2003–04 Ulster Rugby season

The 2003–04 season was Ulster Rugby's ninth under professionalism, and their third under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup, the Celtic League and the Celtic Cup.

2003–04 Ulster Rugby season
Ground(s)Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)Alan Solomons
Captain(s)Andy Ward
League(s)Heineken Cup (3rd in pool)
Celtic League (2nd)
Celtic Cup (champions)
← 2002–03 2004–05 →

James Topping became the only the second player, after Gary Longwell, to make 100 appearances for Ulster in April 2004.[1]

Head coach Alan Solomons and forwards coach Adrian Kennedy left at the end of the season to join Northampton Saints.[2] Backs coach Mark McCall was named as the new head coach.[3]

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

Pre-season

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.[12]

    2003–04 Heineken Cup
    Main article: 2003–04 Heineken Cup

    Pool 1
    Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff TB LB Pts
    Stade Français 6402118313480541118
    Leicester Tigers 630317107137115223015
    Ulster 6303109110910631114
    Newport Gwent Dragons 6204516−1167146−79019
    7 December 2003
    14:30
    Newport Gwent Dragons 24 – 15 Ulster
    Try: Breeze, Montgomery
    Con: Jarvis
    		 Report[13] Pen: Humphreys (5)
    Rodney Parade
    Attendance: 5,500
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Rowan Frost, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Paul Steinmetz, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Paul Shields (for Sexton, 40), Matt Mustchin (for Longwell, 56), Rod Moore (for N. Best, 29-36)
    12 December 2003
    19:30
    Ulster 22 – 20 Stade Français
    Try: Wallace
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys (5)
    		 Report[14] Try: Rabadan
    Pen: Domínguez (4)
    Drop: Liebenburg
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 10,243
    Referee: N Williams
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Rowan Frost, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Paul Steinmetz, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Rod Moore (for S. Best, 57), Matt Mustchin (for Longwell, 57), Paddy Wallace (for Cunningham, 62)
    11 January 2004
    13:00
    Ulster 33 – 0 Leicester Tigers
    Try: Howe, Ward (2), Stewart
    Con: Humphreys (2)
    Pen: Humphreys (3)
    		 Report[15]
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 12,300
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Matt Mustchin, 5. Rowan Frost, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Paul Steinmetz, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Paddy Wallace. Replacements: Matt McCullough (for Mustchin, 67), Adam Larkin (for Stewart, 75)
    17 January 2004
    15:00
    Leicester Tigers 49 – 7 Ulster
    Try: Lloyd (2), Back, Van der Westhuyzen, Johnson
    Con: Vesty (3)
    Pen: Vesty (6)
    		 Report[16][17] Try: Topping
    Con: Humphreys
    Welford Road
    Attendance: 16,815
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Simon Best, 4. Matt Mustchin, 5. Rowan Frost, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Paul Steinmetz, 13. Shane Stewart, 14. James Topping, 15. Paddy Wallace. Replacements: Adam Larkin (for Stewart 18), Rod Moore (for S. Best, 50), Paul Shields, 66)
    24 January 2004
    16:00
    Stade Français 13 – 10 Ulster
    Try: Marconnet
    Con: Domínguez
    Pen: Domínguez (2)
    		 Report[18][19] Try: Humphreys
    Con: Humphreys
    Pen: Humphreys
    Stade Jean-Bouin
    Attendance: 10,284
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Rod Moore, 4. Matt McCullough, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Paul Steinmetz, 13. Seamus Mallon, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Matt Mustchin (for Longwell, 64), Neil Best (for McMillan, 64)
    30 January 2004
    19:45
    Ulster 22 – 0 Newport Gwent Dragons
    Try: Shields, Humphreys, Howe
    Con: Humphreys (2)
    Pen: Humphreys
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 11,925
    Referee: J Dume
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Robbi Kempson, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Rod Moore, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Matt McCullough, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Paul Steinmetz, 13. Seamus Mallon, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Simon Best (for Moore, 60), Matt Mustchin (for Longwell, 60), Adam Larkin (for Humphreys, 62), Matt Sexton (for Shields, 69), Warren Brosnihan (for N. Best, 70), Kieran Campbell (for Doak, 72), Paddy Wallace (for Mallon, 72)

    2003-04 Celtic League
    Main article: 2003–04 Celtic League
    Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
    1 Llanelli Scarlets221615597385+21257397376
    2 Ulster221507617363+25467298472
    3 Newport Gwent Dragons221606590449+14159417172
    4 Celtic Warriors221408560451+10948375465
    5 Neath-Swansea Ospreys2211110582512+7055605455
    6 Cardiff Blues2211011570467+10373547354
    7 Munster2210012422456−3445496551
    8 Leinster229112523580−5751654547
    9 Connacht228212479550−7150595344
    10 Edinburgh229013454622−16852696244
    11 Glasgow226115442614−17252613332
    12 Borders224018363750−38742881522

