Ulster Rugby Round-up

Can Ireland upset the mighty All Blacks and which Ulster players will get their chance to shine? by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Time for a season review as Ulster's season ends with Stormers heartbreak in Cape Town by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Robbie Diack on making a home in Ulster, his career highlights and his URC semi-final allegiance by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Where does Ulster's new prop fit, are next year's squad title contenders and a Munster quarter-final by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Ulster's home quarter-final comes at a cost, 80-minute performances and European finals weekend by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Neve Jones on becoming an Ireland star, taking the plunge in Gloucester and professionalism by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Are Ulster qualified for Europe, play-off permutations and the wonderful Ireland Women by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Michael Allen on playing for Ulster and Edinburgh and why he has no regrets on retiring at 26 by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Ulster's European heartbreak, two-legged ties to stay and a Munster bounce back by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Flight frights, frustrated Frenchmen and frivolous first-legs in Toulouse by Belfast Telegraph Sport

A try not awarded, Ulster's priorities in Pretoria and Ireland Women kick off the Six Nations by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Seven straight wins for Ulster, Ireland keep Six Nations hope alive and a Schools' Cup final by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Ulster Rugby welcomed four players back from the Ireland panel last weekend and all did everything they could to forge their way into Andy Farrell's thinking. Robert Baloucoune's try brace, fellow scorers Nick Timoney and James Hume as well as captain Iain Henderson all played key roles in the easy win over Cardiff. Now the question is whether they'll be facing England or Leinster on a super Saturday? Debating that point as well as looking at the Schools' Cup semi-finals, women's rugby and the Ravenhill atmosphere are Jonathan Bradley and John Dickson, as they join host Gareth Hanna.

The secret about the podcast's favourite son is now officially out as Mike Lowry played a starring role on his Six Nations debut for Ireland. That gives rugby reporters Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan plenty to discuss with host Gareth Hanna, not to mention the scrum law that left Italy playing most of the game with 13 men and turned the tie into a glorified training exercise. There's also, of course, Ulster Rugby's upcoming game against Cardiff, a new signing and another win for Ireland U20s on the agenda.

Ulster Rugby emerged from a windswept Rodney Parade with a 12-0 win over Dragons in Sunday's United Rugby Championship tie and immediately attention turned to Ireland's Six Nations game against Italy this weekend. Just how many from the northern province will get the nod at the Aviva Stadium? It's all up for debate and joining Gareth Hanna to discuss the big talking point are Jonathan Bradley and Adam McKendry. Also on the agenda are man of the match awards and bonus points.

Ireland's Six Nations Grand Slam hopes disappeared in the closing seconds in the Stade de France on Saturday evening. The contentious decision not to go to the corner with a 72nd minute penalty proved the chief talking point in the immediate aftermath, while a pass from Roman Ntamack took over that mantle when another video angle of France's opening try appeared on social media on Monday. Joining Gareth Hanna to discuss those, World Cup hopes and Ulster's game against the Dragons are Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan.

Ulster's Ireland stars show the right attitude and debating Andy Farrell's selection conundrum by Belfast Telegraph Sport

The Six Nations is upon us and so a weekend full of rugby awaits. There are senior and Under 20 games to preview, as well as Ulster Rugby's visit of Connacht to the Kingspan Stadium. The naming rights of that ground are also on the agenda of this week's podcast, as is Craig Gilroy's controversial yellow card in last weekend's win over Scarlets. Joining host Gareth Hanna to do all that are the Belfast Telegraph's rugby correspondent Jonathan Bradley and reporter Adam McKendry.

Mark Robson on buying Jared Payne lobster pots, being a hit in Guatemala and Twitter trolls by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Ulster's youthful back line come of age, Jared Payne departs and Jacob Stockdale's lengthy absence by Belfast Telegraph Sport

It's the second episode of 2022 as Ulster's season ticks into a crucial period with back-to-back European fixtures. There is a huge tactical debate to have surrounding last weekend's defeat in Munster, which sparks discussion around the differing psychology of sports fans and sports reporters. The Belfast Telegraph's rugby correspondent Jonathan Bradley and Ulster Rugby photographer John Dickson also look ahead to Sunday's trip to Northampton as they join host Gareth Hanna.

