Ulster Rugby has announced that five established members of their squad have signed contract extensions.

Backs James Hume, Ethan McIlroy and Jacob Stockdale, plus forwards Tom O'Toole and Nick Timoney, have committed their futures to the Irish province until at least 2030.

Collectively, the quintet have made more than 650 senior Ulster appearances.

On the international stage, O'Toole, Stockdale and Timoney have enjoyed increased involvement with the Ireland squad this year, playing important roles in securing a Six Nations Triple Crown and appearing in the inaugural Nations Championship.

O'Toole, 28, has adapted his game successfully this year, playing a starting role at loose-head prop after being deployed at tight-head for most of his career.

Thirty-year-old Stockdale remains a key player with his try-scoring ability and his versatility in being able to play at full-back as well as on the wing.

He recently celebrated a milestone 150th Ulster appearance against Munster.

Timoney has established himself as an integral part of the Ulster squad and become a regular feature of Andy Farrell's Ireland matchday squads over the past year.

Experienced centre Hume, 28, and backline player McIlroy, 26, have both overcome long-term knee injuries, with the latter having proved his adaptability by playing at centre, on the wing and at full-back.

"We are very pleased to have secured the futures of James, Ethan, Tom, Jacob and Nick for the next three seasons," said Ulster Rugby General Manager Rory Best.

"All five play an important role in our senior squad with their consistency in performance and experience. They are an integral part of our team, and I know all five are extremely ambitious in their goals for the future."

Best emphasised a key quality he felt all five players possess, after suffering setbacks at different stages of their professional rugby careers.

"One thing that all these guys have shown – they are all remarkably resilient. Each of them has experienced ups and downs but have shown the mentality to bounce back and work hard."