Rugby: Morgan to make Ulster debut against Benetton
Ulster v Benetton, Kingspan Stadium, Saturday September 7th (5pm)
New signing Aidan Morgan will make his Ulster debut tomorrow in the home pre-season clash against Benetton.
He's been named in an experimental fist 15 by Richie Murphy, with Ireland Sevens player Zac Ward amongst the replacements. Full-back Mike Lowry captains the side.
Eric O’Sullivan and John Andrew start in the front row, alongside tighthead prop, Corrie Barrett, who has been training with the Senior Men’s squad over pre-season on a trial basis.
The 26-year-old has previously been involved in Ulster age-grade teams and spent last season playing for Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship.
Last season’s Young Player of the Year Harry Sheridan starts in the second row, with fellow lock Kieran Treadwell.
Packing down in the back row, development talent James McNabney starts on the blindside, with Sean Reffell at openside flanker. Last season’s Men’s Player of the Year David McCann starts at eight.
In a new half-back pairing, scrum-half Nathan Doak starts alongside Kiwi fly-half Morgan, who makes his first appearance in an Ulster jersey after joining from the Hurricanes earlier this summer.
Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore form the centre pairing, with Aaron Sexton and Academy player Rory Telfer, completing the back field on the left and right wings.
With a bench primed for rotation, 15 players are named in the replacements, with a mixture of Academy, Development and Senior squad talent.
The Ulster Academy is represented by Henry Walker, Charlie Irvine, James McKillop, Tom Brigg and Jack Murphy.
Development players James McCormick, Scott Wilson, and James Humphreys are also amongst the replacements, alongside Senior players, Callum Reid, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan, Conor McKee and Ben Carson.
Trialist and Ireland Sevens star, Zac Ward, will be hoping to make an appearance after joining the squad earlier this summer.
Ulster squad to play Benetton, Saturday September 7th (5pm)
15-9: Mike Lowry (C), Rory Telfer, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Aaron Sexton, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
1-8: Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett*, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann .
Replacements
Forwards: James McCormick, Henry Walker, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine, James McKillop, Alan O’Connor, Tom Brigg, Marcus Rea.
Backs: David Shanahan, Conor McKee, Zac Ward, James Humphreys, Ben Carson, Jack Murphy.