The Ulster A team, sponsored by CD Group, has been announced for the final British & Irish Cup pool stage game away to Scarlets Premiership Select on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.00pm at Llandovery RFC).
Last Friday’s Round 5 bonus point win over Cornish Pirates pushed the Ulster A team five points clear at the top of Pool 5, therefore meaning a point in Llandovery would be enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.
Coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have made just two changes to the starting XV that defeated the Pirates in impressive fashion last time out. Luke Marshall will make his return to playing action following an ankle injury picked up at the end of October, while Angus Kernohan is handed a starting berth on the right wing as Rob Lyttle has been included in the senior squad this weekend.
The rest of the backline personnel remains unchanged, with Callum Patterson named alongside Marshall in midfield, and Kernohan joining Aaron Cairns and Jack Owens in the back three. Jonny Stewart and Peter Nelson start once again at half-back.
The youthful pack, which acquitted themselves so well against much more experienced opposition last week, remains in situ.
John Andrew continues to captain the side from hooker, along with Tommy O’Hagan and last week’s Man of the Match Tom O’Toole in the front row, while Peter Browne and Clive Ross complete the front five. Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew and Marcus Rea are once again selected in the back row.
On the bench, Zack McCall and Eric O’Sullivan provide the front row backup, with Matthew Dalton, Aaron Hall and Greg Jones selected as the other forward replacements. Michael Stronge and Rory Butler will provide the backline with cover.
Ulster A team to play Scarlets Premiership Select, Saturday 20th January at Llandovery RFC, 2.00pm:
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (Capt), Tom O’Toole, Peter Browne, Clive Ross, Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew, Marcus Rea;
(9-15): Jonny Stewart, Peter Nelson, Aaron Cairns, Callum Patterson, Luke Marshall, Angus Kernohan, Jack Owens.
Replacements: Zack McCall, Eric O’Sullivan, Matthew Dalton, Aaron Hall, Greg Jones, Michael Stronge, Rory Butler.
British & Irish Cup Pool Stage Fixtures:
Round 1: Ulster A 24-18 Scarlets Premiership Select, Saturday 14th October at Banbridge RFC (2.30pm)
Round 2: Cornish Pirates 23-14 Ulster A, Sunday 22nd October at Mennaye Field, Penzance (2.30pm)
Round 3: Hartpury RFC 24-29 Ulster A, Saturday 9th December at Hartpury College (2.30pm)
Round 4: Ulster A 27-19 Hartpury RFC, Saturday 16th December at Ballymena RFC (2.30pm)
Round 5: Ulster A 25-14 Cornish Pirates, Friday 12th January at Shaw’s Bridge (5.00pm)
Round 6: Scarlets Premiership Select v Ulster A, Saturday 20th January at Llandovery RFC (2.00pm)
British & Irish Cup Pool 5
Last Friday’s Round 5 bonus point win over Cornish Pirates pushed the Ulster A team five points clear at the top of Pool 5, therefore meaning a point in Llandovery would be enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.
Here is how the rankings look ahead of the final pool stage games in the British & Irish Cup ?
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) January 18, 2018
Ulster A play Scarlets PS in Llandovery on Saturday afternoon. #SUFTUM pic.twitter.com/7GbG4C5P1Z
Coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have made just two changes to the starting XV that defeated the Pirates in impressive fashion last time out. Luke Marshall will make his return to playing action following an ankle injury picked up at the end of October, while Angus Kernohan is handed a starting berth on the right wing as Rob Lyttle has been included in the senior squad this weekend.
The rest of the backline personnel remains unchanged, with Callum Patterson named alongside Marshall in midfield, and Kernohan joining Aaron Cairns and Jack Owens in the back three. Jonny Stewart and Peter Nelson start once again at half-back.
The youthful pack, which acquitted themselves so well against much more experienced opposition last week, remains in situ.
John Andrew continues to captain the side from hooker, along with Tommy O’Hagan and last week’s Man of the Match Tom O’Toole in the front row, while Peter Browne and Clive Ross complete the front five. Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew and Marcus Rea are once again selected in the back row.
On the bench, Zack McCall and Eric O’Sullivan provide the front row backup, with Matthew Dalton, Aaron Hall and Greg Jones selected as the other forward replacements. Michael Stronge and Rory Butler will provide the backline with cover.
Ulster A team to play Scarlets Premiership Select, Saturday 20th January at Llandovery RFC, 2.00pm:
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (Capt), Tom O’Toole, Peter Browne, Clive Ross, Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew, Marcus Rea;
(9-15): Jonny Stewart, Peter Nelson, Aaron Cairns, Callum Patterson, Luke Marshall, Angus Kernohan, Jack Owens.
Replacements: Zack McCall, Eric O’Sullivan, Matthew Dalton, Aaron Hall, Greg Jones, Michael Stronge, Rory Butler.
British & Irish Cup Pool Stage Fixtures:
Round 1: Ulster A 24-18 Scarlets Premiership Select, Saturday 14th October at Banbridge RFC (2.30pm)
Round 2: Cornish Pirates 23-14 Ulster A, Sunday 22nd October at Mennaye Field, Penzance (2.30pm)
Round 3: Hartpury RFC 24-29 Ulster A, Saturday 9th December at Hartpury College (2.30pm)
Round 4: Ulster A 27-19 Hartpury RFC, Saturday 16th December at Ballymena RFC (2.30pm)
Round 5: Ulster A 25-14 Cornish Pirates, Friday 12th January at Shaw’s Bridge (5.00pm)
Round 6: Scarlets Premiership Select v Ulster A, Saturday 20th January at Llandovery RFC (2.00pm)
British & Irish Cup Pool 5
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Bonus Pts | Points | |
| Ulster A | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 19 |
| Cornish Pirates | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| Scarlets PS | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| Hartpury RFC | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 |