse had recently inflicted on Ebbw Vale, Williams was furious. [2] : 67–71  Training was revamped: where previously the team had trained in the early mornings and evenings to accommodate part-time players, daytime sessions were introduced for full-time professionals, with one evening session a week for the part-timers. [2] : 78–79  Ulster defeated Ebbw Vale, and then Toulouse at home, in front of Ravenhill's biggest crowd for several years, [2] : 88–90  and were unbeaten for the remainder of the pool stage. With Ebbw Vale beating Toulouse 19–11 at home in their final game, Ulster topped the pool with an away win over Edinburgh. [2] : 98–107 

They drew Toulouse at home in the quarter-finals. In the second half, with Ulster narrowly in the lead, flanker Andy Ward received word that his wife had gone into labour, and left the field, replaced by Derek Topping. Toulouse almost took the lead, if not for a late try-saving tackle on Michel Marfaing by David Humphreys, who injured his shoulder in the process. Bryn Cunningham replaced him, and Ulster held on to win. [2] : 115–126  This was followed by a home semi-final against Stade Francais, with Ravenhill's capacity increased to 20,000 with temporary stands. [6] : 68  It featured a memorable try from Humphreys – from his own 22, he chipped the ball forward to Sheldon Coulter, who passed it back to Humphreys to run it in from the halfway line – as well as five penalties, a conversion and a drop goal from Simon Mason, in a 33–27 victory. [2] : 137–146  In the final, held at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, Ulster defeated Colomiers 21–6 to become the first Irish side to lift the Heineken Cup. [7]

Jonny Bell, Jeremy Davidson, Justin Fitzpatrick, David Humphreys, Eric Miller and Andy Ward were selected in the Ireland squad for the 1999 Five Nations Championship. Bell, Humphreys, Davidson, Fitzpatrick and Ward were selected for the 1999 tour to Australia.[ citation needed ]

Squad

Ulster Rugby squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. Small text denotes players who only appeared in friendlies.

    1998–99 Heineken Cup

    Pool 3

    TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts
    IRFU flag.svg Ulster 641123203197168299
    Flag of France.svg Toulouse 64023111202341031318
    Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh Reivers 621321147179146335
    Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ebbw Vale 61051141−30114307−1932
    18 September 1998
    19:30    		Ulster IRFU flag.svg 38 – 38 Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh Ravenhill  
    Try: Mason
    McKinty
    J. Cunningham (2)
    Con: Mason (3)
    Pen: Mason (4)
    		Report [8] Try: Mayer
    Roxburgh
    Murray (2)
    Con: Hodge (3)
    Pen: Hodge (3)
    Drop: Hodge
    		Attendance: 9,000
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Gary Longwell, 5. Murtagh Rea,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Stuart Duncan, (for Ward, 40), Andrew Matchett (for S. Bell, 60), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 62).

    26 September 1998
    17:00    		Toulouse Flag of France.svg 39 – 3 IRFU flag.svg Ulster Les Sept Deniers  
    Try: Ntamack (2)
    Desbrosse
    Marfaing
    Laput
    Con: Delaigue
    Ougier (2)
    Pen: Ougier
    Delaigue
    		Report [9] [10] Pen: Mason
    		Attendance: 5,000
    Referee: D. Bevan
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Gary Longwell, 5. Murtagh Rea,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Dean Macartney, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Stan McDowell (for Cunningham, 43), Stuart Duncan (for McWhirter, 55), Rab Irwin (for Leslie, 63), Stephen Bell (for Van Rensburg, 72), Mark Blair (for Rea, 76).

    10 October 1998
    14:30    		Ebbw Vale Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 28 – 61 IRFU flag.svg Ulster Eugene Cross Park  
    Try: Penalty try
    Manley
    Taumalolo
    Con: Hayward (2)
    Pen: Hayward (2)
    		Report [11] [12] Try: J. Bell
    Humphreys (2)
    S. Bell
    Blair
    McKinty
    Park
    Con: Mason (7)
    Pen: Mason (4)
    		Attendance: 2,000
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Andy Park (for J. Bell, 40), Andrew Matchett (for S. Bell, 43), Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 65), Stuart Duncan (for Ward, 75).

