Scotland prop Rory Sutherland joins Ulster on short-term deal

Ulster have announced the signing of Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Rory Sutherland on a short-term deal.

Apart from Sutherland, the club also revealed that they are at "advanced negotiations" with an unnamed "world-class" prop on a three-year deal post 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Sutherland will join Ulster after being part of Worcester since 2021. With the Warriors now suspended from the remainder of the Gallagher Premiership season due to a financial crisis, the Irish province has handed a contract to the 30-year-old.

He made his professional rugby debut with Edinburgh in 2014 and after featuring for them close to 100 times, Sutherland switched to Worcester Warriors in 2021. He also played 20 times for Scotland apart from a solitary appearance for the British and Irish Lions that came during the tour of South Africa.

“My thanks go out to everyone in the rugby community who has supported myself, and all those at Worcester, over the past while during what has been a heartbreaking time for players and staff alike," he told the club's official website.

“However, I’m looking forward to linking-up with Ulster, and getting stuck into the BKT URC and the many familiar faces and rivals that it will bring. The club is on a quest for silverware, and I’ll do all I can this season to play my part in that ambition.”

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland is excited about the arrival of Sutherland.

“Myself, Roddy Grant, Jonny Bell and Jonny Petrie have all worked with Rory at some point in his career and know he will add quality on the field and bring an invaluable level of experience and mindset that our young props can squeeze every drop out of.

“Having Rory’s level of competitiveness at scrum training is going to test and teach the very best we have, something as a scrum coach and former prop I have experienced first-hand and am now excited to be a part of.

“Whilst we are all looking forward to welcoming Rory to Ulster, we are also mindful of the very difficult situation many players and staff at Worcester Warriors find themselves in and we wish them the best for whatever the future holds.”