Combined Academies team named for Ulster Development fixture

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 17: Scotland's Johnny Ventisei during a World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 Final match between Scotland and USA at Hive Stadium, on July 17, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Johnny Ventisei captains the side from outside centre, while hooker Joe Roberts is listed as vice-captain.

Roberts is joined in the front row by props Tom Banatvala (loosehead) and Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, while the second row is comprised of Dan Halkon and Euan McVie.

An all-Edinburgh Rugby back row sees Liam McConnell start at blindside flanker, Freddy Douglas on the openside and Tom Currie at number 8.

Scrum-half Hector Patterson is joined by stand-off Matthew Urwin in the half backs, while Ventisei is partnered in the centres by Kerr Yule.

Glasgow Warriors academy players Amena Caqusau and Fergus Watson start on the left and right wings respectively, and the starting lineup is completed with Jack Brown at full back.

13 replacements are named, with vice-captain Jerry-Blyth Lafferty, Michael Jones, Cairn Ramsay, Olujare Oguntibeju, Ollie Duncan, Jake Shearer, Mark Fyffe and Macenzzie Duncan primed to come on in the forwards.

Substitute backs Conor McAlpine, Jack Hocking, Fin Thomson, Sam Leweni and Nairn Moncrieff complete the squad.

Murray said: “This is a really good opportunity for our young guys to play a really high level game of rugby. What we’ve tried to do is get a blend of players who are U20 this season as well as those in the U23 bracket.

“We want to get that real physical challenge at this point in the season against a good team, and the kind of pace and intensity that this kind of game brings.

“This will be a first real hit out of the season for a lot of these players, so we’re looking forward to seeing them get this opportunity to play at this level.”

Tickets for the match are available for free HERE.

Cominbed Academies team to play Ulster Development at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday (kick off 4pm)

15. Jack Brown* (Edinburgh Rugby)
14. Fergus Watson* (Glasgow Warriors)
13. Johnny Ventisei* – Captain (Glasgow Warriors)
12. Kerr Yule* (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Amena Caqusau* (Glasgow Warriors)

10. Matthew Urwin* (Glasgow Warriors)
9. Hector Patterson* (Edinburgh Rugby)

1. Tom Banatvala* (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Joe Roberts* – Vice-captain (Glasgow Warriors)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty* (Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Dan Halkon* (Glasgow Warriors)
5. Euan McVie* (Edinburgh Rugby)
6. Liam McConnell* (Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Freddy Douglas* (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Tom Currie* (Edinburgh Rugby)

Replacements
16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty* – Vice-captain (Edinburgh Rugby)
17. Michael Jones* (Edinburgh Rugby)
18. Cairn Ramsay (Currie Chieftains)
19. Olujare Oguntibeju* (Glasgow Warriors)
20. OIlie Duncan* (Edinburgh Rugby)
21. Conor McAlpine* (Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Jack Hocking* (Edinburgh Rugby)
23. Fin Thomson* (Edinburgh Rugby)
24. Jake Shearer* (Glasgow Warriors)
25. Macenzzie Duncan* (Glasgow Warriors)
26. Mark Fyffe (Edinburgh University)
27. Sam Leweni* (Edinburgh Rugby)
28. Nairn Moncrieff* (Edinburgh Rugby)

*Denotes Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors pro academy players

Ulster Development

15 Rory Telfer
14 Ben McFarlane
13 Sam Berman
12 Johnny Scott
11 Ethan Graham

10 Jack Murphy
9 Conor McKee

1 Callum Reid
2 Zac Solomon
3 Tom McAllister
4 Callum Johns
5 Charlie Irvine – Captain
6 James McKillop
7 Billy Allen
8 Tom Brigg

Replacements

16 Conor Magee
17 Tyrese Abolarin
18 Jack Boal
19 Adam McNamee
20 Scott Gray
21 Clarke Logan
22 Matthew Heasley
23 Daniel Green
24 Josh Gibson
25 Fraser Cunningham