Ulster supporters will get a glimpse of the future on Saturday as the province’s coaches have named an exciting 33-man squad for the pre-season clash with Gloucester at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm).
Tickets for the clash are still available at ulsterrugby.com/buytickets and on the gate from 4pm on match day. Eight Abbey Insurance Academy players have been named in the panel, while new signings Martin Moore, Will Addison and Billy Burns are set to feature, the latter coming up against his former club.
Fans will also have an opportunity to pay tribute to Chris Henry, with the match listed as the first event of the Ireland back rower’s testimonial year following ten seasons of outstanding service to the province. You can find out more at chrishenrytestimonial.co.uk.
Ulster’s starting XV includes four Academy players in the form of tighthead prop Tom O’Toole, blindside flanker Marcus Rea, out-half Michael Lowry and outside centre Stewart Moore, while sub-Academy winger Angus Kernohan is also selected.
Alan O’Connor will captain the side from the second row where he will be partnered by Alex Thompson, who starred for Terenure College in the All-Ireland League last season, and John Andrew and Schalk van der Merwe link up with O’Toole in the front row. Nick Timoney, last season’s BT Young Player of the Year, will combine with Henry and Rea in the back row.
Jonny Stewart and Lowry pair up as the hosts’ starting half-backs, while the experienced Darren Cave, who has made over 200 provincial appearances, will line out in midfield with the highly-talented Moore. Craig Gilroy and full-back Peter Nelson are in the back-three alongside Ireland Under-20 international Kernohan.
Four more Academy players are among the replacements – prop Eric O’Sullivan, lock Jack Regan and centres Angus Curtis and James Hume. Aaron Sexton, who is still only 17 years of age and currently studying at Bangor Grammar School, could also play after being named in the extended squad.
Saturday evening’s eagerly-anticipated pre-season tie will see Gloucester’s director of rugby David Humphreys, defence coach Jonny Bell and loosehead prop Paddy McAllister all return to their native province.
ULSTER (v Gloucester): Peter Nelson; Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore *, Darren Cave, Angus Kernohan *; Michael Lowry *, Jonny Stewart; Schalk van der Merwe, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole *, Alan O’Connor (capt), Alex Thompson, Marcus Rea *, Chris Henry, Nick Timoney.
Replacement backs: David Shanahan, Billy Burns, Angus Curtis *, James Hume *, Aaron Sexton, Jack Owens, Will Addison.
Replacement forwards: Adam McBurney, Kyle McCall, Eric O’Sullivan *, Martin Moore, Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Regan *, Caleb Montgomery, Clive Ross, Sean Reidy, Greg Jones.
* Academy and sub-Academy players
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