Ulster Rugby can confirm that seven players will join the Academy for the upcoming 2026-27 season, with a total of 19 Academy players for the next year.
Tyrese Abolarin, Blake McClean, Connor McVicker, Charlie O’Connor, Tom Bell and Jed Findlay all have signed contracts as first year entrants.
Second Row, Mahon Ronan, joins as a year two Academy player from the Leinster Academy.
Last year’s Academy players, Henry Walker and Aitzol Arenzana-King, have progressed onto Development deals, and will be part of the senior squad next season.
As announced earlier in the season, Bryn Ward progresses from the Academy to a Senior contract, following his breakthrough performances.
Tom Brigg and Jacob Boyd move onto a Year 4 Academy contract.
On the Academy confirmation, Academy Manager, Gavin Hogg said:
“We are delighted to be welcoming seven new players into our Academy system. All individuals have showed exciting potential across the clubs and schools’ game, and their involvement in the national age grade teams and provincial age grade sides.
“We are confident that they will progress and develop with the ambition of making an impact in the senior squad for the future.”
Hogg said that the recent 2025-26 campaign showcased the importance and value of the Ulster Rugby Academy pathway, with a number of young players playing a key role for the senior team in both the URC and EPCR Challenge Cup.
He added: “We are coming off the back of an extremely successful season for our Academy, having seen the success of Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes as Development players, and seeing how quickly Bryn Ward made an impact in the senior team as an Academy player.
“Seeing the likes of Tom McAllister, James McKillop and Tom Brigg make their senior debuts has given everyone a boost.
"The senior coaching staff have shown that opportunities are there for young players and they have to work hard through the season to earn that chance.
"The strong culture between the Senior team and Academy continues to grow and evolve each season."
Ulster Rugby Academy 2026-27
Year 1: Tyrese Abolarin (Prop), Blake McLean (Prop), Connor McVicker (Scrum-Half), Charlie O’Connor (Fly-Half), Tom Bell (Back), Jed Findlay (Back)
Year 2: Josh Gibson (Back), Rynard Gordon (Back), Daniel Green (Back), Flynn Longstaff (Prop), Connor Magee (Hooker), Ronan Mahon (Lock), Tom McAllister (Prop), Paddy Woods (Lock)
Year 3: Clark Logan (Scrum-Half), James McKillop (Forward), Jonny Scott (Centre/ Wing)
Year 4: Jacob Boyd (Prop), Tom Brigg (Back Row)
Year 1
Tyrese Abolarin (Prop)
Tyrese is a strong front row forward who progresses from our NTS programme. An ex-pupil of Methodist College Belfast, he is now playing his club rugby at QUB. He was recently selected for the Irish U20s Six Nations squad.
Blake McClean (Prop)
Blake is a past pupil of RBAI and has been part of this season’s Ireland U20s squad where he has been selected as a tighthead prop. Blake has progressed through the Ulster pathway and has represented Ireland at all age grade levels.
Blake was recently selected for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia and he will play for QUB next season.
Connor McVicker (Scrum-Half)
Connor is a past pupil of Belfast Royal Academy, where he captained the 1st XV to the Danske Bank Schools' Shield in March. Connor is a skilful scrum-half with good tactical awareness. Connor most recently represented Ireland U19s against France and will be looking to gain selection with Ireland U20s next season, alongside his club playing commitments at QUB.
Charlie O’Connor (Fly-Half)
Charlie is a past pupil of RBAI, where he was part of the side that reached the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup Final in March.
An exciting fly-half, Charlie has an all-round skillset, ability to play make and shows good vision around the field. He was recently named the 2025/26 Danske Bank Boys Schools' Player of the Year.
Charlie was selected for Ireland U18s in their Six Nations fixtures v England, Spain & France at Easter. Charlie will play his club rugby with QUB next season.
Tom Bell (Centre)
Tom is an athletic centre who is a past pupil of Regent House School. He is a strong defender, with an ability to link and connect play, whilst being a ball carrying threat. Tom recently played with Ireland U19s in fixtures against France and will be looking to gain selection with Ireland U20s next season alongside his club playing commitments at QUB.
