Ulster Rugby: The Comeback Season?

Ulster Rugby are looking turnaround a disappointing 2024/25 season this year.

After a challenging season last year, Ulster Rugby have started their 2025/26 United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign strong.

Ulster opened with three consecutive bonus-point wins over Dragons, Vodacom Bulls and the Sharks. 

Unfortunately, what should’ve been their second fixture against Edinburgh (away) was postponed due to Storm Amy creating unsafe conditions. 

Ulster’s winning-streak ended when they faced the Lions in a very close match which ended 49-31. Despite the loss, Ulster still secured a try bonus point that kept them 5th heading into the international break.

This is a massive improvement for head coach Richie Murphy, who was appointed the role in May 2024, following a few months as an interim head coach.

Many of the Ulstermen will spend this break representing their nation as Andy Farrell, the head coach of Ireland rugby, named Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale in his squad for The Gallagher Cup and the Autumn Nations.

Nine Ulster players were also included in the Ireland XV squad that took on Spain earlier this month. Robert Baloucoune, Nathan Doak, Michael Lowry, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward, David McCann, Tom O’Toole, Scott Wilson and Tom Stewart all represented Ireland with Stewart named as captain.

More changes have recently occurred - Rory Best has been named Ulster Rugby’s General Manager, hoping to continue the so-far successful rebuild of the club.

The club suffered a difficult 24/25 season, coming 14th in the URC after only winning 7 out of 18 matches and failing to reach the playoffs.

In the pool stages of the Champions Cup, Ulster lost 3 out of 4 matches with the final blow to their season ending in a loss of 43-31 to the Bordeaux Bègles.

Throughout the season, the club had many injuries to key players including winger Robert Baloucoune, who suffered numerous muscle injuries and tears, and centre James Hume, who was rehabilitating from an ACL injury.

Looking ahead, Ulster face Benetton on 28 November, where they will hope to win another 5 points. The Italian side currently sit in 10th after winning 2 of their 5 matches.