2008–09 Ulster Rugby season

The 2008–09 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 15th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their only full season under head coach Matt Williams.

David Humphreys, who retired at the end of last season, was appointed to the newly created role of operations director, reporting to chief executive Michael Reid. Peter Sharp joined as defence coach in August 2008. Current player Paul Steinmetz was appointed backs coach. Former Ulster players Jonny Bell and Niall Malone joined the academy as Elite Player Development Officers.

New signings included Humphreys' younger brother Ian, who had been playing for Leicester Tigers since 2005. Fijian winger Timoci Nagusa joined from Tailevu Knights.

Ulster finished third in their Heineken Cup pool, and eighth in the Celtic League. One highlight of an otherwise disappointing season was a win over Munster at Thomond Park in January, the first time Munster had lost at home in European competition. Three of Ulster's five tries came from Ian Humphreys' assists. Ulster qualified for next season's Heineken Cup as one of Ireland's top three teams, finishing ahead of Connacht in the league. Matt Williams left by mutual consent at the end of the season. Assistant coach Steve Williams also left after his contract was not renewed. For the following season, Ulster put a new management structure in place. Michael Reid was chief executive; David Humphreys was director of rugby, with overall responsibility for the senior team, the Ulster 'A' team (renamed the Ulster Ravens), the Ulster under-20s and the academy; and Brian McLaughlin was appointed head coach, assisted by forwards coaches Jeremy Davidson and Peter Sharp, and backs coach Neil Doak.

Rory Best was Ulster's Player of the Year, and flanker Stephen Ferris was selected for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

Players in

 * BJ Botha from Natal Sharks
 * Robbie Diack from Stormers


 * Ian Humphreys from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Leicester Tigers
 * Timoci Nagusa from Tailevu Knights
 * Ed O'Donoghue from 🇦🇺 Queensland Reds
 * 🇳🇿 Filo Paulo from Malone (short-term injury cover)
 * 🇦🇺 Dan Roach from 🇦🇺 New South Wales Waratahs
 * 🇦🇺 Clinton Schifcofske from Queensland Reds
 * Cillian Willis from Leinster

Promoted from academy

 * T. J. Anderson
 * Mark McCrea

Players out

 * Tim Barker to 🇫🇷 Castres
 * 🇦🇺 Mark Bartholomeusz to 🇮🇹 Padova
 * Neil Best to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Northampton Saints
 * Simon Best retired
 * Tommy Bowe to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Ospreys
 * Kieran Campbell to Connacht
 * Niall Conlon released
 * Kieran Hallett to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Plymouth Albion
 * 🇦🇺 Justin Harrison to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bath Rugby
 * David Humphreys retired
 * 🇦🇺 Adam Larkin retired
 * 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Matt Miles to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Cambridge
 * Neil McMillan to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Harlequins
 * 🇳🇿 Grant Webb to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Newport Gwent Dragons
 * Roger Wilson to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Northampton Saints

Players in

 * Nevin Spence
 * Paddy McAllister
 * Adam Macklin
 * Ricky Andrew
 * David McGregor
 * Jonny Shiels

Players out

 * Neil Simpson
 * Pat Steenkamp
 * Sam McDonald
 * Mark Robinson
 * Chris Quinn
 * Owen McMurray
 * Stephen Douglas

Ulster Rugby Awards
The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 14 May 2009 at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast. Winners were:


 * Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year: Stephen Ferris
 * Rugby Writers Player of the Year: Stephen Ferris
 * Ulster Player of the Year: Rory Best
 * Young Ulster Player of the Year: Darren Cave
 * Academy Player of the Year: Willie Faloon
 * Schools' Player of the Year: Niall Annett, Methodist College Belfast
 * Club of the Year: Ballynahinch RFC
 * Club Player of the Year: Chris Stevenson, Ballynahinch RFC
 * Youth Player of the Year: Stephen Irvine, Banbridge RFC
 * Dorrington B. Faulkner Award: William Davidson, Armagh