News

Ulster Rugby Academy confirmed for 2025/26

4th June 2025

Ahead of the upcoming season, Ulster Rugby confirms new entrants to help strengthen the ranks, with the Academy remaining focused on developing top talents for the future.

Last season's Academy players Jack Murphy, Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes have all progressed onto Senior and Development contracts following the 2024/2025 campaign.

On the Academy confirmation, Ulster Rugby Academy Manager, Gavin Hogg, said:

"We are very pleased to welcome six new entrants into our Academy for the upcoming season. All players have shown high potential in the early stages of their career, whether for their clubs, schools, or playing in the national or Ulster age-grade sides.

"We are looking forward to helping these guys continue their development, alongside our 12 players who are progressing onto their second and third years of the Academy.

"We have seen recently how important it is to be prepared for the top level of rugby, with a number of players including Charlie Irvine, Wilhelm De Klerk, Jacob Boyd and Jack Murphy all playing in the senior squad last season.

"Our ultimate ambition is to bring these players through and make sure that they are ready to make an impact in an Ulster jersey.

"Under Richie Murphy there is a strong alignment between the Senior squad and Academy, which has really driven up the levels in training and competition for places for next season."

New Entrants

Connor Magee (Hooker)

Connor joins the academy as a graduate from our NTS programme and is a past pupil of Banbridge Academy. Last season he gained valuable experience in AIL 2A with Banbridge RFC. Connor has represented Ireland at age grade level and was part of the recent Ireland U20s Six Nations squad. He is hoping to gain selection for the upcoming U20s Junior World Cup in Italy before re-joining Ulster for pre-season.

Tom McAllister (Prop)

Tom enters the academy after a strong club season with Ballynahinch RFC and is a past pupil at Ballyclare High School. He was recently selected for Ireland U20s as part of the Six Nations squad, gaining valuable game time at tighthead prop. He has featured for Ulster in ‘A’ team fixtures in 2024/25 and is hoping to gain further experience at the upcoming U20s Junior World Cup.

Flynn Longstaff (Prop)

Flynn joins the Academy after a strong season with Queens University Belfast in AIL 1B. Flynn is a former pupil at Campbell College Belfast where he predominantly played in the back row, making the transition to prop over the past few seasons. He has the ability to be physical and dominant in his ball-carrying and tackling.

Daniel Green (Fly-Half)

Dan joins the Academy as a graduate from our NTS programme and has been most recently studying and playing at QUB. Dan was identified through the IQ programme, where he previously played with Sale Sharks at U18 level. He has recently been capped at national level with Ireland U20s, despite being a year group behind, and is hoping to return from a recent arm injury in time for the upcoming U20s Junior World Cup.

Josh Gibson (Wing/ Full Back)

Josh is a former Danske Bank Schools’ Cup winning pupil at RBAI and has recently been plying his trade at Banbridge RFC last season. He is an elusive back three player with a strong kicking game. He was most recently selected for Ireland U19s and played in both tests against France, scoring in both games.

Aitzol Arenzana-King (Winger)

Aitzol joins Ulster Rugby from the Leinster Academy, with the aim of progressing into the senior squad. Aitzol was part of the Ireland U20s Grand Slam winning team in 2022, coached by Richie Murphy and played alongside the likes of Scott Wilson, Lorcan McLoughlin & Jude Postlethwaite. He is a physical and athletic winger, who will no doubt continue to develop in the Ulster Rugby Academy.

Year 2

Bryn Ward (Back Row)

A former Ireland U20s player, Bryn Ward, has had a positive first year in the Academy and is developing well.

He is a powerful presence in the back-row and is a good ball-carrier with a high work rate.

His season was disrupted with an injury sustained while playing for his club, Ballynahinch RFC. He has recovered and is looking to hit pre-season running and put his hand up for selection in the season ahead.

James McKillop (Back Row)

A hybrid forward who can cover the second row or the back row, James has been playing well for Queen’s University and is earmarked as a big talent for the future.

Clark Logan (Scrum Half)

Clark has had a strong 2024/25, learning in his first year as an Academy player and gaining game time for both Queen’s University and Ulster ‘A’ this season.

He played a key role for Ireland U20s in their Six Nations campaign and will be aiming to play in this summer’s U20 Junior World Cup.

Jonny Scott (Centre)

A graduate of the NTS programme, Jonny has had an encouraging first year in the Academy, while playing club rugby with Banbridge in AIL 2A. He has been getting minutes playing for Ulster ‘A’, and a superb solo try against Connacht Eagles showed his athleticism, with an ability to break lines from midfield.

Sam Berman (Centre)

Like Wilhelm De Klerk, Sam joined Ulster Rugby last year after coming up through the Leinster pathway. Sam has been getting minutes playing for City of Armagh RFC and the Ulster ‘A’ side. An injury curtailed his progress, but he will be aiming to hit pre-season running and push on in 2025-26.

Wilhelm De Klerk (Centre)

‘Villie’ has had a very positive first year as an Academy player. Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has name-checked the former Ireland U20s player as having impressed during training and that led to a Senior Men’s debut for Ulster in the URC against Connacht.

Wilhelm also made an appearance against Leinster at Aviva Stadium in April, after an injury in the warm-up saw him called up. The trust in throwing him in against top level opposition shows the faith in his ability.

Year 3

Jacob Boyd (Prop)

Capable of playing on either side of the scrum, Jacob is a talented prop who impressed in training and for Ulster ‘A’ last season, earning him a senior men’s debut against Benetton in the BKT United Rugby Championship. Jacob will be looking to push for further opportunities with a strong pre-season.

Henry Walker (Hooker)

A modern hooker with good power, speed and agility, Henry has shown plenty of promise in the early stages of his career after being identified through the IQ Rugby programme. He was a regular starter for Ireland U20s in this year’s Six Nations Championship and has captained the U20s against Italy.

Henry has been getting game-time for Queen’s University in AIL 1B, as he looks to push for opportunities in the season ahead.

Josh Stevens (Back Row)

Josh is a physical forward who has been getting vital experience with QUB in AIL 1B last season. He has been pressing for minutes with Ulster ‘A’ and will be looking to have a strong pre-season.

Tom Brigg (Back Row)

A former Blackrock College captain at school level, Tom has been developing well over the past two seasons. He is a tenacious and physical number eight and has been putting in some impressive performances for Queen's University over the past season.

Ethan Graham (Wing/ Full-Back)

A fast back, who is comfortable playing on either the wing or at full-back, Ethan is a strong attacking threat and a good finisher. He plays his club rugby with AIL 1A side, Ballynahinch RFC, and has been getting game time for Ulster ‘A’.

His late dramatic try against Connacht Eagles was a match-winning moment and clinched an away interprovincial victory for the 'A' side.

Lukas Kenny (Wing)

A strong and athletic winger, Lukas has been working hard on his game over the past season and continues to develop well. He has been getting consistent game time for Queen’s University and Ulster ‘A’ over the past season and will be aiming to impress in pre-season.