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Ulster Rugby chief Hugh McCaughey: ‘It hurts... I never want to see that happen again’

Hugh McCaughey on no players in an Ireland matchday squad and reuniting the Ulster family

Ulster Rugby CEO Hugh McCaughey delivers a message to fans

Steven Beacom

The new CEO of Ulster Rugby Hugh McCaughey sat down this week for an extensive interview with our sister paper the Belfast Telegraph’s Chief Sports Writer Steven Beacom. In the first of a two part Q and A, McCaughey discusses his role, his passion for rugby, Ulster’s financial problems, controversy surrounding the club’s association with Kingspan, the new 3G pitch, his predecessor Jonny Petrie and why he never wants to see again an Ireland matchday squad with no Ulster players in it...

Steven Beacom: Hugh, you were appointed as an interim CEO of Ulster Rugby in April and in August it was announced you would stay in the job until the end of 2025. This is one of the most important posts in Northern Ireland sport. It would be good for the public to know more about you. Tell us about yourself and why you think you are the right person for this job?