Rugby Union

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy

Ulster lose final pre-season friendly but Richie Murphy remains upbeat

Ulster's Kieran Treadwell. (Photo by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker)

Ulster's Kieran Treadwell enjoying mentor's role

Dan Carter of the New Zealand All Blacks in action during the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa

When All Blacks great Dan Carter could have signed for Inst

Ulster's Dan Soper. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Ulster 'used to hate playing against' Werner Kok but now set for weekend debut

Instonians' David Whitten (left). (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Dungannon progress 'momentum and taking little steps'

Ulster's Mike Lowry. (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)

Mike Lowry celebrates 'massive honour' as Ulster captain

Ulster Rugby head coach Richie Murphy watched his side beat Benetton in friendly action

Ulster claim friendly win against Benetton at Kingspan Stadium

Ulster lock Alan O'Connor was full of praise for new forwards coach Jimmy Duffy

Alan O'Connor impressed by impact of Ulster's new forwards coach

Malone's Jack McMurtry in action

Ulster League final incentive for Malone and Dungannon

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy ahead of the weekend pre-season friendly against Benetton at Kingspan Stadium. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Murphy family affair as Ulster host Benetton

City of Armagh head coach Chris Parker. PIC: City of Armagh RFC

City of Armagh inflict a first home defeat on Instonians in four years

Ballyclare will play their first match as a senior club against Co Antrim rivals Ballymena in Ulster Premiership Division 2

Big moment as Ballyclare prepare for first game as senior club

Instonians and Armagh will face each other at Shaw's Bridge

Armagh coach Chris Parker expecting tough challenge against Inst

Ballynahinch suffered an opening day defeat to Dungannon in the Ulster Senior League

Ballynahinch shocked by Dungannon on opening day of Ulster Senior League

Instonians kick-start their Ulster Senior League campaign with a trip to Banbridge

Instonians proud of last year's success but club now looking forward: Pritchard

Ulster Rugby CEO Hugh McCaughey

Ulster Rugby CEO Hugh McCaughey confident of overcoming financial deficit

Ulster Rugby chief executive Hugh McCaughey says the province is facing a deficit of between £2.5m and £3m.

Sports Desk

Hugh McCaughey. PIC: Ulster Rugby

Hugh McCaughey to continue in role as CEO of Ulster Rugby

Ireland's Zac Ward is tackled by South Africa's Selvyn Davids during the Rugby Sevens match at Stade de France, Paris during the Olympic Games. (David Davies/PA Wire)

Ballynahinch's Zac Ward helps Team Ireland open Paris Olympics bid in style

Ireland players celebrate success over South Africa by 25-24 on Saturday in Durban. (Photo by AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Andy Farrell: Ireland’s first-half display in South Africa ‘as good as it gets’

Ireland's Ciaran Frawley (left) watches his last-minute drop goal kick in victory over South Africa. (Photo by AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Ireland hero Ciaran Frawley hails team effort to see off South Africa

Ireland players celebrate after victory in Durban over South Africa by 25-24. (Photo by Phill Magakoe/AFP)

Ireland in stunning late win over South Africa off Ciaran Frawley’s drop goal

Ireland rugby head coach Andy Farrell

Andy Farrell expects Springboks to be 'twice as good' in Test decider

Head coach Andy Farrell with captain Peter O'Mahony (left) after the Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland in Dublin. PIC: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Andy Farrell impressed by captain Peter O’Mahony’s response to being dropped

Ireland and Ulster's Stuart McCloskey (left) has been included in the squad for Saturday's showdown with South Africa. (Photo by Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

Caelan Doris to captain Ireland while Ulster duo added to bench

Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA)

Ireland head into South Africa finale without added injury woes

Head coach, Andy Farrell, has warned his Ireland side not to be ‘desperate’ against South Africa

Ireland can ill-afford to be 'desperate' in second South Africa clash: Farrell

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. PIC: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.

South Africa underline status as top-ranked nation with gripping Ireland win

Ireland wing James Lowe went from hero to zero as world champions South Africa underlined their status as Test rugby’s top-ranked nation with a gripping 27-20 win in Pretoria.

