Ulster’s new back-row signing, Tim Boys, will play for the Ravens against interprovincial rivals, Connacht Eagles, at the Sportsground tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 16.00).
Boys arrived in Ulster this week from New Zealand side Southland on a short-term contract and starts the game at openside flanker.
The Ravens, who are sponsored by CD Group, lost to Connacht earlier in the season and will be looking to avenge that defeat in Galway.
The team sees a mix of Hughes Insurance Academy prospects, talented young club players and senior squad members who will have the opportunity to press their case for selection ahead of the resumption of the PRO12 campaign next week.
Academy player Connor Young, is selected at scrumhalf, with Michael Heaney starting the game in the unfamiliar role of outhalf.
Adam Craig’s excellent club form for Ballynahinch sees him rewarded with a start on the left wing, while Peter Nelson is named at fullback and ex-Sullivan Upper pupil Ross Adair picked on the right wing.
Ricky Andrew and Malone’s Josh Pentland are paired in midfield.
Boys is joined in the backrow by fellow New Zealander Sean Reidy and ex-Lansdowne player Charlie Butterworth.
There is an experienced second-row with Neil McComb partnered by Lewis Stevenson, who captains the side.
In the front row ex Zebre and Munster player Dave Ryan starts at tighthead, John Andrew is selected at hooker and Kyle McCall is named at loosehead.
Forwards, Paul Jackson, Craig Trenier, Ruaidhri Murphy, Frank Taggart and Conor Joyce are joined by backs Josh Bingham, Mark Best and Adam Liddell on the replacements’ bench.
Ulster Ravens team & replacements to play Connacht Eagles, Galway Sportsground, Thursday 5th February (kick off 16:00): (15-9): P Nelson; R Adair, R Andrew, J Pentland, A Craig, M Heaney, C Young; (1-8): K McCall, J Andrew, D Ryan, L Stevenson (C), N McComb, S Reidy, T Boys, C Butterworth; (Replacements (16-23): P Jackson, C Trenier, R Murphy, F Taggart, C Joyce, J Bingham, M Best, A Liddell.