With the news of Jordie Barrett's move to Leinster dominating headlines all across the country, Ulster's link to a former All Black has gone somewhat under the radar.
It's been a difficult season for the Irish province and after the news of two-time World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff's departure earlier this month and the club's financial struggles, Ulster fans have been wondering what will be next.
Richie Murphy's appointment has added some excitement to a dull past few campaigns for the province and after his success with the Ireland U20s, there's some hope that the side could turn their recent form around.
Ulster sit 8th in the URC standings and after exiting the Champions Cup after just one win from four in the group stage, fans will be counting down the days until the start of a fresh campaign, but their latest links to a ex-All Black has shown the gap between them and Leinster is growing enormously.
Ulster eyeing up move for Aaron Cruden
According to RugbyPass, veteran New Zealand fly-half Aaron Cruden is being lined up for a move to the Kingspan Stadium next year.
With Billy Burns moving south to Thomond Park for the 2024/25 campaign, Jake Flannery and Nathan Doak are Ulster's only recognised options for the number 10 jersey.
With 50 international caps to his name, Cruden would add a wealth of experience and knowledge to the youthful options at Ulster's disposal, but at the age of 35, their big name signing really showcases the gulf between the province and Leinster.
24 November 2013; New Zealand's Ryan Crotty is congratulated by Aaron Cruden, 10, after scoring a late try. Guinness Series International, Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
With Leo Cullen's side able to bring some of the finest southern hemisphere talent in RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett - both of whom are arguably in the prime of their careers - Ulster's transfer list is clearly very different.
For the past three seasons, Aaron Cruden has played in Japan but is currently without a club after leaving Suntory Sungoliath.
Speaking to media in New Zealand, Cruden confessed that his next move hasn't been confirmed and hasn't ruled out the chance of turning to coaching.
I don’t know, to be fair… I’m not actively looking right now… not looking too far ahead, we’ll just see what comes,
If you’d asked me early on in my career, I probably would have said no to coaching, but now I’m getting closer to the end of it, I’m thinking it could be a potential avenue I want to explore.
There's no doubt that capturing the signature of Aaron Cruden has a host of benefits for Ulster, but as he enters the final days of his career, it shows the bridge between Ireland's elite and the struggling Ulster is bigger than ever before.
SEE ALSO: Report: IRFU Set To Review Central Contract System With 10th Deal Coming Leinster's Way
