Ulster’s Roger Wilson signs a new two-year contract

‘Ulster Rugby is a great place to be right now so I am pleased to have signed a new contract’

Roger Wilson has signed a new two-year contract with Ulster. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Roger Wilson has signed a new two-year contract with Ulster. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Ulster backrow Roger Wilson has signed a new two-year contract with Ulster Rugby that will see him remain at Kingspan Stadium until the summer of 2017.

The 33-year-old who won his only Ireland cap in 2005 against Japan, has represented Ireland A on 11 occasions, and this summer played for the Barbarians in their match against England.

A consistent performer for the province over eleven seasons, during two separate spells, Wilson didn’t miss a single game for Ulster in 2006, accumulating 1,591 minutes on the pitch and 26 appearances. In all he now has 165 appearances to his name for Ulster.

As fit as ever

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The province’s Player of the Year in 2004/5 says that “physically, I feel that I am as fit and well as I have ever been and I am looking forward to making a big contribution over the next two years.”

“Ulster Rugby is a great place to be right now so I am pleased to have signed a new two year contract with the province.

Wilson also lined out at number eight in a World XV that took on South Africa in Cape Town during the summer and he played at blindside flanker in Ulster’s loss to Munster last weekend.

He made his debut for Ulster in 2003 against Ospreys before moving in 2008 to the English Premiership where he made 117 appearances for Northampton Saints, winning the European Challenge Cup. The Belfast-born forward then returned to his home province four years later.

Experience

Ulster Rugby's Team Manager, Bryn Cunningham added:

“Roger is one of the most consistent and hard-working members of our squad. The fact that he has made 165 appearances for Ulster as well as having played more than 100 times for Northampton Saints illustrates his value to the teams he has represented and his considerable durability.

“His experience of the game is invaluable, especially as we seek to bring through the next generation of players in Ulster and I am delighted that he has committed to the province for a further two seasons.”

Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue is a former Irish Times journalist