Mark McCall has been appointed Ulster rugby captain for the coming season. The former London Irish player, who has returned to the province to play for Dungannon, will also captain the club.

Former Irish international full back Simon Mason and Justin Fitzpatrick have also been named in the Ulster squad.

Ulster Squad - National contracts: J Bell, M McCall, D Humphreys, J Fitzpatrick, A Clarke, A Ward. Full-time provincial: S McDowell, J Topping, J Cunningham, S Coulter, A Parke, S Bell, M Edwards, R Irwin, M Patton, G Longwell, M Blair, T McWhirter, S Mason. Part- time provincial: A Matchett, N Doak, R Mackey, S Ritchie, M Rea, S Duncan, S McKinty, B Cunningham. Under-21 part-time provincial: C McCarey.