The Ulster A team, sponsored by CD Group, has been announced for the British & Irish Cup Round 5 clash at home to Cornish Pirates on Friday evening (kick-off 5.00pm at Shaw's Bridge).
Hooker John Andrew, who has enjoyed a run of form that has seen the Ballymena RFC clubman make 11 senior appearances already this season, returns to captain the Ulster A team, in what will be his first outing of this British & Irish Cup campaign. Props Tommy O’Hagan and Ross Kane will scrum down either side of Andrew in the front row.
There is significant experience in the second row with Peter Browne and Clive Ross wearing the number 4 and 5 jerseys, while coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have opted for the youthful combination of Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew and Marcus Rea in the back row.
Jonny Stewart and Peter Nelson, who both started the reverse fixture against the Pirates back in October, are paired again at half-back.
Aaron Cairns, who has played most of his rugby during the campaign at scrum-half, is named on the left wing, with Rob Lyttle on the opposite wing, and Jack Owens at fullback.
The familiar midfield combination of Rory Butler and Callum Patterson, who have started together in all-but-one of the four previous pool stage games, link up once again.
On the bench, Zack McCall, Tom O’Toole and Eric O’Sullivan provide the front row backup, with John McCusker selected as the other forward replacement. David Shanahan, Chris Swash and Angus Kernohan will provide the backline with cover.
Ulster A team to play Cornish Pirates, Friday 12th January at Shaw’s Bridge, 5.00pm:
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (Capt), Ross Kane, Peter Browne, Clive Ross, Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew, Marcus Rea;
(9-15): Jonny Stewart, Peter Nelson, Aaron Cairns, Rory Butler, Callum Patterson, Rob Lyttle, Jack Owens.
Replacements: Zack McCall, Tom O’Toole, Eric O’Sullivan, John McCusker, David Shanahan, Chris Swash, Angus Kernohan.
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 v 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 (3.00pm)
British & Irish Cup Pool 5
Hooker John Andrew, who has enjoyed a run of form that has seen the Ballymena RFC clubman make 11 senior appearances already this season, returns to captain the Ulster A team, in what will be his first outing of this British & Irish Cup campaign. Props Tommy O’Hagan and Ross Kane will scrum down either side of Andrew in the front row.
There is significant experience in the second row with Peter Browne and Clive Ross wearing the number 4 and 5 jerseys, while coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson have opted for the youthful combination of Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew and Marcus Rea in the back row.
Jonny Stewart and Peter Nelson, who both started the reverse fixture against the Pirates back in October, are paired again at half-back.
Aaron Cairns, who has played most of his rugby during the campaign at scrum-half, is named on the left wing, with Rob Lyttle on the opposite wing, and Jack Owens at fullback.
The familiar midfield combination of Rory Butler and Callum Patterson, who have started together in all-but-one of the four previous pool stage games, link up once again.
On the bench, Zack McCall, Tom O’Toole and Eric O’Sullivan provide the front row backup, with John McCusker selected as the other forward replacement. David Shanahan, Chris Swash and Angus Kernohan will provide the backline with cover.
Ulster A team to play Cornish Pirates, Friday 12th January at Shaw’s Bridge, 5.00pm:
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, John Andrew (Capt), Ross Kane, Peter Browne, Clive Ross, Caleb Montgomery, Matthew Agnew, Marcus Rea;
(9-15): Jonny Stewart, Peter Nelson, Aaron Cairns, Rory Butler, Callum Patterson, Rob Lyttle, Jack Owens.
Replacements: Zack McCall, Tom O’Toole, Eric O’Sullivan, John McCusker, David Shanahan, Chris Swash, Angus Kernohan.
ULSTER A TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) January 11, 2018
Here is the Ulster A team that will host @CornishPirates1 in Friday's crucial British & Irish Cup Round 5 tie ?
Full match-day squad info ? https://t.co/qi6TQnDN1V pic.twitter.com/CwFYapjzIl
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 v 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 (3.00pm)
British & Irish Cup Pool 5
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Bonus Pts | Points | |
| Cornish Pirates | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| Ulster A | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| Scarlets PS | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Hartpury RFC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 |