Win or bust for Ulster '˜A' team against Bedford

After slipping up against Scarlets Premier Select last time out Ulster are five points behind pool leaders Bedford.

“After the Scarlets game it didn’t look too hopeful that we could qualify but we can still get out of the group which is a big carrot for us,” said Andrew.

“In years past we haven’t had the chance to qualify so it is still there for us.

“We’re just concentrating on Bedford and hopefully coming away with the win.

“We know from playing them over there they are a good team with a big pack and like to play rugby.

“We know we have to turn up and perform and that will leave it to the last week.”

Ulster lost 27-18 when the sides met at Goldington Road in November.

“We were definitely in with a shout. We played well for the majority of the first half but let it slip in the last five to 10 minutes and Bedford caught us off guard and ran the length and scored a try and the momentum shifted.

“If we could have weathered that the result might have been different.

“We played well in parts so we’ll be looking to put a performance in against them and hopefully come out on the right side this time.”

Andrew added: “They have a big pack and will be looking to their scrum and maul. But we fancy ourselves there as we have a good pack

“We’ll be looking to take them up front, but we’ve also dangerous backs so we’ll look to play rugby. But it’s a physical game and will be won up front.

“If we lose this game there is no chance of taking it to the last week.

“Iif we win we go away to Bristol with something to play for so it’s massive.”

Andrew is hoping to use the last two games to push for a place in the senior team.

“Rory (Best) will be away and Rob (Herring) could even be away at the Six Nations. He’s (Herring) playing really well so these are the games you have to put you hand up in.

“They are looking to the A side for the likes of Alan O’Connor and Kyle McCall who were playing for them at the start of the year and they are now playing in Europe.

Meanwhile, Bedford have named their side for the game.

Mike Howard who has been ruled out for at least six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Director of Rugby Mike Rayer makes a number of changes from the team that beat London Scottish in front of the Sky Sports cameras on New Year’s with Steffan Jones, Sam Blanchet, Henry Staff, Dean Adamson and Jordan Burns starting in the backs while Tom Williams, Harry Wells and Justin Blanchet start up front.

The Blues will be looking to build on their recent form which has seen them pick up wins against London Scottish, Moseley and Bristol over the festive period and a victory in Belfast would put Bedford in a strong position for reaching the quarter-finals of the cup.

ULSTER ‘A’: R McBurney, R Lyttle, M Best, S Windsor, J Stockdale, J McPhillips, D Shanahan; A Warwick, J Andrew, B Ross, J Donnan, P Browne, C Joyce, N Timoney, L Dow;

Replacements J Murphy, R Murphy, J Simpson, A Thompson, C Young, P Rowley, A Magrath.

BEDFORD:

Steffan Jones; Sam Blanchet, Henry Staff, Tom Griffiths, Dean Adamson;Jake Sharp, Jordan Burns; Tom Williams, Charlie Clare, Phil Boulton, Harry Wells, Mark Flanagan, Justin Blanchet, Nick Fenton-Wells (capt) Joel Conlon

Replacements: Sam James, Camilo Parilli-Ocampo, Paul Tupai, Biyi Alo, Peter White, Myles Dorrian, Ollie Dodge.