Kane To Captain Ulster ‘A’ In British & Irish Cup Opener
The Ulster ‘A’ team has been named for the British & Irish Cup first round clash with the Scarlets Premiership Select at Banbridge RFC on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).
Ross Kane will captain the home side from the front row where he will be joined by a mixture of youth and experience in Adam McBurney and Andrew Warwick respectively. There is a similar blend in the second row as Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy Year 1 lock Jack Regan is paired with Peter Browne. Loose forwards Caleb Montgomery, Aaron Hall and Joe Dunleavy complete the pack.
Ballynahinch club-mates Johnny McPhillips and Aaron Cairns feature at half-back, with Rory Butler and Callum Patterson starting together in midfield. Wingers Angus Kernohan and David Busby join Malone clubman Jack Owens in the back-three.
Zack McCall, Michael Cromie, Matthew Dalton and Greg Jones make up the forward options from the bench, while Jonny Stewart, Brett Herron, Michael Lowry provide the back-line cover.
Ulster ‘A’ will be hoping to at least match the achievements of last season where the side reached the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in five years, before falling to eventual winners Munster ‘A’.
The Scarlets Premiership Select also progressed to the quarter-finals where they were defeated by Ealing Trailfinders. Admission into Saturday’s round 1 match at Rifle Park is £5 for adults, payable at the gate, while under-18s go free.
ULSTER ‘A’ (v Scarlets Premiership Select): Jack Owens; David Busby, Callum Patterson, Rory Butler, Angus Kernohan; Johnny McPhillips, Aaron Cairns; Andrew Warwick, Adam McBurney, Ross Kane (capt), Jack Regan, Peter Browne, Caleb Montgomery, Aaron Hall, Joe Dunleavy.
Replacements: Zack McCall, Michael Cromie, Matthew Dalton, Greg Jones, Jonny Stewart, Brett Herron, Michael Lowry.