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Kieran Treadwell to leave Ulster for Harlequins

Kieran Treadwell has played 171 times for Ulster
Kieran Treadwell has played 171 times for Ulster

Ireland international Kieran Treadwell will leave Ulster at the end of the season, with the second row rejoining his former side Harlequins.

The 29-year-old returns to London after nine seasons at Ulster, in which he has played 171 times for the province.

Born in England, the imposing lock started his career at Harlequins, before joining Ulster in 2016.

Irish-qualified through his Longford-born mother Liz, Treadwell represented both Ireland and England at various underage grades, and made his debut for Ireland in the summer of 2017, featuring twice on their tour of Japan.

He would later play in all three Tests of Ireland's series win against New Zealand in 2022, and featured in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam campaign, winning 11 caps in total.

"I arrived in Belfast eight years ago as a 20-year-old with a chance to represent Ulster and a dream of playing international rugby," Treadwell said.

"I never knew when I arrived how much playing for Ulster would mean to me and how much I would love living here.

"I leave as a man who has represented the province over 170 times and fulfilled my ambition of playing international rugby.

"I leave with immense pride and fond memories of my experiences."

Treadwell won 11 Ireland caps

While Treadwell has fallen back down the depth chart with Ireland, the experienced lock has been a consistent presence for Ulster this season, playing in 12 of 14 games this season for Richie Murphy’s side.

And he says having come through Harlequins’ academy, there is "unfinished" business for him at his boyhood club.

"I’m quite a big man of fate and the stars have aligned," he added.

"This was the right opportunity for me at this stage in my career and I’m looking forward to getting started in the summer.

"There is a bit of unfinished business for me at the club. I’ve never played in the Premiership for Harlequins and that was a big goal of mine when I was a young whippersnapper!

"I’ve been away from my family for nine years too, so I can’t wait to play in front of them at home again."

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