1999–2000 Ulster Rugby season

The 1999–2000 season was Ulster Rugby's fifth season under professionalism, and Harry Williams's second season as head coach. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship.

1999–2000 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Harry Williams
Captain(s)David Humphreys
Most appearancesGary Longwell, Eric Miller, Simon Mason (12 each)
Top scorerSimon Mason (145)
Most triesTyrone Howe (4)
Spencer Bromley (4)
League(s)Heineken Cup (4th in pool)
IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd)
← 1998–99 2000–01 →

Pre-season

Ahead of the new season, Williams signed Paddy Johns, Simon Best, Niall Malone, Tyrone Howe, Spencer Bromley and Riaz Fredericks to full-time contracts. Mark McCall retired as a player, and was appointed assistant coach.[1]

Squad
Ulster Rugby squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

  • Stephen Bell
  • Mark Edwards
  • Andrew Matchett

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

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

    1999–2000 Heineken Cup
    Main article: 1999–2000 Heineken Cup

    Pool 3
    Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
    Llanelli 65011789152866610
    Wasps 65011697163996410
    Bourgoin 620414140140162−224
    Ulster 6006420−1671179−1080
    20 November 1999
    19:30
    Bourgoin 26 – 12 Ulster
    Try: Balue, Glas
    Con: Péclier (2)
    Pen: Péclier (4)
    		 Report[6] Pen: Mason 4
    Stade Pierre Rajon
    Attendance: 7,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Niall Malone, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Simon Best (for Veitayaki), Tyrone Howe (for Malone), Mark Edwards (for Bell), Mark Blair (for Longwell), Derek Topping (for O'Cuinneagain).
    26 November 1999
    19:30
    Ulster 6 – 19 London Wasps
    Pen: Mason (2)
    		 Report[7] Try: Green
    Con: Logan
    Pen: Logan (4)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 12,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Niall Malone (for J. Bell, 39), Derek Topping (for Miller, 40), Tyrone Howe (for Malone, 42), Gary Longwell (for Johns, 78).
    10 December 1999
    19:30
    Ulster 6 – 29 Llanelli
    Pen: Mason (2)
    		 Report[8] Try: Wyatt, Finua
    Con: Jones (2)
    Pen: Jones (5)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 8,000
    Referee: Steve Lander
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Mark Edwards, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Dion O'Cuinneagain (for McWhirter, 22), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 27), Stephen Bell (for Edwards, 54), Gary Longwell (for Johns, 68), Tyrone Howe (for J. Topping, 77), Niall Malone (for Mason, 78).
    18 December 1999
    14:40
    Llanelli 20 – 3 Ulster
    Try: Wyatt, Davies
    Con: Jones (2)
    Pen: Jones (2)
    		 Report[9] Pen: Mason
    Stradey Park
    Attendance: 3,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Derek Topping 8. Eric Miller, 9. Mark Edwards, 10. Niall Malone, 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Simon Best (for Veitayaki), Stephen McKinty (for Miller).
    9 January 2000
    15:00
    London Wasps 49 – 17 Ulster
    Try: Logan (2), Reed, Henderson, King, Shelbourne, Scrace
    		 Report[10][11] Try: Humphreys, Mason
    Con: Mason (2)
    Pen: Mason
    Loftus Road
    Attendance: 5,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward 8. Eric Miller, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Riaz Fredericks, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Gary Longwell (for Blair, 78).
    14 January 2000
    19:30
    Ulster 27 – 36 Bourgoin
    Try: Howe (2)
    Con: Mason
    Pen: Mason (5)
    		 Report[12] Try: Boyet, Coux (2), Glas, Raschi
    Drop: Boyet
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 6,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Joeli Veitayaki, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward 8. Eric Miller, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Riaz Fredericks, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Tony McWhirter (for Miller, 40), Mark Blair (for Ward, 55), Simon Best (for Veitayaki, 68), Jan Cunningham (for J. Topping, 70).

