Veterans Alan O'Connor and Andrew Warwick will both leave Ulster at the end of the season, as Richie Murphy’s rebuild continues at the province this summer.
The province have confirmed eight senior players will leave Kingspan Stadium, ahead of their final home game of the campaign this Saturday against the Sharks.
John Cooney’s move to Brive and Kieran Treadwell’s return to Harlequins had both previously been announced, while former Ireland U20 captain Reuben Crothers announced his retirement last week.
The departures of O’Connor and Warwick will leave a vacuum of experience in Belfast next season, with both players currently in the province’s top 10 all-time appearances list.
Second row O’Connor has player 210 times for Ulster since joining their academy in 2012, and the Skerries native has been a regular captain of the province in recent seasons when Rob Herring and Iain Henderson have been unavailable.
The 32-year-old has continued to be a regular in the side this season, making 14 appearances, 11 of which have been starts.
Warwick has made 209 Ulster appearances since his debut in 2013, and made three appearances for Emerging Ireland earlier in his career.
The loosehead prop (below) didn't get recruited to Ulster’s academy until the age of 21, doing so after impressing for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League.
Like O'Connor, the 34-year-old has been a key player again this season, featuring in 14 of his side's 20 games.
Flanker Matty Rea is set to depart after more than 100 appearances for his native province, while scrum-half Michael McDonald and Corrie Barrett will also leave.
"I think supporters will join me in thanking Al [O’Connor], Andy [Warwick], Kieran [Treadwell], John [Cooney] and Matty [Rea] for their time at Ulster Rugby," Ulster’s general manager Bryn Cunningham said.
"Between them, they have amassed over 850 caps in the jersey and will leave behind some big shoes to fill.
"Al and Waz have been superb role models in the way they go about their work with a no-nonsense attitude and total commitment to the jersey over the years. Both players hit the milestone of reaching over 200 caps for Ulster Rugby earlier this season, becoming members of that special club.
"John and Treaders made a huge impact on the senior team since joining us and made every Ulster supporter proud when they went on to represent Ireland on international duty. I know John will miss the chants of 'Cooney’ ringing round Ravenhill!
"Matty has given his all for the shirt since he joined after impressing in the AIL with Ballymena, and like the others mentioned, he can be incredibly proud of his contributions over the years while finishing his time strongly this season."
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