The Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy will take on an Ulster Clubs Talent Radar Select XV this evening, Thursday 24th August, at Banbridge RFC (kick-off 6.30pm).
The Ulster Clubs Talent Radar Select team will be a collection of the best club talent throughout the province. The team will be coached by Banbridge RFC Director of Rugby Dan Soper and Ballymena RFC Head Coach Andy Graham, and managed by Banbridge RFC’s Gareth Bronte.
Commenting on the organisation of this unique fixture, Head of the Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy Kieran Campbell said:
“This is a new idea aimed at giving club players an opportunity to show off their ability and test themselves against our Academy roster. It’s very important for us to ensure we remain integrated with the club game, and for the players involved it is a chance to stake a claim for a place within the player development pathway at Ulster. We are always open to providing opportunities for players why may not have came through the traditional route, as we have seen in recent times with the likes of Matthew Rea, Tommy O’Hagan, Callum Patterson and even Stuart McCloskey, who was somewhat of a late starter.
“I know Dan and Andy will have the team well prepared and I expect a full blooded encounter, so it should be a really enjoyable and beneficial game.”
Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy team to play Ulster Clubs Talent Radar Select, Thursday 24th August at Banbridge RFC (kick-off 6.30pm):
(15-9): Conor Kelly, Angus Kernohan, Josh Jordan, Rory Butler, Robert Balacoune, Callum Smith, Michael Stronge;
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Peter Cooper, Jack Regan, John McCusker, Aaron Hall, Stuart Doddington, Greg Jones.
Replacements: Alexander Clarke, Anton Lupari, Josh Bill, Tommy O’Hagan, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton, Matthew Agnew, Rhys O’Donnell, Stewart Moore.
Ulster Clubs Talent Radar Select team:
(15-9): Rodger McBurney (Ballymena RFC), Tom Caesar (Exile), Andrew Morrison (Banbridge RFC), Michael Cartmill (Malone RFC), Matthew Norris (Ballymena RFC), Chris Swash, Glen Bailey (Ballymena RFC);
(1-8): Michael Cromie (Banbridge RFC), Peter Cromie (Banbridge RFC), Sean O’Hagan (Dungannon RFC), Ronan McCusker (Rainey RFC), Connor Smyth (Ballymena RFC), Robin Sinton (Banbridge RFC), Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC), Adrian Hamilton (Ballymena RFC).
Replacements: Ross Harkin (City of Derry RFC), David Cave (Malone RFC), Darryl Morton (City of Armagh RFC), Steven Irvine (Banbridge RFC), James Gallagher (Harlequins), Richard Fahy, Jonny Little (Banbridge RFC), Michael Poskitt (Coleraine RFC).
The Ulster Clubs Talent Radar Select team will be a collection of the best club talent throughout the province. The team will be coached by Banbridge RFC Director of Rugby Dan Soper and Ballymena RFC Head Coach Andy Graham, and managed by Banbridge RFC’s Gareth Bronte.
Commenting on the organisation of this unique fixture, Head of the Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy Kieran Campbell said:
“This is a new idea aimed at giving club players an opportunity to show off their ability and test themselves against our Academy roster. It’s very important for us to ensure we remain integrated with the club game, and for the players involved it is a chance to stake a claim for a place within the player development pathway at Ulster. We are always open to providing opportunities for players why may not have came through the traditional route, as we have seen in recent times with the likes of Matthew Rea, Tommy O’Hagan, Callum Patterson and even Stuart McCloskey, who was somewhat of a late starter.
“I know Dan and Andy will have the team well prepared and I expect a full blooded encounter, so it should be a really enjoyable and beneficial game.”
Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy team to play Ulster Clubs Talent Radar Select, Thursday 24th August at Banbridge RFC (kick-off 6.30pm):
(15-9): Conor Kelly, Angus Kernohan, Josh Jordan, Rory Butler, Robert Balacoune, Callum Smith, Michael Stronge;
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Peter Cooper, Jack Regan, John McCusker, Aaron Hall, Stuart Doddington, Greg Jones.
Replacements: Alexander Clarke, Anton Lupari, Josh Bill, Tommy O’Hagan, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton, Matthew Agnew, Rhys O’Donnell, Stewart Moore.
Ulster Clubs Talent Radar Select team:
(15-9): Rodger McBurney (Ballymena RFC), Tom Caesar (Exile), Andrew Morrison (Banbridge RFC), Michael Cartmill (Malone RFC), Matthew Norris (Ballymena RFC), Chris Swash, Glen Bailey (Ballymena RFC);
(1-8): Michael Cromie (Banbridge RFC), Peter Cromie (Banbridge RFC), Sean O’Hagan (Dungannon RFC), Ronan McCusker (Rainey RFC), Connor Smyth (Ballymena RFC), Robin Sinton (Banbridge RFC), Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC), Adrian Hamilton (Ballymena RFC).
Replacements: Ross Harkin (City of Derry RFC), David Cave (Malone RFC), Darryl Morton (City of Armagh RFC), Steven Irvine (Banbridge RFC), James Gallagher (Harlequins), Richard Fahy, Jonny Little (Banbridge RFC), Michael Poskitt (Coleraine RFC).