While Young made his Ulster debut in April 2002 against Connacht, it was not until the 2005–06 Celtic League that he really made his breakthrough, playing in all but one match that season. Young's performances for Ulster brought him to the attention of the national selectors and he was part of the Ireland squad that toured New Zealand and Australia in June 2006 where he won his first two international caps coming on as a replacement in two of the tests. He was in Ireland's squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.