Stuart McCloskey: Ireland centre agrees contract extension with Ulster

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey has agreed a one-year contract extension with Ulster, which will keep him at the province until the end of the 2027-28 season.

The 33-year-old enjoyed a standout 2025-26 season as his dominant midfield performances helped Ireland achieve the Triple Crown in this year’s Six Nations.

McCloskey’s displays earned him rave reviews and he was ultimately shortlisted for the Six Nations Player of the Championship.

He was also a consistent performer for Ulster in the 2025-26 campaign, playing 13 matches for the province and helping them reach the final of the European Challenge Cup.

After an impressive display in the semi-final victory over Exeter Chiefs, McCloskey he suffered a hamstring injury in the second half of that game which ended his season and saw him miss out on the final defeat by Montpellier.

With 217 appearances for Ulster, he is on the verge of drawing level with Rory Best in accumulating the third most senior Ulster appearances, 218.

Back fit again, McCloskey will turn his focus to Ireland’s inaugural Nations Championship this summer, with Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in July.

McCloskey said that Ulster was his “home” and he is feeling confident after a “whirlwind season”.

“I feel we are developing well as a team and showed last season that we can really compete against strong sides by getting to a European Final.

“There is some strong talent coming through here and playing with the lads on the international stage has given everyone a big lift.

“I’m really enjoying my rugby and feel very motivated to achieve more over the next couple of seasons for both Ulster and Ireland.”

Rory Best, Ulster’s general manager, said that extending McCloskey’s contract is a “vital piece of business for us going forward”.

“He is one of the top international centres in the world right now and he brings a very consistent level of performance each time he plays, with the ability to break the gain line and play others into space with his unique passing range.

“For our young centres coming through, he is someone that they can learn so much from.”