Current Ireland U-20 Players Among Ulster’s New Academy Intake

Ulster Rugby have announced that seven players, including some current Ireland Under-20 internationals, will join the province’s Academy for next season.

This year’s Ulster Academy sees the largest number of players in over five years, with 20 young talents now in the ranks. Commenting on the announcement, Ulster Rugby Academy Manager Gavin Hogg said:

We are excited to welcome to the new entrants to the Ulster Rugby Academy. The seven players joining us have showed great potential and have all played in the national pathway teams.

“We look forward to working with these players and helping their development, along with the 13 players who are progressing onto Years 2 and 3 of our programme.

“The Ulster Rugby pathway has showed that players can progress with us and take their opportunities in the senior side when they arise.

“In 2023/24 we took great pride in the fact that Academy players such as Scott Wilson, James McNabney, Zac Solomon, Joe Hopes, and Lorcan McLoughlin all made their senior debuts, and made an important contribution in the senior side.

“They provide a great example to the Academy players that the chances are there to play. I would like to thank all the coaches across the domestic club and schools game, who have helped these players to the Academy level.

“We hope the players are excited to start their journey with us in the Academy, along with the support of the staff, head coach Richie Murphy and the senior staff, as they continue their rugby journey at Ulster Rugby.”

2024/25 ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY NEW ENTRANTS (YEAR 1):

James McKillop (Lock/Back Rower)

James enters the Academy as a player who can cover both the second row and back row, and is a former pupil of Foyle & Londonderry College. He returned mid-season after a shoulder injury, and his performances for Queen’s University in Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 1B saw him gain national selection with the Ireland Under-20s in the U-20 Six Nations. He will continue his academic studies at QUB next year.

Bryn Ward (Back Rower)

Bryn enters the Academy after a strong club season with Ballynahinch RFC and as a standout performer for the Ireland U-20s during their recent Six Nations campaign, where he was regular starter in the number 7 jersey. He is a former pupil of RBAI and played in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools Senior Cup-winning team alongside fellow Academy talent, Jacob Boyd.

Clarke Logan (Scrum Half)

Clarke (pictured above) joins the Academy as a graduate from Ulster’s NTS programme, and is completing his studies at Coleraine Grammar School. He has represented Ulster at U-18 and U-19 level and was recently capped at national level with the Ireland U-19s. Clarke played in the recent Ulster Development and ‘A’ team fixtures against the New England Independents and Ireland U-20s at Kingspan stadium. He is hoping to commence academic studies at QUB next year.

Jonny Scott (Centre)

Jonny joins the Academy as a graduate from Ulster’s NTS programme, and is a former pupil of Dromore High School. Most recently he has been playing his club rugby with Banbridge in Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A. He played for the Ireland U-19s in recent fixtures against France and Wales. Jonny also lined out in the Ulster Development and ‘A’ team fixtures aginst the New England Independents and Ireland U-20s at Kingspan Stadium.

Jack Murphy (Out-Half)

Jack (pictured below with Wilhelm de Klerk) joins the Academy as a new entrant off the back of excellent performances as part of this year’s Ireland Under-20 squad, where he has been a regular starter in the number 10 jersey. He is renowned for his strong kicking game and ability to manage a game. He is hoping to commence his academic studies at QUB next year, when he relocates to Belfast after the completion of the World Rugby U-20 Championship.

Wilhelm de Klerk (Centre)

Wilhelm joins the Academy as a new entrant off the back of excellent performances with the Ireland U-20s – he was a regular starter in the number 13 jersey during the U-20 Six Nations. Equally comfortable at inside centre, he has strong distribution skills with a sharp eye for putting himself and others into space. He is hoping to commence his academic studies at QUB next year when he relocates to Belfast, after the completion of the World Rugby U-20 Championship.

Sam Berman (Centre)

Sam joins the Academy as a new entrant following his strong performances with Terenure College in Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 1A after returning from injury. He has been capped by Ireland at U-19 and U-20 level. Sam is equally adept at playing at 12 and 13, has excellent ability to influence attacking play, and will be an exciting addition to the group.

2024/25 ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY SQUAD LIST:

Year 1 –

Bryn Ward (Back Rower)
James McKillop (Lock/Back Rower) (pictured below)
Jack Murphy (Out-Half)
Clarke Logan (Scrum Half)
Sam Berman (Centre)
Jonny Scott (Centre)
Wilhelm de Klerk (Centre)

Year 2 –

Cameron Doak (Prop)
Jack Boal (Prop)
Jacob Boyd (Prop)
Zac Solomon (Hooker)
Henry Walker (Hooker)
Charlie Irvine (Lock)
Josh Stevens (Back Rower)
Tom Brigg (Back Rower)
Ethan Graham (Winger/Full-Back)
Ben McFarlane (Winger/Full-Back)
Lukas Kenny (Winger)

Year 3 –

Joe Hopes (Lock)
Rory Telfer (Full-Back)

For more information on the full Ulster Academy squad for 2024/25, please click here.