Teams named for double header at Kingspan Stadium

The coaching staff have named the Ulster squads for Friday's double header at Kingspan Stadium. Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, will take on Canada A at 5.15pm and the senior team will host Northampton Saints at 7.30pm. Entry to both fixtures costs from just £10 for children and £15 for adults, and tickets are available from www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets or at the gates from 4.30pm on Friday. ULSTER v NORTHAMPTON SAINTS Hughes Insurance Academy player, Robert Lyttle, who scored two tries in a late 10-minute cameo appearance last week against Exeter, has been rewarded with selection on the left wing. The only other newcomer to the backline is Paul Marshall, who will step into scrumhalf after Ruan Pienaar picked up an elbow injury last Saturday. It will be a first Kingspan Stadium appearance for All Black Charles Piutau, who will line out at fullback. Stuart McCloskey and Darren Cave are retained in midfield, with Brett Herron at outhalf and Louis Ludik occupying the right wing berth. Loosehead prop Andy Warwick has been introduced to the starting XV in what is the only change to the forward pack. The Ballymena man will be joined in the front row by captain Rob Herring and Rodney Ah You. Pete Browne and Franco van der Merwe continue their second row partnership, and Robbie Diack, Clive Ross and Roger Wilson are again included in the back row department. Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, has gone for a 6/3 split of forwards and backs on the bench. John Andrew, Callum Black and Academy player Ross Kane will provide cover for the front row, while Alan O’Connor, Conor Joyce and Matthew Rea are the other forwards selected. Backs Dave Shanahan, Sam Windsor and Jacob Stockdale make up the rest of the match day squad. Ulster team and replacements to play Northampton Saints, Friday 26th August, Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm): (15-9): C Piutau; L Ludik, D Cave, S McCloskey, R Lyttle; B Herron, P Marshall; (1-8): A Warwick, R Herring (captain), R Ah You, P Browne, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Ross, R Wilson; Replacements (16-24): J Andrew, C Black, R Kane, A O'Connor, C Joyce, M Rea, D Shanahan, S Windsor, J Stockdale. ULSTER A v CANADA A A youthful Ulster A squad will be captained by Kyle McCall as they welcome Canada A to Kingspan Stadium. McCall is joined in the front row by his brother Zack, who will start at hooker. Craig Trenier will play in the number 3 jersey, with Kieran Treadewell and Alex Thompson in the engine room. Ireland 7s star Nick Timoney is named at blindside, with Conall Boomer and Stephen Mulholland occupying the other loose forward positions. Angus Lloyd and Johnny McPhilips, who have impressed during pre-season so far, have been slotted into the half back roles. Rory Butler and Mark Best are partnered in midfield, with Aaron Cairns, Conor Kelly and David Busby starting in the back three. Adam McBurney, Tommy O’Hagan, Michael Lagan and Peter Cooper will offer front row options on the bench. Ballyclare second row Alistair Burke and Hughes Insurance Academy players Aaron Hall and Marcus Rea will provide extra cover up front. Fellow Academy players Jonny Stewart and Andy Magrath, plus sub-Academy player Conor Field, are covering the backline. Ulster A team and replacements to play Canada A, Friday 26th August, Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm): (15-9): D Busby; C Kelly, M Best, R Butler, A Cairns; J McPhillips, A Lloyd; (1-8): K McCall (captain), Z McCall, C Trenier, K Treadwell, A Thompson, N Timoney, C Boomer, S Mulholland; Replacements (16-25): A McBurney, T O’Hagan, M Lagan, P Cooper, A Burke, A Hall, M Rea, J Stewart, A Magrath, C Field. Match preview by Les Kiss: “I think that our pre-season preparations have been good and there are some really solid things to take forward into the new season. “This game will wrap up pre-season and the fixture schedule has given some of our young players a chance to play against top Premiership opposition. That experience should stand them in good stead from a development perspective. “I’m pleased to see Ross Kane get an opportunity for the seniors after injuries to three of our tightheads, and the Canada A game will allow us to get the full squad some much-needed game time against a well-drilled side. “It goes without saying that the Saints will provide us with a massive challenge. They have a very experienced team that is full of internationals, but it’s exactly the type of fixture that we need at this stage and it will be another good test for some of our young players.”