Ulster sign props Crean and McGuire

Sam Crean (right) had a loan stint with Ulster this month while Rory McGuire (left) was part of Richie Murphy's Ireland Under-20s Grand Slam-winning squad in 2022

Ulster have signed former England Under-20s prop Sam Crean and Leinster tight-head Rory McGuire.

Twenty-four-year-old Crean, who can also cover the hooker position, joins Ulster from Saracens after having played twice for the Irish province during a short-term loan this season.

McGuire, 22, has made eight senior appearances for Leinster after coming through their academy programme.

The 6ft 4in McGuire played for Ireland's Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam-winning squad in 2022 when Ulster coach Richie Murphy was in charge of the team.

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham described the duo as "talented props at good age profiles".

"Richie knows him [McGuire] well from Ireland U20s and we think he is an exciting prospect who is eager to kick on under Jimmy Duffy," added Cunningham.

"Sam, after a brief stint earlier this season on loan during which he really impressed the coaches, can hopefully hit the ground running and really challenge both Eric [O'Sullivan] and Callum [Reid] for the number one jersey."

Props Andy Warwick and Corrie Barrett are among eight players who will leave the Irish province at the end of this season, with the other departures being Ireland internationals John Cooney and Kieran Treadwell plus Alan O'Connor, Mattie Rea, Reuben Crothers and Michael McDonald.