The retirement of the squad's longest serving player Luke Marshall, as well as that of fellow centre Angus Curtis, had previously been confirmed, as had the departures of fly-half Billy Burns and Springbok World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff.

They are joined by former Exeter Chiefs back row Dave Ewers, who like Kitshoff will spend just one season in Belfast, while Greg Jones, James French and Shea O'Brien are all also leaving.

"On behalf of everyone at Ulster Rugby, I would like to say thank you to the players that will be leaving the club at the end of the season," said head of rugby operations and recruitment Bryn Cunningham.

Despite all being at various stages of their careers, with some having spent many years at the club and others at the start of their professional rugby, it is important to acknowledge the positive impact that each individual has made on the club, both on and off the pitch and in terms of their professionalism day in, day out."

Ulster play Leinster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday in what is their final home game of the United Rugby Championship [URC] campaign.