1999–2000 Ulster Rugby season

The 1999–2000 season was Ulster Rugby's fifth season under professionalism, and Harry Williams's second season as head coach. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship.

Ahead of the new season, Williams signed Paddy Johns, Simon Best, Niall Malone, Tyrone Howe, Spencer Bromley and Riaz Fredericks to full-time contracts. Mark McCall retired as a player, and was appointed assistant coach.

In the Heineken Cup, Ulster finished bottom of their pool. They came second in the Interprovincial Championship, qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. Tony McWhirter was Ulster's Player of the Year.

Plans for a Celtic League, featuring the Irish provinces alongside teams from Scotland and Wales, were mooted. This would give the provinces a 12-game league schedule, alongside six Interpros and at least six Heineken Cup matches, and mean contracted players would no longer be available for their All-Ireland League clubs, but play exclusively for their provinces. This plan would not materialise for another few seasons.

Players in

 * Simon Best from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Newcastle
 * 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Spencer Bromley from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Harlequins
 * Riaz Fredericks from 🇭🇰 Hong Kong sevens team
 * Tyrone Howe from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Newbury
 * Paddy Johns from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Saracens
 * Niall Malone from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Worcester
 * Dion O'Cuinneagain from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sale
 * 🇫🇯 Joeli Veitayaki from 🇳🇿 Northland

Players out

 * Mark McCall (retired)
 * Stanley McDowell (out of contract)
 * Andy Park (out of contract)
 * Michael Patton (out of contract)

1999–2000 IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Top three teams qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.

Ulster Rugby Awards
The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 18 May 2000 at the La Mon House Hotel. Winners were:


 * Bank of Ireland Ulster player of the year: Tony McWhirter
 * Guinness personality of the year: David Humphreys
 * Reneault schools player of the year: Matt McCullough
 * Calor Gas youth player of the year: Martin Miller, Coleraine
 * First Trust club of the year: Ballymena R.F.C.
 * Coach of the year: Mark McCall, Ballynahinch RFC
 * Dorrie B. Faulkner Award: Jack Lewis, Civil Service Rugby Club