2014–15 Ulster Rugby season

The 2014–15 season was Ulster's 21st season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their first under Director of Rugby Les Kiss and head coach Neil Doak.

New signings for this season included out-half Ian Humphreys, returning from his spell at London Irish, lock Franco van der Merwe, flanker Sean Reidy and fullback Louis Ludik.

Rory Best was reinstated as captain, following the retirement of Johann Muller at the end of the previous season.

[1][2] In June 2014, David Humphreys left his post as the province's Director of Rugby, joining English Premiership side Gloucester.

[3] Later that month, head coach Mark Anscombe also left the province "with immediate effect".

Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss filled the role of Director of Rugby on an interim basis.

[4] In October 2014, Kiss returned to his position with the Ireland team, with Neil Doak taking the role of head coach.

Kiss would return to his role with Ulster on a full-time basis following the 2015 World Cup.

[5] Bryn Cunningham was appointed the new team manager, responsible for recruiting players and negotiating contracts.

[6] Defence coach Jonny Bell left at the end of the season to become assistant coach at Gloucester, replaced by Joe Barakat.

[9] Ulster qualified by league position, and finished third in their pool.

Ulster finished fourth in the Pro12, qualifying for the semi-finals and next season's Champions Cup.

[10] Franco van der Merwe and wing Craig Gilroy made the Pro12 Dream Team, and Gilroy's try against Scarlets was named Try of the Year.

Scrum-half Ruan Pienaar was Ulster's top scorer in all competitions with 121 points.

Craig Gilroy was top try scorer with twelve, and was named Ulster's Player of the Year.

Prop Declan Fitzpatrick retired at the end of the season.

Locks Back row Scrum-halves Fly-halves Centres Wings Fullbacks

Props Hookers Locks Back row Scrum-halves Fly-halves Centres Back three The following players, other than players from the senior squad and academy, appeared for the Ulster Ravens this season.

Lewis Stevenson (for Van der Merwe 61'), 20.

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[30] Green background (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places, and earn a place in the 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup.Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places, that earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

The top team from each country will qualify.Yellow background indicates the team that advances to a play-off semi-final against Aviva Premiership side Gloucester, who qualified for the play-off as the 2014–15 European Rugby Challenge Cup winners.

[31]Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Lewis Stevenson (for Van der Merwe), 20.

Iain Henderson (for Van der Merwe), 20.

Wing Craig Gilroy and lock Franco van der Merwe made the Pro12 Dream Team.

Replacements: Kyle McCall, Jonny Murphy, Andrew Warwick, Ruaidhri Murphy, Bronson Ross, Wiehahn Herbst, Lewis Stevenson, Neil McComb, James Simpson, Conor Joyce, Clive Ross, Mike McComish, Frank Taggart, Josh Atkinson, Michael Heaney, David Shanahan, Ross Adair, Jack Owens, Sean O'Hagan.

Replacements: Rory Scholes (for Allen 18-26', for Olding 38'), Declan Fitzpatrick (for Herbst 36'), Ricky Andrew (for Ludik 40'), Nick Willians (for Wilson 40'), Sean O'Hagan (for Humphreys 49'), Jacob Stockdale (for Allen 52'), Alan O'Connor (for Van der Merwe 52'), Clive Ross (for Reidy 55'), John Andrew (for Warwick 63'), Neil McComb (for Tuohy 63'), Michael Heaney (for P. Marshall 67'), Callum Black (for Herring 67'), Bronson Ross (for Fitzpatrick 67'), Lewis Stevenson (for McComb 67'), Mike McComish (for Diack 71'), Conor Joyce (for Ross 71'), Kyle McCall (for Williams 72').

The Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held at the Culloden Estate and Spa, Holywood.