Luke Marshall extends Ulster contract, but province lose academy star

Luke Marshall has signed a two-year contract extension with Ulster to keep him at Kingspan Stadium until the summer of 2018.

However, the province will lose one of their academy graduates, winger Rory Scholes, at the end of the season to Edinburgh.

Marshall, who turns 25 tomorrow, is a graduate of the province's academy, and said that his desire to win silverware had a big bearing on his decision to stay at Ulster.

He said: "It is always a privilege for me to play for my home province so I'm delighted to be staying on for another couple of seasons.

"We have a strong squad that is only getting better, and with the coaching team that we have in place, I believe we are well-positioned to challenge for silverware in the near future. We have come close to winning something over the past few seasons so there is definitely some unfinished business."

Ulster's Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, was delighted that Luke committed his future to the province.

He said: "There was a high level of interest in him. Luke is one of our core group of indigenous players which is the bedrock of this squad and, at just 24, we believe that his best rugby is still ahead of him.

"His clever running lines and strong ball-carrying have been a real asset to us in attack, particularly during our European campaign in which he scored three tries.

"He has consistently demonstrated his ability to distribute the ball from first or second receiver which has really benefitted Paddy Jackson. Defensively, he has also excelled and he has forged good relationships with everyone he has played alongside in midfield."

The Ulster coach was disappointed at losing Scholes who has scored five tries in 22 games for the province.

Kiss said: "It was obviously a tough decision for Rory. Our Academy has done a great job in producing local young talent that has gone on to perform well at PRO12 and Champions Cup level.

"Rory's departure will give more opportunities to our current crop of young players such as Jacob Stockdale, Jack Owens and Robert Lyttle.

"We wish Rory well on his move to Edinburgh."