A storied rugby institution, the Irish representation from Ulster has fallen away to a trickle in recent years and that is a concern
Nathan Doak converted skipper Alan O’Connor’s 79th-minute try as Ulster boosted their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes with a 30-28 win over Scarlets.
England A built on the momentum from the senior side’s Calcutta Cup triumph by securing a 28-12 victory over Ireland A in wet conditions at Ashton Gate.
Ireland A player ratings: The fact that Ireland A were disrupted by multiple injuries in this 28-12 defeat won't paper over the fact that England A were in the ascendency in most departments at a blustery and wet Ashton Gate.
England A will host Ireland A at Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday at 1pm, and the match is live and free to watch on RugbyPass TV.
Leinster's Ciaran Frawley will start at fly-half for Ireland A on Sunday alongside five other capped internationals against England A at Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium.
The visitors had three players – David McCann, Nick Timoney and Stewart Moore – yellow-carded in a damaging 20-minute spell, while they also saw a try disallowed following foul play by prop Tom O’Toole.
Simon Easterby's men are joint-favourites with France to retain their trophy but there are problems to solve in Ireland
Zebre pulled off a huge shock as they defeated Ulster 15-14 to win for the very first time in Belfast and stun the hosts.
Ulster ended a five-match losing run in all competitions with a dogged 17-7 United Rugby Championship win at Connacht.