Ulster Confirm Jordi Murphy Signing

There was significant competition to secure the services of an international player of the calibre of Jordi Murphy, but the 26-year-old has agreed to move to Kingspan Stadium ahead of the 2018/19 season.

The announcement follows last month’s confirmation that Wasps and Ireland prop Martin Moore, a former team-mate of Murphy’s at Leinster, will also join the province.
 
Commenting on his impending move, Murphy said: “It’s been an incredibly hard decision to leave Leinster where I have made some great friends and enjoyed some fantastic times, but I am excited by the prospect of moving north and linking up with some familiar faces.
 
“Having considered my options at length, I realise that this represents a great opportunity for me to challenge for a position at Ulster and hopefully become a more regular feature in the national set-up.
 
“Ulster are building a strong squad for next season and I’m really looking forward to the new challenge. However, I am fully focused on contributing as best I can for Leinster for the remainder of the current campaign.”
 
Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss commented: “Jordi has been on our radar for the past 12 months and it took a lot of hard work between his agent and (our operations director) Bryn (Cunningham) to get this completed. Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of interest in Jordi and we are really pleased that he has chosen to ply his trade here in Belfast.
 
“The acquisition of Jordi for next season is great news for everyone connected with Ulster Rugby and I believe that this move will greatly benefit both parties.

 
“He’s an extremely talented player, an explosive runner and a nuisance at the breakdown, while his versatility allows him to play across the back row. At 26 years of age, we believe Jordi has the potential to play the best rugby of his career at Ulster and that is a hugely exciting prospect.
 
“As injuries are becoming increasingly common in the modern game, it’s imperative that we continue to expand the playing resources we have available. With Marty (Moore) also on board, plus the return to fitness of Marcell Coetzee, we have added some much-needed depth to our pack for next season.
 
“The increased investment in our Academy forwards is starting to pay off and five of those in our current system – Nick Timoney, Adam McBurney, Aaron Hall, Greg Jones and Matthew Dalton – have played for the senior team already this season. That’s another positive sign for the future of rugby in Ulster.”
 
Murphy made his debut for Leinster against Glasgow Warriors in September 2011 and has accumulated 95 appearances for his native province. He earned his first senior cap for Ireland as a replacement against England in the 2014 Six Nations Championship.
 
The following year was particularly memorable for Murphy as he played all five games during Ireland’s title-winning Six Nations campaign, before earning a place in the 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

He also featured in every match during the 2016 Six Nations. Murphy also scored the first try in Ireland’s historic win over New Zealand in Chicago before a knee injury put him out of the game. He has won 18 Ireland caps to date, with his most recent coming in the win over Fiji last month.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen commented: “Jordi is a hugely talented player and a very popular member within our squad. It is to his enormous credit that he has come back as strong as he has from his knee injury last year. We respect his decision to move and everyone at Leinster wishes him the very best with his future.”