European Cup record

Ulster lifted the trophy in 1999, when Simon Mason kicked six penalties in their 21-6 final victory over Colomiers in Dublin, but the nearest they have come to repeating that success was in 2012, when they were thumped 42-14 by Leinster Rugby in the decider at Twickenham.

Last season

The Irish province bowed out in the pool stages after losing 29-22 at home to eventual winners Stade Toulousain and away to Gloucester Rugby 38-34, the latter defeat following an 85th minute try by the English club.

Head coach

Dan McFarland took over as Ulster head coach in 2018, having previously served as Scotland assistant coach for a year. The Oxfordshire-born 49-year-old had begun his coaching career in 2006 as forwards coach for Connacht Rugby, where he finished his playing career. He was promoted to assistant coach in 2010 and stayed with the province until 2015, when he was appointed to the same role at Glasgow Warriors.

Key players

Ulster pulled off a massive signing with their capture of South Africa’s World Cup-winning No.8, Duane Vermeulen, who joins the province after the autumn internationals. He will team up with the likes of British and Irish Lions lock Iain Henderson, Ireland prop Jack McGrath, hooker Rob Herring, flanker Jordi Murphy and back Jacob Stockdale.

Pool fixtures

Drawn in Pool A, Ulster open with a trip to TOP 14 side ASM Clermont Auvergne on December 11 and then host Gallagher Premiership club Northampton Saints on December 17, before travelling to Northampton on January 16 and finishing with a home game against Clermont on January 22.

Ulster Rugby, the first Irish winners of the European Cup, are the next team to come into focus in our look at this season’s Heineken Champions Cup contestants.