Lutton and Andrew agree new deals at Ulster

Emerging Ireland tight-head prop Ricky Lutton has signed a two-year professional contract with Ulster, while full-back Ricky Andrew has penned a one-year deal.

Both players will play a vital role when Ulster travel to face a dangerous trip to Glasgow Warriors side at Scotstoun this Friday evening as the Irish province looks to consolidate second place in the Pro12.

It’s the first of three big games for an injury-ravaged Ulster side who have also to play Leinster the following week, then third-placed Munster.

Lutton, 28, who was awarded an Oxford Blue on three occasions and was on the successful side that won the varsity match at Twickenham in 2008, is thrilled to have been upgraded from a development player to a full-time professional.

“I’m naturally delighted,” said Lutton of his new deal. “I feel I have really come on this season and there have been big, big improvements in my game. Maybe I haven’t come on as much as I would have liked, but I’m happy where I’m at.

“I maybe felt I got a little bit stagnant midway through this season as I naturally didn’t get much game time. But I’ve come out the other side after I changed a few things, and now I can really see the rewards. Now, hopefully, I can have a strong finish to the season.

“For me, the bread and butter of the scrummaging has really come on. That’s what I’m judged on, at the end of the day. I’m also looking to improve other parts of my game like ball-carrying and cleaning out at rucks and the tight defence around the fringes.”

Lutton will be in for John Afoa again with the All Black still suffering with a back injury. Lutton, though, has learned a lot from World Cup winner Afoa.

“He has been a tremendous help to me. When he is injured, he still makes himself available to step out and give hints. He would also step out of sessions to allow me to know what it is like in the team,” said Lutton who is aware that Glasgow can cause all sorts of damage to Ulster’s hopes.

“They are a big danger to us,” said Lutton. “The next three games are all massive, and to be honest we need to win all of them if we want to have a home semi-final, which was our aim at the start of the season. We have put ourselves in a position that it is attainable.”

Much like last summer, Lutton would like to feature in the Emerging Ireland side that travels to Romania.

“Yes, that would be one of my goals. I maybe didn’t have a good mid-season, but if I can have a strong finish, it might put me in the selectors’ minds.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Andrew, who hopes to again stand in for the banned Jared Payne, is himself a doubt as he attempts to shake a throat infection.

Ulster will definitely be without Robbie Diack for the game. He did not broken any bones after he limped off with an ankle injury in the big win over Connacht last Friday but is reported to have suffered torn ligaments. The back-row forward will be monitored before any decision is made to include him in the match-day squad for next week’s clash with Leinster.