News article – Style E 4825

Ulster Rugby have announced the creation of an “A” team for the province for the coming season, with their first outing on Saturday week.

The team will play Spanish outfit Catalunya in Barcelona on Saturday, September 10, to officially confirm their existence. Seven fixtures will follow throughout the season, including ties against Leinster (home and away), London Irish and Munster.

Gerald McCarter, voted as Ulster coach of the year in 2004/05, will act as their coach.

The move came yesterday as Ulster Bank signed a three-year package to provide three of Ulster’s representative squads – the Under-19s, Under-21s and “A” team – with financial support and kit to help develop their training programmes.

Ulster Branch chief executive Michael Reid said: “The support we have received from Ulster Bank means that as well as being able to commit to a series of “A” fixtures, we also have an Under-19 team that for the first time will play a full interprovincial series this season, while the Under-21s have just returned from a pre-season tour to Gloucester which will help them prepare for the defence of their interprovincial title.

“This season, four of last year’s Ulster Under-21 squad have already made the transition to the Ulster senior squad – a number that, with the help and support of Ulster Bank, we hope will increase.”