Lock Alan O'Connor won the URC Tackle Machine award, and flanker Nick Timoney and centre James Hume were named in the league's Dream Team.

Ulster won all four of their pool games in the Champions Cup, finishing second and qualifying for a two-legged round of sixteen playoff against Toulouse, which they lost by an aggregate score of 49–50.

[6] After the departure of Marcell Coetzee last season, Ulster attempted to sign Fijian forward Leone Nakarawa, but the move fell through following a medical report.

[7] As the season began, Ulster announced the signing of South African number 8 Duane Vermeulen, who would join the squad in November after the autumn internationals.

[15] Five new players joined the academy: out-half James Humphreys, son of Ulster great David Humphreys, joining from the Gloucester academy; RBAI centre Jude Postlethwaite; and three players from Sullivan Upper School, lock Harry Sheridan, prop George Saunderson and scrum-half Conor McKee.

[16] Departing were hooker Adam McBurney to Edinburgh, Matt Faddes to Otago, and out-half Bill Johnston to Ealing Trailfinders, making his loan move last season permanent.

British government minister Michael Gove wrote to Ulster in December, urging the team to end their relationship with principal sponsor Kingspan, after the firm was criticised by the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire for supplying some of the insulation materials involved.

He didn't play in any of the tests, but made four appearances, including starting against Japan and captaining the side against the Sharks.

[19] Centre James Hume,[20] wing Robert Baloucoune[21] and flanker Nick Timoney[22] all made their Ireland debuts in the summer international against the United States in July, and uncapped fullback Michael Lowry trained with the Ireland squad for the summer internationals.

Hooker Bradley Roberts made his first competitive start, and scored a try in the season opener at home to Glasgow Warriors.

Lock Iain Henderson came on as a replacement for Ireland in the 60–5 win over Japan,[29] and started in the 29–20 victory over New Zealand, with hooker Rob Herring coming off the bench.

[30] Henderson and wing Robert Baloucoune started, with prop Tom O'Toole and flanker Nick Timoney coming off the bench, in the 53–7 win against Argentina.

[32] Hooker Bradley Roberts was called up for Wales, and made his international debut from the bench against South Africa.

[33] After the break, John Cooney returned to action for a 20–10 away win over Leinster, with the back row of Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney and David McCann impressing,[34] but this was followed by a disappointing away loss to Ospreys,[35] in which wing Craig Gilroy made his 200th appearance for Ulster.

[37] It was announced that Former head coach Neil Doak would return to Ulster as elite player development officer for the academy in early 2022.

[38] Ulster opened their Champions Cup season on 11 December with an away win against Clermont, which marked Duane Vermeulen's debut for the province.

[40] The next two scheduled URC matches, Interpros at home to Connacht on 26 December and Leinster on 1 January, were postponed because of Covid-19 cases.

[41] Ulster's next game was a tight away defeat to Munster,[42] before the Champions Cup resumed with an away win against Northampton Saints, which marked Nathan Doak's first European start,[43] and a home win against Clermont, in which Ulster built up a 22-point lead before Clermont almost pulled it back with three late tries.

Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Michael Lowry, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole and Nick Timoney were called up to the Ireland squad for the 2022 Six Nations Championship on 19 January.

[47] Wing Craig Gilroy, who received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle during the game, was later cited and banned for four matches.

[48] The home tie against Connacht was rescheduled for 4 February, on the eve of Ireland's opening match of the Six Nations against Wales.

Robert Baloucoune, Michael Lowry and Nick Timoney, who had not been selected for that game, were temporarily released from the Ireland camp back to Ulster.

[51] Fullback Michael Lowry was named on the long list for EPCR European Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season,[52] and made his debut for Ireland against Italy in the Six Nations on 27 February 2022.

[56] Having beaten Leinster away in November, Ulster completed a rare double by defeating them at home on a rainy night in March.

[57] They then travelled to South Africa, losing narrowly to the Stormers in Cape Town after a late try by Callum Reid, which would have put Ulster ahead, was disallowed after TMO review.

[62] The trip to South Africa saw centre Luke Marshall return to action after 16 months out with a knee injury.

[68] The following week, they ended their losing run by inflicting a first home league defeat on Edinburgh in a close contest,[69] confirming their qualification for the quarter-finals.

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Gareth Milasinovich, Marty Moore, Andrew Warwick, Alan O'Connor, Sean Reidy, Azur Allison, David McCann, Harry Sheridan, David Shanahan, Jude Postlethwaite, Ben Carson, Lewis Finlay, Conor Rankin 1.

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Marty Moore, Ross Kane, Sam Carter, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, David McCann, Harry Sheridan, David Shanahan, Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, Ian Madigan, Angus Curtis, Ben Carson.

Replacements: Jack Boal, George Saunderson, Joe Charles, Adam McNamee, Paddy Browne, James Wright, Ethan Graham, Reece Malone.