Former All-Black Alby Mathewson explains why New Zealand should be jealous of Ireland For so long have the All Blacks been standard bearers when it comes to world rugby, the general barometer for international performances is ‘would it beat New Zealand?’

Former All-Black Alby Mathewson explains why New Zealand should be jealous of Ireland #IrishRugbyFootballUnionIRFU #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

First caps give you important grounding regardless of the result, says Ulster’s Nick Timoney As he nears his 150th appearance for Ulster this weekend, Nick Timoney still fondly remembers winning his first cap for the province back in April 2017. He also, even more painfully, remembers his second.

First caps give you important grounding regardless of the result, says Ulster’s Nick Timoney #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Ulster’s Lucy Thompson: I now have the confidence to try and make the difference Lucy Thompson has found herself having to check her phone a lot this week as she keeps getting tagged in posts on social media.

Ulster’s Lucy Thompson: I now have the confidence to try and make the difference #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry #LeinsterRugby (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

‘It’s beyond my wildest dreams’ – Kathryn Dane on Ulster comeback after her shocking brain haemorrhage As they stood lined up in the tunnel ahead of last weeks’ game at Musgrave Park in Cork, Kathryn Dane looked across at former room-mate Chloe Pearse and smiled as her Munster counterpart reached out a hand as if to say ‘want to be my mascot?’

‘It’s beyond my wildest dreams’ – Kathryn Dane on Ulster comeback after her shocking brain haemorrhage #FermanaghSport #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Sink or swim moments have helped Abby Moyles lead Ulster’s charge Abby Moyles laughs as she remembers the first time she was asked to play fly-half as the Meath woman charts her path to the Ulster senior team.

Sink or swim moments have helped Abby Moyles lead Ulster’s charge #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Times have changed for Ulster Women… we expect to win games now, says coach Murray Houston Ulster Women’s head coach Murray Houston says he is eager for his side to be the driving force behind changing the perception around women’s rugby in the province.

Times have changed for Ulster Women… we expect to win games now, says coach Murray Houston #SouthBelfastSport #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Kieran Treadwell hails young talents for helping drive Ulster’s standards He’s locked down a place in the second row for so long now that it’s hard to remember a time when Kieran Treadwell was being pushed so hard as an option in both the engine room and in the back row.

Kieran Treadwell hails young talents for helping drive Ulster’s standards #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Marathon effort: Queen’s Alexander Clarke in charity push day after the Senior Cup Final It’s a busy time in Alexander Clarke’s life, what with preparing for running the Belfast Marathon on Sunday, finishing off his final year of studying medicine at Queen’s University and putting the final touches to his upcoming wedding to fiancée Amy.

Marathon effort: Queen’s Alexander Clarke in charity push day after the Senior Cup Final #SouthBelfastSport #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Interim Ulster CEO Hugh McCaughey has no desire to stay for the long haul Interim Ulster Rugby chief executive Hugh McCaughey says he has no desire to shed the part-time tag — but has also insisted he is not just warming the seat for his successor at Ravenhill.

Interim Ulster CEO Hugh McCaughey has no desire to stay for the long haul #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Interim Ulster CEO Hugh McCaughey has no desire to stay?for the long haul Interim Ulster Rugby chief executive Hugh McCaughey says he has no desire to shed the part-time tag — but has also insisted he is not just warming the seat for his successor at Ravenhill.

Interim Ulster CEO Hugh McCaughey has no desire to stay?for the long haul #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Ruan Pienaar could find his way back to Ulster as coach, says pal Victor Matfield Ruan Pienaar may have missed out on the chance of one last run-out at Ravenhill when his Cheetahs side failed to reach the Quarter-Finals of the Challenge Cup, but former Springboks team-mate Victor Matfield believes we haven’t seen the last of the Ulster…

Ruan Pienaar could find his way back to Ulster as coach, says pal Victor Matfield #SouthBelfastSport #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Rob Herring excited to tackle Clermont in the daunting Marcel-Michelin as he plots Ulster’s glory run Ulster don’t tend to be given an easy ride any time they drop into the Challenge Cup. Granted, this is only the second time it has happened, but there is one striking similarity between their 2021 run and this year.

Rob Herring excited to tackle Clermont in the daunting Marcel-Michelin as he plots Ulster’s glory run #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Ulster face some major hurdles, but Challenge Cup is there for the taking: coach Jonny Bell Trophy-winning experience isn’t exactly in abundance within the Ulster squad, at club level at least.

Ulster face some major hurdles, but Challenge Cup is there for the taking: coach Jonny Bell #SouthBelfastSport #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune ready to prove his worth all over again For a while this season, it became a rare sight to see an Ulster team sheet without the name Robert Baloucoune on it. Indeed, between November 10 and January 20, there literally wasn’t one.

Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune ready to prove his worth all over again #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Ulster relishing chance to turn European fortunes around: Dan Soper Another week and another press conference where Ulster’s pre-game preparation was dominated by talk off the pitch rather than on it.

Ulster relishing chance to turn European fortunes around: Dan Soper #SouthBelfastSport #UlsterRugby #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Fit-again Rob Herring determined to play his part in Ulster’s new direction. . . starting in South Africa With his left arm still heavily strapped, Rob Herring looks like he’s been through a bit of an ordeal in recent months. In a way, he’s almost a metaphorical representation of how Ulster feel right now.

Fit-again Rob Herring determined to play his part in Ulster’s new direction. . . starting in South Africa #UnitedRugbyChampionship #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)

Schools’ Cup Finalists RBAI and Ballymena Academy keen to teach rivals a lesson Winning a trophy at Ravenhill as a schoolboy is something that only a small handful of individuals can put on their resume. But for RBAI and Ballymena Academy, who clash in the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup Final today, it’s a case of been there, done that,…

Schools’ Cup Finalists RBAI and Ballymena Academy keen to teach rivals a lesson #EastBelfastSport #AntrimSport #AdamMcKendry (✍️@BelTel_Sport)