ULSTER HAVE NAMED an exciting squad for Saturday’s pre-season clash with Gloucester at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast [KO 5.30pm], with 17-year-old Aaron Sexton among several promising young players included.
Academy out-half Michael Lowry will steer the ship in the 10 shirt in a team captained by lock Alan O’Connor, while the backline also includes new academy centre Stewart Moore and sub-academy wing Angus Kernohan, who played for the Ireland U20s last season.
There are academy players in Ulster’s starting pack too as Tom O’Toole gets the nod at tighthead and Marcus Rea takes a place in the back row.
Loosehead prop Eric O’Sullivan, second row Jack Regan, centre James Hume, and midfielder Angus Curtis ensure further academy representation on the bench, while Sexton has also been included as a replacement.
Still a student at Bangor Grammar School, the lightning-quick Ireland U18 wing won the 100m and 200m double at the All-Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships in June and will now hope for his first senior Ulster appearance.
The Ulster bench includes new signings Marty Moore, Billy Burns and Will Addison as the province look to get their campaign up and running. Alex Thompson, who joined Ulster after a season in the AIL with Terenure, starts in the second row.
Ireland internationals Craig Gilroy, Chris Henry and Darren Cave will be expected to provide leadership along with captain O’Connor in what is a relatively inexperienced starting team.
Ulster (v Gloucester):
15. Peter Nelson
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Stewart Moore
12. Darren Cave
11. Angus Kernohan
10. Michael Lowry
9. Jonny Stewart
1. Schalk van der Merwe
2. John Andrew
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Alan O’Connor (captain)
5. Alex Thompson
6. Marcus Rea
7. Chris Henry
8. Nick Timoney
Replacements:
Adam McBurney
Kyle McCall
Eric O’Sullivan
Marty Moore
Ross Kane
Kieran Treadwell
Jack Regan
Caleb Montgomery
Clive Ross
Sean Reidy
Greg Jones
David Shanahan
Billy Burns
Angus Curtis
James Hume
Aaron Sexton
Jack Owens
Will Addison
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