An athletic second row with a great engine and appetite for the game, RYAN CALDWELL made his Ireland 'A' bow during the 2007 Churchill Cup and is ready for the step-up to the senior grade.

A member of the IRFU's High Performance Select Group, he quickly emerged as one of Ulster's first choice locks despite the presence of internationals Justin Harrison and Carlo Del Fava in the squad.

Caldwell is a former Ulster Schools Cup-winning captain with RBAI and joined the Ulster set-up on a development contract in 2003.

With two Under-21 World Championships and a number of energetic run-outs for Ulster and Ireland 'A' under his belt, he signed a new two-year deal with Ulster last season and is certainly a player to watch out for.