O

Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams from Ireland. They compete in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. The team represents the IRFU Ulster Branch, which is one of the four primary branches of the IRFU and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, comprising six counties in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. Ulster play their home games at Ravenhill in Belfast, which has a capacity of 12,300. In 2004, Ulster re-located their training base to Newforge Country Club in South Belfast.

Ulster turned professional along with the teams representing the other Irish provinces in 1995 and has competed in the Celtic League since it was founded in 2001, having previously competed in the annual interprovincial championship. Ulster won the Heineken Cup in 1999 and won the Celtic League in 2006.

Ulster have many youth teams and also the 'Phoenix Ulster Academy' which helps to develop talented young rugby players. The teams which Ulster field each season in various competitions are as follows: Ulster Youth (U18s), Ulster Schools (U18s), Ulster U19s, Ulster U20s, Ulster Ravens and of course the full Ulster XV.

Ulster (Irish: Ulaidh or Cúige Uladh, Ulster Scots: Ulstèr or Ulster) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" Irish: rí ruirech. In modern times, clusters of counties have been attributed to certain provinces but these clusters have no legal status. The province itself, while enjoying common usage and forming a strong part of local identity, has no official function for local government purposes.

Ulster is composed of nine counties. Six of these (almost 57% of the land area) make up Northern Ireland: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone. The three remaining counties (about 43% of the land area) are in the Republic of Ireland: Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.

The name Ulster derives from the Irish Cúige Uladh (IPA: [ˈkuːɟ ˈʌlˠu, ˈʌlˠi]) meaning "The fifth of Uladh", a reference to the five regions into which ancient Ireland was divided. In the English language, the first part of the name ("Ul")refers to the Ulaidh tribes inhabiting this northernmost region. The latter part of the name ("ster") derives either from the Irish tír or the Old Norse staðr, both of which translate as "land" or "territory".

Jared Payne is a rugby union player from New Zealand, playing for Ulster Rugby at centre and fullback.

Jared Payne joined Ulster from the Auckland Blues on a three year contract ahead of the 2011-12 season. Jared has excellent leadership skills and has represented New Zealand at U21 and 7s level, as well as captaining his provincial side Northland. He began his Super Rugby career with the Chiefs in 2007 before moving to the Crusaders in 2009. He went on to make 22 appearances for the Crusaders over two seasons.

He moved to the Blues for the 2011 Super Rugby campaign and was one of the standout players in the competition as he played centre and fullback with flair.

Between 2006 and 2007 Payne played for Waikato, and from 2008 until 2011 played for Northland, whom he captained from 2009 til 2011.

In 2011, Payne signed with Ulster, making his Ulster debut on the 16th of September against the Cardiff Blues, where he made a solid start for his new team.

Payne debuted with the Waikato Chiefs in 2007, however his game time was limited and he was not resigned for the 2008 season. In 2009, Payne was signed by the Crusaders, for whom he made 22 appearances in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. In 2010 it was announced the Blues had signed him for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Dan Tuohy (born 18 June 1985) is an Ireland international rugby union player, currently playing for Ulster Rugby. He plays as a lock.

Tuohy started rugby on the wing for Weston-super-Mare R.F.C. Colts before becoming a second row forward. He made his first professional appearance for Gloucester against London Irish in the Guinness Premiership and received the man of the match award.

In May 2010, Tuohy was named in the 33-man squad for Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand and Australia. He went on to play for Ireland in the non-cap match against the Barbarians on 4 June 2010. On 12 June 2010, Tuohy made his test debut, coming on in the first half of the game against the All Blacks in New Plymouth. Ireland lost the game by 66–28, with Tuohy scoring a try in the first minute after coming on.