Ireland scrum half John Cooney is relishing added competition with Ulster next season following the recent double capture of Ian Madigan and Alby Mathewson.
Former All-Black Mathewson, who left Munster at the end of last year, offers additional quality and experience at No9 while Madigan bolsters Dan McFarland’s options at out-half.
Cooney, who has excelled for Ulster since making the position his own at the Kingspan, said: “It's more strength in depth, if we want to be a team competing to win trophies.
“I understand that the more players we have in certain positions, the better it is for the team. It's good to have a couple more players.”
With the 11-times capped Cooney expected to be on national duty on a regular basis moving forward, McFarland moved swiftly to recruit Mathewson (34) for the new campaign.
“I’m looking forward to having him,” said Cooney. “Luckily, I’ve got to learn off a lot of scrum-halves - Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss - when I was a Leinster quite young.
“It’s good to learn off other players and players who are slightly different to me and my approach, so I’m looking forward to picking his brain.”
Cooney, speaking to reporters as part of Rugby Players Ireland’s Tackle Your Feelings campaign, has been impressed by Mathewson’s professionalism on social media.
“I already follow him on Instagram because I know he’s in incredible shape and I want to see what he’s doing, so I can see what fitness or what gym he does,” he said.
“He seems to be an incredible professional and a good player and will add a lot of strength to our squad.”
Cooney is also excited to link up with former Leinster out-half Madigan who is returning to Irish shores after spending the past four years in France and England.
“I have spoken to him a good few times and he was very good to me during the Six Nations,” he said. “He messaged me a good few times. Just encouraging me to keep going at it.
“I would know him very well. He would send me a lot of positive messages, so I am looking forward to playing with him again.”