    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)
    Source: RaboDirect PRO12 Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
    5 September 2003
    19:05
    Neath-Swansea Ospreys 41–30 Ulster
    Try: Tiueti, Durston, Henson (2)
    Con: Connor (2), Henson
    Pen: Connor (4), Henson
    		 Report[20][21] Try: Stewart, McCormack, Ward
    Con: Wallace (3)
    Pen: Wallace (3)
    The Gnoll
    Attendance: 4,250
    Referee: Gregg Davies
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Ronan McCormack, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Rod Moore, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Rowan Frost, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Roger Wilson, 9. Neil Doak, 10. Paddy Wallace, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Scott Young, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Neil McMillan (for Wilson, 46), Paul Shields (for Sexton, 53), Adam Larkin (for Constable, 66), Seamus Mallon (for Stewart, 85)
    12 September 2003
    19:35
    Ulster 33–6 Glasgow
    Try: Frost, McWhirter, Stewart
    Con: Larkin (3)
    Pen: Larkin (3)
    		 Report[22] Pen: Howarth
    Drop: Moffat
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 6,000
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Ronan McCormack, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Rod Moore, 4. Matt Mustchin, 5. Rowan Frost, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil McMillan, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Kieran Campbell, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Scott Young, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Seamus Mallon (for Constable, 23)
    26 September 2003
    19:30
    Ulster 37–18 Newport Gwent Dragons
    Try: Ward, McWhirter, Constable, Howe
    Con: Larkin (4)
    Pen: Larkin (3)
    		 Report[23] Try: Arasa, Baber
    Con: Warlow
    Pen: Warlow
    Drop: Warlow
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 5,807
    Referee: A. Ireland
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Ronan McCormack, 2. Matt Sexton, 3. Brian Young, 4. Matt Mustchin, 5. Rowan Frost, 6. Tony McWhirter, 7. Andy Ward (c), 8. Roger Wilson 9. Kieran Campbell, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. Scott Young, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Paul Shields (for Sexton, 40), Matt McCullough (for Frost, 52), Simon Shawe (for McWhirter, 69), Seamus Mallon (for Stewart, 72), Reece Spee (for Campbell, 76), Neil Best (for Shawe, 80)
    10 October 2003
    19:30
    Munster 15–16 Ulster
    Pen: Staunton (5)
    		 Report[24][25] Try: Mallon
    Con: Larkin
    Pen: Larkin (3)
    Musgrave Park
    Attendance: 4,000
    Referee: Nigel Owens
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Ronan McCormack, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Rod Moore, 4. Matt Mustchin, 5. Matt McCullough, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Kieran Campbell, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Seamus Mallon, 14. Scott Young, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Ryan Constable (for Mallon, 60), Roger Wilson, 60), Rowan Frost (for Mustchin, 62), Bryan Young (for Moore, 73)
    17 October 2003
    19:30
    Ulster 26–20 Celtic Warriors
    Try: Howe, Cunningham
    Con: Larkin (2)
    Pen: Larkin (4)
    		 Report[26][27] Try: Lewis
    Pen: Jenkins (5)
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 6,625
    Referee: D. Changeleng
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Ronan McCormack, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Rod Moore, 4. Matt Mustchin, 5. Matt McCullough, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Kieran Campbell, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Seamus Mallon, 14. Scott Young, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Matt Sexton (for Shields, 47), Roger Wilson (for McWhirter, 47), James Topping (for Young, 47), Ryan Constable (for Mallon, 47), Bryan Young (for McCormack, 63), Rowan Frost (for Mustchin, 60), Reece Spee (for Stewart, 77)
    24 October 2003
    19:35
    Edinburgh 3–41 Ulster
    Pen: Lee
    		 Report[28][29] Try: Constable (3), Howe, Topping
    Con: Larkin (5)
    Pen: Larkin (2)
    Meadowbank
    Attendance: 2,600
    Ulster lineup
    • 1. Bryan Young, 2. Paul Shields, 3. Rod Moore, 4. Matt Mustchin, 5. Matt McCullough, 6. Andy Ward (c), 7. Neil Best, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Kieran Campbell, 10. Adam Larkin, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Matt Sexton, Ronan McCormack, Rowan Frost, Roger Wilson, Reece Spee, Seamus Mallon, Scott Young
    31 October 2003
    19:30
    Ulster 32–7 Cardiff Blues
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 5,256
    8 November 2003
    14:30
    Connacht 31–20 Ulster
    Report
    Sportsground
    Attendance: 1,950
    28 November 2003
    19:35
    Ulster 46–5 Borders
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 5,585
    2 January 2004
    19:35
    Leinster 32–30 Ulster
    Report
    Donnybrook
    Attendance: 7,000
    6 February 2004
    19:30
    Ulster 10–9 Llanelli Scarlets
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 6,603
    13 February 2004
    19:30
    Ulster 31–19 Neath-Swansea Ospreys
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 5,041
    20 February 2004
    19:30
    Glasgow 27–25 Ulster
    Report
    Hughenden
    Attendance: 3,189
    28 February 2004
    17:30
    Newport Gwent Dragons 27–19 Ulster
    Report
    Rodney Parade
    Attendance: 4,016
    5 March 2004
    19:35
    Ulster 36–13 Munster
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 8,820
    12 March 2004
    19:05
    Celtic Warriors 0–28 Ulster
    Report
    Brewery Field
    Attendance: 2,000
    26 March 2004
    19:30
    Ulster 37–0 Edinburgh
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 6,328
    3 April 2004
    17:30
    Cardiff Blues 19–15 Ulster
    Report
    Cardiff Arms Park
    Attendance: 4,500
    16 April 2004
    19:35
    Ulster 42–27 Connacht
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 7,286
    30 April 2004
    19:30
    Borders 15–19 Ulster
    Report
    Netherdale
    Attendance: 1,200
    7 May 2004
    19:30
    Ulster 28–6 Leinster
    Report
    Ravenhill
    Attendance: 12,000
    14 May 2004
    19:35
    Llanelli Scarlets 23–16 Ulster
    Report
    Stradey Park
    Attendance: 10,000

