Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, will take on provincial counterparts Leinster A in a challenge game at Banbridge RFC on Friday evening (kick-off 5.00pm).
Stuart McCloskey and Louis Ludik will make their returns from calf and concussion injuries respectively, while coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson will also use the game to blood some of the Province’s brightest young talent.
Ludik will start on the left wing opposite Mark Keane, who played for Ireland U19s in last week’s international versus Japan, on the right flank. Mark Best, a constant feature throughout the British & Irish Cup campaign which saw the Ulster men reach the quarter-final stage, completes the back three.
Callum Patterson will start at outside centre, pairing up with McCloskey in the midfield, while the familiar partnership of Brett Herron and Dave Shanahan continue at half-back.
John Andrew will captain the side from hooker, where he is joined in the front row by Tommy O’Hagan and Ricky Lutton. John McCusker who, like O’Hagan, made his breakthrough in the All-Ireland League with Rainey OB RFC, is positioned in the second row with Pete Browne.
Joe Dunleavy, another product of the club system, will start at blindside flanker with former Ireland U20 internationals Conall Boomer and Greg Jones taking up the other loose forward positions.
Supporters can purchase tickets at the gate on Friday evening. Admission is just £5 for adults and Under 18s go free.
Ulster A team and replacements to play Leinster A, Friday 31st March, Banbridge RFC (kick-off 5.00pm):
(15-9): Mark Best, Mark Keane, Callum Patterson, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Brett Herron, Dave Shanahan;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (C), Ricky Lutton, John McCusker, Pete Browne, Joe Dunleavy, Conall Boomer, Greg Jones.
Replacements (16-25): Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Chris Cundell, Matthew Dalton, Aaron Hall, John Creighton, Angus Curtis, Andy McGrath, Tom Stapley, Lewis Sampson.
Upcoming Ulster A challenge games:
Leinster A v Ulster A – Friday 21st April, 5.00pm at Donnybrook
Ulster A v Connacht A – Thursday 4th May, Time and Venue TBC
Stuart McCloskey and Louis Ludik will make their returns from calf and concussion injuries respectively, while coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson will also use the game to blood some of the Province’s brightest young talent.
Ludik will start on the left wing opposite Mark Keane, who played for Ireland U19s in last week’s international versus Japan, on the right flank. Mark Best, a constant feature throughout the British & Irish Cup campaign which saw the Ulster men reach the quarter-final stage, completes the back three.
Callum Patterson will start at outside centre, pairing up with McCloskey in the midfield, while the familiar partnership of Brett Herron and Dave Shanahan continue at half-back.
John Andrew will captain the side from hooker, where he is joined in the front row by Tommy O’Hagan and Ricky Lutton. John McCusker who, like O’Hagan, made his breakthrough in the All-Ireland League with Rainey OB RFC, is positioned in the second row with Pete Browne.
Joe Dunleavy, another product of the club system, will start at blindside flanker with former Ireland U20 internationals Conall Boomer and Greg Jones taking up the other loose forward positions.
Supporters can purchase tickets at the gate on Friday evening. Admission is just £5 for adults and Under 18s go free.
Ulster A team and replacements to play Leinster A, Friday 31st March, Banbridge RFC (kick-off 5.00pm):
(15-9): Mark Best, Mark Keane, Callum Patterson, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Brett Herron, Dave Shanahan;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (C), Ricky Lutton, John McCusker, Pete Browne, Joe Dunleavy, Conall Boomer, Greg Jones.
Replacements (16-25): Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Chris Cundell, Matthew Dalton, Aaron Hall, John Creighton, Angus Curtis, Andy McGrath, Tom Stapley, Lewis Sampson.
Upcoming Ulster A challenge games:
Leinster A v Ulster A – Friday 21st April, 5.00pm at Donnybrook
Ulster A v Connacht A – Thursday 4th May, Time and Venue TBC