Ulster sign Afoa as Hines leaves Leinster

ULSTER have propped up their front row options after yesterday announcing the signing of All Black John Afoa.

The 27-year-old Auckland Blues prop, who made his first international appearance against Ireland in the 2005 November series and has 27 caps, will link up with Brian McLaughlin’s side after the World Cup on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Afoa will essentially replace South African BJ Botha, who will move to Munster in the summer, on the tight-head side of the Ulster scrum.