John Cooney to join Brive from Ulster after season

John Cooney, the 34-year-old scrum-half, will leave Ulster Rugby at the end of the season to join French club CA Brive. Having spent eight successful years with Ulster since transferring from Connacht in 2017, Cooney has scored over 1,000 points and has been selected in the URC Team of the Year five times. He expressed gratitude to Ulster's fans and management, highlighting the privilege of representing the club and the strong connection he formed with supporters. Ulster head coach Richie Murphy praised Cooney as a key team personality and noted his commitment to high standards. Cooney, who has earned 11 caps for Ireland, will depart as Ulster looks to improve their standing in the URC and prepare for the European Champions Cup knockout stages. Brive is currently vying for promotion in the French D2 league.