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 appearancesGary Longwell, Justin Fitzpatrick, David Humphreys, Simon Mason, Gary Leslie (15 each)
Top scorerSimon Mason (213)
Most triesStephen McKinty, Jan Cunningham, Andy Ward (5 each)
League(s)Heineken Cup (Champions)
IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd of 4)
1st kit
2nd kit
← 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.

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 Jonathan 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 Jonathan 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.

Squad

Ulster Rugby squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

  • Ireland Stephen McKinty
  • Ireland Andy Ward
  • Ireland Tony McWhirter
  • Ireland Dean Macartney
  • Ireland Stuart Duncan
  • Ireland Derek Topping
  • Ireland Eric Miller
  • Ireland Kevin McKee
  • Ireland Chris McCarey

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Stephen Bell
  • Ireland Andrew Matchett

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

  • Ireland Jan Cunningham
  • Ireland James Topping
  • Ireland Sheldon Coulter
  • Ireland Andy Park
  • Ireland Jonathan Davis
  • Ireland Neil McCluskey

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

Main article: 1998–99 Heineken Cup

Pool 3

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
Ireland Ulster 6 4 1 1 23 20 3 197 168 29 9
France Toulouse 6 4 0 2 31 11 20 234 103 131 8
Scotland Edinburgh Reivers 6 2 1 3 21 14 7 179 146 33 5
Wales Ebbw Vale 6 1 0 5 11 41 −30 114 307 −193 2
18 September 1998
19:30
Ulster Ireland 38 – 38 Scotland Edinburgh
Try: Mason, McKinty, J. Cunningham (2)
Con: Mason (3)
Pen: Mason (4)
 Report[7] Try: Mayer, Roxburgh, Murray (2)
Con: Hodge (3)
Pen: Hodge (3)
Drop: Hodge
Ravenhill
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. Jonathan 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 France 39 – 3 Ireland Ulster
Try: Ntamack (2), Desbrosse, Marfaing, Laput
Con: Delaigue, Ougier (2)
Pen: Ougier, Delaigue
 Report[8][9] Pen: Mason
Les Sept Deniers
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. Jonathan 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 Wales 28 – 61 Ireland Ulster
Try: Penalty try
Manley, Taumalolo
Con: Hayward (2)
Pen: Hayward (2)
 Report[10][11] Try: J. Bell, Humphreys (2), S. Bell, Blair, McKinty, Park
Con: Mason (7)
Pen: Mason (4)
Eugene Cross Park
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. Jonathan 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 Ireland 29 – 24 France Toulouse
Try: Mason, McKinty, Van Rensburg
Con: Mason
Pen: Mason (4)
 Report[12][9] Try: Marfaing, Cazalbou (2)
Con: Ougier (2), Delaigue
Ravenhill
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. Jonathan Bell 14. Sheldon Coulter 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 60)


30 October 1998
19:30
Ulster Ireland 43 – 18 Wales Ebbw Vale
Try: J. Cunningham, McWhirter, Irwin, Mason, S. Bell, Ward, Matchett
Con: Mason (4)
 Report[13][14] Try: Olsen, Faletau
Pen: Strange, Greene
Ravenhill
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. Jonathan 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 Scotland 21 – 23 Ireland Ulster
Try: Stanger, Murray
Con: Chalmers
Pen: Chalmers (3)
 Report[15]
Highlights 		Try: Blair, Coulter
Con: Mason (2)
Pen: Mason (3)
Myreside[16]
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. Jonathan 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 1998
19:15
Ulster Ireland 15 – 13 France Toulouse
Pen: Mason (3)
Drop: Humphreys (2)
 Report[17][9] Try: Pelous
Con: Ougier
Pen: Delaigue (2)
Ravenhill
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. Jonathan 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 1999
13:00
Ulster Ireland 33–27 France Stade Francais
Try: McKinty, Humphreys
Con: Mason
Pen: Mason (5)
Drop: Mason, Humphreys
 Report[18][19]
Highlights 		Try: Juillet (2), Lièvremont
Con: Dominguez (3)
Pen: Dominguez (2)
Ravenhill
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. Jonathan Bell, 13. Jan Cunningham, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Gary Leslie (for Irwin, 54), Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 33).