The first Ulster Rugby Round Up podcast of 2022 has arrived, with news of John Cooney - and plenty of others - signing new contracts comforting us through the festive Covid call-offs. Joining Gareth Hanna to discuss those deals as well as look ahead to this weekend's slated game against Munster are rugby reporters Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan. Also on the agenda are Sean Reffell's signing and Gareth Milasinovich's short-term switch to Saracens.

Ethan McIlroy's wonder score, festive inter-pros and disagreeing with Brian O'Driscoll by Belfast Telegraph Sport

One Champions Cup match down and from an originally daunting draw, all looks rosy in Ulster Rugby's European campaign. The win in Clermont is another landmark moment in the season for Dan McFarland's side, giving plenty for reporters Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan to discuss with host Gareth Hanna. On the agenda are the performances of James Hume and John Cooney, Nick Timoney's controversial try, this week's visit of Northampton Saints and much more.

Finally breaking our Leinster hoodoo and newfound back row riches by Belfast Telegraph Sport

The autumn internationals are at an end and Ulster Rugby are gearing up for their long-awaited return against Leinster on Saturday evening. Belfast Telegraph rugby correspondent Jonathan Bradley and reporter Adam McKendry join Gareth Hanna to discuss not only that United Rugby Championship clash but also the lay of the land for Ireland's Ulster contingent. Just where do they stand in the pecking order ahead of the Six Nations?

Ireland seem to be making something of a habit of beating the All Blacks these days. With 12 Leinstermen in the starting team during the weekend's landmark win at the Aviva Stadium, Jonathan Bradley is joined by Michael Sadlier and John Dickson to wonder whether the national team are as well just fielding their top provincial side. There's also a look at just how good the performance was, what it means for Ireland's World Cup plans and how many Ulster players could get game-time when Argentina come to Dublin on Sunday. And with Ulster due to return to action in 10 days' time, we ease back into provincial matters with a discussion of their top players in the A side's defeat to the old enemy Leinster.

What have Ireland learned from Japan, facing the All Blacks and does Iain Henderson fit? by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Ireland's reliance on Jonathan Sexton and Bradley Roberts' defection to join Wales by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Ulster's perfect start to the season is over in remarkable fashion. The 36-11 collapse against Connacht at the Aviva Stadium has led to something of a investigation demanded by the bagful of listener questions sent in this week. Joining Gareth Hanna to pick through them are the Belfast Telegraph's rugby correspondent Jonathan Bradley and Adam McKendry. Among the talking points are Dan McFarland's interesting quotes about his own frustrations and search for an 'intangible' quality, what went so badly wrong in Dublin and is it time for Michael Lowry to get a run in the number 10 jersey? Moving away from the game itself, there's also some chat around ticket prices.

The Ulster Rugby Round Up is back by popular demand after an unexpected week's break. Joining Gareth Hanna to discuss another, according to some, dissatisfying bonus point victory are Jonathan Bradley and Michael Sadlier. As well as the win over the Lions, there's also Rory Best's latest foray into the coaching world, Will Addison's new injury and the upcoming game against Connacht on the agenda.

Two matches down and Ulster's 100 per cent record continues thanks to a bonus point win at Zebre. Joining Gareth Hanna to discuss just how 'disjointed' the performance really was are rugby reporters Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan. Also on the agenda are the individual displays of the likes of James Hume, Nathan Doak and Will Addison, the upcoming match against Benetton and why Duane Vermeulen has been named in the Barbarians squad.

Ulster's United Rugby Championship has kicked off with a victory; the 35-29 bonus point home win over Glasgow. Joining Gareth Hanna to discuss that - including Nathan Doak's shining performance, James Hume's yellow card and many other talking points - the Development Team, Ireland Women's World Cup heartache and this weekend's trip to Zebre are the Belfast Telegraph rugby correspondent Jonathan Bradley and Ulster Rugby photographer John Dickson.