    16 October 1998
    19:30    		Ulster IRFU flag.svg 29 – 24 Flag of France.svg Toulouse Ravenhill  
    Try: Mason
    McKinty
    Van Rensburg
    Con: Mason
    Pen: Mason (4)
    		Report [13] [10] Try: Marfaing
    Cazalbou (2)
    Con: Ougier (2)
    Delaigue
    		Attendance: 10,000
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 60).

    30 October 1998
    19:30    		Ulster IRFU flag.svg 43 – 18 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ebbw Vale Ravenhill  
    Try: J. Cunningham
    McWhirter
    Irwin
    Mason
    S. Bell
    Ward
    Matchett
    Con: Mason (4)
    		Report [14] [15] Try: Olsen
    Faletau
    Pen: Strange
    Greene
    		Attendance: 4,500
    Referee: F. Maciello
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 50), Andrew Matchett (for S. Bell, 62), Andy Park (for Mason, 74), Stuart Duncan (for McWhirter, 77).

    8 November 1998
    15:00    		Edinburgh Flag of Scotland.svg 21 – 23 IRFU flag.svg Ulster Myreside [16]  
    Try: Stanger
    Murray
    Con: Chalmers
    Pen: Chalmers (3)
    		Report [17]
    Highlights     		Try: Blair
    Coulter
    Con: Mason (2)
    Pen: Mason (3)
    		Attendance: 4,000
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Richard Weir (for Clarke, 23), Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 51), Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 56).

    Quarter-final

    11 December 1998Ulster IRFU flag.svg 15 – 13 Flag of France.svg Toulouse Ravenhill  
    19:15Pen: Mason (3)
    Drop: Humphreys (2)
    		Report [18] [10] Try: Pelous
    Con: Ougier
    Pen: Delaigue (2)
    		Attendance: 11,500
    Referee: B. Campbell
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Stan McDowell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Andy Park (for McDowell, 10), Derek Topping (for Ward, 48), Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 54), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 64), Bryn Cunningham (for Humphreys, 78)

    Semi-final

    9 January 1999Ulster IRFU flag.svg 33–27 Flag of France.svg Stade Francais Ravenhill  
    13:00Try: McKinty
    Humphreys
    Con: Mason
    Pen: Mason (5)
    Drop: Mason, Humphreys
    		Report [19] [20]
    Highlights     		Try: Juillet (2)
    Lièvremont
    Con: Dominguez (3)
    Pen: Dominguez (2)
    		Attendance: 20,000
    Referee: J. Fleming
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Andy Park, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 54), Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 33).

    Final

    30 January 1999 Ulster IRFU flag.svg 21–6 Flag of France.svg Colomiers Lansdowne Road, Dublin  
    14:45Pen: Mason (6)
    Drop: Humphreys
    		Report
    full match on video     		Pen: Labit
    Carre
    		Attendance: 49,000
    Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Andy Park, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Stan McDowell (for Cunningham, 44), Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 73), Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 75).

    1998–99 IRFU Interprovincial Championship

    TeamPWDLFABPPtsStatus
    Flag of Munster.svg Munster 640212592218Champions; qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup
    Flag of Ulster.svg Ulster 6303137119315Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup
    Flag of Leinster.svg Leinster 6303135136214Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup
    Flag of Connacht.svg Connacht 620495145311Qualified for 1999–2000 European Challenge Cup

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

    14 August 1998 Leinster Flag of Leinster.svg 14-34 Flag of Ulster.svg Ulster Donnybrook  
    Try: Horgan
    Nowlan
    Pen: McGowan (2)
    		Report [21] Try: Ward (2)
    McWhirter
    McDowell
    Con: Mason (4)
    Pen: Mason (2)
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Murtagh Rea, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys,
    11. Andy Park, 12. Mark McCall (c), 13. Stan McDowell, 14. Jan Cunningham,
    15. Simon Mason.

    22 August 1998 Connacht Flag of Connacht.svg 21-18 Flag of Ulster.svg Ulster Galway Sportsgrounds  
    Try: Duignan (2)
    Murphy
    Con: Elwood (3)
    		Report [22] [23] Try: J. Cunningham
    Ward
    Con: Mason
    Pen: Mason (2)
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Murtagh Rea, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys,
    11. Andy Park, 12. Mark McCall (c), 13. Stan McDowell, 14. Jan Cunningham,
    15. Simon Mason.

