Ahead of the upcoming season, Ulster Rugby is confirming a new batch of talent to come in to reinforce the province’s focus on developing talent to progress into the senior men’s team.
This year’s academy sees the largest number of players in over five years, with 20 young talents now in the ranks.
Ulster Rugby Academy Manager, Gavin Hogg, added:
“We are excited to welcome to the new entrants to the Ulster Rugby Academy. The seven players joining us have showed great potential and have all played in the national pathway teams. We look forward to working with these players and helping their development, along with the 13 players who are progressing onto Year 2 and 3 of our programme.
The Ulster Rugby Pathway has showed that players can progress with us and take their opportunities in the Senior side when they arise.
In 2023/24 we took great pride in the fact that academy players such as Scott Wilson, James McNabney, Zac Solomon, Joe Hopes and Lorcan McLoughlin all made their senior debuts and made an important contribution in the senior side.
They provide a great example to the academy players that the chances are there to play. I would like to thank all the coaches across the domestic club and school game, who have helped these players to the academy level.
We hope the players are excited to start their journey with us in the academy, along with the support of the Academy staff, Head Coach Richie Murphy and the senior staff, as they continue their rugby journey at Ulster Rugby.”
New Entrants (Year 1)
James McKillop (Second Row/Back Row)
James enters the academy as a player who can cover both second row and back row and is a former pupil of Foyle College. James returned mid-season after a shoulder injury and his performances for Queens University in AIL 1B saw him gain national selection with Ireland U20s in the U20 Six Nations. James will continue his academic studies at QUB next year.
Bryn Ward (Back Row)
Bryn enters the academy after a strong club season with Ballynahinch RFC and as a standout performer for Ireland U20s in their recent Six Nations campaign, where he was regular starter in the number 7 shirt. He is a former pupil of RBAI and played in the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup winning side alongside fellow academy talent, Jacob Boyd.
Clarke Logan (Scrum-Half)
Clarke joins the academy as a graduate from our NTS programme and is completing his studies at Coleraine GS. Clarke has represented Ulster age grade teams at U18 & U19 level and was recently capped at national level with Ireland U19s. Clarke played in the recent Development & A-team fixtures versus the New England Independents & Ireland U20s at Kingspan stadium. He is hoping to commence academic studies at QUB next year.
Jonny Scott (Centre)
Jonny joins the academy as a graduate from our NTS programme and is a former pupil of Dromore HS. Most recently he has been playing his club rugby with Banbridge RFC in AIL 2A. He has recently been capped at national level with Ireland U19s in fixtures against France and Wales. Jonny also played in the recent Development & A-team fixtures versus New England Independents & Ireland U20s at Kingspan stadium.
Jack Murphy (Fly-Half)
Jack joins the Ulster Academy as a new entrant off the back of excellent performances as part of the recent Ireland U20s squad, where he was a regular starter in the number 10 shirt. He is renowned for his strong kicking game and ability to manage a game. He is hoping to commence his academic studies at QUB next year, when he relocates to Belfast after the completion of the U20 Junior World Cup.
Wilhelm de Klerk (Centre)
Wilhelm (Villie) joins the Ulster academy as a new entrant off the back of excellent performances as part of the recent Ireland U20s squad, where he was a regular starter in the number 13 shirt. Equally comfortable at 12, he has strong distribution skills with a sharp eye for putting himself and others into space. He is hoping to commence his academic studies at QUB next year when he relocates to Belfast, after the completion of the U20 Junior World Cup.
Sam Berman (Centre)
Sam joins the Ulster academy as a new entrant where he has had strong performances with Terenure College RFC in AIL 1A after returning from injury. He has been capped at Ireland U19s level and U20 level. Sam is equally adept at playing at 12 & 13, has excellent ability to influence attacking play and will be an exciting addition to the group.
Year 2
Cameron Doak (Prop)
Cameron progresses to Year 2 of the Academy and has been a regular feature for City of Armagh RFC in their first season of AIL 1A. Cameron is a former pupil of Wallace HS and has the ability to pack down on both sides of the scrum. He was involved in early pre-season games with the senior squad and will be hoping to gain more exposure at this level.
Jack Boal (Prop)
Jack progress to Year 2 of the academy and was another player to feature for Queens University in AIL 1B this season. He will continue his studies at Stranmillis University and was a former pupil of Campbell College Belfast. He is a player that enjoys the physical side of the game and will be hoping to impress the senior coaches in early stages of pre-season.
