Time for Ulster to shed 'nearly men' tag
Ulster were consistent last season but didn't win any trophies. They lost in the semi-final of the BTK United Rugby Championship to the Stormers. Jacob Stockdale and Luke Marshall are back from injury. The backline is packed with potential with James Hume, Robert Baloucoune and Mike Lowry all pushing for Ireland selection. Nick Timoney and Kieran Treadwell were outstanding for Ulster last year. Ulster have the chance to burst out of their starting blocks with three of four URC fixtures at home. They won eight of nine regular-season matches at Kingspan Stadium last term.
Last season, they finished third in URC regular season and lost to Stormers in semi-finals. They also lost 50-49 on aggregate against Toulouse in Champions Cup round of 16.
Iain Henderson has been injured a lot recently. He will miss this week's opener against Connacht.
Jake Flannery moved to Ulster after being starved of opportunities at Munster. He created two tries in the pre-season win over Exeter Chiefs and will challenge Billy Burns for the No 10 shirt.
Flannery and Declan Moore join from Munster. Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Sean Reffell arrive from Premiership sides Wasps and Saracens. Limerick lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan joins from French second division side USON Nevers.
Bradley Roberts has left Ulster for the Dragons. David O'Connor and Ross Kane have joined Ealing Trailfinders. Mick Kearney retired at the end of last season. Jack McGrath and Sean Reidy also left the province.
Watch live coverage of Cardiff v Munster (16 September), Zebre Parma v Leinster, Stormers v Connacht (24 September) and Dragons v munster on RTÉ2 and RTé Player.
