Izuchukwu signs two-year contract extension at Ulster

Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu has signed a two-year contract extension with the province until the summer of 2028.

The 25-year-old made his Ulster debut in 2021 and has racked up 44 appearances for the province.

The versatile forward has also won three caps for Ireland and said he was "delighted" to commit his future to Richie Murphy's side.

"We are delighted as we wanted to keep our best players at Ulster," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

"He [Izuchukwu] has become an important member of the squad over the last couple of seasons.

"He is and around that Irish set up at the moment and one of our goas is to push him hard enough to become a regular member of that Irish team and I know that is something he wants to do."

Ulster general manager Rory Best said tying Izuchukwu down to a new deal was a "really important renewal".

"Cormac has shown so much of his unique potential over the past season or two, with his profile of physicality and power helping to make him one of the most exciting forwards in Irish rugby," he added when speaking to Ulster's website.

"He has earned national team recognition due to his performances, and we believe he has a very exciting future in front of him for both Ulster and Ireland."