The Under 20s finished top of the league section of the competition with three victories out of three, having beaten pre-tournament favourites Leinster 15-5, Connacht 39-21 and Munster 20-19. The final, which will decide this year’s Inter-provincial champions is against the second placed team, Leinster.

Commenting on the selection, John McKibbin pointed out that all 28 players in the squad have played at some stage in the 3 inter-provincials to date and performed well. “With the exception of full back Adam Craig, who is still injured, all the players were available for selection and there were a number of very difficult decisions which had to be made. The reason why we finished top of the table is that when we had injuries, players stepped in and performed well and everyone put their hands up for selection for this final by way of their performances. This is a very strong squad of players and competition for places has been fierce but we can only pick 15, which means some of the players who have contributed so much to this season’s success miss out. However, it is now up to those selected to justify their selection by once again raising their game and showing the same commitment and character that has been evident in all the games so far. They owe this to the players who were not selected. “

Ulster Under 20 XV

15. Tommy Seymour (Ballynahinch)
14. Stuart Lester (Armagh)
12. David Funston (City of Derry)
13. Jamie Smith (Ballymena)
11. Chris Cochrane (Queens)
10. Harry McAleese (Ballynahinch)
9. Michael Wilson (Dungannon)

1. Paul Karayiannis (Queens)
2. Stephen Douglas (Ballymena) (Captain)
3. Mathew Nelson (Ballynahinch)
4. Patrick Magowan (Ballymena)
5. James Sandford (Armagh)
6. Neil Alcorn (Malone)
7. Michael Entwhistle (Currie)
8. David Johnston (Harlequins)

Replacements from

Ian Porter (Queens)
Andy Moore (Ballymena)
Will Stewart (Queens)
David McIlwaine (Larne)
Stephen Fergusson (City of Derry)
Colm Heaney (Rainey)
David Bradford (Malone)
Alistair Birch (Armagh)
James Elliott (Enniskillen)