Tadgh McElroy joins up with Ulster ahead of South Africa tour

Former Connacht and Leinster hooker Tadgh McElroy has joined Ulster on a short-term deal, and has gone straight into the province's traveling squad for their URC tour to South Africa.

The 27-year-old had been without a club since departing Connacht at the end of last season, but has now been snapped up by head coach Richie Murphy to provide cover while first-choice pair Rob Herring and Tom Stewart are sidelined with respective calf and ankle injuries.

The former Ireland U20 international played 13 times for the western province last season, soring two tries, while he also made four appearances for Leinster in 2022/23. Prior to that, the Dundalk man had spells at Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders and London Irish.

McElroy is part of a 30-strong squad that has departed for Johannesburg this week, with the province taking on the Bulls this Saturday afternoon, before moving on to play the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday 5 October.

John Cooney is among the touring part, with the 34-year-old having missed last weekend’s dramatic win over the Glasgow Warriors as he neared a return from a hamstring issue.

Stuart McCloskey is also in line to make his first appearance of the season, with the centre joining fellow internationals Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney and Tom O’Toole in the group.

Backs: John Cooney, Nathan Doak, Dave Shanahan, Aidan Morgan, James Humphreys, Jacob Stockdale, Mike Lowry, Ben Moxham, Werner Kok, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy

Forwards: Andy Warwick, Eric O’Sullivan, Callum Reid, John Andrew, James McCormick, Tadgh McElroy, Tom O’Toole, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

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