}} | pattern_b1 = | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = _red_midband_color_2 | leftarm1 = fcfcfc | body1 = fcfcfc | rightarm1 = fcfcfc | shorts1 = fcfcfc | socks1 = 000000
| pattern_b2 = _blackcollar | pattern_la2 = _blackborder | pattern_ra2 = _blackborder | pattern_so2 = _band_black | leftarm2 = ff0000 | body2 = ff0000 | rightarm2 = ff0000 | shorts2 = ff0000 | socks2 = ff0000
| pattern_la3 = _redborder | pattern_b3 = _red_neck | pattern_ra3 = _redborder | pattern_so3 = _band_red | leftarm3 = 000000 | body3 = 000000 | rightarm3 = 000000 | shorts3 = 000000 | socks3 = 000000 | prevseason = 2023–24 | nextseason = 2025–26 }} The 2024–25 season was Ulster Rugby's 31st season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Richie Murphy's first full season as head coach of the men's senior team. New signings included South African wing Werner Kok, Irish-qualified New Zealand out-half Aidan Morgan, and former Ireland Sevens wing Zac Ward.
Ulster's men finished 14th in the fourth United Rugby Championship, failing to qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup for the first time, and 3rd in its Irish Shield competition. In Europe, Ulster took part in the 2024-25 European Rugby Champions Cup, qualifying as 16th seed from the pool stage, before going out in the round of 16 to Bordeaux. Nick Timoney was named player of the year.
Cormac Izuchukwu made his debut for Ireland, with Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also being capped. Izuchukwu, Harry Sheridan, Scott Wilson, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward were selected for Emerging Ireland.
Ulster's men's 'A' team took part in the 'A' Interprovincial Championship, finishing second behind Leinster 'A'.
In the women's game, Ulster took part in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series, finishing fourth. Claire Boles was player if the year. Boles, Sophie Barrett, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite and Brittany Hogan represented Ireland. Ulster supplied seven players to the Wolfhounds and two to the Clovers in the 2024-25 Celtic Challenge; the Wolfhounds won the competition for the second time, and the Clovers came second.
Ulster Rugby drew an average home attendance of 13,196 in the 2024-25 URC season.https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2025/04/04/in-another-staggered-season-rugbys-urc-has-lurched-along-all-the-while-breaking-attendance-records/
Men's season Personnel changes Richie Murphy, who joined as interim head coach last season following the departure of Dan McFarland, was confirmed as head coach on a two-year contract."Ulster name Murphy permanent boss on two-year deal", BBC Sport, 13 May 2023 Skills coach Craig Newby left for Ealing Trailfinders.Adam McKendry, "Ulster backroom staff set for more change as coach to depart for Championship", Belfast Telegraph, 23 May 2024 Jimmy Duffy, former assistant coach at Connacht, Ireland under-20s and Western Force, joined as forwards coach."Duffy to join Ulster Rugby coaching set-up", Ulster Rugby, 28 May 2024 Incumbent forwards coach Roddy Grant left by mutual consent."Roddy Grant to depart Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 18 July 2024 Sam Dodge arrived as head of athletic performance."Pre-Season Focus | Sam Dodge", Ulster Rugby, 29 July 2024 Hugh McCaughey was confirmed as chief executive officer until the end of 2025.Keith Bailie, "Hugh McCaughey to continue in role as CEO of Ulster Rugby", Belfast Telegraph, 5 August 2024
Centre Angus Curtis retired partway through last season on medical advice after a series of concussions."Ulster Rugby confirms Angus Curtis’ retirement", Ulster Rugby, 26 January 2024 Prop Steven Kitshoff cut short his stay at Ulster and returned to the Stormers,"Steven Kitshoff: Two-time World Cup winner to leave Ulster in the summer", BBC Sport, 5 April 2024 where he was joined by flanker Dave Ewers. Out-half Billy Burns joined Munster on a one-year contract.Shane Donovan, "Confirmed: Ulster out-half Billy Burns seals Munster move", Irish Examiner, 19 March 2023 Centre Luke Marshall retired.Keith Bailie, "Ulster centre confirms retirement after 15 seasons at Ravenhill", Belfast Telegraph, 8 April 2024 Utility back Will Addison signed for his former club, Sale Sharks.Neil Treacey, "Ulster's Will Addison confirms Sale Sharks return", RTÉ, 28 May 2024 Fullback Shea O'Brien, prop James French and flanker Greg Jones were released. Prop Marty Moore retired on medical grounds at the start of the season.Patrick van Dort, "Ulster's Marty Moore in retirement call 'on medical advice to prioritise his mental wellbeing'"], News Letter, 23 September 2024
New signings included wing Werner Kok from the Sharks, and Irish-qualified out-half Aidan Morgan from the Hurricanes."Ulster Rugby signs Irish-Qualified Morgan", Ulster Rugby, 27 May 2024 Scrum-half Michael McDonald returned from his season-long loan at Connacht."Departing players & 24/25 squad confirmed", Connacht Rugby, 16 May 2024 Academy prop Scott Wilson, flankers Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney"McNabney, Wilson and McLoughlin to continue their development at Ulster", Ulster Rugby, 3 April 2024 and out-half James Humphreys"Ulster men for 2024/25 season are named", Ulster Rugby, 13 June 2024 joined the senior squad on development contracts. Ireland Sevens player Zac Ward joined on a trial basis, converted to wing, and signed a three-year contract in December."Winger Ward signs three-year deal with Ulster", BBC Sport, 19 December 2024 Prop Corrie Barrett, formerly of Doncaster Knights, joined on a one-year contract after a successful pre-season trial."Corrie Barrett signs deal ahead of new season", Ulster Rugby, 19 September 2024
Seven players joined the academy: centres Sam Berman, Wilhelm de Klerk and Jonny Scott, scrum-half Clarke Logan, flankers James McKillop and Bryn Ward, and out-half Jack Murphy."Ulster Rugby Academy confirmed for 2024/25", Ulster Rugby, 14 June 2024 Prop George Saunderson left the academy after retiring from the game on medical grounds."Ulster Rugby confirm George Saunderson's retirement", Ulster Rugby, 20 June 2024
Summer internationals Six Ulstermen were named in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad for their two-match tour of South Africa in July 2024: Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and the uncapped Cormac Izuchukwu."Six Ulstermen named in Ireland squad for South Africa Tour", Ulster Rugby, 18 June 2024 Nathan Doak was called up after Craig Casey was injured in the first test."Ireland Squad Update", Irish Rugby, 8 July 2024 Herring and McCloskey appeared from the bench in the second test.
