Matt Faddes departing to Northern Ireland

Highlanders and Otago back Matt Faddes will be playing his rugby in Northern Ireland later this year.

Ulster Rugby announced on its website the signing of 27-year-old Faddes yesterday, saying he will join them for this season's Guinness Pro 14 campaign.

''It's exciting to consider the next chapter of my rugby career,'' Faddes told the Irish Times.

''When I visited in 2016 [for the Barbarians], I was struck by the family, community feel to the club.''