Ulster Rugby have responded to those who criticised the province’s decision not to wear the poppy for their victory over Newport-Gwent Dragons on Sunday.
The Welsh side wore jerseys with poppies woven into the fabric of their shirts while Ulster’s players didn’t wear the flower used to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.
While every side playing in the Guinness PRO12 at the weekend, apart from Newport-Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues, also chose not to display poppies, it was Ulster who came in for the most online criticism.
@UlsterRugby disappointed that the Ulster team are not wearing Poppy's today in Wales!!!!
— stephen🌐 (@stephenmooney76) November 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/william93mufc/status/663378801599119361
@UlsterRugby Shameful that the Dragons are wearing the poppy and Ulster not. Reason?
— Tim Lemon (@timothylemon) November 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/___Kooga___/status/663364618581098496
@UlsterRugby @dragonsrugby why are ulster not wearing poppies on their shirts like the dragons.it is remembrance sunday not on
— ☆☆☆ chelsea451 ☆☆☆ (@chelseablue451) November 8, 2015
And former Ulster player Nigel Carr, whose career was ended after being injured in an IRA bomb attack, revealed that he also believed the province’s players should have worn poppies
“It would have been better, more appropriate and in keeping with current trends to appropriately recognise the significant sacrifices that people have made,” Carr told The Belfast Telegraph.
“It includes those who have lost their lives recently in places such as Afghanistan. It would have been right for Ulster to recognise that.”
Ulster Rugby responded to the questions by releasing the following statement online on Monday morning.
“Ulster Rugby players and supporters respectfully observed a minute’s silence prior to the fixture against Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday.
“Kingspan Stadium has a permanent War Memorial Arch, which pays respect to those fallen during WW1 and WW2.
“Each year Ulster Rugby pays respect in its usual and traditional manner with a memorial service at the arch, during which a wreath is laid by the Ulster Rugby President.
“This year’s service will take place tomorrow, (Tuesday).
“Wasps played Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership yesterday and neither club wore a poppy on their jerseys.
“No other Guinness PRO12 club, with the exception of Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues, wore a poppy on their jerseys this weekend.”
