Rugby: Ulster secure young starlets on new deals
22-year-old Cormac Izuchukwu and 21-year-old Tom Stewart, following their involvement in the recent victorious Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa, have both committed their futures to the province until at least 2026.
Making an impression since he arrived into the Ulster Rugby Academy set-up in 2020, 6ft 7” Izuchukwu is a talent that is hard to overlook, with the province keen to add to the ten caps he has already notched-up for the club with a new three-year contract.
With experience in the Ireland Sevens set-up, after receiving the call-up from David Nucifora, the second-rower made his Senior debut for Ulster in February 2021 against Glasgow Warriors, which he backed-up with his first start a month later in front of a home crowd in a 49-3 victory over Zebre.
Now back in action, after an injury last season kept him out of action for over a year, the Tullamore native said this on signing for Ulster:
“It’s so exciting to play for Ulster having come through the Academy, and even more so when there are young, world-class players at the club. We have our ambitions set on silverware, so I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together in the time ahead.”
Fellow Emerging Ireland teammate, Tom Stewart, will also be looking to add to his tally of Ulster and Ireland caps in the years ahead.
After showcasing his talent in the province’s recent victory at Thomond Park over Munster, a first for the club since 2014, with a try-scoring performance which also saw him top the URC stats for defenders beaten in Round 7, the sky is the limit for this talented hooker.
With success coming early to the former Belfast Royal Academy pupil, who was crowned Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Player of the Year in 2019, Stewart kicked-off this URC season in style with his first Senior start, a try, and a Player of the Match performance against another Interpro rival in Ulster’s Round 1 win over Connacht.
Speaking on what he sees in his future with Ulster, Stewart, said:
“It’s an honour to re-sign with my home province, and to push on with my professional career. I’m excited to be a part of what’s to come for Ulster Rugby in the next few years.”
With today’s news adding to the raft of young talent in his squad, Head Coach Dan McFarland, said this on the province’s succession planning:
“Cormac and Tom typify the young and exciting talent putting their hands-up to be selected at Ulster, and in an international setting. They both came through the Ulster Rugby Academy in a pipeline that feeds players of their quality directly into our Senior set-up.”