Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, will travel to Cardiff Arms Park to take on Cardiff Blues A in Round 3 of the Celtic Cup on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm), and the management team have named another youthful match-day squad.
The starting XV features eight Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy players, with a further five Academy players named among the replacements.
Following a late switch to centre last week, Michael Lowry will once again captain the side from his more familiar role of fly-half, with Michael Stronge coming into the team alongside him at scrum-half.
Jack Owens returns to partner James Hume in the Ulster midfield, with the back three of Bangor Grammar School’s Aaron Sexton, Robert Baloucoune and Iwan Hughes retaining their places.
The pack features five changes in personnel from the side that lost to Scarlets last weekend. There’s an all-new front row with Tommy O’Hagan and Rodney Ah You scrumming down either side of hooker Zack McCall. Flankers Marcus Rea and Aaron Hall are drafted in alongside Joe Dunleavy in the back row, while Clive Ross shifts into the engine room with Bradley Luney.
Academy back row forward David McCann has returned from duty with the Ulster U19 squad and is set to make his first Ulster A appearance if called upon from the bench. Peter Cromie, Peter Cooper, Paul McGookin, Matthew Dalton and Matthew Agnew provide the additional forward cover, with Graham Curtis and Bruce Houston offering the backline options.
Ulster A team to play Cardiff Blues A, Celtic Cup Round 3, Saturday 22nd September at Cardiff Arms Park (2.30pm):
(15-9): Iwan Hughes*, Robert Baloucoune*, Jack Owens, James Hume*, Aaron Sexton, Michael Lowry (C)*, Michael Stronge;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, Zack McCall*, Rodney Ah You, Clive Ross, Bradley Luney, Marcus Rea*, Aaron Hall*, Joe Dunleavy*.
Replacements: Peter Cromie, Peter Cooper, Paul McGookin, Matthew Dalton*, David McCann*, Graham Curtis*, Matthew Agnew*, Bruce Houston*.
* denotes Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy player.
ULSTER A’S CELTIC CUP FIXTURES:
Friday 7th September, 5.00pm - Ulster A 28-43 Leinster A at Malone RFC
Friday 14th September, 7.00pm - Ulster A 15-45 Scarlets A at Instonians/Cooke RFC
Saturday 22nd September, 2.30pm - Cardiff Blues A v Ulster A at Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday 29th September, 2.30pm - Ulster A v Dragons A at Ballymena RFC
Friday 5th October, 7.00pm - Ospreys A v Ulster A at Swansea RFC
October 12th-14th - Connacht A v Ulster A
The starting XV features eight Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy players, with a further five Academy players named among the replacements.
Following a late switch to centre last week, Michael Lowry will once again captain the side from his more familiar role of fly-half, with Michael Stronge coming into the team alongside him at scrum-half.
Jack Owens returns to partner James Hume in the Ulster midfield, with the back three of Bangor Grammar School’s Aaron Sexton, Robert Baloucoune and Iwan Hughes retaining their places.
The pack features five changes in personnel from the side that lost to Scarlets last weekend. There’s an all-new front row with Tommy O’Hagan and Rodney Ah You scrumming down either side of hooker Zack McCall. Flankers Marcus Rea and Aaron Hall are drafted in alongside Joe Dunleavy in the back row, while Clive Ross shifts into the engine room with Bradley Luney.
Academy back row forward David McCann has returned from duty with the Ulster U19 squad and is set to make his first Ulster A appearance if called upon from the bench. Peter Cromie, Peter Cooper, Paul McGookin, Matthew Dalton and Matthew Agnew provide the additional forward cover, with Graham Curtis and Bruce Houston offering the backline options.
Ulster A team to play Cardiff Blues A, Celtic Cup Round 3, Saturday 22nd September at Cardiff Arms Park (2.30pm):
(15-9): Iwan Hughes*, Robert Baloucoune*, Jack Owens, James Hume*, Aaron Sexton, Michael Lowry (C)*, Michael Stronge;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, Zack McCall*, Rodney Ah You, Clive Ross, Bradley Luney, Marcus Rea*, Aaron Hall*, Joe Dunleavy*.
Replacements: Peter Cromie, Peter Cooper, Paul McGookin, Matthew Dalton*, David McCann*, Graham Curtis*, Matthew Agnew*, Bruce Houston*.
* denotes Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy player.
ULSTER A’S CELTIC CUP FIXTURES:
Friday 7th September, 5.00pm - Ulster A 28-43 Leinster A at Malone RFC
Friday 14th September, 7.00pm - Ulster A 15-45 Scarlets A at Instonians/Cooke RFC
Saturday 22nd September, 2.30pm - Cardiff Blues A v Ulster A at Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday 29th September, 2.30pm - Ulster A v Dragons A at Ballymena RFC
Friday 5th October, 7.00pm - Ospreys A v Ulster A at Swansea RFC
October 12th-14th - Connacht A v Ulster A