BKT United Rugby Championship
Ulster v Munster (Friday, 7.35pm, live on BBC2, RTÉ2 & Viaplay Sports 1)
QUEEN’S prop Scott Wilson is set to make his Ulster debut against reigning URC champions Munster on Friday night in a crucial interprovincial clash at Kingspan Stadium.
The 21-year-old tighthead has been with the squad as cover before, including against European Champions La Rochelle last season, and was in Zebre for the opening game of this campaign.
With Marty Moore still recovering from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against tonight’s opponents on New Year’s Day, Ireland World Cup front rower Tom O’Toole needing surgery on a groin injury and James French suffering a concussion in the defeat to Connacht, Dan McFarland is reduced to one fit senior tighthead in Greg McGrath, who joined the province just before the start of the season when English Championship side Jersey Reds went into liquidation.
McGrath starts against Munster with Wilson on the bench.
If he gets any game-time, Wilson will fulfil his childhood dream.
“I’ve been a season ticket holder with my dad for 12 years so it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and dreamed of, and now I’ve been given an opportunity, I’m trying to take it,” he said.
“I went to the same primary school as Stephen Ferris so when I was growing up I was a big fan of his and I’m in contact with him to this day.”
The road to the professional game has had a few bumps, but winning an U20 Grand Slam with Ireland has propelled Wilson’s career forward.
“It was something I didn’t expect,” he said.
“Going into my last year at school I had never even played age grade Ulster, then in my first year out of school I was told I might get an Ireland U20s call. I went down to the U20s camp but then was let go with them saying I wasn’t quite there yet.
“Then I worked hard at Queen’s and got a few good games and then got brought down at Christmas and did well enough to get onto the starting team for the first game.
“Winning the Grand Slam was one of the best days of my life.”
Wilson was part of the 2020 Wallace High team that was widely tipped to win their first ever Schools Cup but had to share the trophy with Royal School Armagh as the final couldn’t be played due to Covid.
Ulster trio Nathan Doak, Reuben Crothers and centre Ben Carson – the latter pair having made debuts last week – were also part of the Lisburn school’s team.
“It was a big one during Covid when it was all you could really think about because there wasn’t anything on but when you get to the Academy, the U20s, Six Nations, it helps you move past that sort of thing,” said Wilson.
“Twelve of the boys were involved in some sort of Ulster age group, it was unfortunate, and I think we would have done it.”
Wilson is set to become the second Queen’s player to make their Ulster debut this season after lock Joe Hopes came off the bench in Connacht last week.
Ulster and the university club launched a new partnership in April to bring more home-grown players through at provincial level.
Tom Stewart was the first Ulster born forward since Iain Henderson to make an Ireland debut when he came off the bench against Italy in a World Cup warm-up game.
Ulster forwards coach Roddy Grant believes the partnership will be beneficial.
"The link-up is really important for development, seeing them progress, the continuity, it's really important to have home-grown guys coming through," he said.
“With young forwards it's time in the saddle, minutes played does the world for them and accelerates their growth.”
