JOHNNY MCPHILLIPS HAS become the second Irish player to join Leicester Tigers ahead of next season, as the former Ireland U20 out-half leaves Ulster for Welford Road.<\/p>\n
Following Leinster\u2019s Noel Reid to the Premiership club, McPhillips joins Leicester, coached by former Ireland international Geordan Murphy, ahead of the 2019\/20 season.<\/p>\n
McPhillips leaves Ulster after making 24 senior appearances. Source: Tommy Dickson\/INPHO<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old, who was born and schooled in England, came up through the Ulster academy and made 24 senior appearances for the northern province over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n
But the arrival of Billy Burns, and recent addition of Bill Johnston from Munster, means McPhillips has left Kingspan Stadium to continue his career in the English Premiership.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cJohnny was very well regarded as a young player in the Irish system and he has gained some good experience of senior rugby with Ulster,\u201d Murphy said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A member of the Ireland team that reached the U20 World Championship final in 2016, McPhillips made 13 appearances for Ulster last term, including nine starts.<\/p>\n
On his move to Leicester, he commented: \u201cI\u2019m incredibly excited to be joining such a prestigious club like Leicester Tigers.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to play at Welford Road and challenge myself in a new environment full of established and exciting young players is something I\u2019m really looking forward to.<\/p>\n