PA Sport Staff

Ireland's Peter O'Mahony is set to win his 106th Ireland cap on Saturday against South Africa in Pretoria

Ireland's Peter O'Mahony confident Jamie Osborne will seize chance

Leinster's Jamie Osborne who will make his Ireland debut in the first Test against South Africa in Pretoria

Uncapped Jamie Osborne set for Ireland debut against South Africa

Ulster Rugby head coach Richie Murphy

Ulster handed tough Champions Cup test against top French and English opposition

Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

South Africa talk ‘means nothing’ to Ireland’s Mike Catt

Keith Shorten, Head of Commercial at Ulster Rugby and Phil Smyth, Managing Director of Commercial Development at Danske Bank, pictured at Kingspan Stadium with the renowned Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup trophy

Danske Bank extend Schools' Cup sponsorship by another three years

Ulster's Nick Timoney has been named in the Ireland squad for July's two-Test series against South Africa

Ulster forwards Timoney and Izuchukwu named in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad

Tim Barker is the new head coach at Rainey

Tim Barker can bring a new impetus to Rainey says president

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy. PIC: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Richie Murphy optimistic for the future despite URC quarter-final defeat

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy watched his side lose to Leinster in the quarter-final of the United Rugby Championship

Leinster hit six tries in quarter-final success over Ulster

Ulster Rugby’s Rob Herring ahead of their URC quarter-final fixture against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. PIC: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Rob Herring relishing scrum battle against Ireland teammates in Leinster test

Ulster Rugby’s Harry Sheridan lock/back-row pictured during a media briefing ahead of BKT URC quarter-final fixture v Leinster on Saturday

Ulster's Harry Sheridan 'happy to play anywhere' in Leinster showdown

Former Ulster player Stephen Ferris on duty as a Premier Sports pundit. (Photo by Premier Sports)

Stephen Ferris no fears over Ulster numbers past pain

Ulster’s David McCann. (Photo by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker)

Ulster's David McCann drawing confidence from 'our process'

Rob Burrow with his wife Lindsey before May's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Rob Burrow: The Leeds Rhinos great whose biggest battle was fought off the pitch

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press).

Ulster secure Champions Cup spot for next season despite defeat to Munster

Ulster's Nick Timoney. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Ulster's Nick Timoney off to Munster in optimistic mood

Ulster prop Tom O'Toole will have a key role to play in this weekend's United Rugby Championship clash against Munster. PIC: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Ulster's Tom O'Toole relishing scrum battle against Munster

Ulster defence coach Jonny Bell. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Ulster performance over 'permutations' key for Jonny Bell

Gareth Steenson. (Photo by City of Armagh Rugby Club)

Gareth Steenson returns home for City of Armagh coaching role

Ulster have confirmed the signing of Aidan Morgan. (Photo by Ulster Rugby)

New Zealand-born Aidan Morgan highlights Belfast pride after Ulster confirmation

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press).

Ulster's European Champions Cup focus now on top seven

Ulster's John Cooney. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA)

Ulster into URC quarter-finals thanks to John Cooney late drama

Ulster's Stuart McCloskey is relishing playing alongside Will Addison at centre

Ulster primed for vital URC interpro showdown with Leinster

Lock Kieran Treadwell has hailed the impact of Ulster's young forwards on the squad

Kieran Treadwell hails impact of young Ulster players on squad

Billy Burns is one of nine players set to leave Ulster Rugby this summer. PIC: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Ulster Rugby confirm nine players set to depart Kingspan Stadium

Iain Henderson, who has been ruled out of Ireland's summer series against world champions South Africa after undergoing toe surgery

Iain Henderson ruled out of Ireland's tour of South Africa through injury

Richie Murphy will be staying with Ulster after agreeing a permanent two-year contract

Richie Murphy named Ulster head coach on a two-year deal

Mike Lowry made his 100th appearance for Ulster in Saturday's 31-20 win away at Scarlets

Mike Lowry captains Ulster on 100th appearance to win at Scarlets