Ulster have bolstered their pack further ahead of next season with the signing of former New Zealand number eight Xavier Rush from the Cardiff Blues.
Rush, 32, has agreed a two-year deal with Ulster and he will join the former South Africa lock Johann Muller in moving to Ravenhill in July.
The eight times capped All Black left the Auckland Blues to join Cardiff in 2005.
Standing at 6'2"tall and weighing 112kg, Rush made his international debut against Australia in 1998 and has made 96 appearances in the Magners League and Heineken Cup.
"Success in northern hemisphere rugby is built around the pack of forwards," said Ulster's director of rugby operations David Humphreys.
"Over the past number of seasons, Xavier has been one of the outstanding back row forwards in European rugby"
Ulster Head Coach, Brian McLaughlin, said Rush will be a great asset to the Ulster back row.
"He is an aggressive, attacking player, who has played his rugby at the highest level", he said.
"He is a big hitter on the field and has been instrumental in Cardiff Blues success in recent seasons.
"The experience that Xavier will bring with him, is of great value and importance to the Ulster squad now"
Rush said he was delighted to have signed with Ulster.
"I am looking forward to becoming a part of a team that has some great young players and plenty of ambition", he said.
"The five years that I spent at Cardiff were terrific, but I felt like it was the right time for a change and a new challenge, and moving to a vibrant city like Belfast is going to provide me with that.
"Also, being on the right side of the Ulster fans for once is going to be great and I now look forward to making the move, getting out on the field and becoming an Ulsterman."
Last week Ulster Rugby confirmed the signing of South African international lock Johann Muller on a two-year contract in a bid to bring physicality and leadership to the Ulster pack.
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