United Rugby Championship: Irish-qualified scrum-half joins Ulster from Western Force

David Skippers

Ulster have announced the signing of scrum-half Michael McDonald from Super Rugby Pacific outfit the Western Force on a one-year deal ahead of the upcoming United Rugby Championship campaign.

The 23-year-old was born in Ireland and played for Dundalk RFC as a youngster before moving to Perth when he was 13 years old.

At the age of 19, he made his debut for the Force in the Rapid Rugby tournament and he also represented the Junior Wallabies at the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship where they lost in the final against France.

After that, he joined the Waratahs where spent one season before returning to the Force in 2021.

Dan McFarland keen to work with McDonald

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland is excited by the prospect of working with McDonald.

“Michael is a promising young half-back who has cut his teeth playing in the southern hemisphere, and he will fit in well with the style of rugby we want to play at Ulster, as he continues to hone his skills in the months ahead,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming Michael to the club as preparations for the new season get underway.”

McDonald is looking forward to returning to the country of his birth.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to be joining Ulster,” he said.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to get back to Ireland and experience rugby in the northern hemisphere at a professional level. I’m extremely grateful, and I look forward to having a go.”

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