2000–01 Ulster Rugby season

The 2000–01 season was Ulster Rugby's sixth since the advent of professionalism, and their third under coach Harry Williams. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship. Williams announced in August 2000 that he would leave at the end of the season.^[1]

2000–01 Ulster Rugby season

Ground(s)	Ravenhill Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Coach(es)	Harry Williams
Captain(s)	David Humphreys
Most appearances	Justin Fitzpatrick, Gary Longwell, Andy Ward, Tony McWhirter, Brad Free, David Humphreys, Ryan Constable, James Topping (12 each)
Top scorer	David Humphreys (148)
Most tries	James Topping (6)
League(s)	Heineken Cup (4th in pool) IRFU Interprovincial Championship (2nd)
← 1999–2000 2001–02 →

The IRFU rejected a proposal for a Celtic League involving three of the Irish provinces, two Scottish super-districts and seven Welsh clubs, each playing 22 matches. The IRFU argued that the structure proposed would add too many games and leave provincial players unable to play for their clubs, and made a counter-proposal of an eleven-game season, which the Welsh and Scottish unions rejected.^[2] Discussions continued,^[3] and a format was finally agreed for the following season.^[4]

They were bottom of their pool in the Heineken Cup, failing to qualify for the knockout stage. They finished second in the Interprovincial Championship, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. The average crowd at Interprovincial matches was 7,000, comparing favourably to 3,000 in the English first division.^[5] Tyrone Howe was Ulster's Player of the Year, and was selected for the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Player transfers

Players in   Clem Boyd from   Bath^[6]   John Campbell from   Terenure^[7]   Ryan Constable from   Saracens^[8]   Brad Free from   Bective Rangers^[9]^[10]   Grant Henderson from   Natal^[11]   Russell Nelson from   Blue Bulls^[12]   Shane Stewart from   Ballymena^[12]

Players out   Simon Mason to   Stade Francais^[13]   Eric Miller to   Leinster^[12]   Spencer Bromley to   Worcester^[12]   Riaz Fredericks (released)^[12]   Joeli Veitayaki (released)^[12]

Squad

Ulster Rugby squad
Props   Simon Best   Clem Boyd   John Campbell   Justin Fitzpatrick Hookers   Allen Clarke   Paul Shields   Richard Weir   Mark Crick Locks   Mark Blair   Paddy Johns   Gary Longwell	Back row   Chris McCarey   Tony McWhirter   Russell Nelson*   Dion O'Cuinneagain   Derek Topping   Andy Ward Scrum-halves   Stephen Bell   Neil Doak   Brad Free * Fly-halves   David Humphreys (c)   Niall Malone	Centres   Jonny Bell   Tyrone Howe   Shane Stewart Wings   Ryan Constable   Sheldon Coulter   Jan Cunningham   James Topping Fullbacks   Grant Henderson
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. ^* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.

2000–01 Heineken Cup

Main article: 2000–01 Heineken Cup

Team	P	W	D	L	Tries for	Tries against	Try diff	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Pts
Cardiff	6	4	0	2	18	13	5	182	146	36	8
Saracens	6	4	0	2	14	13	1	174	140	34	8
Toulouse	6	2	1	3	19	15	4	171	182	−11	5
Ulster	6	1	1	4	11	21	−10	146	205	−59	3

6 October 2000 19:15

Ulster	32 – 23	Cardiff
Try: Constable Howe Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (5) Drop: Humphreys	Report^[14]	Try: Jenkins Morgan Con: Jenkins (2) Pen: Jenkins (3)

Ravenhill Attendance: 12,000

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Nelson, 20), Mark Blair (for Johns, 61), Clem Boyd (for Best, 65).

15 October 2000 15:00

Saracens	55 – 25	Ulster
Try: Hill (2) McRae Luger (3) Con: Castaignède (5) Pen: Castaignède (5)	Report^[15]^[16]	Try: Stewart Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (6)

Vicarage Road Attendance: 11,258

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Derek Topping, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Johns, 40). Chris McCarey (for D. Topping, 68), Sheldon Coulter (for Stewart, 79).

22 October 2000 15:00

Toulouse	35 – 35	Ulster
Try: Pelous Labit Fillol Desbrosse Con: Marfaing (3) Pen: Marfaing (3)	Report^[17]	Try: Free Howe J. Bell J. Topping Con: Humphreys (3) Pen: Humphreys (3)

Stadium Municipal Attendance: 14,000

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Ryan Constable, 13. Jonny Bell 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Shane Stewart (for Constable, 40), Clem Boyd (for Best, 40), Paul Shields (for Weir, 72).

