Ins: Eduardo Bello (Newcastle), Keynan Knox (Nevers), Eli Snyman (Benetton), Ben Donnell (Cardiff), Martin Moloney (Exeter), Matthew Devine (Connacht), Jamie Benson (Harlequins), Chay Mullins (Connacht)
Outs: Bryan O’Connor, Angus Bell (Waratahs), Rory McGuire, John Andrew, Matthew Dalton (Kobelco Steelers), Marcus Rea, Sean Reffell, Lorcan McLoughlin, Dave Shanahan, Werner Kok (Newcastle), James Humphreys, Ben Moxham
Last season: Ninth
First five games: Edinburgh (H), Glasgow (A), Munster (H), Bulls (A), Stormers (A)
While Ulster made clear strides last season, a dispiriting run-in which yielded three losses and a draw in their final four URC games and a 59-26 defeat by Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final was a bitter pill to swallow.
Beating Montpellier was always a big ask, but diminishing domestic returns ultimately cost Richie Murphy’s side a spot in this year’s Champions Cup.
Now the onus is on Murphy and his squad to achieve greater consistency in pursuit of a first trophy since 2006.
The summer was certainly interesting. Having just departed as Australia head coach, former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt was a surprise addition as Ulster’s coach development adviser.
While not involved with the senior team on a weekly basis, bringing Schmidt back into the Irish rugby system in some form is a statement of intent by Ulster general manager Rory Best.
Former New Zealand prop Clarke Dermody’s arrival as forwards coach constitutes another eye-catching backroom addition following Jimmy Duffy’s move to Munster.
In terms of the squad, a raft of exits included popular wing Werner Kok, who left to join Newcastle, and Australia prop Angus Bell, who returned to the Waratahs following his short-term stint in Belfast.
With the Mark Sexton-coached attack having soaked up most of the acclaim last season, the summer intake reflects a determination to improve up front and tighten the set-piece.
Tight-heads Keynan Knox and Eduardo Bello provide fresh front-row options while Eli Snyman, Martin Moloney and Ben Donnell add steel to the second and back rows.
For Ulster to succeed, Murphy needs both his new additions to hit the ground running and last season’s top performers to pick up where they left off.
Zac Ward scored 11 tries in the URC last term, Stuart McCloskey enjoyed the best season of his career and Nick Timoney was typically a model of consistency.
While last season’s run to a European final generated excitement, this campaign must ensure a Champions Cup return for next year and establish Ulster as a URC force to be reckoned with.
