Ulster Rugby have confirmed the short-term signing of hooker Tadgh McElroy, with the former Saracens and Bristol Bears man joining the province as injury cover with both Rob Herring and Tom Stewart on the sidelines. The former Ireland U20s hooker spent last season with Connacht and also made four caps for Leinster within recent seasons.
The signing is confirmed in line with Ulster’s announcement of their travelling squad, that will head to South Africa for back to back matches against the Lions and Bulls, in their first trip abroad in the United Rugby Championship. The Belfast side take on the Lions this Saturday at Emirates Airlines Park, before heading across to the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday 5th October for the battle with the Bulls.
31-year-old John Andrew started in the two jersey, for Ulster’s opening URC win against defending champions Glasgow Warriors. Off the bench came 22-year-old protege James McCormick at the 67th minute mark, with both hookers included in the travelling squad for the trip to the land of the Springboks.
Ulster 30-man squad to travel to South Africa:
Backs: John Cooney, Nathan Doak, Dave Shanahan, Aidan Morgan, James Humphreys, Jacob Stockdale, Mike Lowry, Ben Moxham, Werner Kok, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy
Forwards: Andy Warwick, Eric O’Sullivan, Callum Reid, John Andrew, James McCormick, Tadgh McElroy, Tom O’Toole, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, David McCann, Nick Timoney.