Ulternative Alster Fan Club

Young Guns to the fore

Ulster and Indeed Irish rugby has always had proud history at age-group levels.  Chris Henry, who has captained Ulster A this season, captained Ulster Schools to inter-provincial victory and then Ireland to a Grand Slam in the Schools tournament.  David Pollock, who signed a development contract with the Province captained Ulster and Ireland Schools in his last year of school.  Last season he had the distinction of captaining both Ireland Under-19’s and the Under-21’s in the respective World Cup’s.  His supercharged performances for Ireland in Dubai propelled him into the Under-21 squad for the World Cup in Argentina.  Here after the first game took over captaincy from fellow Ulster cohort Stuart Philpot; a rare but undoubtedly memorable achievement for the young man.  Current academy player Stephen Douglas captained Ulster and Irish schools last season.  A problem however was transferring the undoubted potential illustrated in the underage teams to success at a higher level; Provincial and International, the establishment of the provincial academies will prove a wise investment in the long term for Ireland but the provinces are already beginning to reap the benefits.  This season Leinster, Ulster and Connacht have all used academy players in their match day squads.  Sean O’Brien and Luke Fitzgerald came through almost immediately out of school for Leinster whilst Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney and Jonathon Sexton who had a good day at the office against Ulster on New Years Eve have all came through as academy products for team from Dublin 4.

From an Ulster perspective the system has also served us well.  Rory Best was well nurtured by a fledgling academy, so to Steven Ferris, Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe, all of whom are now first team regulars all under the age of 25.  Paul McKenzie a product of Bangor Grammar is looking to establish himself in the squad and so far has shown tremendous skills, good awareness and no small amount of pace.  Current squad members;  Stuart Philpott, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Andress, Niall Conlon, Ryan Caldwell, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Mark Kettyle and Darren Cave have all cut their teeth with the academy.

Next season with some full-time contracts up for grabs next season could we see any of these fringe guys or indeed academy players doing a “Ferris” and bolting onto the scene?

Well Pollock is highly rated and did well coming of the bench for Ferris against the Ospreys.  In the recent Irish Under-20 match against Wales he put in the proverbial captain’s performance making 20 carries and 24 tackles in a hard fought win for Ireland, so it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that he will push the aging Dawson and injury plagued McMillan next season, though the short term signing of once capped All Black Sam Harding might block remaining chances this season.  Another academy back rower and out and out open side Willie Faloon will also be pushing for a development contract at the very least; having shone for Ulster A this season and in instances outshining Pollock and Henry.  He has been consistently the best player on the pitch for his club Ballynahinch in their charge for promotion back to Division Two. 

There seems to be somewhat of a dearth of front row forwards in the emerald isle and the red hand province has also felt the pinch.  Shields has flattered to deceive yet is somehow still floating about the match day  22’, captain Best has also been found wanting on more than one occasion this season though more in the loose than the scrum where an appalling lack of skills has been exhibited when in possession.  With Shields’ contract unlikely to be extended and the possible retirement (I’ve heard nothing, purely speculating) Declan Fitzpatrick and Philpott could find themselves challenging for a starting place.  D. Fitzpatrick in particular could be a real gem of a prop at 24 he’s scrummaged against some experienced sides; Blue Bulls, The Dragons, Munster and Cardiff blues to name a few and has more than held his own against some older more experienced props.  For the rest it is up to them to push their cause be it in training or for their clubs and hopefully if a chance is deserved they will be rewarded.

Red Hand Hero