Joe Dunleavy makes Ulster senior debut in win over Uruguay

Letterkenny man Joe Dunleavy made his Ulster debut tonight in a 21-5 win over Uruguay at Kingspan Stadium.

Flanker Dunleay, who plays his club rugby with Malone, had previously played for Ulster at A and Under-20 level.

Dunleavy had been named on the bench, but with Matty Dalton and Jonah Mau’u out of contention, Dunleavy was elevated to start at number 6.

Ulster fielded a mostly untried selection for the encounter, with a majority of Academy players and an average age of just 21, but with the likes of wing Angus Kernohan, half-backs Johnny McPhillips and Jonny Stewart, hooker McBurney, prop Tom O’Toole and lock Matthew Rea in the ranks, the starting XV still counted over 70 senior caps to their name.

Two tries from Adam McBurney, Ulster’s captain for the night, set the tone in the first quarter.

Johnny McPhillips converted both times and Ulster led 14-0 at the break.

Marcus Rea added a third Ulster try and McPhillips converted again.

Mieres scored Uruguay’s only try late in the night.