Ulster ‘A’ Squad Announced For Cardiff Trip

Ulster ‘A’ team manager Gary Longwell has named a 22-man squad to travel to Cardiff this weekend to take on the Cardiff ‘A’ team.

The fixture is aimed at giving young players and fringe players a chance to play at a high level, and show the Ulster management team what they can do.

The squad is mainly made up of contracted Ulster players and Academy players with only two club players named in the matchday panel.

Scotland winger Simon Danielli is expected to start for his province for the first time this season after picking up an injury during pre-season training.

Looking forward to the game, Ulster ‘A’ team manager Gary Longwell said: “This is a brilliant fixture for us, the ‘A’ games really allow some of the younger guys to push themselves.

“From my point of view of looking after the Ulster Academy, I find it encouraging seeing seven of my players involved in this squad.

“We will announce our final team on Thursday morning and hopefully this fixture will provide Matt Williams with some idea of what the younger guys are capable of.”

ULSTER ‘A’ Squad – Backs (10): Paul Marshall (Ulster Rugby), Ian Humphreys (Ulster Rugby), Simon Danielli (Ulster Rugby), Ian Whitten (Ulster Academy), Paul Steinmetz (Ulster Rugby), Chris Cochrane (Ulster Academy), Mark McCrea (Ulster Rugby), Ian Porter (Ulster Academy), Niall O’Connor (Ulster Rugby), Jamie Smith (Ulster Academy).

Forwards (12): Jarlath Carey (Ulster Rugby), Neil Hanna (Ulster Rugby), Declan Fitzpatrick (Ulster Rugby), Filo Paulo (Malone), James Sandford (Ulster Academy), Bryan Young (Ulster Rugby), Paul Karayiannis (Ulster Academy), Neil McComb (Belfast Harlequins), Thomas Anderson (Ulster Rugby), Willie Faloon (Ulster Academy), Chris Henry (Ulster Rugby), Stuart Philpott (Ulster Rugby).