Ulster A (sponsored by CD Group) coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have named their squad that will travel to Jersey for Saturday's final British & Irish Cup group stage game.
With the Ulster men currently sitting top of Pool 1, the team will make the trip knowing that a win would guarantee both a spot in the knockout stages for the first time in five years, and a home quarter-final.
Alan O’Connor will add considerable experience to the Ulster pack as he makes his first appearance since returning from an injury obtained in the Champions Cup win over Exeter in October. O’Connor will captain the side from the second row, where he is partnered by John Donnan.
It will be a new-look front row for Ulster as hooker Jonny Murphy is joined by Eric O’Sullivan and Peter Cooper. The back row of Stephen Mulholland, Conor Joyce and Lorcan Dow, which functioned so effectively in last week’s 38-21 win over London Scottish, is retained.
The half-back pairing of Jonny Stewart and Johnny McPhillips also remain in situ, as coaches Campbell and Anderson opt for youth across the backline for the crucial away trip. Ireland U20 star Jacob Stockdale joins the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy pairing of David Busby and Jack Owens in the back three, while fellow Academy player Rory Butler comes in to partner Mark Best in midfield.
Zack McCall, Chris Cundell, Matthew Rea and Nick Timoney are named as the forward replacements, while Johnny Creighton, Andrew Magrath and Callum Patterson will provide backline cover from the bench.
Ulster A team and replacements to play Jersey Reds, Saturday 21st January, St Peter’s (kick-off 2.00pm):
(15-9): Jack Owens, David Busby, Rory Butler, Mark Best, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny McPhillips, Jonny Stewart;
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Jonny Murphy, Peter Cooper, Alan O’Connor (C), John Donnan, Stephen Mulholland, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow.
Replacements (16-22): Zack McCall, Chris Cundell, Matthew Rea, Nick Timoney, Johnny Creighton, Andrew Magrath, Callum Patterson.
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
Round 2: London Scottish 34-29 Ulster A - Saturday 22nd October at Athletic Ground
Round 3: Ulster A 16-10 Cardiff Blues Premiership Select - Friday 9th December at Eaton Park
Round 4: Cardiff Blues Premiership Select 27-30 Ulster A - Saturday 17th December at Pontypridd RFC
Round 5: Ulster A 38-21 London Scottish - Friday 13th January at Kingspan Stadium
Round 6: Jersey Reds v Ulster A - Saturday 21st January at St Peter, 2.00pm
BRITISH & IRISH CUP POOL 1
With the Ulster men currently sitting top of Pool 1, the team will make the trip knowing that a win would guarantee both a spot in the knockout stages for the first time in five years, and a home quarter-final.
Alan O’Connor will add considerable experience to the Ulster pack as he makes his first appearance since returning from an injury obtained in the Champions Cup win over Exeter in October. O’Connor will captain the side from the second row, where he is partnered by John Donnan.
It will be a new-look front row for Ulster as hooker Jonny Murphy is joined by Eric O’Sullivan and Peter Cooper. The back row of Stephen Mulholland, Conor Joyce and Lorcan Dow, which functioned so effectively in last week’s 38-21 win over London Scottish, is retained.
The half-back pairing of Jonny Stewart and Johnny McPhillips also remain in situ, as coaches Campbell and Anderson opt for youth across the backline for the crucial away trip. Ireland U20 star Jacob Stockdale joins the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy pairing of David Busby and Jack Owens in the back three, while fellow Academy player Rory Butler comes in to partner Mark Best in midfield.
Zack McCall, Chris Cundell, Matthew Rea and Nick Timoney are named as the forward replacements, while Johnny Creighton, Andrew Magrath and Callum Patterson will provide backline cover from the bench.
Ulster A team and replacements to play Jersey Reds, Saturday 21st January, St Peter’s (kick-off 2.00pm):
(15-9): Jack Owens, David Busby, Rory Butler, Mark Best, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny McPhillips, Jonny Stewart;
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Jonny Murphy, Peter Cooper, Alan O’Connor (C), John Donnan, Stephen Mulholland, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow.
Replacements (16-22): Zack McCall, Chris Cundell, Matthew Rea, Nick Timoney, Johnny Creighton, Andrew Magrath, Callum Patterson.
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
Round 2: London Scottish 34-29 Ulster A - Saturday 22nd October at Athletic Ground
Round 3: Ulster A 16-10 Cardiff Blues Premiership Select - Friday 9th December at Eaton Park
Round 4: Cardiff Blues Premiership Select 27-30 Ulster A - Saturday 17th December at Pontypridd RFC
Round 5: Ulster A 38-21 London Scottish - Friday 13th January at Kingspan Stadium
Round 6: Jersey Reds v Ulster A - Saturday 21st January at St Peter, 2.00pm
BRITISH & IRISH CUP POOL 1
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Bonus Pts | Points | |
| Ulster A | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 132 | 98 | 3 | 19 |
| Jersey Reds | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 155 | 73 | 2 | 18 |
| London Scottish | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 113 | 133 | 3 | 11 |
| Cardiff Blues PS | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 80 | 176 | 3 | 3 |