Alby Mathewson to join Ulster Rugby

The 34-year-old, who had a spell at Munster, will arrive at the Kingspan Stadium in July as cover for John Cooney.

Mathewson made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in 2007 before switching to the Blues three years later.

He amassed 83 Super rugby caps in his home land before joining Australian Super Rugby outfit Western Force in 2012 initially on a two year contract and that was extended by another 24 months.

The scrum half had a brief spell with Toulon in France before Munster snapped him up as cover for Ireland scrum half Conor Murray, who was suffering with a neck injury.

Mathewson started for Munster when they inflicted Ulster’s record defeat 64-7 at Thomond Park in September 2018, and scored six tries during his time in Limerick.

Mathewson was named New Zealand's Super Rugby Player of the Year in 2010, leading to his Test debut off the bench in the All Blacks 20-10 win over Australia in Christchurch that season.

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland feels signing the experienced former international with help the development of you scrum halves Lewis Finlay and Nathan Doak.

Finlay has helped Ireland U20’s to win their first three games in the Six Nations and they are closing in on a grand slam while Doak has already played a hand full of Ulster A games and has be part of the Wallace team that has reached the Schools’ Cup semi final.

“We are delighted that a player of Alby’s quality is set to join the squad,” enthused McFarland

“His leadership skills and extensive experience will be a valuable addition to our squad especially for our younger scrum halves as they progress in their development journeys in the months ahead, we look forward to giving him a warm welcome as he makes Ulster his new team.”