Jack McGrath signs new Ulster deal

The loose head prop joined Ulster last summer from his native Leinster, he won three European Cups, an Amlin Challenge Cup, a Guinness Pro14 title and two Pro12 titles before moving north.

McGrath has also chalked up two Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam with Ireland, and started all three British and Irish Lions tests in the drawn series with New Zealand.

Although his first season in an Ulster shirt has been curtailed by injury his performances earned him a call up to Andy Farrell’s squad but he hasn’t been able to add to his 56 international caps.

Ulster are challenging for honours both domestically and in Europe this season and McGrath had no hesitation in penning a new deal.

“On arriving at Ulster, I was welcomed with open arms and I have very much settled here since joining at the start of this season,” said McGrath. “It’s a fantastic set-up in terms of the players, coaches and support staff that I get to work alongside everyday and I look forward to what the future holds for the province over the course of the next two years.”

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland was happy to get one of his big names signed up.

“Jack’s reliably strong performances and vast international experience make him a great asset to Ulster so I’m delighted that he’s chosen to continue his career here with us,” stated McFarland.

“By renewing the contracts of players such as Jack, we are continuing to strengthen our squad now and also into the future, given the important leadership he provides for our young talent starting out in their careers,

“I’m confident that Jack will play an important role in Ulster’s successes in the years ahead.”

Ulster still have business to tie up, Irish international duo Will Addison and Jordi Murphy are both out of contract at the end of the season as well as Andy Warwick, John Andrew and Louie Ludik.

Meanwhile, the St Patrick’s Day Schools’ Cup final between Wallace High School and Royal School Armagh plus Ulster’s next Pro14 game against the Dragons scheduled for Friday week are still set to proceed despite the growing number of coronavirus cases.

The fate of Ulster’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Toulouse could be decided early next week.

Ulster are set to visit the four-time European champions on Sunday 5th April but with the French government banning large gatherings which put paid to this Saturday’s France v Ireland game in Paris, the game is in doubt.

A number of leading French Top 14 clubs are pushing to have rugby in the country postponed. The Top 14 is set to have a general assembly in Toulouse on Monday to vote of the best way forward during the crisis with the alternative date of the weekend April 17th being proposed.