Rugby Union Stalwarts Bid Farewell to Ulster
The Ulster province is set to bid adieu to nine players, including former Exeter double winner Dave Ewers, during this Saturday’s home match against Leinster in the United Rugby Championship. The 33-year-old Ewers, who was once an England hopeful under Eddie Jones, joined the Irish province last summer after the Exeter Chiefs underwent a significant restructuring following their Gallagher Premiership and Champions Cup triumph in 2020.
Ewers signed a one-year deal with Ulster under Dan McFarland, but with Richie Murphy now confirmed as the new boss on a two-year contract, the back-rower will depart the Kingspan Stadium. The departure of Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff back to the Stormers, fly-half Billy Burns to Munster, and the retirements of Luke Marshall and Angus Curtis were already known.
However, the list of leavers has also officially confirmed the exits of Will Addison, the former Ireland full-back, and Greg Jones, a back-rower in the Ireland age-grade side beaten by England in the 2016 Junior World Championship. In total, the nine players boast a combined 420 caps of service for the province.
“He epitomises what it is to be one of the Ulster men after starting with Ballymena RFC and going on to represent his club, country, and family at the highest level of the game. He is the template in terms of character for what pathway players should aspire to be,” said Bryn Cunningham, Ulster’s head of rugby operations and recruitment.
The province looks forward to joining with supporters on Saturday night to mark the contribution of this group and wish them the best for the future.
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