The Pro14 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the two South African teams unable to compete and the playoffs reduced to a final between the winners of the two conferences.

Ulster finished second in Conference A, qualifying for next season's Champion's Cup.

[1] Cooney and Coetzee made the Pro14 Dream Team, as did fullback Michael Lowry and loosehead prop Eric O'Sullivan.

Ulster finished tenth of twelve in the European pool, and led the competition in scrums.

Lock Alan O'Connor was leading tackler with 242,[2] and was named Ulster's Player of the Year.

This was Coetzee's last season with Ulster: he left in April to join the Bulls.

New arrivals were scrum-half Alby Mathewson, formerly of Munster, and out-half Ian Madigan from Bristol Bears, although due to the delays caused by COVID-19, both had actually made their debuts and the end of the previous season.

Academy centre Stewart Moore joined the senior squad on a development contract.

[3] Hooker Bradley Roberts was signed from Rainey Old Boys as short-term injury cover, and ended up being kept on permanently.

Wing Angus Kernohan departed for Ealing Trailfinders, hooker Zack McCall, prop Tommy O'Hagan and flanker Clive Ross were released.

Six new players joined the academy, including three from Wallace High School - flanker Reuben Crothers, centre Ben Carson and scrum-half Nathan Doak - as well as Down High School scrum-half Lewis Finlay, Ireland Sevens lock Cormac Izuchukwu and Dalriada School hooker James McCormick.

The Ireland team for the Autumn Nations Cup was announced on 5 November, and included five Ulster players, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Billy Burns, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale.

Eric O'Sullivan was called up during the tournament, and made his debut against Georgia.

The Pro14 season continuted during the tournament, and Ulster played three games, winning them all.

Ulster lost their first two games in the Champions Cup, at home against Toulouse and away to Gloucester.

It was announced in December 2020 that the 2020–21 Pro14 season would conclude after 16 rounds, with the winners of each conference advancing straight to the final on 27 March 2021.

Four South African Super Rugby teams - the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers - would then be introduced in the Rainbow Cup.

[10] The Ireland squad for the 2021 Six Nations Championship was announced on 25 January, and included Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Billy Burns and Stuart McCloskey, with Jacob Stockdale added to the squad later.

[11] Ulster played five Pro14 matches during the tournament, winning four and losing once, at home to Leinster.

After strong performances in away wins against Harlequins and Northampton Saints, Ulster faced a semi-final away to Leicester Tigers.

They controlled the game in the first half, but after John Cooney departed with a head injury, Ulster's performance fell away, and a masterclass by England fly-half George Ford won the tie for Leicester.

He had announced his intention to go home to South Africa and join the Bulls, but after he sustained a season-ending injury in March, the club agreed to release him from his contract early.

Ulster led the Pro14 in offloads with 130, tackle success at 90%, lineout success at 92%, scrums won at 97% and kicks retained with 11, and were second in points scored, tries, metres gained, defenders beaten, clean breaks and turnovers won.

[15] Cooney, Fullback Michael Lowry, number 8 Marcell Coetzee and loosehead prop Eric O'Sullivan were named in the Pro14 Dream Team.

[18] Academy players Cormac Izuchukwu, Nathan Doak, David McCann, Callum Reid and Aaron Sexton all made their senior debuts this season.

[19] Billy Burns and Eric O'Sullivan made their international debuts with Ireland.

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

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

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Ross Kane, Azur Allison.

The Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards ceremony was held online on 7 June 2021.