Ulster quartet in Ireland A team

Andrew Trimble will play at the home of his province Ulster

Four Ulster players have been named in the Ireland A team to play Tonga at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Ian Humphreys and Chris Henry have all been included in the starting line-up.

Former Ulster flanker Neil Best, now with Northampton, is also chosen, along with experienced Irish internationals Peter Stringer and Shane Horgan.

A vacancy has been left at hooker pending the announcement of the Ireland team on Wednesday.

Three further Ulster players, Isaac Boss, Bryan Young and Dan Tuohy, are among the Ireland A replacements while Horgan captains the side.

Tonga assistant coach Brian Melrose, a former Australian U20 and sevens coach, has been brought on the tour to help put attack and defence structures in place within the back division.

"The team as a whole are a big physical side, with powerful ball carriers and a very strong defence," he said.

"It is difficult to pinpoint any individual player at the minute, but from my initial work with the squad, the back row of Vahafolau, Fono and Filo look to be a useful unit and work well together.

"The skipper, second row Kelelolio Paino Hehea is a very solid and powerful player.

"In the backs the New Zealand born out half Kurt Morath has a lot of talent. Inside centre Vaka is a big ball carrying runner.

"The full-back Filmone Lilo and right winger Alipate Fatafehi are both real prospects for Tonga.

"The game of Friday night will be a massive challenge - Irish rugby is on a high, and the provincial teams are all playing well.

"We are expecting a very tough game, but are really looking forward to the experience."

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Ireland A: G Duffy; S Horgan, D Cave, F McFadden, A Trimble; I Humphreys, P Stringer; B Wilkinson, AN Other, M Ross; D Toner, D Ryan; S O'Brien, N Best, C Henry.
Replacements: D Fogarty, B Young, D Tuohy, K McLaughlin, I Boss, I Keatley, J Murphy.

Tonga: Vungakoto Filimone Lilo; Latu Nagashima Alipate Fatafehi, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Joseph Vaka, Poakikaifano Vakaloa; Kurt Morath, Kilifi Fangupo; Toma Toke, Semisi Telefoni, Mosese Moala; Kelekolio Paino Hehea, Emosi Kauhenga; Seti Filo, Uelenitoni Fono, Samiu Vahafolau.
Replacements: Willam Mosaati Hafu, Po'alo'I Taula, Penisimani Fakalelu, Lisiate Faaoso, Rodney Mahe, Mahe Fangupo, Raymond Pierre Hola, Manu 'Ahota'e'iloa