Willie Faloon to return to Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby and Connacht have reached an agreement that will see openside flanker, Willie Faloon, leave the Sportsground and return to his native province for the 2015/16 season.
The 28 year-old has signed a one-year contract with Ulster meaning that he will be at Kingspan Stadium until at least the summer of 2016.
Faloon came through the ranks at the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy and represented the senior Ulster team on 63 occasions between 2008 and 2012.
With stiff competition for places at Ulster, he joined Connacht at the start of the 2012 season in search of game-time and quickly established himself as a first-team regular at the Sportsground.
He has played 39 games for Connacht over the past three seasons, scoring six tries.
He has also represented the Ireland Wolfhounds and was voted Connacht’s Player of the Season in his first year in Galway by the province’s Supporters Club.
Speaking about the move, Faloon said:
“While I am pleased to be returning to Ulster, I want to thank the coaches and fans of Connacht who have backed me over the past three seasons.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Galway and in the next few months I am completely focused on helping Connacht be successful in both the PRO12 and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.”
Ulster’s Team Manager, Bryn Cunningham, added:
“Willie has a hard edge to his game and he will provide us with another excellent option at PRO12 and European level.
“He has been in fantastic form for Connacht this season and he will come home to challenge for the number 7 jersey.
“Such competition for starting places only serves to drive up performance levels across the board, therefore I am delighted to see Willie coming back to Belfast.”
