Whitten to leave Ulster at the end of the season

Centre Ian Whitten will part ways with his Ulster teammates at the end of this season having signed a two year deal with Aviva Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs.

Whitten has been attached to Ulster Rugby since joining the club’s Academy in 2007 having already represented Ireland at Under-18 and Under-19 levels.

The 2008-9 season marked a breakthrough in Whitten’s career, the Lisburn-born back earned his first senior Ulster cap against Stade Francais and became a fixture in the team for the remainder of the season.

The 24-year old has made sixteen appearances for Ulster so far this season and has a try against Aironi in the RaboDirect PRO12 to his name.

Having encountered Aviva Premiership opponents in the shape of the Leicester Tigers this already this season, Whitten is excited about taking on the challenges of playing in the League.

“Obviously I'm delighted with the move” he said. “It's going to be a new challenge in a tough environment for me, but it's one I am very much looking forward too.

“I was very impressed with the facilities at Exeter when I came over and also by all the people who seemed very friendly and made me feel very welcome.

“Testing myself in the Premiership is going to be great because it's a very tough league and every week the challenge is there for you to take on.”

The centre, who has two international caps to his name from the 2009 summer tour of the USA and Canada, made sure to get a feel for the club form Ulster teammates Dan Tuohy and Lewis Stevenson who previously played with the Chiefs.

“I spoke to both Dan and Lewis and they said lots of great things about the club.

“Also a few of the guys here played for the Irish Wolfhounds over there the other week and said how impressed they were by the place.

“As I said, I liked what I saw as well and the facilities look great. All I've heard is real positives about the place, so I'm really looking forward to the challenge.”

Whitten’s signing represents a first venture into the market for Exeter head coach Rob Baxter, who led the side to promotion in 2010.

The Chiefs currently lie fifth in the Premiership, one spot outside the playoff places and have made it through to the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup where they will meet French giants Stade Francais on Thursday April 5.

Baxter revealed that Whitten’s versatility in the backline as well as his kicking game made him an attractive target for the club.

“He's become available to have a look at and Ali and myself sat down and had a good look at a few of his games.

“He's played the last three or four games, starting on the wing or in the centre, and we do quite like backs who can play in more than one position. It works in the way we want to play with the back line we've got.

“Ian's a big, strong guy but he's also quick and powerful. It's nice that he's young and still developing as a player.

“He's got a lot of good rugby ahead of him, he's probably still developing physically and his handling and kicking game is still improving, which is something we want to work on with all our players.”