Rugby: Ulster confirm squad for 2024/25 season

Ulster have confirmed the 43 players who will represent the province in 2024-25 season.

Following news that fly-half Aidan Morgan and winger Werner Kok will call Belfast home from next season onwards, Ulster have announced contract renewals for seven players – Ben Carson, Reuben Crothers, Conor McKee, Marty Moore, Eric O’Sullivan, Matty Rea and David Shanahan – as they confirm the squad for the next campaign.

James Humphreys also makes the move from the Ulster Academy into the Senior set-up with a new one-year Development contract. James McCormick receives a one-year extension to his current Development contract.

With a 43-strong squad, made up of 38 Senior and five Development players, 34 of whom were developed through the provincial Player Pathway, Richie Murphy can boast 42 Irish-Qualified players amongst his ranks.

“Following a very enjoyable couple of months at Ulster, I’m looking forward to getting stuck into a new season with a strong squad who are ambitious in their goals for the year ahead," Murphy said.

“We have a great crop of young guys coming through into the Senior set-up who will cut their teeth alongside the experienced leaders in the group.

“This is only the beginning for us and, together with the support staff, I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that will come our way.”

Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment Bryn Cunningham added: “Following the successful completion of our recruitment process, we are confident we've laid the foundations for what we want to achieve from next season onwards, with the opportunity to further shape and strengthen the squad where required in 2025/26.

“At Ulster Rugby, we have been clear on our focus to bring through young, homegrown talent into the Senior set-up, and compliment this with strategic recruitment, which is clear to see from the 43 players signed-up for 2024/25.

“There is also the opportunity to showcase what we have been building through the Ulster Rugby Player Pathway over a number of years, and I’m looking forward to this hard work and investment paying dividends for the province.”

Ulster Rugby Senior Men’s Squad 2024/25

Iain Henderson (Captain), John Andrew, Rob Baloucoune, Ben Carson, John Cooney, Reuben Crothers, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Rob Herring, James Hume,_James Humphreys,Cormac Izuchukwu, Werner Kok, Mike Lowry, David McCann,_James McCormick,_Stuart McCloskey, Michael McDonald, Conor McKee, Ethan McIlroy,_Lorcan McLoughlin, James McNabney,_Marty Moore, Stewart Moore, Aidan Morgan, Ben Moxham, Alan O’Connor, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Jude Postlethwaite, Marcus Rea, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Callum Reid, Aaron Sexton, David Shanahan, Harry Sheridan, Tom Stewart, Jacob Stockdale, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell, Andrew Warwick, _Scott Wilson

• Denotes players developed through the Ulster Rugby Player Pathway. Development players are in italics