IRELAND UNDER 20 out-half Johnny McPhillips starts alongside new signing Angus Lloyd as Ulster pit their A squad into pre-season action against Canada A at Kingspan Stadium this evening (17.15).
McPhillips played a crucial role in guiding Ireland to the World Rugby U20 championship final during the summer, while 23-year-old Lloyd made the move to Belfast after impressing for Trinity.
20-year-old lock Kieran Treadwell also starts the game with two McCall brothers – Kyle and and Zack – named in the front row as Adam McBurney is held among the replacements.
Ulster A (v Canada A): D Busby; C Kelly, M Best, R Butler, A Cairns; J McPhillips, A Lloyd: K McCall (capt), Z McCall, C Trenier, K Treadwell, A Thompson, N Timoney, C Boomer, S Mulholland.Replacements: A McBurney, T O’Hagan, M Lagan, P Cooper, A Burke, A Hall, M Rea, J Stewart, A Magrath, C Field.
The senior side will face Northampton (19.30) immediately after the A game and the starting XV features Charles Piutau, starting for the first time in Belfast.
The All Black is joined in the back three by academy player Rob Lyttle who scored twice in a brief 10-minute cameo against Exeter last weekend.
Paul Marshall starts at scrum-half alongside Brett Herron with Ruan Pienaar nursing an elbow injury. Academy prop Ross Kane is among the replacements as Les Kiss takes his side towards the start of the season with just one fit tighthead.
Ulster (v Northampton): C Piutau; L Ludik, D Cave, S McCloskey, R Lyttle; B Herron, P Marshall: A Warwick, R Herring (capt), R Ah You, P Browne, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Ross, R Wilson.
Replacements: J Andrew, C Black, R Kane, A O’Connor, C Joyce, M Rea, D Shanahan, S Windsor, J Stockdale.
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