27 October 2000 19:30

Ulster	25 – 29	Toulouse
Try: Ward Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (6)	Report^[18]	Try: Desbrosse Servat Con: Delaigue Marfaing Pen: Delaigue (5)

Ravenhill Attendance: 12,000

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Russell, 16).

12 January 2001 19:05

Cardiff	42 – 16	Ulster
Try: Robinson (2) Jenkins Quinnell Con: Jenkins (2) Pen: Jenkins (5) Drop: Jenkins	Report^[19]	Try: J. Topping (2) Pen: Humphreys (2)

Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 10,500

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Stan McDowell.

19 January 2001 19:30

Ulster	13 – 21	Saracens
Try: Humphreys Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (2)	Report^[20]	Try: Shanklin McRae Hill Con: McRae (3)

Ravenhill Attendance: 13,500

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Paddy Johns, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Ryan Constable, 13. Jonny Bell, 14. James Topping, 15. Stan McDowell. Replacements: Niall Malone (for J. Bell, 47), Richard Weir (for Clarke, 48), Stephen Bell (for Free, 48), Mark Blair (for Longwell, 58), Clem Boyd (for Best, 60), Sheldon Coulter (for McDowell, 80).

2000-01 IRFU Interprovincial Championship

Main article: IRFU Interprovincial Championship

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	BP	Pts	Status
Munster	6	5	1	0	151	99	1	23	Champions; qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Ulster	6	3	0	3	144	119	3	15	Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Leinster	6	2	1	3	109	111	2	12	Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
Connacht	6	1	0	5	100	175	1	5

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

1 September 2000

Ulster	16-21	Munster
Try: Ward Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (3)	Report^[21]	Pen: O'Gara (5) Drop: O'Gara (2)

Ravenhill

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Paddy Johns, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson.

9 September 2000

Connacht	15-39	Ulster
Try: Lee Elwood Con: Elwood Pen: Elwood	Report^[22]	Try: Nelson Johns J. Bell J. Topping Stewart Con: Humphreys (4) Pen: Humphreys (3)

Galway Sportsgrounds

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Mark Blair (for Longwell, 60), Shane Stewart (for Henderson, 63), Stephen Bell (for Free, 71), Derek Topping (for Ward, 74)

15 September 2000

Leinster	19-6	Ulster
Try: Hickie Con: McHugh Pen: McHugh (2) Dempsey	Report^[23]	Pen: Humphreys (2)

Donnybrook

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 40), Shane Stewart (for Henderson, 67), Stephen Bell (for Free, 75).

22 September 2000

Ulster	26-13	Leinster
Try: J. Bell Ward Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (4)	Report^[24]	Try: McHugh Con: McHugh Drop: O'Driscoll

Ravenhill

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Mark Blair, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for Nelson, 59), Stephen Bell (for Free, 63), Shane Stewart (for J. Topping, 77).

29 September 2000

Munster	29-21	Ulster
Try: Crotty Horgan Con: O'Gara (2) Pen: O'Gara (5)	Report^[25]	Try: Free J. Topping Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (3)

Thomond Park

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Simon Best, 4. Paddy Johns, 5. Gary Longwell, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Shane Stewart, 12. Jonny Bell, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 64), Mark Blair (for Johns, 71), Clem Boyd (for Best, 71), Stephen Bell (for Free, 76).

3 November 2000

Ulster	36-22	Connacht
Try: J. Topping Blair (2) Humphreys Ward Con: Humphreys (4) Pen: Humphreys	Report^[26]	Try: O'Connor Munn Schoemann Con: Munn (2) Pen: Munn

Ravenhill

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Richard Weir, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Simon Best (for Boyd, 32), Paddy Johns (for Longwell, 40), Paul Shields (for Weir, 50), Derek Topping (for McWhirter, 62), Neil Doak (for Free, 67).

Friendlies

5 August 2000

Ulster	31-12	Leicester Tigers
Try: Topping Malone Coulter McWhirter B. Cunningham Con: Malone (2) Humphreys	Report^[27]	Try: Howard Reeves Con: Meenan

Omagh Academicals RFC Referee: Gareth Doyle

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Simon Best, Richie Weir, John Campbell, Aidan Kearney, Chris McCarey, Derek Topping, Stephen Bell, Niall Malone, Sheldon Coulter, Seamus Mallon, Bryn Cunningham.

11 August 2000

Coventry	0-64	Ulster
	Report^[28]	Try: McWhirter Stewart Topping (3) Penalty try Humphreys Coulter Howe Con: Humphreys (7)

Coundon Road Stadium Referee: M. Fox

Ulster lineup

• 1. Simon Best, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Stephen Bell, 10. David Humphreys, 11. Sheldon Coulter, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Bryn Cunningham. Replacements: Justin Fitzpatrick (for Best, 45'), Niall Malone (for Cunningham, 56'), Richie Weir (for Clarke, 60'), John Campbell (for BOyd, 67') Seamus Mallon (for Humphreys, 70'), Derek Topping (for Nelson, 70').

