Ulster Finalise Academy Squad For 2016/17

The Ulster Academy squad features ten returning players who have retained their place in the Academy, namely David Busby, Peter Cooper, Ross Kane, Michael Lagan, Rob Lyttle, Andy Magrath, Jack Owens, Nick Timoney, Alex Thompson and Craig Trenier.

They will be joined by eight new members of the Academy – Conall Boomer, Rory Butler, Aaron Hall, Adam McBurney, Zack McCall, Tommy O’Hagan, Marcus Rea and Jonny Stewart.

All players in the Academy are eligible to play for Ireland and indeed a number have already done so with distinction at age-grade level, including Boomer and McBurney who were part of the Ireland Under-20 squad that reached the World U-20 Championship final during the summer.

Their fellow Ireland U-20 team-mates, Johnny McPhillips and Jacob Stockdale, are among five of last season’s Academy squad who have joined the senior panel at Ulster along with John Donnan, Lorcan Dow and David Shanahan. Matthew Rea has also been upgraded from the sub-Academy directly to the senior panel.

Commenting on the announcement of the 2016/17 squad, Kieran Campbell said: “I am delighted that Hughes Insurance have continued their support of the Ulster Rugby High Performance Academy programme.

“Their sponsorship is essential to ensuring Academy players experience world class service provision enabling them to strive for excellence and perform to the high standards demanded at Ulster Rugby.

“The success of the partnership with Hughes is already evident with the quality of players achieving recognition with the Ulster senior squad and we intend to build on this in the forthcoming season.”

Brian McDowell, Chief Executive of Hughes Insurance commented: “I have supported Ulster Rugby for many years and am very proud to sponsor the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy. It was great to meet the players, many of whom hope to get the call up to the first team in the coming season.

“Ulster Rugby and Hughes Insurance share the same philosophy in developing talent and performing to high standards of excellence. I would like to wish all the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy players the very best of luck for the season ahead.”

To find out more about Hughes Insurance, visit www.hughesinsurance.co.uk. For more information on the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy, visit www.ulsterrugby.com/team/academy.php.

HUGHES INSURANCE ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY – 2016/17:

Management Team:

Head Coach: Willie Anderson
Assistant Coaches: Kieran Campbell, Jamie Turkington
Team Manager: Hugh McCaughey

2016/17 Fixtures:

02/09/2016: Ulster 20 Leinster 46, Shaw’s Bridge
09/09/2016: Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7pm
17/09/2016: Ulster v Connacht, Kingspan Stadium, 7pm

Academy Squad: