Campbell And Anderson Bring Youthful Ulster ‘A’ Squad To Boston

The travelling party has been announced for the Ulster ‘A’ team’s two matches in the inaugural Cara Cup, which has kicked off in Massachusetts. The squad includes David McCann and Callum Reid, who helped the Ireland Under-20s win the Grand Slam in Colwyn Bay on Friday.

Ulster ‘A’ will play familiar rivals Connacht Eagles next Wednesday at Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth, before taking on home side New England Free Jacks at the same venue next Sunday evening (March 24).

The opening match of the Cara Cup competition took place in windy Weymouth yesterday with Connacht Eagles running out 38-7 winners over the Free Jacks, who are preparing to make their Major League Rugby debut in 2020.

Nine members of the Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy are among those named in the squad – Zack McCall, Jack Regan, Joe Dunleavy, David McCann and Marcus Rea in the forwards, and Graham Curtis, Bruce Houston, Stewart Moore and Iwan Hughes, who was an unused replacement for the Ireland U-20s against Wales, in the backs.

Ulster senior squad members Ross Kane, Caleb Montgomery, Johnny McPhillips and Jack Owens are also selected by coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson. Campbell, the Ulster Academy head, is back on provincial duty after playing his part in the Ireland U-20s’ Six Nations title success as their defence coach.

ULSTER ‘A’ Squad (Cara Cup): Backs (10) – Michael Stronge, Lewis Finlay, Graham Curtis, Bruce Houston, Johnny McPhillips, Jack Owens, Ben Power, Stewart Moore, Iwan Hughes, Ben McCaughey.

Forwards (14) – Claytan Milligan, Zack McCall, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Peter Cooper, Ross Kane, Jack Regan, Bradley Luney, JJ McKee, Charlie Clarke, Joe Dunleavy, David McCann, Marcus Rea, Caleb Montgomery.

2019 CARA CUP ROUND ROBIN RESULTS/FIXTURES:

Saturday, March 16 –

New England Free Jacks 7 Connacht Eagles 38, Union Point Sports Complex, Weymouth

Wednesday, March 20 –

Connacht Eagles v Ulster ‘A’, Union Point Sports Complex, Weymouth, 7pm local time/11pm Irish time

Sunday, March 24 –

New England Free Jacks v Ulster ‘A’, Union Point Sports Complex, Weymouth, 6.30pm local time/10.30pm Irish time

Saturday, April 6 –

New England Free Jacks v Munster ‘A’, Irish Cultural Centre, Canton, 4pm local time/9pm Irish time

Wednesday April 10 –

Munster ‘A’ v Leinster ‘A’, Union Point Sports Complex, Weymouth, 7pm local time/12am Irish time

Sunday, April 14 –

New England Free Jacks v Leinster ‘A’, Harvard Mignone Field, Boston, 5pm local time/10pm Irish time