Final

Main article: 1999 Heineken Cup Final
30 January 1999
14:45
Ulster Ireland 21–6 France Colomiers
Pen: Mason (6)
Drop: Humphreys
 Report
full match on video 		Pen: Labit, Carre
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
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. Jonathan 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

Main article: IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Team P W D L F A BP Pts Status
Munster Munster 6 4 0 2 125 92 2 18 Champions; qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Ulster Ulster 6 3 0 3 137 119 3 15 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Leinster Leinster 6 3 0 3 135 136 2 14 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Connacht Connacht 6 2 0 4 95 145 3 11

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

14 August 1998
Leinster Leinster 14-34 Ulster Ulster
Try: Horgan, Nowlan
Pen: McGowan (2)
 Report[20] 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 Connacht 21-18 Ulster Ulster
Try: Duignan (2), Murphy
Con: Elwood (3)
 Report[21][22] Try: 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 Ulster 29-12 Munster Munster
Try: J. Cunningham, Rea
Con: Mason (2)
Pen: Mason (5)
 Report[23] 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. Jonathan Bell, 14. Jonathan Davis, 15. Simon Mason. Replacements: Stuart Duncan (for Macartney, 63), Rab Irwin (for Fitzpatrick, 79)


11 September 1998
Ulster Ulster 11-35 Leinster Leinster
Try: Rea
Pen: Mason (2)
 Report[24] 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. Jonathan 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 Munster 31-9 Ulster Ulster
Try: Lacey, Horgan, Foley, Galwey
Con: Lynch
Pen: Lynch (3)
 Report[25] 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. Jonathan Bell, 14. Sheldon Coulter, 15. Simon Mason.


23 October 1998
Ulster Ulster 36-6 Connacht Connacht
Try: Ward, McKinty, Topping, Clarke, Mason
Con: Mason (4)
Pen: Mason
 Report[26] Pen: Allnutt (2)
Ravenhill
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. Jonathan 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).

Friendlies

6 June 1998
Spanish Barbarians Spain 57-34 Ireland Ulster
Report[27] Try: McCullough, McKee, McCarey, Coulter
Con: McCullough (4)
Pen: Park (2)
Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian
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), M. Lightbody (for Rea, 59), Stephen Ritchie (for Weir, 46), Chris McCarey (for Duncan, 61).


10 August 1998
Ulster Ireland 50-5 Morocco Morocco
Try: J. Cunningham (2), McCall, McDowell, Bell, Park, Humphreys (2)
Con: Mason (5)
 Report[28] Try: Amina
Ravenhill
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 Parl, 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 1998
Ulster Ireland 32-15 Scotland Glasgow
Try: McWhirter, Matchett
Con: Mason (2)
Pen: Mason (5)
Drop: Humphreys
 Report[29]
Ravenhill
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:[30]

References

  1. ^ Jim Stokes, "Williams takes charge", Belfast Telegraph, 4 February 1998
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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. ^ a b Patrick McCarry, The New Breed: Irish Rugby's Professional Era, Mercier Press, 2015
  7. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ulster drop vital point in dramatic opening tie", Belfast Telegraph, 19 September 1998
  8. ^ Richard Stevenson, "Second best all round", Sunday Life, 27 September 1998
  9. ^ a b c "Chance to remember a lost time", Irish Times, 20 October 2000
  10. ^ "Flawless Mason inspires Ulster", Sunday Life, 11 October 1998
  11. ^ "Rugby Union: Ulster's forwards lay foundations for success", The Independent, 12 October 1998
  12. ^ Jim Stokes, "Salute brave hearts of Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 17 October 1998
  13. ^ Jim Stokes, "A victory romp but no rhythm", Belfast Telegraph, 31 October 1998
  14. ^ Gerry Thornley, "Ward Drives Ulster On", The Irish Times, 31 October 1998
  15. ^ Jim Stokes, "Sheldon 'n dusted: Coulter drives Ulster into Euro quarters", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 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, "Oh la, la, magical Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 12 December 1998
  18. ^ Brendan Fanning, "Euro dream lives on", Sunday Independent, 10 January 1999
  19. ^ Chris Hewett, "Rugby Union: Ulster revel in magic of Europe", The Independent, 11 January 1999
  20. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Ulster off to a flier", Sunday Life, 16 August 1998
  21. ^ "Duignan does it for the West", Sunday World, 23 August 1998
  22. ^ Micheal McGeary, "Chastened Shadows", Sunday Life, 23 August 1998
  23. ^ Kieran Rooney, "Ward leads Ulster to top", Irish Independent, 5 September 1998
  24. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ulster take a pasting", Belfast Telegraph, 12 September 1998
  25. ^ Barry Roche, "Munster pack most powerful of punches", Sunday Tribune, 4 October 1998
  26. ^ Jim Stokes, "Bell and Ward in top gear", Belfast Telegraph, 24 October 1998
  27. ^ "No pain but gain for Coulter class", Belfast Telegraph, 8 June 1998
  28. ^ Jim Stokes, "McWhirter points way", Belfast Telegraph, 11 August 1998
  29. ^ Jim Stokes, "Matchett stakes claim for Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 29 August 1998
  30. ^ Jim Stokes, "Ulster toasts master Mason", Belfast Telegraph, 28 May 1999
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