Ulster Rugby today confirmed that Mark McCrea has signed a professional contract which will keep him at Ravenhill until June 2009.

The 20 year old winger who has been part of the Ulster Rugby Academy for just over a year began training with the senior Ulster team during the summer and has so far earned himself six Ulster Caps including five starts for his province.

Educated at Belfast High School, McCrea has represented Ulster and Irish Schools as well as Ulster U19s.

Mark is delighted to have secured his future at Ravenhill
"I am really happy that I have signed a professional contract, this season has been good for me personally but obviously not so good for us as a team" he continued to say "I have learnt a lot in the last 6 months and it is great to be able to turn to Bryn Cunningham, David Humphreys and Paul Steinmetz for advice, they are so easy to talk to and have helped me a lot. My only goal at the minute is to get more Ulster Caps""

Ulster Rugby also confirmed this morning that fly half Kieran Hallett has extended his development contract until the end of the current season.

Image credit: John Dickson of Dickson Digital.

---