Ulster Rugby Secures Contract Extensions for Ireland Internationals Iain Henderson and Rob Herring

Ulster has secured contract extensions for Ireland international players Iain Henderson and Rob Herring. Under his new agreement, Ulster captain Henderson will transition from his central Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] contract to a provincial deal, effective until 2027, starting at the conclusion of the current season. Herring’s updated contract ensures the hooker remains with the Belfast-based club through 2026. Henderson, an individual with 82 Ireland caps, expressed feeling “energised” regarding his continued leadership role at Ulster, which is currently in its inaugural full season under the guidance of head coach Richie Murphy. The five-time Six Nations winner Henderson stated, “We are building a team with a new core of players coming through the ranks and I believe there is the talent and experience to drive us forward.” He added, “As a proud Ulsterman, I love playing for the club and I’m excited for us going forward.” The 32-year-old second row, Henderson, has accumulated 150 Ulster caps since his debut in 2012. Beyond his achievements with Ireland, he has also been a British and Irish Lions tourist on two occasions, participating in the 2017 and 2021 squads. Herring, recognized as the province’s most-capped player, conveyed his “delighted” sentiment regarding the new agreement with Ulster, noting that “Belfast feels like home to me”. The 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam winner commented, “It’s always an honour to wear the jersey and I’m enjoying my role as one of the experienced players in an exciting young squad.” He further added, “I look forward to competing on the pitch but also helping the next generation come through.” “There’s a lot of excitement around the squad at the moment and hopefully plenty more special days ahead,” he concluded. Earlier in the week, Ulster centre Stewart Moore also signed a contract extension, which runs until 2027. Ulster is scheduled to resume competitive play on 29 November, hosting Leinster in the United Rugby Championship. This match marks their first game in a month, following a break for the autumn internationals.