[tag=image]http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/news/rsz_16_rdax_80.jpg[/tag][tag=content]Ulster Rugby have announced that Ireland international Luke Marshall has signed a new two-year deal to keep him in Belfast until the summer of 2018.
Marshall, who turns 25 tomorrow, has found himself in some fantastic form, scoring five tries in 14 appearances for Ulster this season and earned a call-up to the Ireland Six Nations squad.
The centre has made 76 appearances for the province since graduating from the Hughes Insurance Academy, making his debut in October 2010 against Munster, and has scored 14 tries for Ulster in that time.
He made his first appearance for Ireland in the 2013 Six Nations Championship against Scotland and has made five appearances for his country since. He was 24th man for Ireland’s games against Wales and France last month.
Marshall claimed that his desire to win silverware was a key factor in why he decided to stay with Ulster.
“It is always a privilege for me to play for my home province so I’m delighted to be staying on for another few seasons,” the centre commented on his new deal.
“We have a strong squad that is only getting better, and with the coaching team that we have in place, I believe we are well positioned to be challenge for silverware in the near future.
“We have come close to winning something over the past few seasons so there is definitely some unfinished business.”
Ulster’s Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, expressed his happiness that one of his in-form players this season had committed his future to the province.
“We’re delighted that Luke has committed his future to us,” Kiss stated, “particularly given there was a high level of interest in him.
“Luke is one of our core group of indigenous players which is the bedrock of this squad and, at just 24, we believe that his best rugby is still ahead of him. He is an outstanding professional and a really good person to have in the squad.
“Luke has been in superb form for us this season in both the PRO12 and Europe. His clever running lines and strong ball-carrying have been a real asset to us in attack, particularly during our European campaign in which he scored three tries.
“He has consistently demonstrated his ability to distribute the ball from first or second receiver which has really benefitted Paddy Jackson. Defensively, he has also excelled and has forged good relationships with everyone he has played alongside in midfield.”
It has also been confirmed that winger Rory Scholes will leave Ulster Rugby at the end of the season and join fellow Guinness PRO12 side Edinburgh Rugby on a two year deal.
Scholes, who is also a graduate of the Hughes Insurance Academy, has featured 22 times for Ulster and has scored five tries for his province.
“It was obviously a tough decision for Rory and it’s disappointing to lose a player of his quality,” Kiss commented on the news.
“Our Academy has done a great job in producing local young talent that has gone on to perform well at PRO12 and Champions Cup level. Rory’s departure will give more opportunity to our current crop of young players such as Jacob Stockdale, Jack Owens and Robert Lyttle.
“We wish Rory well on his move to Edinburgh.”[/tag]
Luke Marshall signs new deal with Ulster
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