Harrison opts for Ulster

Ulster have pulled off the signing of Australian lock Justin Harrison, famously branded an “ape, plod and plank” by England’s Austin Healey during the 2001 Lions tour of Australia.

Harrison, who has signed a three-year contract, is looking forward to “something totally different” in Belfast.

“I will have to work as hard as any other player to be sure of my place in the team,” he insisted.

“It was an easy decision to come here. I want to experience the whole picture that rugby can offer.

“For the past 10 years I have seen plenty of bus routes and training paddocks. Ulster are a pro outfit who can also offer me a doorway to Europe.”

Harrison, 31, has won 34 Australia caps and has been a mainstay of the Wallabies squad for 10 years. He has also played for ACT Brumbies and, more recently, the NSW Waratahs.

Harrison, who mde his Test debut against the Lions in 2001, added: “Along with coach Mark McCall and the backroom staff, I hope I can help improve and change the fortunes for Ulster.

“There are a number of young players here and I feel I can offer them something.”

Harrison was banned for three games last March after being found guilty of racially abusing South Africa’s Chumani Booi during a Super 12 tie and is ashamed of that episode.

“There is no adequate explanation for what I did but it is a period in my life that I am enormously remorseful about and now I’m looking forward to projecting a positive image of Ulster Rugby,” he said.

Harrison is the second of McCall’s southern hemisphere signings after former New Zealand Under-19 scrum-half Isaac Boss.

He could make his Ravenhill bow on August 19 in a pre-season friendly against London Irish.