Any word on the Academy?

[UlsterAreBrill]

ulster players in irish u20 camp last week, may be incomplete:

George Saunderson(LH Prop/Sullivan)
Oscar Egan(TH Prop/Coleraine)
Harry Sheridan(Lock/Sullivan)
Conor McKee(Scrumhalf/Sullivan)
James Humphreys(Outhalf/Queens)
Jude Postlethwaite(Outside Back/RBAI)

They are all sub-academy. Interesting to see so many form my old school Sullivan in there.. Darren Cave was our lone representative for ages. I think McKee is supposed to be good, Heard good things about Egan and Saunderson is a big lad who's been about the underage Ireland squads. Haven't heard anything in regards to Sheridan or Humphreys, Postlethwaite is decent I think?

Sullivan had a good number of representatives a few years ago when they reached the schools cup final, Cave Todd and Adair were good players. James Humphreys is supposed to be a decent player, was in the Gloucester academy I believe so obviously has something about him.

[RuPi]

Is Jude Postlethwaite related to Willie P of CIYMS and Ulster fame (grandson or grand nephew)?

Pretty sure he is his grandson. He is good with a lot of potential and is only under 19 so will have a crack at 20’s again next season. Will be interesting how many of the players are in the final squad when players from the provincial bubbles are added in.

[Hans Indaruck]

If he has half the skills and rugby brain of his grandad he’ll be a goodun and well worth watching!

[Silverstu]

Sullivan had a good number of representatives a few years ago when they reached the schools cup final, Cave Todd and Adair were good players. James Humphreys is supposed to be a decent player, was in the Gloucester academy I believe so obviously has something about him.

Ah so if Humphreys waist England he wouldn't have been mentioned over here, hopefully he has a bit about him and gets an opportunity [obviously can't expect too much from the lad just down to his dad and uncle].

Is Jude Postlethwaite related to Willie P of CIYMS and Ulster fame (grandson or grand nephew)?

Pretty sure he is his grandson. He is good with a lot of potential and is only under 19 so will have a crack at 20’s again next season. Will be interesting how many of the players are in the final squad when players from the provincial bubbles are added in.

Is he quite tall? seem to remember him form the school semi finals, thought he was a centre but he looked pretty good.. Tom Stewart I think is eligible again for U20s if he recovers in time and Nathan Doak obviously [could have a Doak-Humpheys 9-10].

[Columbo]

Bruce Houston has just tweeted out a highlights reel, so seems like he may be released this season..

[Bobbievee]

If he has half the skills and rugby brain of his grandad he’ll be a goodun and well worth watching!

And was granda Willie out half for Belfast Boys Model under the tutelage of Ernie Davidson.........hence the CI link?

[Bobbievee]

Sorry, Ernie Davis? 1963/64 approx

[Bayern]

Bruce Houston has just tweeted out a highlights reel, so seems like he may be released this season..

hardly a surprise.

[UlsterNo9]

Will be interesting when the new Academy management structure is confirmed. Reshuffling of the deck.

[Bayern]

Will be interesting when the new Academy management structure is confirmed. Reshuffling of the deck.

Campbell is staying the head of the academy.

[LegsLikeSausages]

Will be interesting when the new Academy management structure is confirmed. Reshuffling of the deck.

Campbell is staying the head of the academy.

Won’t be seeing Rhys O’Donnell then

[Neill_M]

Ulster A v Leinster A on Friday at 3pm, don't know if there will be a live stream or the usual twitter updates.

[UlsterNo9]

Will be interesting when the new Academy management structure is confirmed. Reshuffling of the deck.

Campbell is staying the head of the academy.

Our Wullie is bigger than your condom....... we've been down numbers for a while and this is going to take up more of Campbells time. Watch this space.

[Neill_M]

Ulster ‘A’ versus Leinster ‘A’ will be live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website bbc.co.uk/sportni at 3pm this Friday (January 15). No Geo Blocking also according to @stuartrmartin the Comms guy at Ulster Rugby.

[Hans Indaruck]

If he has half the skills and rugby brain of his grandad he’ll be a goodun and well worth watching!

And was granda Willie out half for Belfast Boys Model under the tutelage of Ernie Davis.........hence the CI link?

I presume so - I only knew Willie from CI - had the privilege of playing a few games with him in the team - though at that time he was about 15+ years older than the rest of the team!!