Humphreys delighted with Ulster young guns

Ulster's Operations Director David Humphreys commended Ulster's young players when they fell to a 17-10 defeat to a Bayonne selection in front of a 10,000 crowd in France on Saturday.

"Despite the fact that this was just supposed to be a training match, there were nearly 10,000 Bayonne supporters watching and it was a very intimidating atmosphere," he said.

"However, I am really pleased with our performance and the young players in the team really fronted up.

"We played the first half of the match against Bayonne's 2nd XV and the second half of the game against their 1st XV, so it was a real test but our young team defended very well."

On Monday, their attentions will turn to match preparations with the first proper pre-season friendly against Newcastle Falcons at Ravenhill in less than two weeks' time - tickets will go on general sale from Monday (August 10).

ULSTER (v Bayonne): Bryn Cunningham; Tommy Seymour, Mark McCrea, Jonny Shiels, Simon Danielli; Niall O'Connor, Paul Marshall; Justin Fitzpatrick (capt), Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick, Dan Tuohy, Neil McComb, Thomas Anderson, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack.

Replacements: BJ Botha, Tom Court, Andy Kyriacou, Matt McCullough, Chris Napier, Cillian Willis, Jamie Smith, Clinton Schifcoske.