11 August 2000

Ulster	37-11	Edinburgh Reivers
Try: Free (2) Stewart (2) Nelson Topping Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys	Report	Try: Tom Weir Pen: Duncan Hodge (2)

Ravenhill Attendance: 6,000 Referee: M. Fox

Ulster lineup

• 1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. Allen Clarke, 3. Clem Boyd, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Mark Blair, 6. Russell Nelson, 7. Andy Ward, 8. Tony McWhirter, 9. Brad Free, 10. David Humphreys (c), 11. Tyrone Howe, 12. Shane Stewart, 13. Ryan Constable, 14. James Topping, 15. Grant Henderson. Replacements: Richie Weir (for Clarke, 8') Derek Topping (for Ward, 8-19', for McWhirter, 48') Paddy Johns (for Blair, 24-36') Simon Best (for Fitzpatrick, 69') Sheldon Coulter (for Howe, 78')

Ulster Rugby Awards

The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 24 May 2001. Winners were:^[29]

• Ulster Rugby player of the year: Tyrone Howe
• Supporters' Club player of the year: Tyrone Howe
• Guinness personality of the year: Gary Longwell
• Coach of the year: Willie Anderson, Dungannon RFC
• Schools player of the year: Glen Telford, RBAI
• Youth player of the year: Wayne Dougan, Banbridge RFC
• Club of the year: Clogher Valley
• PRO Award: Terry Jackson, Dungannon RFC
• Dorrington B Faulkner Memorial Award: Roy McGarvey, Coleraine

References

1. "Williams to quit as Ulster coach", BBC Sport, 31 August 2000
2. Tony Ward, "IRFU says no to plans for new Celtic League", Irish Independent, 14 March 2000
3. Kieran Rooney, "Celtic League looming large in rugby horizon", Irish Independent, 18 August 2000
4. "Celtic League gets green light to kick off in August", Evening Herald, 31 May 2001
5. Barry Coughlan, "Doubts remain about benefits of Celtic League", Irish Examiner, 4 October 2000
6. "Prop Boyd forced to retire", BBC Sport, 4 November 2003
7. Jim Stokes, "Campbell signed up to replace Veitayaka [sic]", Belfast Telegraph, 10 May 2000
8. Gavin Mairs, "Retiring Ulster ace gets a big vote of thanks", Belfast Telegraph, 4 July 2008
9. "The joy of being free of injury", Irish Times, 26 October 2000
10. "Brad Free to play for Ireland", Irish Independent, 29 October 1997
11. Richard Bullick, "Ulster sign Springboks", News Letter, 23 June 2000
12. Jonathan McConnell, "Ulster recruit South Africans", ESPN Scrum, 23 June 2000
13. Gavin Mortimer, "The ten biggest flops in the Top 14", Rugby World, 18 December 2013
14. Jim Stokes, "Rugby: Super Ulster right back in business", Belfast Telegraph, 5 July 2008
15. Ian Malin, "Gallic genius triggers Luger", The Guardian, 16 October 2000
16. "Saracens too strong for Ulster", BBC Sport, 15 October 2000
17. "Ulster earn remarkable draw", BBC Sport, 22 October 2000
18. EPCR Stats
19. "RUGBY UNION: POOR ULSTER KEPT AT AN ARMS LENGTH; Cardiff 42 Ulster 16: Champions of 1999 are European flops in Cardiff.." The Free Library. 2001 MGN LTD 26 Feb. 2022
20. Jim Stokes, "Plenty of heart but it's a Sarri send-off", Belfast Telegraph, 20 January 2001
21. Jim Stokes, "O'Gara steals the show", Belfast Telegraph, 2 September 2000
22. Kieran Rooney, "Ulster leave Connacht stranded", Sunday Independent, 10 September 2000
23. "Ace predator Hickie strikes for Leinster", Irish Independent, 16 September 2000
24. Tony Ward, "Humphreys leads Ulster to victory", Irish Independent, 23 September 2000
25. Barry Coughlan, "Munster dig deep for great victory", Irish Examiner, 30 September 2000
26. Jim Stokes, "Classy Ulster sink brave Connacht", Irish Independent, 4 November 2000
27. Richard Buckley, "Ulster on the Maul", Sunday Life, 6 August 2000
28. "Coventry find Ulster in try-scoring mood", Belfast Telegraph. 12 August 2000
29. "Honours for Howe and Longwell", BBC Sport, 25 May 2001