FORMER ULSTER COACH Alan Solomons signed up tight-head prop John Andress from Worcester Warriors. The Belfast native will join Solomons’ Edinburgh on a two-year deal.
Andress was with the Ulster Academy during the South African coach’s tenure at the northern province. The prop broke into the Ulster senior team but moved to England and played three seasons of Championship rugby with Exeter Chiefs.
Andress then moved to Harlequins and spent the past two seasons at Worcester. With the club relegated to the Championship, the 30-year-old jumped at the opportunity to hold down a regular starting role with Edinburgh in RaboDirect Pro12. Andress said he is looking forward to bringing up his young son in Edinburgh.
He said, “I know how good a coach Alan is and what he brings to the table so I’m delighted to get a chance to work under his guidance again. He feels that the club has a good infrastructure in place and is now looking to build on it.” Andress added:
I’ve earned a lot of experience in two very tough scrummaging leagues and I’m keen to be part of this vision to build a successful club and work with the younger guys and help them develop”
While he played for Ireland A and the U21 side, Andress was never capped at international level. In an October 2012 interview with TheScore.ie he remarked that he must be the only starting prop in the Premiership not to have an international cap. At the time, Ireland coach Declan Kidney called up New Zealander Michael Bent as tight-head cover for the autumn internationals.
Solomons stated, “John is an outstanding scrummager, but is also good around the field. I think he will bring a lot to this club. We need depth in that tight-head position, and he’ll give us a lot of experience in that role.”
Leinster A, meanwhile, have named their matchday 23 for Friday evening’s British & Irish Cup final, against Leeds, at Donnybrook [kick-off 7pm]. Dominic Ryan will captain a strong starting XV that includes Darragh Fanning, Noel Reid, Brendan Macken Luke McGrath and Quinn Roux.
