McCrea Signs Professional Contract With Ulster

Ulster Rugby confirmed on Thursday that Mark McCrea has signed a professional contract which will keep him at Ravenhill until June 2009.

The 20-year-old winger has been part of the Ulster Rugby Academy for just over a year. He began training with the province’s senior squad during the summer and has so far earned himself six Ulster caps, including five starts.

Educated at Belfast High School, McCrea has represented Ulster and Irish Schools as well as the Ulster Under-19s.

Delighted with the new deal, he said: “I’m really happy that I have signed a professional contract. This season has been good for me personally but obviously not so good for us as a team.

“I have learnt a lot in the last six months and it is great to be able to turn to Bryn Cunningham, David Humphreys and Paul Steinmetz for advice.

“They are so easy to talk to and have helped me a lot. My only goal at the minute is to get more Ulster caps,” he admitted.

Ulster Rugby have also confirmed that former Ireland Under-21 out-half Kieran Hallett has extended his development contract with the province until the end of the current season.