Ulster are set to make a significant capture in the summer acquisition of the Western Stormers' Super 12 back-rower Russell Nelson. The strong-running, skilful 6' 3" Nelson is also Irish qualified through his mother, and aside from his Super 12 experience he has captained Boland, with whom he played over 100 Currie Cup matches.

In effect, he will be filling the void created by Dion O'Cuinneagain's departure next December for the remainder of next season, and as the former Irish World Cup captain was presumably a link in Nelson's capture, the expectation is that the ex-Boland player will also play with Ballymena, who are resigned to losing another back-rower, the promising Irish under-21 player Chris McCarey, to newly promoted Belfast Harlequins next season.

Nelson's hoped-for arrival would also go some way to compensating for the failure to bring back prodigal Ulster sons such as Kieron Dawson, who has signed another year-long contract with London Irish, and Jeremy Davidson, who has also resigned for Castres.