    4 September 1998 Ulster Flag of Ulster.svg 29-12 Flag of Munster.svg Munster Ravenhill  
    Try: J. Cunningham
    Rea
    Con: Mason (2)
    Pen: Mason (5)
    		Report [24] Pen: Keane (4)
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Murtagh Rea, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Dean Macartney (c), 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys,
    11. Andy Park, 12. Jan Cunningham, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Jonathan Davis,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Stuart Duncan (for Macartney, 63), Rab Irwin (for Fitzpatrick, 79).

    11 September 1998 Ulster Flag of Ulster.svg 11-35 Flag of Leinster.svg Leinster Ravenhill  
    Try: Rea
    Pen: Mason (2)
    		Report [25] Try: Nowlan (2)
    Hegarty
    Holden
    Hickie
    Con: McGowan (2)
    Pen: McGowan (2)
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Murtagh Rea, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Dean Macartney (c), 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys,
    11. Andy Park, 12. Jan Cunningham, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Jonathan Davis,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Bryn Cunningham (for Humphreys, 20), Stephen McKinty (for Macartney, 46), Sheldon Coulter (for Davis 52), Rab Irwin (for Fitzpatrick, 63), Stuart Duncan (for McWhirter, 73), Stephen Bell (for Matchett, 74)

    3 October 1998 Munster Flag of Munster.svg 31-9 Flag of Ulster.svg Ulster Musgrave Park  
    Try: Lacey
    Horgan
    Foley
    Galwey
    Con: Lynch
    Pen: Lynch (3)
    		Report [26] Pen: Mason (2)
    Drop: Humphreys
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Murtagh Rea, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Dean Macartney (c), 7. Andy Ward, 8. Stephen McKinty,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys,
    11. Stan McDowell, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter,
    15. Simon Mason.

    23 October 1998 Ulster Flag of Ulster.svg 36-6 Flag of Connacht.svg Connacht Ravenhill  
    Try: Ward
    McKinty
    Topping
    Clarke
    Mason
    Con: Mason (4)
    Pen: Mason
    		Report [27] Pen: Allnutt (2)
    		Referee: David McHugh
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Eric Miller,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c),
    11. Jan Cunningham, 12. Clinton van Rensburg, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. James Topping,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 53), Tony McWhirter (for McKinty, 61), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 71), Sheldon Coulter (for J. Cunningham, 80).

    Home attendance

    Domestic LeagueEuropean CupTotal
    LeagueFixturesAverage AttendanceHighestLowestLeagueFixturesAverage AttendanceHighestLowestTotal AttendanceAverage Attendance
    ––––– 1998–99 Heineken Cup 511,00020,0004,50055,00011,000

    Representative matches

    6 June 1998Spanish Barbarians Flag of Spain.svg 57-34 IRFU flag.svg Ulster Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian 
    Report [28] Try: McCullough
    McKee
    McCarey
    Coulter
    Con: McCullough (4)
    Pen: Park (2)
    		Referee: Inaki Atorrasagasti
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Richard Mackey, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Rab Irwin,
    4. Gary Longwell, 5. Murtagh Rea,
    6. Stuart Duncan, 7. Kevin McKee, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. Michael Niblock,
    11. Neil McCluskey, 12. Stan McDowell, 13. Sheldon Coulter, 14. Jan Cunningham,
    15. Andy Park.
    Replacements: Gareth McCullough (for McDowell, 40), Stephen Bell (for Matchett, 61), Robin Morrow (for McCluskey, 61), Andrew Jackson (for Mackey, 53), Michael Lightbody (for Rea, 59), Stephen Ritchie (for Weir, 46), Chris McCarey (for Duncan, 61).

    10 August 1998Ulster IRFU flag.svg 50-5 Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco Ravenhill  
    Try: J. Cunningham (2)
    Mark McCall
    McDowell, S.Bell, Park, Humphreys (2)
    Con: Mason (5)
    		Report [29] Try: Amina
    		Referee: David McHugh
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Gary Longwell, 5. Murtagh Rea,
    6. Stephen McKinty, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys,
    11. Andy Park, 12. Mark McCall (c), 13. Stan McDowell, 14. Jan Cunningham,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements: Andrew Matchett (for Bell, 40), Rab Irwin (for Leslie, 58), Dean Macartney (for Longwell, 58), Stuart Duncan (for Ward, 60), Sheldon Coulter (for McDowell, 69), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 73), Bryn Cunningham (for Humphreys, 79).

