Jared Payne is set to leave Ulster Rugby at the end of the season.
Payne has been working as the Ulster's defence coach and been part of the province's backroom team for the past four seasons.
He represented Ulster on 78 occasions and earned 20 caps for Ireland, and will leave the Kingspan following a decade of service to Ulster to pursue coaching opportunities overseas.
It is another void for head coach Dan McFarland to fill after losing assistant coach Dwayne Peel last season who moved to the Cardiff Blues.
McFarland said Payne had "helped shape" Ulster Rugby over the past decade.
He added: “We all know how much Jared has given to Ulster, as a player, and as an important part of our coaching set-up since 2018.
“Jared has helped to shape who we are as a club over the past decade, and what we want to achieve, and his influence will continue to be felt in the years ahead. Jared’s desire to learn and improve himself as a coach has been impressive and it has been this spirit, in particular, that has made him a core part of our culture.
“On behalf of myself, the support staff, and the wider club, I would like to thank Jared for his significant contribution to Ulster, and he leaves with our best wishes for this next chapter.”
Payne thanked the "Ulster community" as he confirmed his intention to leave at the end of the season.
“A big thank-you to the Ulster community, the fans, players and staff that have made my time here special," said Payne.
“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and experiences that we have shared, and I look forward to hopefully adding to those over these final few months.”
