A mix of new signings, established players and talented Academy prospects will line out for Ulster in the province’s pre-season match against Exeter Chiefs tomorrow night at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 19:30).
In total 34 players have been selected in the extended panel which will allow the Ulster coaches the opportunity to try out combinations and to see how the new players perform in a match environment.
Callum Black starts at loosehead alongside Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy hooker John Andrew, who makes his first start for the province.
With Ricky Andrew also selected in the side at fullback, the Andrews become the first brothers since Rory and Simon Best to line out for Ulster in the same game.
Ireland international tighthead Declan Fitzpatrick, who has played 86 times for Ulster. completes the front row.
In the second row, Academy player Alan O’Connor, starts alongside Springbok international lock and new signing Franco van der Merwe.
In the back row, two new signings also make their debuts for the province, with former Lansdowne player, Charlie Butterworth, starting at blindside and New Zealander Sean Reidy selected at openside.
Roger Wilson, who represented the Barbarians and played for a World XV against the Springboks this summer, captains the side from the base of the scrum.
In the backs, Paul Marshall starts the game at scrum half with Ian Humphreys who returned to Ulster in the summer starting at outhalf.
Ex Wallace High School pupil, Jacob Stockdale, starts on the right wing with Rory Scholes picked on the left. Michael Allen is selected at 12 alongside former Sharks back and new signing Louis Ludik.
There are 19 replacements named with Ruaidhri Murphy, Wiehahn Herbst, Clive Ross as well as Hughes Insurance Academy players Sean O’Hagan, Frank Taggart, Josh Atkinson, Ross Adair and Jack Owens all set to make their first appearances for Ulster Rugby.
Tickets for the game can be purchased online at http://ulsterrugby.com/tickets or from the Ulster Rugby ticket office ahead of the match.
Tickets will also be available to buy on the gate.
Prices start from £7 for a child and £13 for an adult.
Ulster XV and replacements to face Exeter Chiefs, Pre-Season Friendly, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 22nd August (kick off 19:30): (15-9) R Andrew, R Scholes, L Ludik, M Allen, J Stockdale, I Humphreys, P Marshall; (1-9); C Black, J Andrew, D Fitzpatrick, A O’Connor, F van der Merwe, C Butterworth, S Reidy, R Wilson (C); Replacements: K McCall, J Murphy, A Warwick, R Murphy, B Ross, W Herbst, L Stevenson, N McComb, J Simpson, C Joyce, C Ross, M McComish, F Taggart, J Atkinson, M Heaney, D Shanahan, R Adair, J Owens, S O’Hagan.
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