Ulster announce more contracts and finalise squad for 2025-26
Ulster announced further contract news and revealed their finalised squad for the 2025-26 season on Thursday.Following on from Wednesday's announcement that Australian prop Angus Bell would be joining the province later this year, the Irish province have confirmed contract renewals for Conor McKee, David Shanahan, Robert Baloucoune, Ethan McIlroy and Ben Moxham.Fly-half Jack Murphy, 20, moves onto a senior contract from the Academy following his impressive performances during the 2024-25 campaign.Scott Wilson, Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney all progress as senior players, after their year as Development players.Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes progress from the Ulster Rugby Academy into the senior side as they begin the season as Development players.The 43-strong squad for next season will consist of 41 fully contracted senior players and Irvine and Hopes as development players.Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, said: "After a difficult 2024/25 campaign, we are looking forward to starting afresh and focusing on our pre-season preparations. "With new players being added to the group, and players becoming more experienced, we feel there is a good platform for us to build on."Mark Sexton [new backs coach] will bring new energy and ideas to our backline and Willie Faloon will benefit from getting time this summer to focus in on our defence and contact work."I'm confident in the ability of this squad to make sure we compete well in both the URC and the Challenge Cup next season."
Ulster squad for 2025-26 season
Iain Henderson (capt); John Andrew, Juarno Augustus, Rob Baloucoune, Angus Bell, Ben Carson, Sam Crean, Matthew Dalton, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Rob Herring, Joe Hopes, James Hume, James Humphreys, Charlie Irvine, Cormac Izuchukwu, Werner Kok, Michael Lowry, David McCann, James McCormick, Stuart McCloskey, Rory McGuire, Conor McKee, Ethan McIlroy, Lorcan McLoughlin, James McNabney, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham, Jack Murphy, Bryan O'Connor, Eric O'Suillivan, Tom O'Toole, Jude Postlethwaite, Marcus Rea, Sean Reffell, Callum Reid, David Shanahan, Harry Sheridan, Tom Stewart, Jacob Stockdale, Nick Timoney, Zac Ward, Scott Wilson.
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