Jed Findlay (Back)
Jed is an Irish qualified back-three player who joins us from Exeter University. Born in Exeter, Jed’s mother originated from Hillsborough and he has family links in Ulster. The 20-year-old has previously represented Scotland at U20s level and is renowned for his attacking game, with a good running and kicking game. He will complete his studies whilst playing at QUB.
Year 2
Mahon Ronan (Lock)
A second row forward, Mahon moves to Ulster after a year in the academy at Leinster. He has a physical profile that enables him to dominate the gain line in his ball carrying and collisions. He was recently part of the successful Old Wesley RFC side that gained promotion from AIL 1B and has been a regular for Ireland U20s in previous seasons. We look forward to supporting his ongoing development at Ulster.
Tom McAllister (Prop)
The Ballyclare man made a great impression last season in his first year in the Academy, making his senior debut against Edinburgh at Hive Stadium in March and putting in a strong performance against Springbok prop, Boan Venter.
McAllister would take his next opportunity against Zebre Parma, scoring his first senior try on only his second appearance.
The young tighthead prop ended the season with four senior appearances under his belt and showcased his exciting potential.
Paddy Woods (Lock)
The Australian-born forward joined the Academy system halfway through last season, after studying at Campbell College and playing for the Ulster age-grade teams last summer.
The lock played for Western Force U19s before linking up with the Academy and he managed to get game time for Ulster 'A' in the interprovincial championship.
Paddy was recently called up to the Ireland U20s squad for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship this summer.
Daniel Green (Back)
Capable of playing at full-back or fly-half, Dan featured for QUB last season before an ankle injury forced him to have surgery and miss out on Ireland U20s' Six Nations campaign. He is now back to full fitness and received a call up to the Ireland U20s squad for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship.
Flynn Longstaff (Prop)
Flynn has had a year of development going into his second year of the Academy. The powerful prop has gained game time with QUB and played for Ulster 'A' before picking up an injury. The former Methodist College captain will be aiming to hit the ground running in pre-season.
Josh Gibson (Back)
A skilful back three player, Josh has endured a difficult season due to an injury picked up last year. The former RBAI Schools Cup winner will be aiming to impress during pre-season and get back to full fitness.
Rynard Gordon (Back)
South African born Rynard Gordon is an Irish-qualified back three player with exciting potential. Rynard has come through Bishops school in Cape Town, the same school that produced South Africa fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Having represented the school’s 1st XV he completed a trial period with the province before joining the Academy.
Connor Magee (Hooker)
The young hooker from Banbridge has had an unfortunate season with shoulder and ankle injuries that have prevented him building on a previous successful campaign with Ireland U20s.
He is due to return to full fitness in pre-season and we look forward to seeing him get regular game time with QUB next season.
Year 3
James McKillop (Forward)
James has made a lot of development in 2025/26, and was rewarded for his effort with a senior Ulster debut against Munster in the URC at Thomond Park. He made a strong impression on debut, with his ball-carrying ability on show against a full-strength Munster.
James has gained important experience as captain of Queen's University Belfast in the AIL and will be aiming to push for more playing opportunities next season.
Clark Logan (Scrum-Half)
A quick scrum-half, Clark continues to develop his game in the Academy system. Clark has got game time with Queen's University Belfast and Ulster 'A' in the Interprovincial Championship across 2025-26. Clark will be aiming to impress during pre-season.
Jonny Scott (Centre/ Wing)
A strong backline player with pace and a developing offloading game, Jonny has made an impression on the senior coaching staff this season with his ability. Head Coach Richie Murphy gave him a senior debut against Connacht in the URC and he would also play against Munster in the URC at Thomond Park. On both appearances he showed his promise with strong carries that bode well for the future.
Year 4
Jacob Boyd (Prop)
Having made his senior Ulster debut against Benetton Rugby in 2024-25, Jacob continues to develop behind the scenes at Ulster. He has gained more game time with QUB and has impressed for Ulster 'A'. He will play club rugby with Instonians RFC next season.
Tom Brigg (Back Row)
Tom made his senior Ulster debut against Munster in the URC and made a positive impression, showing his tenacity and ball carrying at flanker. He is an explosive back row player, who can play multiple positions with his carrying ability and work around the breakdown.
