**Ulster's head of operations Bryn Cunningham believes the province are reaping the rewards of their efforts to produce a “conveyor belt” of young talent.** Dan McFarland's men are flying high in the United Rugby Championship and booked a last-16 Heineken Champions Cup tie with reigning champions Toulouse by easing through the pool stage. Home-grown stars have played a pivotal role in the province's progress, with Ireland trio James Hume, Tom O'Toole and Robert Baloucoune, plus the uncapped Michael Lowry, in contention for Guinness Six Nations debuts on the back of their fine form. Rookie scrum-half Nathan Doak has also caught the eye in the absence of the injured John Cooney and sits among the URC's leading points scorers, while fellow academy graduate Ethan McIlroy is another who has impressed.
