2010–11 Ulster Rugby season

The 2010–11 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 17th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their second under head coach Brian McLaughlin. This season marked the debuts of two South Africans, scrum-half Ruan Pienaar (replacing Isaac Boss, who had moved to Leinster) and second row forward Johann Muller. Ulster were quarter-finalists in the European Rugby Champions Cup, and semi-finalists in the Celtic League. Ruan Pienaar was Player of the Year. Nevin Spence was IRUPA Young Player of the Year.

Forwards coach Jeremy Davidson left at the end of the season.

Players in (Season 2010/2011)

 * Johann Muller: from Sharks
 * Tim Barker: from Glasgow Warriors
 * Ruan Pienaar from Sharks
 * Pedrie Wannenburg: from Bulls
 * 🇦🇺 Adam D'Arcy from 🇦🇺 Manly RFC
 * 🇺🇸 Paul Emerick from 🇮🇹 Overmach Parma
 * Jerry Cronin from Ballynahinch
 * Alan Whitten from Instonians (short-term injury cover)

Promoted from academy

 * Adam Macklin
 * Paddy McAllister
 * Neil McComb
 * Ian Porter
 * Nevin Spence
 * Tommy Seymour
 * Jamie Smith

Players out (Season 2010/2011)

 * Isaac Boss to Leinster
 * Ed O'Donoghue to Leinster
 * Timoci Nagusa to Montpellier
 * Justin Fitzpatrick retired
 * 🇦🇺 Tamaiti Horua released
 * Matt McCullough retired
 * Cillian Willis to Connacht Rugby
 * David Pollock retired
 * Bryn Cunningham retired
 * 🇦🇺 Clinton Schifcofske to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Celtic Crusaders (rugby league)

Players in

 * Iain Henderson
 * Paddy Jackson
 * Kyle McCall
 * Ali Birch
 * Conor Carey
 * Craig Gilroy
 * David McGuigan
 * Stephen Lecky
 * Blane McIlroy
 * David McIlwaine

Players out

 * James Sandford to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Rotherham Titans
 * Sean Dougall
 * Pal Pritchard
 * Jonny Shiels

Pool 4

 * Biarritz won the tiebreaker over Ulster with a 6–4 advantage in head-to-head competition points.

Ulster Rugby Awards
The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held on 10 May 2011 at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood. Winners were:


 * Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year: Johann Muller
 * Ulster Player of the Year: Ruan Pienaar
 * Supporters Club Player of the Year: Johann Muller
 * Young Ulster Player of the Year: Nevin Spence
 * Ulster Academy Player of the Year: Craig Gilroy
 * Most Improved Ulster Player of the Year: Adam D'Arcy
 * Youth Player of the Year: Conall Doherty, City of Derry R.F.C.
 * Club of the Year: City of Armagh RFC
 * Club Player of the Year: Paul Pritchard, Ballymena RFC
 * Schools Player of the Year: John Creighton, Campbell College
 * Dorrington B. Faulkner Award: Ronnie Clements, Limavady RFC

Season reviews

 * "Review of Ulster's Season", Ulster Rugby, 1 June 2011