Leinster prop Jack McGrath will move to Ulster next season, it was confirmed today.
The 29-year-old has made over 140 appearances for the Blues, winning three Heineken Cups, an Amlin Challenge Cup, a Guinness PRO14 title and two PRO12 titles.
But he has had to settle for playing second fiddle to Cian Healy in the Leinster and Ireland front row in recent seasons.
And McGrath will now follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jordi Murphy in making the move up north at the end of the season.
He said: "This was a difficult decision but one I believe will put me in the best position to continue to perform at the top end of the game.
"I have enjoyed a huge amount of success at Leinster but I feel that looking beyond the World Cup to the next phase of my career I will benefit from the opportunity within the Ulster environment.
"I am now fully fit after a disrupted start to the season and am looking forward to putting all my energy into helping Leinster’s drive to defend the European and PRO14 titles and finishing this season on a high."
IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora said of the Dubliner who made his Leinster debut in 2010: "Jack has made a very tough decision which he believes will advance his case for selection for Ireland. You have to respect a player with such ambition.
"Leinster is a fantastic environment but it is testament to the work that all four provinces are doing that players are seeking opportunities within Ireland to advance their international careers."
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