The new season is finally upon us as Glasgow arrive at the Kingspan Stadium. But the pre-amble to the United Rugby Championship's opening game has been far overshadowed by the arrival of Springbok star Duane Vermeulen to Ulster Rugby. And so, it's understandable that the lion's share of this week's discussion goes to the surprise signing.  Joining host Gareth Hanna to assess his impact as well as look ahead to the opening match and explain the new term of 'expected points' are the Belfast Telegraph's rugby correspondent Jonathan Bradley and freelance reporter Adam McKendry.

It's episode three of this season's Ulster Rugby Round Up and it's time for the season preview proper. Of course, it is set against a markedly more optimistic backdrop after Ulster's 33-3 win over Saracens in London and, as well as looking back at that game, we consider what Ulster can expect to achieve in the United Rugby Championship's inaugural campaign and on their Champions Cup return. There's a women's rugby controversy to discuss as well as the proposals for the World 12s. Joining Gareth Hanna to do all that are the Belfast Telegraph's rugby correspondent Jonathan Bradley and Ulster Rugby photographer as well as Esportif's Head of Global Brand and Communications John Dickson.

It's already episode two of the Ulster Rugby Round Up for the 21/22 season. After the friendly defeat to Saracens at Kingspan Stadium, we've got lots of your listener questions to ponder, with John Cooney's contract central to discussions as well as next crop of young players ready to make a significant step up. Joining Gareth Hanna to discuss that and lots more are rugby reporters Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan.

Ulster's Rugby 22/22 season is upon us with the first pre-season friendly taking place tomorrow against Saracens at Kingspan Stadium. To mark the occasion, Jonathan Bradley and Michael Sadlier join Gareth Hanna for the first podcast of the new campaign. They discuss the squad's injury situation, why there was just one player signed during the close-season and what we can expect to see in the friendly double header against Saracens.

It's Lions Test week and the Ulster Rugby Round Up is back with a rare summer edition to get you through until kick-off. So will he or won't he? The Iain Henderson selection dilemma is the number one talking point and we'll debate the wide range of potential outcomes for the Ulster skipper when Warren Gatland names his side for the first Test against South Africa. We've also got a pair of Ireland internationals to look back at, primarily the four Ulster players who made their international debuts as Robert Baloucoune shot his way to immediate stardom. Listen here as Jonathan Bradley and Michael Sadlier join host Gareth Hanna.

Ulster's Rugby's season is finally at an end. It's been a long time coming but we're finally ready to put a full-stop to a long campaign on our season review podcast. There's one final match - a late win over Edinburgh - to assess, including the requisite Rainbow Cup controversy - as well as the province's end of season awards. Once again, Jonathan Bradley's vote did not prove influential in the writers' accolade and this week he joins Richard Mulligan and host Gareth Hanna to try and find out why. There are a few key personnel to say a farewell to and positives to pick out of the gruelling campaign now gone. Oh, and yes, the the podcast was recorded before news broke of the collapse of Leona Nakarawa's transfer.

Ulster's Rugby's season is stumbling its way to a conclusion, with Saturday's game against Edinburgh still scheduled to take place despite coronavirus-related issues in both camps. Joining this week's host Jonathan Bradley to discuss the postponement of last weekend's visit of Scarlets and debate the merits of actually playing the final scheduled fixture of Ulster's drawn-out campaign are rugby reporters Michael Sadlier and Adam McKendry. There's also the confirmation of Louis Ludik's retirement to mull over, recalling fond memories of the full-back star's stint in white, and there are financial issues to assess off the back of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's three down, two to go for Ulster in the enduring slog that the Rainbow Cup has become but there are plenty of interesting topics remaining on the agenda. Top of the bill, of course, was that contentious decision not to sanction Robbie Henshaw for his tackle on Robert Baloucoune. We also look at the wider performance in that defeat to Leinster, how James Hume has come a potential front-runner for Ulster's Player of the Year award and tackle lots of your listener questions. To do all that and more, rugby reporters Jonathan Bradley and Adam McKendry join host Gareth Hanna.

Ulster's season rumbles on relentlessly, with three more Rainbow Cup fixtures left to play. This week, there's a defeat to Munster to look back on and a daunting trip to Leinster to preview. Joining Jonathan Bradley to do that are Michael Sadlier and Richard Mulligan.  As well as those fixtures, there's plenty of discussion about Iain Henderson's Lions selection, Ulster's young players, realistic aspirations for next season and the red card law trial.

