ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP OUTFIT Jersey RFC have announced the signings of Irishmen Ross Adair and Charlie Butterworth from Ulster.
Both players will join the Islanders this summer.
Highly-rated 20-year-old wing Adair scored a try on his debut for Ulster last month after coming off the bench against the Dragons in Wales.
The Holywood man has played for Ireland at U20 level and will hope to gain first-team experience under head coach Harvey Biljon when he links up with Jersey, who currently have former Leinster and Leicester back row Michael Noone on the books.
Butterworth, 24, joined Ulster at the start of the season from Ulster Bank League side Lansdowne FC. The openside flanker had hoped for Pro12 chances with Neil Doak’s side, but was instead restricted to Ulster’s British and Irish Cup campaign.
Wicklow man Butterworth now looks forward to the next step in his professional career with similar aspirations to Adair in terms of first-team rugby.
The Ulster duo join compatriots such as Darren O’Shea, Niall Annett [both Worcester], Sean Scanlon, Michael Keating, Adam Macklin, Willie Ryan [all Rotherham], Jack O’Connell, Darren Hudson [both Bristol], Declan Cusack and Eoghan Grace [both Plymouth] in leaving one of the provinces to join a Championship side.
Jersey are eighth in England’s second tier with two regular-season games remaining, so Butterworth and Adair will be looking to drive the club up the table next season.
