Head coach Richie Murphy says incoming number eight Juarno Augustus ticks all the boxes on Ulster’s wish list. The province on Tuesday announced the South African will join in the summer after four seasons with Northampton.

As a former World Junior Player of the Year and a Gallagher Premiership champion with the Northampton Saints in the 2023/24 season, there is no doubting that Juarno Augustus is an excellent rugby player.

After a month of downtime, Ulster have begun their return to match week action – culminating with Friday’s interpro with URC leaders Leinster – with a certain amount of intent after announcing the signing of backrower Juarno Augustus from Northampton Saints.

English outfit Northampton Saints have confirmed that South African loose forward Juarno Augustus will join United Rugby Championship side Ulster at the end of the current season.

Augustus has been an integral part of the Saints setup since joining in 2021, winning the Premiership title last season.

Ulster have 2017 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year Juarno 'Trokkie' Augustus from Northampton Saints. The 26 year-old South African, who has previously played with Stormers and Western Province, will join the province on a three-year deal next summer.

Ulster confirm the signing of Northampton Saints number eight Juarno Augustus on a three-year deal from next summer.

ULSTER HEAD coach Richie Murphy had described the signing of Juarno Augustus from reigning Premiership champions Northampton Saints as “a statement” of the province’s ambitions for both the URC and Europe.

Juarno Augustus says it was a 'very difficult decision' to leave Saints next summer. The South African No.8 will be making the move to Ulster when his contract expires at the end of the season. Augustus has been a key figure in the Saints back row since arriving at the club from the Stormers in the summer of 2021.