    28 August 1998Ulster IRFU flag.svg 32-15 Flag of Scotland.svg Glasgow Ravenhill  
    Try: McWhirter
    Matchett
    Con: Mason (2)
    Pen: Mason (5)
    Drop: Humphreys
    		Report [30] Referee: David McHugh
    Ulster lineup:

    1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie,
    4. Gary Longwell, 5. Murtagh Rea,
    6. Dean Macartney, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter,
    9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys,
    11. Jan Cunninghan, 12. Mark McCall (c), 13. Stan McDowell, 14. Jonathan Davis,
    15. Simon Mason.
    Replacements:
    Richard Weir (for Clarke, 60), Rab Irwin (for Leslie, 73), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 73), Sheldon Coulter (for McDowell, 75), Chris McCarey (for McWhirter, 77).

    Ulster Rugby Awards

    The IRFU Ulster Branch Awards ceremony was held on 27 May 1999 at the Balmoral Conference Centre. Winners were: [31]

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    References

    1. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Williams takes charge", Belfast Telegraph, 4 February 1998
    2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jonathan Bradley, The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby's 1999 European Champions, The Blackstaff Press, 2018
    3. ↑ Bruce McKendry, Champions: The Players' Story, IRFU, 1999
    4. ↑ Brendan Fanning, "Celtic Cup is Irish sides' best chance of success", Sunday Independent, 1 March 1998
    5. ↑ Bruce McKendry, Champions: The Players' Story, IRFU Ulster Branch, 1999
    6. 1 2 Patrick McCarry, The New Breed: Irish Rugby's Professional Era, Mercier Press, 2015
    7. ↑ Jonathan Bradley, "Counting down Ulster's 10 most memorable European games as they prepare to hit 150 against Clermont", Belfast Telegraph, 21 November 2019
    8. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Ulster drop vital point in dramatic opening tie", Belfast Telegraph, 19 September 1998
    9. ↑ Richard Stevenson, "Second best all round", Sunday Life, 27 September 1998
    10. 1 2 3 "Chance to remember a lost time", Irish Times, 20 October 2000
    11. ↑ "Flawless Mason inspires Ulster", Sunday Life, 11 October 1998
    12. ↑ "Rugby Union: Ulster's forwards lay foundations for success", The Independent, 12 October 1998
    13. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Salute brave hearts of Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 17 October 1998
    14. ↑ Jim Stokes, "A victory romp but no rhythm", Belfast Telegraph, 31 October 1998
    15. ↑ Gerry Thornley, "Ward Drives Ulster On", The Irish Times, 31 October 1998
    16. ↑ "Easter Road put in the frame as new home for Gunners". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
    17. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Sheldon 'n dusted: Coulter drives Ulster into Euro quarters", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 1998
    18. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Oh la, la, magical Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 12 December 1998
    19. ↑ Brendan Fanning, "Euro dream lives on", Sunday Independent, 10 January 1999
    20. ↑ Chris Hewett, "Rugby Union: Ulster revel in magic of Europe", The Independent, 11 January 1999
    21. ↑ Micheal McGeary, "Ulster off to a flier", Sunday Life, 16 August 1998
    22. ↑ "Duignan does it for the West", Sunday World, 23 August 1998
    23. ↑ Micheal McGeary, "Chastened Shadows", Sunday Life, 23 August 1998
    24. ↑ Kieran Rooney, "Ward leads Ulster to top", Irish Independent, 5 September 1998
    25. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Ulster take a pasting", Belfast Telegraph, 12 September 1998
    26. ↑ Barry Roche, "Munster pack most powerful of punches", Sunday Tribune, 4 October 1998
    27. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Bell and Ward in top gear", Belfast Telegraph, 24 October 1998
    28. ↑ "No pain but gain for Coulter class", Belfast Telegraph, 8 June 1998
    29. ↑ Jim Stokes, "McWhirter points way", Belfast Telegraph, 11 August 1998
    30. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Matchett stakes claim for Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 29 August 1998
    31. ↑ Jim Stokes, "Ulster toasts master Mason", Belfast Telegraph, 28 May 1999
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