Stand Up: An Ulster Rugby Show

From Ulster's front row to the art world. Not your typical career change!Former Ulster prop Niall Conlon joins Peter Lockhart and Gareth Steenson on the Stand Up Ulster Rugby Podcast for a bit of a catch-up.Niall looks back on his rugby days, coming through the ranks at Ulster, the characters he played alongside and his time at Cambridge. We also hear how he went from professional rugby to working in finance in London before packing it all in to become a full-time artist.Plenty of old rugby stories, a bit of reminiscing with former teammate Gareth, and a really interesting chat about life after rugby.We also get Niall's thoughts on the current Ulster side and where things are going.Hope you enjoy this one!

Ulster came back from 21-0 down to give the Bulls an almighty scare in Pretoria, but ultimately left South Africa still searching for their first league win.Peter Lockhart and Gareth Steenson look back at the 34-26 defeat, the positives, the problems and some impressive individual performances.We also look ahead to Saturday's clash with the Stormers in Cape Town. With nine players away on Ireland duty and a seriously dangerous Stormers side waiting, it's another huge challenge for Richie Murphy's men. Can Ulster finally get that elusive first win?

Six tries, five points and finally a first win of the season! Ulster got the job done in Parma, and there was plenty to like about it (and also quite a lot to work on!)We chat about what clicked for Richie Murphy’s men, whether Ulster have finally turned a corner, and the small matter of a trip to South Africa to face a Bulls side stacked with Springboks.Can Ulster back it up, or is it a reality check waiting in Pretoria?All that and plenty more on this week’s Stand Up Ulster Rugby Podcast!

Well, where do you even start with that one?Ulster somehow managed to come back from 21 points down to snatch a 26-26 draw with Munster at Ravenhill. Some cracking stuff from the backs, but the less said about the scrum and maul the better. Plenty to admire about the fightback, but plenty to be worried about too. How do you even begin to make sense of it?We're joined by former Ulster and Zebre player Mick Kearney and Munster fan and rugby journalist Caolan Scully to pick the bones out of it all. What went wrong, what went right, and are we just papering over the same old cracks?We also look ahead to Zebre next weekend. Surely a chance to get things back on track... surely?Plenty to get stuck into. Enjoy the episode and let us know what you made of it all in the comments!

Former Ulster prop and rugby agent John Andress joins the Stand Up Ulster Rugby Podcast for a proper wide-ranging chat on all things Ulster Rugby.We look back on the stalemate with Glasgow, pick through what worked and what didn’t, and ask where Ulster need to improve.John also gives us an insight into life as a rugby agent, from dealing with players and clubs to the realities behind the scenes in the professional game.Then it’s on to Munster, what Ulster can expect.A class rugby chat with someone who knows the game inside outSubscribe to Stand Up Ulster for more Ulster Rugby chat, reaction and interviews throughout the season.

Ulster are back in action and... it didn't go as planned.We chat about Ulster’s opening game against Edinburgh and break down a real Jekyll-and-Hyde performance.We don’t shy away from the bad. However, there was a bit of good too, albeit far too late into the game.All that and more as we get stuck into the start of Ulster’s new season.

We’re joined by East Belfast man and Sydney Morning herald rugby journalist Jonny Drennan.We chat about his route into journalism, how rugby is covered, and why clubs need to get closer to their supporters and local communities if the game is going to grow.We also get into what makes rugby different - the characters, personalities and stories behind the people who play it.A really good chat about rugby, media and the fascinating stories of the people at the heart of the game.

On this episode of the Stand Up Ulster Rugby Podcast, we’re joined by teacher, coach, former player, student of the game and all-round good egg Mike Orchin-McKeever, the new head coach of Ballynahinch RFC.As you should know by now, Stand Up Ulster Rugby is about covering rugby right across Ulster, including the club game, schools rugby and the women’s game, not just the senior men’s game.So, in that spirit, we’re talking all things club rugby with one of the best coaches in the province.Plenty on coaching, the game in Ulster, Ballynahinch and what comes next.Enjoy.

In this episode of the Stand Up Ulster Rugby Podcast, we sit down with Ritchie McMaster for a wide-ranging chat about schools rugby in Ulster.Ritchie reflects on the experience of winning the Schools’ Cup with Campbell College, sharing some of the lessons, memories and moments that helped shape that successful campaign.We also look beyond results and trophies to discuss the bigger picture of developing young rugby players. Ritchie offers his thoughts and advice for coaches and parents, including how to create the right environment for young people to enjoy the game, develop their skills and deal with the pressures that can come with schools rugby.A great conversation for anyone involved in the schools game, whether you’re a player, coach, parent or simply passionate about the future of Ulster Rugby.

Gareth Steenson and Peter Lockhart discuss three key new players that will make a difference to Ulster this season...