    Celtic Cup
    Main article: Celtic Cup (rugby union)

    Quarter-final
    3 October 2003
    Ulster 23 (2 tries) - 23 (2 tries) Leinster

    Semi-final
    15 November 2003
    Glasgow 13-20 Ulster
    Glasgow

    Final
    20 December 2003
    14:30 GMT
    Edinburgh 21–27 Ulster
    Try: Simon Webster
    Derrick Lee
    Mike Blair
    Con: Chris Paterson (3/3)
    		 Report Try: Neil Best
    Rowan Frost
    Con: David Humphreys (1/2)
    Pen: David Humphreys (5)
    Murrayfield, Edinburgh
    Attendance: 17,174
    Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)

    Ulster Rugby Awards

    The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel on 20 May 2004. Winners were:[30]

    References
    1. Gavin Mairs, "Topping in line to hit Ulster century", Belfast Telegraph, 31 Match 2004
    2. "Solomons Leaving Ulster", Irish Rugby, 16 February 2004
    3. "McCall gets call to coach Ulster", The Irish Times, 23 March 2004
    4. Gavin Mairs, "Rugby: New faces on show as Ulster slip into gear", Belfast Telegraph, 4 July 2008
    5. "Ulster sign Connacht duo", BBC Sport, 23 April 2003
    6. "Moore signs for Ulster", BBC Sport, 30 August 2003
    7. "Steinmetz heading for Ulster", BBC Sport, 8 July 2003
    8. "Blair to quit Ulster", RTÉ, 10 April 2003
    9. Jim Stokes, "Davidson forced to retire", BBC Sport, 2 May 2003
    10. Barry Coughlan, "Castres deal lures Fitzpatrick from Ulster", Irish Examiner, 4 April 2003
    11. "AIL Finals Previews", The Irish Times, 10 May 2003
    12. "Ulster's 2002/3 squad", BBC Sport, 2 July 2002
    13. "Ulster are left with a mountain to climb", Daily Telegraph, 8 December 2003
    14. "Ulster's rousing rally cry", Irish Independent, 13 December 2003
    15. Gavin Mairs, "Wisdom of Solomons in finest hour", Belfast Telegraph, 12 January 2004
    16. "Leicester 49-7 Ulster", BBC Sport, 17 January 2004
    17. Eddie Butler, "Tiger bows out with a roar", Irish Independent, 18 January 2004
    18. "Stade Francais 13-10 Ulster", BBC Sport, 24 January 2004
    19. Michael Streeter, "Dominguez kicks break Ulster hearts", Sunday Independent, 25 January 2004
    20. "Ospreys soar on debut", BBC Sport, 5 September 2003
    21. "Henson class blows away Ulster defence", Belfast Telegraph, 6 September 2003
    22. "Ulster back in form with crushing win over Glasgow", Irish Examiner, 13 September 2003
    23. Michael Sadlier, "Ulster slay Dragons but crisis on horizon", Belfast Telegraph, 27 September 2003
    24. "Munster lose to Ulster in Musgrave", Munster Rugby, 10 October 2003
    25. "Larkin's late strike prove vital", Irish Independent, 11 October 2003
    26. "Ulster edge out Warriors", BBC Sport, 17 October 2003
    27. Ciaran Donaghy, "Rugby: Sweet 16", Belfast Telegraph, 18 October 2003
    28. Ciaran Donaghy, "Constable on the beat", Sunday Life, 26 October 2003
    29. "Ulster rout Edinburgh", BBC Sport, 24 October 2003
    30. "Emotional end to Ulster season", Belfast Telegraph, 21 May 2004
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