Jacob Boyd (Prop)
Jacob progresses to Year 2 of the Academy and once again featured for Queen’s University in AIL 1B this season. Jacob is former Danske Bank Schools’ Cup winning captain with RBAI and was a member of the unbeaten Ireland U20s side in this season’s U20 Six Nations campaign.
Zac Solomon (Hooker)
Zac progresses to Year 2 of the Academy and is a former pupil of Campbell College Belfast. Zac was capped at senior level in the away URC fixture at Glasgow Warriors earlier in the season. He will continue his studies at Ulster University and will be hoping to impress in the early part of the season.
Henry Walker (Hooker)
Henry progresses to Year 2 of the Academy and joined last season from Hartpury College through the IQ programme. Henry was selected for the Ireland U20 Six Nations squad, a year young, and has also featured for Ireland U19s this season.
He will be hoping to gain further national honours next season and will unfortunately miss out on Junior World Cup selection due to injury.
Charlie Irvine (Lock)
Charlie progresses to Year 2 of the Academy and is a former pupil of Wallace HS. Charlie has had some excellent displays for Queens University in AIL 1B where he has successfully balanced his training/playing commitments whilst pursuing his medical degree. He has gained some excellent training exposure with the senior squad towards the back end of this season and will be hoping to continue that good form into next season.
Josh Stevens (Back Row)
Josh progress to Year 2 of the Academy and is a former pupil of Methodist College, Belfast. Josh has been playing his rugby with Queens University where he will continue his studies. He was part of the Ireland U20s Six Nations squad and will be hoping to continue a strong personal finish to the season into next.
Tom Brigg (Back Row)
Tom progresses to Year 2 of the Academy and returned mid-season to playing after a shoulder injury. He quickly demonstrated a good level of performance with Queens University, which saw him rewarded with a national cap at Ireland U20s level.
He is a former pupil of Blackrock College and will continue his academic studies at QUB next year.
Ethan Graham (Wing/Full-Back)
Ethan progresses into Year 2 of the Academy and is a product of the youth system at Monaghan Rugby club. He plays his club rugby at Ballynahinch RFC in AIL 1A and has gained national honours with Ireland U20s during the recent U20 Six Nations. Ethan has great speed, strong footballing skills and will be looking to build on his potential next season.
Ben McFarlane (Wing/Full-Back)
Ben progresses into Year 2 of the Academy and is a former pupil of Methodist College, Belfast. Ben will continue his studies at QUB and has featured regularly for them on the wing this season. Ben enjoyed a strong finish to the season where he was able to demonstrate his speed and counter attacking ability.
Lukas Kenny (Wing/ Full-Back)
Lukas progresses into Year 2 of the Academy and is a former pupil of Campbell College Belfast. Lukas had a fantastic start to his club season with Queens University and was unfortunately injured in the middle part of the season. He has worked hard in his rehab and is due to return to full training for the early part of pre-season.
Year 3
Joe Hopes (Lock)
Joe progresses to Year 3 of the Academy, coming off the back of two successful campaigns with Ireland U20s that has seen him play in the U20 Six Nations and the Junior World Cup. Joe is a former pupil of Regent House & Campbell College and made his Ulster Senior debut in the URC fixture away to Connacht earlier in the season.
Rory Telfer (Wing/ Full-Back)
Rory progress to Year 3 of the Academy after a strong season with Queens University, (helping them to maintain AIL 1B status) where he will complete his studies next year. Rory is a former pupil of Coleraine GS and was involved in senior pre-season games earlier in the season and will hope to stake a claim for further involvement next season.
Ulster Rugby Academy Squad 2024-25
Year 1:
Forwards:
Bryn Ward (Back-Row)
James McKillop (Back-Row)
Backs:
Jack Murphy (Fly-Half)
Clarke Logan (Scrum-Half)
Sam Berman (Centre)
Jonathan Scott (Centre)
Wilhelm De Klerk (Centre)
Year 2:
Forwards:
Cameron Doak (Prop)
Jack Boal (Prop)
Jacob Boyd (Prop)
Zac Solomon (Hooker)
Henry Walker (Hooker)
Charlie Irvine (Lock)
Josh Stevens (Back-Row)
Tom Brigg (Back-Row)
Backs:
Ethan Graham (Wing/ Full-Back)
Ben McFarlane (Wing/Full-Back)
Lukas Kenny (Wing)
Year 3:
Forwards:
Joe Hopes (Lock)
Backs:
Rory Telfer (Full-Back)