Andrew Back To Lead Ulster ‘A’ Against Pirates
The Ulster ‘A’ team has been announced for the British & Irish Cup round 5 clash at home to Cornish Pirates at Shaw’s Bridge on Friday evening (kick-off 5pm).
Hooker John Andrew, who has enjoyed a run of form that has seen the Ballymena clubman make 11 senior appearances already this season, returns to captain Ulster ‘A’, in what will be his first outing of this British & Irish Cup campaign. Props Tommy O’Hagan and Ross Kane will scrum down either side of Andrew.
There is significant experience in the second row with Peter Browne and Clive Ross wearing the number 4 and 5 jerseys respectively, while coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have opted for the youthful combination of Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew and Marcus Rea in the back row.
Peter Nelson and Jonny Stewart, who both started the reverse fixture against Cornish Pirates back in October, are paired together again at half-back.
Aaron Cairns, who has played most of his rugby during the campaign at scrum half, is named on the left wing, with Robert Lyttle on the opposite wing, and Jack Owens at full-back.
The familiar midfield combination of Rory Butler and Callum Patterson, who have started together in all-but-one of the province’s four previous pool games, link up once again.
On the bench, Zack McCall, Tom O’Toole and Eric O’Sullivan provide the front row back-up, with John McCusker selected as the other forward replacement. David Shanahan, Chris Swash and Angus Kernohan will provide the back-line cover.
ULSTER ‘A’ (v Cornish Pirates): Jack Owens; Robert Lyttle, Callum Patterson, Rory Butler, Aaron Cairns; Peter Nelson, Jonny Stewart; Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (capt), Ross Kane, Peter Browne, Clive Ross, Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew, Marcus Rea.
Replacements: Zack McCall, Tom O’Toole, Eric O’Sullivan, John McCusker, David Shanahan, Chris Swash, Angus Kernohan.