John Cooney to swap Ulster for France's second division

Ulster scrum-half John Cooney has signed a two-year deal with French Pro D2 outfit Brive ahead of next season.

The move will bring the 34-year-old’s eight-year stay in Ulster to an end, and in doing so end his eligibility to represent Ireland, though the 11-cap international has been out of the Test picture for a while.

The move will also end his 14-year professional career in Ireland, which has seen him represent Leinster and Connacht.

Cooney will leave an Ulster side that are currently in 14th place in the United Rugby Championship for a Brive outfit that are third in France’s second division and gunning for promotion to the Top 14.

Pro D2

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Grenoble

23

17

6

0

79

2

Provence Rugby

23

14

8

1

67

3

Brive

23

14

9

0

67

4

Beziers

23

13

10

0

64

5

US Montauban

23

14

9

0

62

6

Soyaux Angouleme

23

13

8

2

61

7

Colomiers

23

12

10

1

58

8

Oyonnax

23

10

12

1

50

9

Biarritz

23

11

12

0

49

10

Dax

23

10

12

1

48

11

USON Nevers

23

11

12

0

48

12

Mont de Marsan

23

10

13

0

47

13

Valence Romans

23

9

14

0

46

14

Agen

23

9

14

0

45

15

Aurillac

23

10

13

0

42

16

Nice

23

4

19

0

22

The Irishman will join the likes of Courtney Lawes, Ross Moriarty and Sam Johnson as seasoned internationals at the Stade Amédée-Domenech next season.

Given the format of the league, Brive will make the play-offs at the end of the season given their current position, with the winner gaining promotion to the Top 14. There is still a possibility of a second side earning promotion following another play-off with the second-from-bottom side in the Top 14. Cooney could therefore find himself playing in France’s top tier next season.

“I am very happy to join Brive,” Cooney said to Brive after signing. “It is an ambitious club that shares my values. French rugby has long attracted me. I am looking forward to meeting the supporters and taking on this new challenge.”

Cooney said to Ulster: “First and foremost, I would like to thank the Ulster fans for their incredible support over the years and for accepting me as one of their own.

“Secondly, I’d like to thank Ulster Rugby for taking a punt on me and giving me the opportunity to represent this amazing province.

“Playing for Ulster has always been an absolute privilege for me, and I have never taken for granted how much this club means to so many people.

“There is no better feeling in the world than coming out to the fans singing ‘Stand up for the Ulstermen’.

“And I will always be an Ulsterman!”

CA Brive’s sporting manager Pierre-Henry Broncan added: “We are very happy to welcome John among us. He is an experienced player with physical qualities and a reliable kicking game. He is used to knockout matches and his intelligence on the pitch will be an asset to our game plan. We are looking forward to starting work with him.”