Ulster Rugby v Uruguay

L TEST

With five Academy players making their first appearances for the Province since the start of the season, Rea admits there's a drive to make the step up now there's a pathway to the first team. The Ballymena clubman is anticipating a physical battle against a rugged Uruguayan pack tonight, but he believes there's no better arena in which to prove himself to the senior coaching staff. "It's really exciting to play an international team at any stage and we're chomping at the bit to get at them," says Rea. "We've looked at them and we have a gameplan in place to put on a good show. They can play ball, they have some big guys and we know what we're going to be coming up against. "It's a different game but it's a great chance for the younger players, especially me, to say to the senior coaches I can play well against an international team."

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