
As many as three Ulster Academy players could make their senior debuts at Kingspan Stadium on Friday night as Ulster host Benetton Treviso.
Schalk van der Merwe has been named as a replacement and needs little introduction but in the starting line-up is Aaron Hall and set to make their bows from the bench are Academy forwards Greg Jones and Matthew Dalton. So who are they all?
Age: 19
Position: Openside flanker
Club: Ballynahinch
Previous experience: Ulster A; Came through club system with Ballyclare RFC; Ballyclare Secondary School
Career highlight so far: Ulster Carpets Youth Player of the Year 14/15
Style of play: A tenacious openside who will be expected to aid Ulster's efforts at the breakdown.
Age: 21
Position: No 8 / Flanker
Club: Banbridge
Previous experience: Leinster A; Ireland U20s; Joined Ulster Academy this season
Career highlight so far: Jones helped Ireland U20s to victory over New Zealand in order to seal their place at the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship semi-finals. Ireland went on to beat Argentina 37-7 in the semis but lost out 45-21 to hosts England in the decider.
Education: Economics and Finance at UCD.
Style of play: After that historic victory over New Zealand, the Irish Times described Jones as "athletic, mobile" and as having "a knack for putting in the odd thunderous tackle."
Age: 19
Position: Lock / Flanker
Club: Malone
Previous experience: Belfast Royal Academy; Ireland U19s; Ulster A
Career highlight so far: Has played for Ireland U19s and scored a try in last year's Schools' Cup semi-final, even if it was in defeat to MCB.
Style of play: Has been a physical presence in the Malone pack this season.