Ulster's season is all but over after their Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Leicester Tigers left only the much-maligned Rainbow Cup to play for. There had been high hopes that, with Leinster for once not standing in their way, the route to silverware was clearing for the province but now there's another European wreckage to pick through for Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan with Adam McKendry in the host's chair. There's the defeat itself to discuss as well as the wider implications for Ulster's ongoing progress (or lack thereof) and even a British and Irish Lions announcement to mull over.

It's build-up week to Ulster's European Challenge Cup semi-final against Leicester Tigers. Hopes are building that the province have what it take to reach a first continental final since 2012 and joining host Adam McKendry to look ahead to the game are rugby reporting duo Jonathan Bradley and Michael Sadlier. There's also an opening Rainbow Cup defeat to Connacht to look back at, interesting most for the controversial debut of the new law trials as the visitors used their captain's challenge to set up the winning try and Ulster's decision riled Connacht coach Andy Friend.

The Rainbow Cup, or what remains of it, is now upon us. Ulster Rugby may not get the chance to take on South African opposition to end the season but, nonetheless the show goes on. Joining Gareth Hanna to look ahead to the tournament are Jonathan Bradley and Richard Mulligan. More than that, there's a shedload of listener questions to work through from injury updates to contract news and even the prospect of rugby going down a European Super League route.

Ulster Rugby are through to the semi-final of a European competition! Saturday's eventful quarter-final victory over Northampton provided plenty to mull over for rugby reporters Michael Sadlier and Adam McKendry, who join host Gareth Hanna for this week's podcast. There's plenty more on the agenda besides as Marcell Coetzee's departure from the province has been brought forward, doubts have been cast on the structure of the Rainbow Cup, the Challenge Cup draw has Ulster slated for a trip to Leicester and Twitter last weekend was almost as entertaining as the game itself!

What did Ulster learn from Quins mauling and a quarter date with the Saints by Belfast Telegraph Sport

Ulster's first ever Challenge Cup match is upon us with the trip to Harlequins on Sunday evening. Usually chief panellist, Jonathan Bradley is back in the host's chair for the second week running and is this week joined by rugby reporters Adam McKendry and Richard Mulligan. They look ahead to the big match, including the selection dilemmas facing Dan McFarland. Also on the agenda is the Rainbow Cup, what it means to Ulster and latest talk on the future of Louis Ludik.

With a free weekend up ahead, it's a first for the Ulster Rugby podcast. Usually chief panelist, Jonathan Bradley has shuffled over into the host's chair to direct the debate centred around the latest flurry of listener questions. He's joined by rugby reporter Michael Sadlier and Ulster photographer John 'Beaker' Dickson to discuss, among other things, Ulster's win over Zebre, the departure of Ulster Academy Manager Kieran Campbell, Leone Nakarawa's indifferent form ahead of his move from Glasgow and what will happen to the Schools' Cup.

There's been breaking news today for both Ulster and Ireland with Adam McBurney and CJ Standers' departures confirmed. While the former is off to pastures new in Edinburgh, the latter is calling time on a fruitful career, bowing out at the top. Joining Adam McKendry to discuss those and plenty other issues are Jonathan Bradley and Michel Sadlier.  Jacob Stockdale's performance for Ulster is on the agenda along with his potential Ireland recall in the team to take on England this weekend. Nick Timoney also gets a more than honourable mention for his display in the win over Dragons and there's more to mull over besides.

Ulster's PRO14 hopes may be over but rallying along at the perfect time to bring fresh hope of silverware is the Challenge Cup. Joining Gareth Hanna to discuss the double away draw - to Harlequins and then either Northampton or Dragons - are Jonathan Bradley and Adam McKendry. Also on the agenda is the end of Ulster's PRO14 hopes via the defeat to Leinster and, more prominently, the positive performance of winger Robert Baloucoune, making his first start of the season and marking it with a try. We also look ahead to the trip to Dragons this weekend and Ireland's game against Scotland, including what role Jacob Stockdale might play.