Wilson heading home to Belfast

The 30-year-old, who played in the 2011 Heineken Cup final, has signed a three-year deal with the club he first played for back in September 2003.

He was Ulster's Player of the Year in 2007 before moving to Northampton in the summer of 2008. During his time at Saints he has earned winner's medals from both the European Challenge Cup and the LV=Cup.

Capped once by Ireland on the summer tour to Japan in 2005, he is set to make his 50th European appearance this weekend at stadium:mk when Saints host unbeaten Munster in a vital Pool 1 game for both teams.

It will be his 46th appearance in the Heineken Cup to add to the four he made in the Amlin Challenge Cup when Saints took the title in 2009. He was also part of the Saints side that beat Ulster in last season's Heineken Cup quarter-final in Milton Keynes.

"That was a strange day andone I wouldn't particularly describe it as enjoyable. After the whistle went it was great to catch up with the Ulster boys, but I had mixed feelings," said Wilson.

"I certainly wanted to do my best and give 100% for Northampton, but given that during my time with Ulster we'd been striving to reach the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup, I suppose there was a little bit of envy on my part that I wasn't part of the Ulster squad on the day.

"I've really enjoyed my time at Northampton and the club have been very good to me. Dorian West is an excellent forwards coach, Jim Mallinder's knowledge of the game is outstanding and I'd like to think that I've learnt a lot from them over the last four years and I can add that experience to Ulster

"Northampton are a quality team and have an excellent set-up at the club, but I suppose it was always in the back of my mind that I would like to finish my career at Ulster. I was born and raised there, learnt my rugby there and I'm delighted to be coming back home.".