ULSTER HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of Samoan international out-half Mike Stanley on a short-term contract until the end of the season.
With Paddy Jackson currently sidelined due to an elbow injury, Neil Doak’s men are short on depth in the position and have drafted in 25-year-old Stanley to provide cover.
A native of New Zealand, Stanley spent his formative years in England, earning a place in the Saracens academy and representing his adopted nation at U16, U18 and U20 levels.
He subsequently bounced between New Zealand club rugby and the lower tiers of the English domestic game, before playing a part in Counties Manukau’s 2014 ITM Cup campaign alongside Connach’s Bundee Aki.
Stanley made two starts and scored two tries in that competition to convince Samoa to bring him into their squad for last November’s Test series.
The out-half started against Canada and also appeared off the bench against Italy and England, scoring three penalties and two conversions. More recently, Stanley trained with the Chiefs during their Super Rugby pre-season programme.
Getting short-term replacements at this stage of the season is incredibly difficult, so to obtain the services of someone with international experience and who has been in a pre-season programme with a Super Rugby squad in New Zealand, is great for Ulster Rugby,” said the province’s team manager, Bryn Cunningham.
“With the current injury status in the squad, outside half was an area where we were a bit short. However, the imminent arrival of Mike will give us the comfort that we now have a more than capable back-up for Ian Humphreys.”
