2013–14 Ulster Rugby season

The 2013–14 season was Ulster's 20th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their second under head coach Mark Anscombe. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Pro12.

They finished fourth in the Pro12, qualifying for the semi-finals and next season's Champions Cup. They lost the semi-final to Leinster. Ulster and Connacht jointly won the Fair Play Award, and wing Andrew Trimble and lock Johann Muller made the Pro12 Dream Team. They topped their pool in the Champions Cup, qualifying for the quarter-final, which they lost to Saracens, after Jared Payne saw an early red card. Out-half Paddy Jackson was leading scorer with 239 points. Andrew Trimble, wing Tommy Bowe and centre Luke Marshall were joint leading try scorers with six each. Andrew Trimble was Ulster's Player of the Year, and IRUPA Players' Player of the Year.

Johann Muller, flanker Stephen Ferris and utility back Paddy Wallace retired at the end of the season. Props John Afoa moved to Gloucester, and Tom Court to London Irish. David Humphreys left as director of rugby to take up the same post at Gloucester. A few weeks later, head coach Mark Anscombe resigned. Les Kiss took over as director of rugby, and Neil Doak as head coach.

Players in (Season 2013/2014)

 * David McIlwaine from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bristol Bears
 * James McKinney from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Rotherham Titans
 * Ian Porter returning from sabbatical

Promoted from academy

 * Ricky Andrew
 * Chris Farrell
 * Stuart Olding

Players out (Season 2013/2014)

 * Ali Birch to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Rotherham Titans
 * Nigel Brady to 🇫🇷 Stade Aurillacois
 * Niall O'Connor to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jersey Reds
 * 🇦🇺 Adam D'Arcy to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bristol Bears
 * Neil Walsh (released)

Players in

 * Stuart McCloskey from Dungannon RFC
 * Andrew Warwick from Ballymena R.F.C.
 * David Shanahan from Belvedere College
 * John Andrew from Ballymena Academy
 * Bronson Ross from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Coventry R.F.C.
 * John Donnan

Players out

 * Conor Carey
 * Neil Faloon
 * Sean O'Connell

Ulster Ravens
The following players, other than players from the senior squad and academy, appeared for the Ulster Ravens this season.

End-of-season awards
Ulster and Connacht jointly won the Fair Play award. Wing Andrew Trimble and lock Johann Muller were named in the Pro12 Dream Team.

Ulster Rugby Awards
The Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Europa Hotel, Belfast, on 5 May 2014. Winners were:


 * Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year: Andrew Trimble
 * Heineken Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year: Johann Muller
 * BT Young Player of the Year: Paddy Jackson
 * Rugby Writers Player of the Year: Andrew Trimble
 * Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Player of the Year: Andrew Trimble
 * Abbey Insurance Academy Player of the Year: Stuart McCloskey
 * Ulster Carpets Youth Player of the Year: Adam McBurney
 * Danske Bank Ulster Schools Player of the Year: Jacob Stockdale, Wallace High