John Andrew joins Ireland international in signing new Ulster deal

Ulster hooker John Andrew has signed a new deal with the province alongside front-row team-mate Eric O’Sullivan.

Andrew, 31, has extended his deal at the Kingspan Stadium to 2026 while loosehead prop O’Sullivan, 29, will stay at least until 2027.

The pair are centurions for the province, with Andrew making his debut a decade ago. O’Sullivan’s debut came three years later in 2018. The prop earned his one and only Ireland cap two years after his Ulster debut, against Scotland in 2020.

Both players featured in Ulster’s recent Investec Champions Cup loss to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, which all but ended the side’s hopes of progressing to the round of 16.

“I’m very happy to be staying on for another season with Ulster,” Andrew said.

“It’s always an honour for me every chance I get to play for Ulster, and I’ll be doing everything I can to contribute to the team both on and off the pitch for the rest of this season and beyond.”

O’Sullivan said: “I’m delighted to sign for the next couple of seasons with Ulster. I feel very at home here and enjoy playing with of a great group of lads. We are developing a squad for the future and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham added: “Securing Eric and John’s futures were an important part of shaping our squad for the months ahead.

“Eric’s mobility round the park and capacity to grow at scrum time over the coming months, under Jimmy Duffy’s tutelage, mean we genuinely believe his best years are yet to come in an Ulster shirt.

“John has shown this season how important he is for us, as we have been hit hard on the injury front with our group of hookers.

“He brings a wealth of experience to a relatively young squad, is incredibly popular amongst his peers, and continues to be a key cultural leader within the group.”