Cormac Izuchukwu, Harry Sheridan, Scott Wilson, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward were selected for Emerging Ireland for the 2024 Toyota Challenge in South Africa."Ireland Sevens star Ward 'a really exciting prospect'", BBC Sport, 18 September 2024
Domestic season: first block Ulster won their first pre-season friendly at home against Benetton,Michael Sadlier, "Ulster open new season with friendly win over Benetton", Belfast Telegraph, 8 September 2024 and lost their second the following Saturday away to Exeter Chiefs.Michael Sadlier, "Ulster got ‘a brilliant workout’ in Exeter despite final pre-season loss, says Richie Murphy", Belfast Telegraph, 14 September 2024
The opening match of the URC season was at home against defending champions Glasgow Warriors. Replacement scrum-half David Shanahan gave Ulster a win with a last-minute try. Prop Corrie Barrett, out-half Aidan Morgan, and replacements hooker James McCormick and wing Werner Kok made their Ulster debuts. Former Connacht hooker Tadgh McElroy was signed as short-term injury cover, and travelled with the squad on two-week mini-tour to South Africa. Ulster lost to both the Lions in Johannesburg and the Bulls in Pretoria. Academy lock Charlie Irvine made his debut from the start against the Bulls, as did hooker McElroy and out-half James Humphreys from the bench. Prop Bryan O'Connor signed from Bedford Blues. Ulster then returned home and defeated Connacht and Ospreys, before losing away to Cardiff.
Autumn internationals In the 2024 end-of-year rugby union internationals, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole and Iain Henderson came off the bench for Ireland against New Zealand on 8 November. Herring appeared from the bench against Argentina on 15 November. Jacob Stockdale and international debutant Cormac Izuchukwu started, and Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson and Stuart McCloskey came off the bench against Fiji on 23 November. O'Toole and Henderson appeared off the bench against Australia on 30 November.
Domestic season: second block Ulster lost narrowly at home to Leinster in the URC on 29 November, then opened their Champions Cup campaign with heavy away defeats to Toulouse and Bordeaux. Wing Zac Ward and replacement wing Rory Telfer made their debuts against Bordeaux. Between the two matches, wing Aaron Sexton left to join the NFL International Player Pathway. Two interpros followed - a narrow home defeat to Munster, in which out-half Jack Murphy made his debut from the bench, and a win away against Connacht, in which academy centre Wilhelm de Klerk made his debut from the bench, before the Champions Cup resumed with an away defeat to Leicester Tigers. Former Ulster wing Rob Lyttle re-signed as short-term injury cover, and appeared in the final pool game, a bonus point home win against Exeter Chiefs, which was enough to qualify for the round of sixteen. The final match before the Six Nations was a lacklustre home defeat to Zebre.
Six Nations break Rob Herring, Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu were selected for the Ireland quad for the 2025 Six Nations. James McNabney was called up as a development player. Henderson came off the bench in the opening home win against England. No Ulster players were selected for the second match, an away win against Scotland.
Former Ulster academy lock Matthew Dalton signed in January 2025 following a successful trial, and academy locks Joe Hopes and Charlie Irvine signed development contracts. Defence coach Jonny Bell left Ulster in February, with Willie Faloon joining the senior coaching team in his place.Adam McKendry, "Ulster confirm coach has departed province to pursue opportunity outside rugby", Belfast Telegraph, 4 February 2025
During the Six Nations break, Ulster played a friendly against the touring Queensland Reds, losing 31–38. James Hume, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale appeared on their return from injury. In the URC, they lost away to Benetton, and beat Scarlets at home, with debuts for scrum-half Conor McKee and loosehead prop Sam Crean, on loan from Saracens.
Domestic season: final block After the six nations ended, Ulster came from behind to defeat Dragons away, and won a third game in a row by defeating the Stormers at home, in a game that marked Stuart McCloskey's 200th appearance for the province, and a try-scoring return from 11 months out injured for Robert Baloucoune.Michael Sadlier, "Ulster hold on for third straight win after edging ten-try thriller against Stormers", Belfast Telegraph, 28 March 2025Adam McKendry, "Ulster star set for double-century against Stormers as Ireland winger makes long-awaited return", Belfast Telegraph, 27 March 2025 There then followed five straight defeats: one in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup, away to Bordeaux, and four in the URC, away to Leinster, home to the Sharks, away to Munster, and away to Edinburgh. Ulster finished 14th in the URC, failing to qualify for the Champions Cup for the first time. Next season they will play in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Women's season Ulster's senior women's team took part in the Interprovincial series, a single round robin with finals. Ulster finished fourth, with a draw and three defeats overall.