ULSTER Rugby held its usual remembrance service yesterday amid unionist criticism over poppies being absent from players' jerseys during a match on Remembrance Sunday.
The annual private remembrance service was open to committee members, staff, players and management.
It follows criticism from some fans and unionist politicians after poppies were not displayed on players' jerseys during a Pro12 game against Newport Gwent Dragons.
But Ulster Rugby hit back at the criticism, saying that several other Pro12 clubs had not worn a poppy during matches at the weekend.
It said its players had observed a minute's silence and Ulster Rugby's usual memorial service would be held at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
"Kingspan Stadium has a permanent War Memorial Arch, which pays respect to those fallen during WW1 and WW2," it added.
"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."
The statement added that Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues were the only Pro12 clubs who wore a poppy on their sleeves at the weekend.
Robert McCartney, a former soldier who runs the Beyond the Battlefield charity, described the absence of the poppy as "an insult".
But Ulster Unionist councillor Doug Beattie, a former British Army captain, said he believed remembrance was a "personal thing".
