Any word on the Academy?

[UlsterAreBrill]

Callum Johns nowhere near the level required.

[kingofthehill]

Callum Johns nowhere near the level required.

Stunned he was there when team named.


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[Silverstu]

Finished 72-31 Scottish Combined Academies vs Ulster U23... they were leading at half time 24-26.. sounds like the subs were very outclassed..

[chunky]

Not overly surprising - the bench was a pile of 18/19 year olds some of who haven't even played senior rugby going up against what is pretty much a Scotland u23 development squad (minus those who have already breached the pro game).

That they were winning at half time is promising for the group that started.

[Aird]

Not the result that we would have been hoping for but bear in mind we have a team and 14 subs in Exeter plus the boys returning from Ireland duty and a few injuries so they must have had to dig pretty deep down to get a squad for the game in Glasgow. It may or may not encourage some of them with that result but at least they know they are on the radar.
For some of them it is early days and they might or might not develop but it is experience under their belt at minimum cost to Ulster.

[Silverstu]

Not overly surprising - the bench was a pile of 18/19 year olds some of who haven't even played senior rugby going up against what is pretty much a Scotland u23 development squad (minus those who have already breached the pro game).

That they were winning at half time is promising for the group that started.

Aye that's what I was thinking - good going in the first half and younger lads in the second half. Considering Boyd, Hopes and Ward were missing among a few others its not so bad. Lads getting gametime and getting a tough time will stand them in good stead in the long run.

[The_Nose_Knows]

Can't say too much as I didn't see the game, but for a bit of perspective there were 7 players on the Ulster bench who haven't even played a senior game of rugby and a couple in the starting team who haven't even played an AIL match. This was billed as a development team not an A side. That scottish side was an almaganation of the best u23 players from their country who are involved in full time set ups with Edinburgh and Glasgow for a number of years.

The fact we were so close at half time is only a good thing. Sometimes you need a bit of a hammering as a wake up and to provoke a reaction but for a lot of them it was their first time playing at that level and they'll have learnt alot from the game

[Silverstu]

Yeah - great they got the chance to get game time against a strong side, will do them no harm and possibly open their eyes to what the step up to pro rugby is.