Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, travel to Wales this weekend to take on Cardiff Blues Premiership Select in Round 4 of the British & Irish Cup (2.30pm kick-off at Pontypridd RFC).
Coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have made 5 changes to the starting team, including 4 in the backline, from the side that beat the same opposition 16-10 in the reverse fixture at Eaton Park last Friday evening.
Ireland U20 star Johnny McPhillips, who kicked 11 points in last week’s win, switches from fullback to outhalf where he will strike up a half-back partnership with Dave Shanahan.
There is a new back three featuring Ulster’s sole try scorer last weekend Jack Owens, who makes the move from wing to fullback. David Busby, who impressed as a second half replacement last week, is rewarded with a starting berth on the left wing, while Connor Kelly will make his first start of the campaign on the right flank.
Mark Best and Rory Butler, who both had bright spells in last weekend’s tussle, retain their spots in midfield.
There is just one change in the pack as Hughes Insurance Academy prop Tommy O’Hagan, who featured prominently as a replacement last week, comes in at loosehead prop to join Jonny Simpson and John Andrew in the front row, with the latter once again captaining the side from hooker.
Connor Smyth and Stephen Mulholland will partner each other again in the engine room, while the familiar faces of Nick Timoney, Conor Joyce and Lorcan Dow will make up the back row.
With Ulster A currently sitting joint top of Pool 1 with London Scottish on 10 points after three games, a win this weekend is crucial as the Ulster men chase automatic qualification for the knockout stages.
Ulster A team & replacements to play Cardiff Blues Premiership Select, Saturday 17th December, Pontypridd RFC (kick-off 2.30pm):
(15-9): Jack Owens, Connor Kelly, Rory Butler, Mark Best, David Busby, Johnny McPhillips, Dave Shanahan;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (captain), Jonny Simpson, Connor Smyth, Stephen Mulholland, Nick Timoney, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow;
Replacements (16-22): Jonny Murphy, Peter Cooper, John McCusker, Zack McCall, Jonny Stewart, Brett Herron, Josh Jordan.
Below is the full list of Ulster A’s fixtures in the 2016/17 British & Irish Cup:
Round 1: Ulster A 19 - 6 Jersey Reds - Friday 14th October at Shaw’s Bridge, 7.00pm.
Round 2: London Scottish 34 - 29 Ulster A - Saturday 22nd October at Athletic Ground, 2.30pm.
Round 3: Ulster A 16 - 10 Cardiff Blues Premiership Select - Friday 9th December at Eaton Park, 7.00pm.
Round 4: Cardiff Blues Premiership Select v Ulster A - Saturday 17th December at Pontypridd RFC, 2.30pm.
Round 5: Ulster A v London Scottish - Friday 13th December at Kingspan Stadium, 7.00pm. (ulsterrugby.com/buytickets)
Round 6: Jersey Reds v Ulster A - Saturday 21st January at St Peter’s, 2.00pm.
Coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have made 5 changes to the starting team, including 4 in the backline, from the side that beat the same opposition 16-10 in the reverse fixture at Eaton Park last Friday evening.
Ireland U20 star Johnny McPhillips, who kicked 11 points in last week’s win, switches from fullback to outhalf where he will strike up a half-back partnership with Dave Shanahan.
There is a new back three featuring Ulster’s sole try scorer last weekend Jack Owens, who makes the move from wing to fullback. David Busby, who impressed as a second half replacement last week, is rewarded with a starting berth on the left wing, while Connor Kelly will make his first start of the campaign on the right flank.
Mark Best and Rory Butler, who both had bright spells in last weekend’s tussle, retain their spots in midfield.
There is just one change in the pack as Hughes Insurance Academy prop Tommy O’Hagan, who featured prominently as a replacement last week, comes in at loosehead prop to join Jonny Simpson and John Andrew in the front row, with the latter once again captaining the side from hooker.
Connor Smyth and Stephen Mulholland will partner each other again in the engine room, while the familiar faces of Nick Timoney, Conor Joyce and Lorcan Dow will make up the back row.
With Ulster A currently sitting joint top of Pool 1 with London Scottish on 10 points after three games, a win this weekend is crucial as the Ulster men chase automatic qualification for the knockout stages.
Ulster A team & replacements to play Cardiff Blues Premiership Select, Saturday 17th December, Pontypridd RFC (kick-off 2.30pm):
(15-9): Jack Owens, Connor Kelly, Rory Butler, Mark Best, David Busby, Johnny McPhillips, Dave Shanahan;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (captain), Jonny Simpson, Connor Smyth, Stephen Mulholland, Nick Timoney, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow;
Replacements (16-22): Jonny Murphy, Peter Cooper, John McCusker, Zack McCall, Jonny Stewart, Brett Herron, Josh Jordan.
Below is the full list of Ulster A’s fixtures in the 2016/17 British & Irish Cup:
Round 1: Ulster A 19 - 6 Jersey Reds - Friday 14th October at Shaw’s Bridge, 7.00pm.
Round 2: London Scottish 34 - 29 Ulster A - Saturday 22nd October at Athletic Ground, 2.30pm.
Round 3: Ulster A 16 - 10 Cardiff Blues Premiership Select - Friday 9th December at Eaton Park, 7.00pm.
Round 4: Cardiff Blues Premiership Select v Ulster A - Saturday 17th December at Pontypridd RFC, 2.30pm.
Round 5: Ulster A v London Scottish - Friday 13th December at Kingspan Stadium, 7.00pm. (ulsterrugby.com/buytickets)
Round 6: Jersey Reds v Ulster A - Saturday 21st January at St Peter’s, 2.00pm.