Ulster Rugby v Uruguay

STEWART OUT TO MAKE A STARTING IMPRESSION

At the start of the season, Ulster Rugby handed out four development contracts to promising young players, and one of them is determined to make the most of the faith shown by the coaching staff. Scrum-half Jonny Stewart, who impressed for the Irish U20s, graduated after two years in the Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy to the senior squad, and now the former Wallace High School pupil is eager to make his mark. The 20-year-old made his senior debut last season against Leinster at Kingspan Stadium, before going on to make his first start in the reverse fixture at the RDS Arena, earning an early promotion to the senior set-up. Game time has been hard to come by this year with Ireland international John Cooney and the impressive David Shanahan limiting him to cameos off the bench, and Stewart insists he wants to make the most of his opportunities when they come. "When you're in the Academy it's what you're working towards, getting more exposure for the seniors, and ultimately that comes through getting a contract," says Stewart. "They've shown a bit of faith by keeping me here for the next couple of years and now I have to repay that by working hard. I was lucky enough to get a few caps last year and I did enough to earn it. "I'm looking for as much game time as possible because that's how I'll learn, whether it's for a club or coming off the bench for Ulster, I just want as much game time as possible." And Stewart knows there's no time to waste in turning heads given the depth within the squad coming through. "You have to take your opportunity as soon as you can because you never know who's going to be coming along behind you, or you don't know what's going to change, so you can't rest on your laurels at my age and say, yeah, I've got a few years to make an impact," says the scrum-half.

Tonight, with the focus primarily being given to young players to make an impact and put their hands up for selection in competitive fixtures, it's a chance for Stewart to show what he can do when handed the starting jersey. Most of the side featured heavily in the recent Celtic Cup campaign, where Ulster A won four of their six matches, meaning a settled group will get the chance to prove themselves against a side that will be at the World Cup next year. "Everyone's on the same page, looking to impress, play fast and try things. We're all really excited to experience the Friday night lights at Kingspan Stadium, something most of us have only done a couple of times, if ever. "We don't really know what to expect from them other than they're a big side, obviously they're in the World Cup so anyone of that standard will be a massive challenge and we're really looking forward to it."

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