Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says the province is “very excited” to have Stuart McCloskey’s influence on and off the pitch secured until 2027.
On Tuesday Ulster revealed the 32-year-old, whose current deal expires after the upcoming season, has extended his contract to the end of the 2026/’27 campaign.
It’s a well-timed boost for Murphy and his coaching team as they prepare Ulster to begin their United Rugby Championship campaign against reigning champions Glasgow at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.
“We’re delighted that he’s re-signed,” said Murphy.
“He’s a big part of the next couple of years of Ulster Rugby. Not only because of who he is, his stature and his size but that leadership. He’s really taken that to a new level.
“He looks happy, when he’s out on the training field the little words that he’s having with guys are really making a difference and we’re really keen to have him back out on the pitch.”
There was speculation during the second half of last season that the Ireland international could be headed to France, with Top 14 sides Bayonne and Montpellier both reportedly interested in the Bangor man.
But McCloskey, coming off an appearance in Ireland’s summer Test match win over world champions South Africa in Durban, has opted to stick with his home province.
“Stu has been fantastic, he’s come back in at the start of the season, obviously slightly late behind the lads but he’s taken a senior role in the team. He’s leading really well,” said Murphy, who heads into his first full season as Ulster coach having taken over from Dan McFarland in February.
“He spent the first number of weeks training a lot with the Academy guys because the Irish U20 lads were coming back in at the same time and he’s been a really good influence around the group.
“Having him here for another few years is going to be really positive for Ulster Rugby.
“It’s not necessarily a defined role but he’s been really good over the last number of weeks, leading those guys, sitting down having a chat with them.
“I think those young lads who have come in from the Academy realise how good a player he is.
“Stu is seen to be a big ball-carrying centre but there’s actually a lot more to his game than that. Some of the subtleties in his game, his understanding of where the space is and how to get the ball there is really good.
“So we’re very excited to have him and he seems to be very excited to be here for the next number of years.”
Murphy will be without a number of frontline players for Saturday night’s clash with Glasgow. The Warriors head to Belfast as URC champions, having won both their semi-final and final on the road at the end of last year’s competition. After beating Munster at Thomond Park in the last four they went to South Africa to beat the Bulls in Pretoria.
Irish internationals John Cooney (hamstring), James Hume (knee), Tom Stewart (ankle), Rob Herring (calf) and Robert Baloucoune (hamstring) are all unavailable, as is Jake Flannery (finger).
There is better news about captain Iain Henderson, however, who has fulling recovered from recent surgery on toe ligaments and is fully fit and in line to make his 153rd appearance for the province.
Murphy will wait until later in the week to determine the availability of Aaron Sexton (hamstring), Reuben Crothers (knee) and Zac Ward (groin), who all came off injured during last weekend’s 31-15 pre-season friendly defeat to Exeter Chiefs.
