Squad named for Gloucester hit out

Supporters will get a glimpse of the future on Saturday as the Ulster coaching team have named an exciting 33-man squad for the pre-season fixture against Gloucester (Kingspan Stadium, 5.30pm). Tickets for the clash are still available at ulsterrugby.com/buytickets and on the gate from 4.00pm on match day. Eight Abbey Insurance Academy players have been named in the panel, while new signings Marty Moore, Will Addison and Billy Burns are set to feature, the latter coming up against his former club. Fans will also have an opportunity to pay tribute to Chris Henry, with the match listed as the first event of his Testimonial Year following ten seasons of outstanding service to the Province. You can find out more at chrishenrytestimonial.co.uk. The starting XV includes four Academy players in the form of Tom O’Toole (tighthead prop), Marcus Rea (blindside flanker), Michael Lowry (flyhalf) and Stewart Moore (outside centre), while sub-Academy winger Angus Kernohan is also included. Alan O’Connor will captain the side from the second row, where he will be partnered by Alex Thompson, while John Andrew and Schalk van der Merwe will join O’Toole in the front row. Nick Timoney, last season’s BT Young Player of the Year, will combine with Henry and Rea in the back row. Jonny Stewart and Lowry will link up in the half-back positions, while the experienced Darren Cave, who has made over 200 provincial appearances, will line out in midfield with the highly-talented Moore. Craig Gilroy (right wing) and Peter Nelson (fullback) are in the back three alongside Kernohan. Four more Academy players are among the replacements; Eric O’Sullivan (prop) Jack Regan (second row), Angus Curtis and James Hume (both centre). Aaron Sexton, still only 17 years old and currently studying at Bangor Grammar School, could also play after being named on the panel. Saturday’s eagerly anticipated tie will see Gloucester’s Director of Rugby David Humphreys, Defence Coach Jonny Bell and loosehead prop Paddy McAllister return to their native province. Ulster team to play Gloucester, Pre-season fixture, Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 18th August (5.30pm): 15. Peter Nelson 14. Craig Gilroy 13. Stewart Moore* 12. Darren Cave 11. Angus Kernohan* 10. Michael Lowry* 9. Jonny Stewart 1. Schalk van der Merwe 2. John Andrew 3. Tom O’Toole* 4. Alan O’Connor (captain) 5. Alex Thompson 6. Marcus Rea* 7. Chris Henry 8. Nick Timoney Forward replacements: Adam McBurney Kyle McCall Eric O’Sullivan* Marty Moore Ross Kane Kieran Treadwell Jack Regan* Caleb Montgomery Clive Ross Sean Reidy Greg Jones Backline replacements: David Shanahan Billy Burns Angus Curtis* James Hume* Aaron Sexton Jack Owens Will Addison * Academy and sub-Academy players