Fitzpatrick To Bid ‘Au Revoir’ To Castres

26-times capped Ireland prop Justin Fitzpatrick will end his French exile at the end of the season, and return to former province Ulster on a three-year deal.

Currently a Castres front rower, Fitzpatrick – whose last Irish cap came in August 2003’s 61-6 win over Italy at Thomond Park – is expected to finalise contract details in the coming days.

The 31-year-old linked up with Castres – currently fifth in the French Championship – two years ago, and was influential in Ulster’s run to the 1999 European Cup title – helping Harry Williams’ men past Colomiers 21-16 in the Lansdowne Road final.

The Chicester-born prop has been competing with Yannick Forestier and Argentinian international Mauricio Reggiardo for the Castres loosehead berth this season, and started in the Stade Pierre-Antoine club’s 31-29 defeat of Bourgoin last Saturday.

The move completes a busy four weeks off-field for Ulster and coach Mark McCall. Having already lured Australian lock Justin Harrison and former New Zealand Under-19 World Cup winning scrum-half Isaac Boss to Ravenhill for next season, McCall also tied in a new three-year deal for his current first choice scrum-half Kieran Campbell last week.