Ulster newcomer Benson keeps Ireland and England options open
Jamie Benson has swapped London for Belfast — and kept his international future wide open.
The 24-year-old joined Ulster from Harlequins on a two-year deal in the summer and started at centre in the club’s United Rugby Championship opening-weekend defeat by Edinburgh, according to BBC Sport. The URC is rugby union’s cross-border league, with teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. It was a losing start. But a personal milestone.
Benson qualifies for Ireland through family in Belfast. His mother grew up in the city and much of her family still lives there. Many of them are Ulster fans.
That history has not made the move feel familiar. He told BBC Sport NI’s Mark Sidebottom that Belfast feels like a new city he probably has not been to before, because he is now living there permanently on his own, working and playing rugby. He is seeing it properly for the first time.
His rugby education came at Harlequins. Benson graduated from the London club’s academy system and kicked a last-gasp conversion against Northampton Saints in the Premiership Cup on his senior debut in 2021. His full Premiership debut — England’s top domestic division — followed in 2024, and he scored his first Champions Cup try, in Europe’s top club competition, in a win over Bayonne last season.
Ulster supporters will quickly learn he is versatile. He can play at fly-half, full-back or centre. Fly-half, the No 10, is the playmaker who steers the attack and takes most of the kicks at goal and for territory. Centre, where he started against Edinburgh alongside Ben Carson, is about carrying hard in midfield and shutting down space in defence.
His preference is clear. Benson said his favourite shirt is No 10.
That choice could shape what comes next. He represented England at Under-18 and Under-20 level and was picked in a wider England A squad earlier this season. He is still eligible for both England and Ireland at senior level, and said it is an ambition to play senior international rugby in future.
For fans, this is the intriguing part. No decision has been made. Form and game time at Ulster will do the talking.
Head coach Richie Murphy likes what he has seen so far, saying Benson has brought a blend of skill and competitiveness to the squad. Ulster announced the two-year signing back in April, according to Ulster Rugby. Now the hard work begins: learning a new system, winning over a new crowd, and pushing for the No 10 jersey he wants most.
