Franco van der Merwe extends stay at Ulster for further season

Ulster will confirm later on Wednesday that South African second row Franco van der Merwe will remain with the club on a one-year extension to his existing contract the News Letter can reveal
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jan 2016, 02:39 BST
Updated 27th Jan 2016, 07:14 BST
Ulster lock, Franco van der MerweUlster lock, Franco van der Merwe
Ulster lock, Franco van der Merwe

It is a boost for the Irish Province in wake of the sudden immediate departure on Monday of fellow lock Lewis Stevenson to English Premiership side, Exeter Chiefs.

That came three days after Ulster confirmed they had signed Irish qualified lock, Kieran Treadwell, from Harlequins on a two year deal. He arrives over the summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Retaining van der Merwe is a huge boost for Ulster particularly at a time when getting IRFU approval to sign non Irish qualified players appears to be tighter and tighter.

Ireland nor Ulster are overflowing with quality locks and the likes of van der Merwe will help Ulster deliver on helping the development of some of the young talent in the Province.

Ulster Academy player Alex Thompson has shown strong potential in the second row department and it is hoped he will break into the senior squad next season.

Van der Merwe arrived in Ulster on a two-year contract in 2013, the 32-year-old having preivously played in Super Rugby for the Lions and the Sharks. He was capped once for the Springboks in the 2013 Rugby Championship against New Zealand.

Since arriving in Belfast, the 120kg lock has played a central role for Ulster and is a key leader in the side having captained them on a number of occasions.

Related topics:UlsterProvinceLewis StevensonPremiership