The Ulster A team, sponsored by CD Group, has been named for the final round of the Celtic Cup away to Connacht A on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm at the Sportsground).
Coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have made five changes to the starting XV that defeated Ospreys A in Bridgend last weekend, which made it three wins on the bounce for the young Ulster men.
Hooker Zack McCall and tighthead prop Tom O’Toole come in to join Peter Cooper in the front row, while Matthew Dalton is brought into the second row alongside Caleb Montgomery.
Marcus Rea continues to captain the side from openside flanker, with Clive Ross at blindside and Greg Jones packing down at number 8.
In the backline, Johnny McPhillips and James Hume are drafted in, with flyhalf McPhillips partering Jonny Stewart at half-back and Hume joining Queen’s University’s Ben Power in the midfield. The dynamic back three of Aaron Sexton, Robert Baloucoune and fullback Iwan Hughes remain in situ.
On the bench, Claytan Milligan, Corrie Barrett, Campbell Classon, Alex Thompson and Matthew Agnew provide the forward backup, with Michael Stronge, Bruce Houston and Graham Curtis covering the backs.
Ulster A team to play Connacht A, Celtic Cup Round 6, Sunday 14th October, The Sportsground (3.30pm):
(15-9): Iwan Hughes*; Robert Baloucoune*, James Hume*, Ben Power, Aaron Sexton; Johnny McPhillips, Jonny Stewart;
(1-8): Peter Cooper, Zack McCall*, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton*, Caleb Montgomery, Clive Ross, Marcus Rea (captain)*, Greg Jones;
Replacements (16-23): Claytan Milligan, Corrie Barrett, Campbell Classon, Alex Thompson, Matthew Agnew*, Michael Stronge, Bruce Houston*, Graham Curtis*.
* denotes Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy player
ULSTER A’s CELTIC CUP FIXTURES:
Friday 7th September, 5.00pm – Ulster A
28-43 Leinster A at Malone RFC
Friday 14th September, 7.00pm – Ulster A
15-45 Scarlets A at Instonians/Cooke RFC
Saturday 22nd September, 2.30pm – Cardiff Blues A
3-7 Ulster A at Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday 29th September, 2.30pm – Ulster A
27-19 Dragons A at Ballymena RFC
Friday 5th October, 7.00pm – Ospreys A
19-39 Ulster A at Swansea RFC
Sunday 14th October, 3.30pm – Connacht A v Ulster A at the Sportsground
CELTIC CUP STANDINGS
Irish Conference
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
TB |
LB |
PTS |
| Leinster A |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
24 |
| Munster A |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
24 |
| Ulster A |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
14 |
| Connacht A |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Welsh Conference
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
TB |
LB |
PTS |
| Scarlets A |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
14 |
| Ospreys A |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
| Cardiff Blues A |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
| Dragons A |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
The top-ranked province from the Irish conference will play the top-ranked region from the Welsh conference in the inaugural Celtic Cup final.
