Ulster sign Burns from Gloucester

ULSTER’s new out-half Billy Burns has traded Gloucester for Belfast in a bid to force his way into the Ireland squad in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The former England Under 20s star is Irish qualified despite being born in Bath, and Ulster have backed the 24-year-old to push into Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad. With Paddy Jackson gone to Perpignan, Burns will contest the Ulster No10 jersey with Johnny McPhillips as he attempts to break into the Ireland squad where Joey Carbery and Ross Byrne are understudies to Johnny Sexton. ‘Being Irishqualified we have no doubt that Billy has the potential to represent Ireland in the near future,’ said Ulster’s operations director Bryn Cunningham, with Burns signing a two-year deal. Burns has racked up more than 100 Gloucester appearances since his debut as a 17year-old in 2012.