Cochrane makes senior Ulster debut
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Chris Cochrane who made his senior Ulster debut against Bath at Ravenhill on Friday evening.
ON another night, Ulster Rugby Academy's Chris Cochrane may well have expected to line up against home town team Coleraine as Ulster Under-20s played a challenge game against the host club at Sandel Lodge on Friday evening.
However, far from being disappointed at missing out at a nostalgic trip home, Chris was busy furthering his growing rugby reputation by making his senior Ulster debut against Bath some 50 miles up the road at Ravenhill. It represents a big jump for the talented former Inst schoolboy but one which anyone was has monitored his progression in recent years would have no doubt he will take in his stride.
And the good news is that with the appointment of Jonny Bell to the backroom staff at the Academy, it seems likely Chris's development will benefit from someone who has been there and done it all.
Another friendly face in the Ulster set-up is Limavady out-half Niall O'Connor who has quickly nailed down a place in the side following the retirement last year of Ulster icon David Humphreys.
The two would have crossed swords at schools levels over the years and one hopes the pair can spur each other on to great things at provincial level - and maybe international level.
It's certainly a vote of confidence in Chris by new Ulster coach Matt Williams who is keen to stamp his own authority on proceedings from the off this season.
Friday evening's game against the English Premier League side was also notable for the debut of Fijian flyer Timoci Nagusa who started the game on the left-wing.
As well as Nagusa, Williams blooded another four of his new summer signings including former Queensland Reds star Ed O'Donoghue in the second row and the quietly spoken new signing from South Africa, Robbie Diack.
Former Leinster scrum-half Cillian Willis was picked to partner the exciting Niall O'Connor in the half backs while Ulster Academy member Chris Cochrane was named on the right wing.
In the centre Irish Sevens star Darren Cave partnered Scottish Rob Dewey, back in form following the Churchhill Cup while another new boy - Clinton Schifcofske - was chosen at full-back.
