A former pupil of Down High School, Tommy, who along with fellow Academy players Jamie Smith and Paul Karayannis were members of the Ireland U19 team that played during the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Belfast, has progressed this season from playing for his club side Ballymena, to star for the Ulster Ravens. The 21 year old has been plugging away, working hard in the gym and on the training pitch. He knows how important his time in the Academy is, and he is determined to maximise his chance of becoming a full time professional rugby player.

I caught up with Tommy this week, and I asked him was he enjoying his Academy experience and playing for the Ravens? “Absolutely, I think every time you get to put on an Ulster shirt, in whatever capacity it may be, it is a privilege and honour to do so. I think the Ravens have been exciting this year, we have had more matches than in previous years, which has given the boys an opportunity to get out there, and show what they can do.”

Coming from school and joining the Academy how is that helping you to develop as a player? “When you have got the opportunity to come into something like this in whatever your sport, you know your are going to get the coaching, and the supervision, that every player that wants to become a professional in their sport. They are going to have the top level of coaching and stuff that they need, and I think it is a great advantage to have previous players like Gary Longwell and Neil Doak, Jeremy Davidson and Brian McLaughlin and the likes, who have experience with the players at the top of their game and that is exactly what you need as a young player to improve.”

As a winger you must be delighted to play in a backline that like to run the ball? “Oh is fantastic, Neil Doak is an expert in his field, he wants to play the ball wide, he wants to use the backs he has got, and he wants to play an expansive game. As an outside back this exactly what you want from your coach, it is exactly what you want from a personal point of view, and I think the other backs we have in the backline are super at what they do, it allows the ball to flow well, and it allows me from a personal point of view to get may hands on the ball more often.”

To hear Tommy’s full interview click | TOMMY SEYMOUR

Michael Allen is in his first year with the Phoenix Ulster Rugby Academy and he has made his mark thus far, gaining selection for the Ravens against London Welsh and now Aberavon. I met up with Michael to hear his thoughts ahead of tonight’s big game.

Congratulations Michael on your selection for the Ravens tonight I am sure you are looking forward to the big match? “I can’t wait, I really enjoyed the game two weeks ago against London Welsh, unfortunately the weather wasn’t great but hopefully this weekend it is going to be fantastic and we can play some running rugby.”

You are in the Academy for the first time this year, how are you enjoying that? “The Academy has been brilliant, Kevin Geary has been a fantastic coach, and everyone involved in weights, and within the management have been really supportive this year. The coaching is good for all the younger players coming through; over the years that will increase and we will get even better.”

What other things do you get in the Academy that you wouldn’t get if you had gone straight into the club scene? “It is just everything, with technique, with weights, speed and skills, everything has come on this year with the Academy. If it wasn’t for the Academy I don’t think I would be were I am at the moment.”

To hear Michael’s full interview click | MICHAEL ALLEN

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the match are available to purchase on the gates from 6pm on Friday night and are priced at Adult £10 and £3 Children.

PARK and RIDE: The park & ride will run from Montgomery Road only on Friday night.