Irish international centre Stuart McCloskey has secured a contract renewal with Ulster, ensuring his presence at the province through the conclusion of the 2027-28 term. Now 33, McCloskey was instrumental in Ireland’s Triple Crown victory during the 2025-26 Six Nations, earning a nomination for the Player of the Championship.
His club contributions were equally notable, as he featured in 13 matches and helped guide Ulster to the European Challenge Cup final. Though a hamstring injury sustained during the semi-final win against Exeter Chiefs sidelined him for the title match against Montpellier, he remains a cornerstone of the squad. With 217 appearances to his name, he is currently one game shy of equaling Rory Best’s record for the third-highest total in Ulster’s history.
McCloskey is now fully recovered and preparing for Ireland’s upcoming Nations Championship fixtures against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Regarding the extension, he described Ulster as his home and expressed enthusiasm for the team’s ongoing development. Rory Best, the general manager at Ulster, praised the decision, highlighting McCloskey as a world-class talent whose consistency and playmaking abilities are invaluable for mentoring the province’s rising stars.