ULSTER SIGN BELLO, KNOX AND MULLINS FOR 2026 SEASON

Ulster Rugby has completed the recruitment of three players for the forthcoming season. Props Eduardo Bello and Keynan Knox, along with back Chay Mullins, have agreed terms with the Irish province. Bello and Mullins have signed one-year contracts, whilst Knox has committed to a two-year deal. Rory Best, Ulster's general manager, stated that the signings align with the club's objective to strengthen the forward pack with experienced leadership and physicality.

Bello, an Argentine international with 26 caps, arrives from Newcastle Red Bulls and has previously won a Premiership title with Saracens and spent five years at Zebre. Knox, a South African prop who qualifies for Ireland through residency, joins from French side USON Nevers and made 33 appearances during a six-year spell with Munster, including eight matches in the 2023 United Rugby Championship-winning campaign. Mullins, a 24-year-old back three player who qualifies for Ireland through his Cavan-born grandmother, comes through from Connacht and represented Ireland in the sevens team that won the Rugby Europe Sevens Championship Series in 2023 and competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Knox stated he felt better equipped as a player following his time in France, whilst Mullins noted his previous experience working with Ulster head coach Richie Murphy in the Ireland Under-20s setup.

Best indicated that younger props within Ulster's system would benefit from training alongside and competing against Bello. Bello expressed his intention to regain selection for Argentina's international team through his performances at Ulster.