ULSTER HAVE TODAY confirmed the signing of former Racing 92 second row Leone Nakarawa.
The Fijian forward, who won an Olympic gold medal with his country’s Sevens squad in 2016, will join Dan McFarland’s side on a one-year contract ahead of next season.
Renowned for his exceptional offloading ability, Nakarawa is more than familiar with Pro14 rugby having played for Glasgow Warriors in two stints. The first proving more successful as it climaxed with a 2015 Pro12 final win over Munster in Kingspan Stadium.
We'll just leave this here 👇
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) January 27, 2021
Leone Nakarawa 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GkiOWNX4io
His spell with Racing 92 ended on an extremely sour note as his contract was terminated after his late return from Fiji duty after the 2019 World Cup.
Ulster also revealed further contract renewals this afternoon, with Ian Madigan and Rob Herring signing on for two-year extensions.
Herring, who has captained the province on numerous occasion, has made 190 appearances for the northern province. Madigan has played 15 times since returning from his spell overseas and though he has had to contest the number 10 shirt with Billy Burns, he contributed one of the more memorable moments of last season as he struck a nerveless penalty away to Edinburgh and sealed Ulster’s progress to the Pro14 final.
Today’s renewals come after Robert Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, John Andrew and Andrew Warwick were all re-signed this week.
Iain Henderson and Craig Gilroy are among the prominent players who remain on a deal expiring this year.
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COYBIB
Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.
Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose
@gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career
Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game
Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.
Leinster will win
I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week
He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.
Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.
@Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!
@David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch
@Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.
@Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.
Game on great try
It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.
Another trophy the invincibles
Leinster Congratulations
People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.
@Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.
@Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.
Atrocious lineout from Leinster.
Great response.
Brilliant try.
Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!
Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair
Here he comes. The Boss.
Great try …..game over ..joking
Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?
@Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live
Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing
@Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.
SUFTUM
Terrible commentators