There is little disputing Max Deegan's quality but the Leinster back row has endured somewhat of a stuttering career at the province.
Deegan, who plays both blindside flanker and No8, has accrued over 100 appearances since breaking through at the Blues back in 2016.
However, the emergence of Caelan Doris in recent seasons saw him take a backseat, while Jack Conan's resurgence has further limited his opportunities.
The decision to move Ryan Baird from the second-row to blindside flanker has provided another obstacle for Deegan, who has consequently lost out in the international reckoning too.
28 October 2023; Max Deegan and Will Connors of Leinster after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Hollywoodbets Sharks at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
The 27-year-old has been touted for a change of scenery this summer and that now appears to be the case, as per a new report.
Max Deegan reportedly set to leave Leinster for Ulster
Deegan, who captained Emerging Ireland in 2022, looks set to swap Leinster for rivals Ulster at the end of the season.
An exclusive report by RugbyPass has claimed that the loose forward will follow the path of Jordi Murphy, Jack McGrath and others in making the move north of the border.
Deegan has previously stressed the value of regular playing time at club level when it comes to landing Ireland caps and it is claimed that he will join Ulster on a two-year deal.
"There are four back rows in the Ireland squad from Leinster so if you’re beating them in here then you’re getting into the Ireland squad, I believe," he told reporters last November.
“If you’re playing week in, week out in the Leinster team I think you have a good chance of getting in the Ireland squad.”
He won his first Ireland cap early into Andy Farrell's Ireland reign during the 2020 Six Nations, before waiting a while to add his second in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.
Deegan's could add real quality to Ulster's squad with a number of major names set to leave the province at the end of the campaign.
Marquee signing Steven Kitshoff is due to return to South Africa, while out-half Billy Burns is due to join Munster and veteran back Luke Marshall intends to retire from the game.
