Ulster prop Corrie Barrett says it was a “childhood dream” to be part of the Ireland provincial squad after four years of playing rugby in England.
The 26-year-old has signed a contract until the end of the season after a six-week trial in the summer.
Barrett, a former Schools’ Cup winner at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution in 2015-16, began playing club rugby for Instonians.
The frontlander, who can play on either side of the scrum, has previously been involved in the Ulster rugby corridor and has played for Ulster Under-19s and Ulster ‘A’.
His orthodox rugby path would also see him play for Garryowen, Munster ‘A’, Bedford Blues, Saracens and most recently Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship last season.
“It’s a sweet home, it’s great to be back here after all these years,” Barrett told BBC Sport NI.
“You go through the academy and you miss out on opportunities. The best advice I got was to go and play rugby, learn and expand your game and then always come back here, that was in the back of my mind.
“Being home, my family, when the opportunity came up for a six-week trial in the summer, I had to jump at it. Those few years in the Championship really shaped me as a person and a rugby player. Those were invaluable years.”
Barrett came on as a second-half replacement for Scott Wilson in Exeter’s Investors Champions Cup win over Exeter in Belfast last week and will hope to have the chance to impress in Sunday’s game against Zebre in the absence of the suspended Tom O’Toole.
“You don’t want to wish bad on anyone and the good thing about here (Ulster Squad) is there is no ‘position hatred’, we all help each other out so unfortunately (Tom O’Toole) was lucky for me. .
“I have a chance to grab the jersey and put in the effort.
“There’s the pressure of everything and obviously stepping up as a group as much as possible. But for me personally, it’s about doing my job to the best of my ability.”
Ulster host Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday (17:30 GMT kick-off). Watch the game live on BBC Two Ni, BBC IPlayer and BBC Sport websites 17:15 GMT
