A graduate of the Ulster Rugby Academy, 27-year-old Nick Timoney has gone from strength to strength these past seasons, both literally and figuratively. Now no stranger to Andy Farrell and his Ireland set-up, after kick-starting his time in a green jersey with a try against the USA, the versatile back-rower has committed to Ulster for at least the next two seasons.
Topping the United Rugby Championship tackle chart last season, with a 98% success rate, the 6ft 2” Dubliner has been explicit in his desire to win silverware with the province, and sees achieving this ambition as only a matter of time. On extending his stay with Ulster, home for the past seven years, Timoney said:
“I'm delighted to be extending my time at Ulster. We've got an incredibly exciting group at the moment, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over the next couple of years.”
Cape Town-born, Rob Herring, who has over 200 caps for Ulster to his name, has also committed the upcoming two years to the province that he and his family now call home. Following a Test-winning summer tour with Ireland, which saw the hooker score the try which sealed victory over New Zealand, the 32-year-old is back on an international stage this weekend.
Responsible for one of the five tries that saw Dan McFarland’s men to a historic win over the Emirates Lions at Ellis Park a fortnight ago, this Ulster team-sheet stalwart looks set to call the club’s number 2 jersey his own for the foreseeable. On staying with Ulster, Herring, said:
“I’m delighted to sign on again with Ulster, a province I’m really proud to represent. From players to support staff, the club is full of great people whose standards and ambition to win are very high. That’s something I’m excited to continue to be a part of over the next couple seasons.”
On the news of retaining two key members of Ulster’s pack, Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said:
“Both Nick and Rob exemplify the pace and physicality that we want to see from our forwards. They are first-class operators on the pitch, and demonstrate that week in week out for the club, as well as in an international setting.
“I look forward to both playing a key role in driving forward our ambitions in the seasons ahead, with their influence on our club extending far beyond what happens for eighty minutes on the pitch. It’s going to be an exciting couple of seasons ahead for these two players, and us as a collective.”