Northern starlet Sandford ready to take opportunity with the big boys

EVEN GUEST speaker Alex Ferguson couldn’t help but smile when James Sandford stood alongside him in the Mansion House yesterday, remarking with a smile that the 6ft 5 inch UUJ student “might do a job” for him in the centre of the Manchester United defence!

Soccer’s loss is rugby’s gain as the former Royal School, Armagh student contemplates a full time future with Ulster and Ireland. He has already figured prominently for his country, captaining Ireland Schools in 2006 and 2007, and this year the 19-year-old has graduated onto the Ireland U20 first XV. The Armagh native has greatly impressed former Ireland out half and coach, Eric Elwood, whose decision to start Sandford against Scotland last weekend resulted in the second row crossing over for a first-half try.

That 17-12 win, a second from three, puts Elwood’s men in a position to take the next step towards a possible Triple Crown against Wales Friday week.