Hooker Andrew Leads Youthful Ulster ‘A’ Team
Ulster ‘A’ will host Cardiff Blues Premiership Select at Ballymena RFC in round 3 of the British & Irish Cup on Friday (kick-off 7pm), with coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson announcing a youthful looking team.
Having won the opening cup game at home to Jersey Reds, Ulster ‘A’ fell to a 34-29 defeat away to early table toppers London Scottish in round 2 but managed to pick up two crucial bonus points.
Tomorrow night the Ulstermen will be hoping to make home advantage count and re-establish their position as contenders for the automatic play-off spot from Pool 1.
Robert Lyttle, who has featured prominently for the Ulster senior squad in recent months, forms an exciting back-three along with Ireland Under-20 ace Johnny McPhillips and Jack Owens, who is making his first Ulster appearance since returning from a long injury lay-off. Mark Best continues at inside centre and will be joined in midfield by Queen’s University talent Rory Butler.
Ballymena clubman John Andrew will captain the province from hooker alongside Ballynahinch’s Jonny Simpson at tighthead prop, while the starting loosehead is to be confirmed.
Ballymena duo Connor Smyth and Stephen Mulholland are paired together in the second row, while Nick Timoney, returning from Ireland Sevens duty and one of eight Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy players in the matchday squad, will join Conor Joyce and Lorcan Dow in a talented back row trio.
ULSTER ‘A’ (v Cardiff Blues Premiership Select): Johnny McPhillips; Robert Lyttle, Rory Butler, Mark Best, Jack Owens; Brett Herron, David Shanahan; TBC, John Andrew (capt), Jonny Simpson, Connor Smyth, Stephen Mulholland, Nick Timoney, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow.
Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Tommy O’Hagan, John McCusker, Zack McCall, Jonny Stewart, David Busby, Callum Patterson.