    1999–2000 IRFU Interprovincial Championship
    Main article: IRFU Interprovincial Championship
    1999–00 Munster (21)
    Team P W D L F A BP Pts Status
    6 6 0 0 242 103 5 29 Champions; qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
    6 3 0 3 186 129 3 15 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
    6 2 0 4 145 137 2 10 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
    6 0 0 6 85 289 1 1

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

    7 August 1999
    Connacht 9-50 Ulster
    Pen: Elwood (3)
    		 Report[13] Try: J. Topping, McWhirter, Cunningham, O'Cuinneagain, Howe, Clarke
    Con: Mason (3)
    Pen: Mason (3)
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Referee: M. White
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Longwell, 59), Eric Miller (for McWhirter, 59), Riaz Fredericks (for Howe, 66), Niall Malone (for Humphreys, 66), Simon Best (for Leslie, 71).
    13 August 1999
    Leinster 15-26 Ulster
    Pen: Everitt (5)
    		 Report[14] Try: Howe, Mason
    Con: Mason (2)
    Pen: Mason (3)
    Drop: Humphreys
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Eric Miller, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Tony McWhirter (for Miller, 48), Riaz Fredericks (for Cunningham, 58), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 60), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 83).
    5 September 1999
    Ulster 24-25 Munster
    Try: Bromley, Fredericks
    Con: Mason
    Pen: Mason (3)
    Drop: Humphreys
    		 Report[15] Try: Mullins (2), Corkery
    Con: O'Gara (2)
    Pen: O'Gara (2)
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Gary Leslie, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Eric Miller, 9. Andrew Matchett, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Richard Weir (for Clarke, 23), Tony McWhirter (for Miller, 55), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 50), Simon Best (for Leslie, 66) Riaz Fredericks (for Cunningham, 71).
    29 October 1999
    Munster 36-19 Ulster
    Try: O'Neill, Mullins
    Con: O'Gara
    Pen: O'Gara (8)
    		 Report[16] Try: Topping
    Con: Mason
    Pen: Mason (4)
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Riaz Fredericks, 13. Jonathan Bell, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Paddy Johns (for Blair, 46), Eric Miller (for O'Cuinneagain, 52), L. Johnston (for Best, 63) Jan Cunningham (for Topping, 72)
    5 November 1999
    Ulster 44-22 Connacht
    Try: Bromley (2), Blair, McWhirter, Cunningham, Ward
    Con: Mason (4)
    Pen: Mason (2)
    		 Report[17][18] Try: Steffert, Mostyn
    Con: Elwood
    Pen: Elwood
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. James Topping, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Stephen McKinty (for Miller, 40), Gary Longwell (for Blair, 60), Niall Malone (for Humphreys, 67).
    12 November 1999
    Ulster 22-23 Leinster
    Try: Bromley
    Con: Mason
    Pen: Mason (5)
    		 Report[19] Try: Hickie
    Pen: McHugh (6)
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Rab Irwin, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Eric Miller, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Mark Edwards, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Spencer Bromley, 12. Niall Malone, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 52), Allen Clarke (for Humphreys, 55), Stephen Bell (for Edwards, 63)

    Ulster Rugby Awards

    The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 18 May 2000 at the La Mon House Hotel. Winners were:[20]

    References
    1. Gerry Thornley, "Ulster bid to continue their roll by recruiting heavily", Irish Times, 31 July 1999
    2. Brendan Fanning, "Gatland geared up for bout of double vision", Sunday Independent, 1 August 1999
    3. "Johns departs to play for Ulster", Watford Observer, 20 March 1999
    4. "'He was told he was too small for the Springboks, like me' - Former Ireland captain on Stander", The 42, 13 February 2016
    5. "Fijian linking up with Ulster", ESPN, 27 October 1999
    6. "French make Ulster fry", Sunday Life, 21 November 1999
    7. Jim Stokes, "Now it's uphill all the way", Belfast Telegraph, 27 November 1999
    8. Jim Stokes, "Ulster's Complete Collapse", Belfast Telegraph, 11 December 1999
    9. Micheal McGeary, "Over and out", Sunday Life, 19 December 1999
    10. Jim Stokes, "Ulster's Sprit Returns", Belfast Telegraph, 10 January 2000
    11. Alan Levinson, "Ulster stung by seven-try Wasp attack", Irish Independent, 10 January 2000
    12. Jim Stokes, "Ulster's campaign draws to bitter end", Belfast Telegraph, 15 January 2000
    13. "Ulster go wild out west", Sunday Life, 8 August 1999
    14. Jim Stokes, "Dion to Ulster's rescue", Belfast Telegraph, 14 August 1999
    15. Jim Stokes, "Munster prove to be worthy champs", Belfast Telegraph, 6 September 1999
    16. Jim Stokes, "Ulster punished on Black Friday", Belfast Telegraph, 30 October 1999
    17. Jim Stokes, "Bromley powers Ulster to victory", Belfast Telegraph, 6 November 1999
    18. "Ulster earn Euro Place", Irish Independent, 6 November 1999
    19. "Leinster snatch win to salvage some pride", Irish Examiner, 13 November 1999
    20. Jim Stokes, "Humphreys is 'Mr Personality'], Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 2000
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