Ulster made a strong start to the URC season, going into the autumn international break second in the table, having beaten the Lions and Munster away and only lost to Leinster at home.
The following week's home tie against La Rochelle was subject to a last-minute relocation to Dublin's Aviva Stadium, behind closed doors, because of a frozen pitch at Ravenhill.
They lost their Champion's Cup knockout match against Leinster, but secured second spot in the URC table with five straight wins.
Ulster appointed a new defence coach, Jonny Bell, returning to his home province from a spell at Worcester Warriors, in place of the departing Jared Payne.
[1] New signings include Irish-qualified flanker Sean Reffell, from Saracens,[2] lock Frank Bradshaw Ryan from French club Nevers,[3] out-half Jake Flannery from Munster,[4] former All-Black tighthead prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen from Wasps,[5] and fullback Shea O'Brien from City of Armagh RFC, on a development contract.
[6] Hooker Declan Moore, who was signed as temporary injury cover from Munster last season, made his move to Ulster permanent.
[8] After the collapse of Worcester Warriors, Scotland and Lions international loosehead prop Rory Sutherland joined until the end of the season.
[11] Five new players joined the academy: last season's Ulster Schools Player of the Year, Campbell College lock Joe Hopes; QUB flanker Lorcan McLaughlin; Cambridge House Grammar flanker James McNabney; Coleraine Grammar fullback Rory Telfer; and Wallace High School prop Scott Wilson.
Seven Ulster players were selected for Ireland's tour to New Zealand: hooker Rob Herring, prop Tom O'Toole, locks Iain Henderson and Kieran Treadwell, flanker Nick Timoney, centres Stuart McCloskey and James Hume, and fullback Michael Lowry.
[13] A second friendly, away to Glasgow Warriors, arranged for 9 September, was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II the day before.
[14] Ten Ulster players were selected for the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa for the Toyota Challenge at the end of September: wings Robert Baloucoune and Ethan McIlroy; centre Stewart Moore; out-half Jake Flannery; scrum-halves Nathan Doak and Michael McDonald; loosehead prop Callum Reid; hooker Tom Stewart; lock Cormac Izuchukwu;[15] and flanker David McCann.
[17] After a high-scoring away win against Scarlets, in which John Cooney scored 30 points,[18] Ulster lost at home to Leinster in heavy rain.
[20] Ulster then became the first northern hemisphere team to win in South Africa this season, beating the Lions in Johannesburg.
Eight Ulster players were called up to the Ireland squad for the 2022 end-of-year internationals: Robert Baloucoune, Rob Herring, Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey, Tom O'Toole, Jacob Stockdale, Nick Timoney and Kieran Treadwell.
[25] After the international break, Ulster had a comfortable home win over Zebre Parma, with Tom Stewart scoring two tries.
[28] A frozen pitch at Ravenhill meant Ulster's home game against reigning champions La Rochelle had to be relocated to Dublin's Aviva Stadium at the last minute, with the match played behind closed doors.
La Rochelle built a 29-0 half-time lead, but Ulster improved enough in the second half to earn two bonus points in a 29–36 defeat.
[29] Returning to the URC, Ulster halted their losing streak with a close away win against Connacht, featuring another two-try display from Tom Stewart.
[30] After last-minute defeats to Munster (during which flanker Sean Reffell made a URC record 42 tackles,[31] and tighthead prop Marty Moore's season was ended by an anterior cruciate ligament injury)[32] and Benetton in the URC and La Rochelle in the Champions Cup, Ulster secured qualification for the last 16 of the Champions Cup with a home win over Sale.
They reached the Six Nations break with a bonus point home win against the Stormers, sitting at third in the URC table and second in the Irish shield.
[34] Five Ulster players were called up to the initial Ireland squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship: Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale.
Back in the URC, they moved into second with a bonus point win against the Dragons 40–21, with Tom Stewart scoring another hat-trick.
Winners were:[46] Signings announced for next season include South African prop Steven Kitshoff, from the Stormers,[47] and flanker Dave Ewers, from Exeter Chiefs.
[53] Five academy players will join the senior squad on development contracts: lock Harry Sheridan, scrum-half Conor McKee, hooker James McCormick, back row forward Reuben Crothers and centre Ben Carson.
Replacements: Eric O'Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, John Andrew, Gareth Milsinovich, Alan O'Connor, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones, Nathan Doak, Billy Burns, Conor McKee, Jacob Stockdale, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Rory Telfer.
Replacements: Zac Solomon (for McCormick 62'), Jack Boal (for Mawhinney 57'), Joe Mawhinney (for C. Doak 22'), Paddy Browne (for Irvine 47'), Jamie Macartney (for Hopes 51'), Conor McKee (for McDonald HT), Zach Quirke (for Flannery HT), Henry Boyle (for Taylor 51'), Sam Cunningham (for Lyttle 64'), Ethan Graham, Adam Montgomery.
Replacements: Declan Moore, George Saunderson, Cameron Doak, Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Joe Hopes, James McNabney, Reuben Crothers, Michael McDonald, Jude Postlethwaite, Ben Carson, Rory Telfer.
Replacements: Sophie Barrett (for Sloan 40'), Ava Fannin (for Van Staden 57'), Megan Simpson (for Tuite 57'), Lucy Thompson (for McCormill 57'), Gemma McCamley (for McGrath 63'), Amber Redmond (for McIlroy 63'), Nicole Watterson (for McGhee), Amanda Morton (for Alcorn 69') 1.
Replacements: Gemma McCamley (for McGrath 30-53'), Ava Fannin (for van Staden 30-53'), Emma Jordan (for Alcorn 40'), Helen McGhee (for Barr 60'), Fiona Tuite (for Daley 60'), Amber Redmond (for McIlroy 65'), Stacey Sloan (for Simpson 71'), Amanda Morton.
[129] Clogher Valley were promoted to the All-Ireland League for the first time after finishing top of the Ulster Rugby Championship[130] and winning playoffs against Leinster's Bective Rangers[131] and Munster's Richmond.