Ulster have confirmed contract extensions for two of their key front row forwards, with Rob Herring, Tom Stewart and Sam Crean staying on at the province into next season.
Herring, Ulster's record appearance holder with 261 games for the province, has agreed an extension until the summer of 2027, while Stewart and Crean have agreed two-year deals until 2028.
Cape Town born Herring joined Ulster in 2012 and instantly impressed as deputy to hooker Rory Best, while he made his Ireland debut in the summer of 2014 on Ireland’s tour of Argentina.
The 35-year-old has gone on to win 43 caps for Ireland, featuring in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while he also helped Andy Farrell’s side to a Six Nations Grand Slam title that year.
Stewart has returned to his top form in the 2025/26 season, with the 25-year-old featuring in every game in the campaign and scoring six tries.
The hooker, who has four Ireland caps, also appears to be back in the international radar, after featuring for Ireland A in their win against Spain in November.
Loosehead prop Crean has extended his stay at the province by a further two years after impressing for Richie Murphy’s side in his first full season.
The Irish-qualified former England U20 international initially joined from Saracens on a short loan deal last season, before making his move permanent.
The 25-year-old has filled in seamlessly since Andrew Warwick’s departure, and has been a first team regular this season, playing in nine of their 10 games so far, seven of which have come in the starting team.
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