Irish Daily Mirror

Dan ready to build on ‘cell block

- BY DARREN FULLERTON

ULSTER head coach Dan Mcfarland believes the best is yet to come from Marcell Coetzee after the 28-times capped Springbok agreed a new three-year contract with the province.

The new deal keeps Coetzee – whose time at the club has been disrupted by two major knee injuries – at the Kingspan Stadium until at least 2022.

The 27-year-old, who joined from the Sharks in 2016, made a successful return from injury in the summer and has been in sparkling form this season, starting 17 of Ulster’s 20 games.

Coetzee, who played only five games in his first two years with the club, tops Ulster’s charts this campaign for most carries, tackles and turnovers in all competitio­ns.

Mcfarland said: “Marcell has been phenomenal and it’s a massive boost for us that he has chosen to remain at the club, even with significan­t interest from other clubs.

“He’s been through some difficult times since he arrived here and I’m delighted he’s got a good run of games and performed at the level we know he’s capable of.

“At 27 years of age, we believe we are yet to witness some of his best rugby.”

New Ulster CEO Jonny Petrie hailed Coetzee’s re-signing as a “big statement of intent”.

He added: “We’re an ambitious club and it’s encouragin­g that players of the calibre of Marcell want to be part of our future plans, which I believe to be hugely exciting.”

Ulster return to Pro14 action at the Ospreys on February 15.

 ??  ?? MORE TO COME Ulster head coach Dan Mcfarland
MORE TO COME Ulster head coach Dan Mcfarland

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