After an away defeat in the URC against Ospreys in February, McFarland left his position, replaced by former Ireland under-20 head coach Richie Murphy.

Murphy oversaw two away losses in South Africa and a quarter-final exit in the Challenge Cup, but form improved in the league, with four straight wins, including a home win against Leinster, and a losing bonus point away to Munster secured a quarter-final place, losing away to a full-strength Leinster side, and qualification for next season's Champions Cup.

Prop Scott Wilson, hooker Zac Solomon, lock Joe Hopes, and flankers Reuben Crothers and Lorcan McLaughlin made their debuts from the academy.

Ulster renewed their sponsorship deal with Kingspan in July 2023 for the coming season, despite criticism of the firm emerging from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

[5] Five academy players joined 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.

[6] After a successful trial in pre-season, Clontarf tighthead prop Ben Griffin was signed on a development contract in August.

[14] Also departing were Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Gareth Milasinovich, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Rory Sutherland.

[15] Eleven players joined the academy: props Cameron Doak, Jack Boal and Jacob Boyd; hookers Zac Solomon and Henry Walker; lock Charlie Irvine; back rowers Josh Stevens and Tom Brigg; and outside backs Ethan Graham, Lukas Kenny and Ben McFarlane.

[16] Iain Henderson's central contract with the IRFU was due to expire after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and there was speculation that he might move abroad.

[21] Four Ulster players featured for Ireland in the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship: locks Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes, flanker James McNabney and fullback Rory Telfer.

[23] Seven Ulster players were named in Andy Farrell's initial 42-man Ireland squad, to be reduced to 33 for the Rugby World Cup: locks Iain Henderson and Kieran Treadwell, hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart, prop Tom O'Toole, centre Stuart McCloskey and wing Jacob Stockdale.

[40] The following week they won at home against the Bulls, with Ireland international prop Tom O'Toole playing 80 minutes and winning Player of the Match.

[41] A spate of injuries saw an experimental side go to Connacht, and flanker Reuben Crothers, centre Ben Carson and academy lock Joe Hopes made their senior debuts in a narrow defeat.

[45] Nathan Doak unexectedly made his 50th Ulster appearance, being named on the bench at the last minute following the withdrawal of Jake Flannery, then playing most of the game at out-half after Billy Burns' head injury.

[50] Then, on New Year's Day, a masterful display of attacking kicking by Billy Burns and two tries by Nick Timoney saw Ulster overcome league leaders Leinster in Dublin.

[56] During the Six Nations rest week, Dan Soper oversaw a 49-26 Ulster home win against Dragons, in which Michael Lowry and David McCann scored two tries each.

[58] Interim coach Richie Murphy took charge ahead of Ulster's two-week trip to South Africa to play the Sharks and Stormers.

[59] After Ulster lost to the Sharks, losing Billy Burns to injury, the departure of Jonny Petrie as Chief Executive was announced by the IRFU.

[60] Hugh McCaughey, former Chief Executive of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and a former rugby coach at under-age level, was announced as his interim replacement.

It was announced that Steven Kitshoff would cut short his stay at Ulster and return to the Stormers at the end of the season.

[62] The following week, Ulster won their round of 16 tie against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup, aided by their opponents' poor discipline, being down to 12 players at one point.

[63] After three straight wins in the URC, over Cardiff, Benetton and Scarlets, Murphy was appointed head coach on a two-year contract.

[67] Three academy players, prop Scott Wilson and back row forwards Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney, will join the senior squad on development contracts.

Replacements: Nick Timoney, John Andrew, Ben Griffin, Matty Rea, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, Reuben Crothers, Lorcan McLoughlin, Conor McKee, Nathan Doak, Robert Baloucoune, Aaron Sexton, Ben Carson, Angus Curtis, Ethan McIlroy, Shea O'Brien.

Replacements: Cameron Doak, Tom Stewart, Ben Griffin, Kieran Treadwell, Joe Hopes, Dave Ewers, David McCann, Lorcan McLoughlin, David Shanahan, Conor McKee, Aaron Sexton, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Stewart Moore.

Replacements: Zac Solomon, Niall Carville, Tom McAllister, Callum Johns, Billy Allen, Olly Smyth, Josh Stevens, Ryan Connolly, Henry Walker, James McKillop, Cal Florence, Clarke Logan, Ethan Graham, Ben McFarlane.

Ulster players selected for the Wolfhounds are Ella Durkan, Niamh Marley, Kelly McCormill, Sophie Barrett, Maebh Clenaghan, India Daley, Brittany Hogan, Fiona Tuite, Claire Boles and Abby Moyles.

Instonians were promoted for the second season in a row after topping Division 2B, while Dungannon were 5th, Rainey 7th, and Belfast Harlequins were relegated after finishing 10th.

Clogher Valley topped Division 2C, achieving promotion in their first AIL season, Omagh Academicals were eighth, and Bangor went into the relegation playoffs after finishing 9th.

[140] Ballyclare were promoted to the AIL for the first time after finishing top the Ulster Championship and winning the playoff final against Leinster League champions Monkstown.