2015–16 Ulster Rugby season
The 2015–16 season was Ulster's 22nd season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and the second under Director of Rugby Les Kiss and head coach Neil Doak. They competed in the European Rugby Champions Cup and the Pro12. In the Pro12, Ulster finished fourth, qualifying for the playoffs and for next season's Champions Cup. They lost to Leinster in the semi-final. Ulster won the Fair Play Award, and wing Craig Gilroy made the Pro12 Dream Team. In the Champions Cup, they finished second in Pool 1, missing out on the knockout stage. Academy wing Jacob Stockdale made his senior debut this season. Centre Stuart McCloskey was Ulster's Player of the Year. Out-half Paddy Jackson was Ulster's leading scorer with 200 points. Craig Gilroy was leading try scorer with ten. Lock Franco van der Merwe was leading tackler with 261. At the end of the season, number eight Nick Williams left for Cardiff Blues, and lock Dan Tuohy for Bristol Bears. Out-half Ian Humphreys retired. Staff

Squad

Senior squad

Players In
 Peter Browne from  London Welsh
 Willie Faloon from  Connacht
 Stephen Mulholland from  Ballymena
 Paul Rowley from  London Welsh
 Frank Taggart from  Ballymena
 Sam Windsor from  Worcester Warriors

Promoted from academy
 John Andrew
 Sammy Arnold
 Alan O'Connor

Players Out
 Ross Adair to  Jersey
 Michael Allen to  Edinburgh Rugby
 Ricky Andrew to  Nottingham
 Tim Boys to Southland/Crusaders
 Charlie Butterworth to  Jersey
 Declan Fitzpatrick retired
 Michael Heaney to  Doncaster Knights
 Mike McComish released
 Neil McComb to  Belfast Harlequins
 Dave Ryan to  Agen
 James Simpson released
 Michael Stanley to  Counties Manukau

Academy squad

Players in
 Nick Timoney from  Blackrock College
 Ross Kane from  Ballymena R.F.C. Johnny McPhillips  from Newcastle Falcons
 Jake Byrne
 Peter Cooper
 Liam Free
 Andy McGrath

Players out
 Paul Jackson
 Jonny Murphy
 Joshua Atkinson
 Frank Taggart
 Sean O'Hagan

Ulster 'A'
The following players, other than players from the senior squad and academy, appeared for Ulster 'A' this season. European Rugby Champions Cup

Pool 1

Pro12

Semi-finals

End of season awards
Wing Craig Gilroy was joint top try scorer with 10, and was named in the Pro12 Dream Team. Ulster won the competition's Fair Play award. Ulster Ravens

British and Irish Cup

Pool 2

Home attendance

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

Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year: Stuart McCloskey
Heineken Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year: Nick Williams
BT Young Player of the Year: Kyle McCall
Rugby Writers Player of the Year: Franco van der Merwe
Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Player of the Year: Paddy Jackson
Abbey Insurance Academy Player of the Year: Adam McBurney

Season reviews
Ulster: Season Review 2015 – 2016, The Front Row Union, 23 May 2016

References

2015-16
2015–16 in Irish rugby union
2015–16 Pro12 by team
2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup by team