Ulster have continued their planning for next season with the signing of Leone Nakarawa on a one-year contract.
The 32-year old Fiji international will join from Glasgow Warriors, adding height and experience to an Ulster pack that will lose Marcel Coetzee in the summer. The 6'6" Nakarawa can play in the second row and the back row.
He was named European Player of the Year in 2018 for his displays at Racing 92, and won an Olympic gold medal with Fiji at the Rio games of 2016.
"It’s an exciting time for Leone to be making the move to Ulster for the upcoming season as we look to continue to build on our ambitions as a squad," said Ulster head coach Dan McFarland.
"Given his broad skillset and experience, as well as some impressive accolades to his name, I’m confident that he’ll be a valuable addition to the team, and we look forward to welcoming Leone to the province."
We'll just leave this here 👇
Leone Nakarawa 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GkiOWNX4io— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) January 27, 2021
Rob Herring and Ian Madigan became the seventh and eighth Ulster players this week to sign fresh two-year deals with the province.
Robert Baloucoune, Alan O'Connor, Kieran Treadwell and Rob Andrew were among those to commit until 2023.
Madigan says it was an "easy decision" to stay with Ulster, with his head coach adding, "Ian has bags of big-game experience and he has delivered for us on a number of occasions already, with the Guinness PRO14 Semi-Final against Edinburgh and the recent win over Connacht springing to mind.
"He also massively contributes to our squad off the pitch, passing on his experience to our young half-backs. I’m delighted he has extended his time with us for another two years."
While welcoming Herring's contract extension, McFarland added, "Rob is an established international in the Ireland team, as well as one of our most-capped Ulster players.
"An integral part of this team, he is a natural leader both on and off the pitch, and I’m really pleased that Rob has committed his future with us for another two seasons."
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